If you happen to’re brief on house, constructing your subsequent PC with a Mini ITX PC case is perhaps the best way to go. The greatest Mini-ITX PC instances are the smallest PC instances you should purchase, making it straightforward to avoid wasting room in your desk for added pc equipment to enhance your gaming PC setup. Mini ITX instances, like our high choose, the Cooler Master NR200, sit neatly inside your setup, and will simply be mistaken for a subwoofer.
TL;DR – These are the Best Mini ITX Cases:
Whereas a Mini-ITX case won’t provide as a lot inner room to work with as a mid-tower or eATX case, you may nonetheless get a shocking quantity of room to suit it with the one of many greatest CPUs, motherboard, and even a highly effective GPU. Since mini PCs have develop into way more in style over time, most of the high producers have began constructing some unimaginable, feature-rich Mini-ITX instances over time.
The Best Mini ITX Cases
1. Cooler Grasp NR200
Best Mini-ITX Case
One of many greatest considerations individuals have when constructing Mini-ITX PCs is with the ability to accommodate probably the most highly effective {hardware}, which tends to run a bit massive. You don’t want to fret with the Cooler Grasp NR200. It might be solely 18.25 liters in quantity, it has sufficient room for a 330mm-long graphics card, which is even longer than the highly effective Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.
It additionally has racks for 2 2.5-inch drives and a 3.5-inch drive, and there may be house for an NVMe SSD, which needs to be your recreation (and high-intensity program) drive. Make sure that every part stays cool with an CPU cooler or 240mm liquid CPU cooler, and also you’ll be good to go.
2. SilverStone Know-how SUGO 16
Best Finances Mini ITX Case
To save lots of on house and money, you may’t go improper with the SilverStone Know-how SUGO 16. For beneath $100, it gives a singular, cubelike aesthetic in a compact kind issue, making it shorter and stouter than most instances to suit in tighter areas. Fortunately, there’s sufficient room for the standard ATX energy provide to avoid wasting on cash, however you sacrifice GPU size—although it’ll nonetheless maintain playing cards as much as 275mm.
The case is made from metal with mesh panels on the entrance, aspect, high, and rear for further air flow. Nevertheless, a lot of the {hardware}, when put in, blocks the vents. You get a number of cooling alternatives, with the entrance of the case providing a mount for a 120mm fan or radiator, whereas the again has house for an 80mm fan with an ATX PSU put in. When you’ve got an SFX PSU, there needs to be room for a 120mm fan or radiator. However nonetheless, this case may get sizzling when pushing the PC’s elements to their limits.
3. NZXT H210i
Best Midrange Mini ITX Case
NZXT delivers a flexible case with top-notch high quality in the H210i. It’s straightforward to construct in because of a roomy design and ample cable administration, whereas a glass aspect panel and a few further RGB lighting allow you to showcase all of your {hardware}. Its I/O panel may use an some further ports, although the USB-A, USB-C, and headset jack ought to suffice for many.
The NZXT H210i can pack in an ATX energy provide, together with a full-size GPU, just like the RTX 4070, a stable CPU, and a number of other drives, so glorious cooling is important. Fortunately, the case is fitted with two 120mm followers, and there’s the chance to put in further followers or a radiator as much as 240mm utilizing a detachable bracket. Mesh can also be integrated into the design, making for an amazing PC case for airflow, regardless of its measurement.
4. Fractal Design Ridge
Best Console-Type Mini ITX Case
The Fractal Design Ridge channels the basic rectangular, modern look of the Xbox and PlayStation, serving to your PC match proper at dwelling subsequent to your gaming TV. This compact case is barely cramped, as is to be anticipated, however prepared to accommodate as much as 4 2.5-inch SSDs or onerous drives and a graphics card as much as 325mm. You’ll solely have the ability to match an SFX or SFX-L energy provide into this slim case, although these small dimensions make it simpler to seize and go locations.
In relation to cooling, the Fractal Design Ridge is able to hold most construct’s temperatures in test, however you might have considered trying one thing somewhat roomier if you happen to’ve obtained a top-tier processor or graphics. The case’s sides provide perforations for airflow, and a ventilated material entrance provides it the look of a speaker, particularly once you go for the vertical over horizontal orientation. Inside, you get restricted fan choices with two Side 140 mm PWM included, whereas there’s a comparatively brief CPU cooler clearance of 70mm.
5. Fractal Design Terra Graphite
Best Compact Mini ITX Case
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a trendy Mini-ITX case, you may’t go improper with the Fractal Design Terra. As a substitute of getting tons of RGB lights, the Fractal Design Terra has gone for a simplistic and pure design, with a gorgeously fashionable wooden entrance I/O panel.
It is perhaps on the small aspect, however the Fractal Design Terra has been nicely all through, with completely positioned air flow to make sure you can nonetheless use the most effective elements with out worrying about overheating points.
The Fractal Design Terra options sufficient room for a robust GPU as much as 233mm in size, in addition to having room for 2 2.5” drives, and 130mm clearance in your PSU. Whereas it won’t help gigantic GPUs just like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, it nonetheless provides you ample room to construct a robust PC.
6. Lian Li TU150
Best Moveable Mini ITX Case
With sufficient house for a triple-slot graphics card, 4 followers, an SFX energy provide, and nice cable routing areas behind the motherboard tray and in the roof of the case, this Lian Li case nonetheless has plenty of room.
It additionally has a retractable carrying deal with, to make transferring it even simpler. It clinchs the spot as probably the most moveable case on our record, even when it’s a bit bigger than among the different instances we’ve highlighted.
7. Razer Tomahawk
Best RGB Mini ITX PC Case
Whereas this fashionable case solely helps as much as 320mm graphics playing cards, it does help people who want three enlargement slots. It has room for plenty of totally different CPU coolers, and even 240mm radiators for liquid cooling, in addition to three 2.5-inch drives.
The entrance panel provides entry to all kinds of ports, and Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting results on the underside of the case, giving it a trendy underglow.
8. Fractal Design Torrent Nano
Best Mini ITX Tower Case
The Fractal Design Torrent Nano permits ITX builds nearer to these of conventional mid-tower PC instances. That’s because of its larger-than-average measurement, making it simpler to construct in and permitting for extra normal elements. You possibly can even squeeze in a 200mm ATX energy provide and as much as a triple-slot 335mm graphics card. It additionally encompasses a distinctive entrance panel design and mesh all through for ample airflow, whereas a aspect glass panel allows you to showcase elements.
After all, the Fractal Design Torrent Nano comes in clutch for cooling alternatives. There’s a 180 mm entrance consumption fan, together with the flexibility to mount as much as two further 120mm followers on the backside and one 120mm fan on the rear. As for CPU coolers, you get a 165mm clearance. If you happen to love water cooling, you may match a number of radiators, however putting in a 240 mm one on the entrance of the case means shedding the preinstalled fan.
9. BitFenix Prodigy M2 2022
Best Mini ITX Dice Case
This cube-like case permits you to be a bit extra versatile with half choice. By enabling ITX and even Micro ATX builds, you may select from a larger array of normal elements, together with graphics playing cards, coolers, and energy provides. This could all assist make constructing your trendy gaming rig considerably inexpensive too.
Along with air flow all through the case’s aspect panels, there are fan slots in the entrance, high, and again. Use 120mm followers in any of those areas, or as much as 140mm on the highest, the place it’s also possible to go for a 240mm radiator.
Best Fashionable Mini ITX Case
If you need your Mini-ITX case to face out, the Cooler Master QUBE 500 will just do that. It’s out there in a spread of vivid and pastel colours, and comes with a residing accent ecosystem, cable supervisor, and accent hook. Compact by nature, the case comes flatpacked for simple set up, and boasts absolutely modular panels to streamline the method.
Actually, you may swap the aspect glass and metal panels, permitting you to determine whether or not you desire a clear or non-transparent construct. You received’t must sacrifice high quality elements both, for the reason that QUBE 500 can home GPUs as much as 365mm, and twin 280mm radiators. It’s like your individual private Tardis in your desk.
The place to Get the Best ITX Case in the UK
What to Know Earlier than Constructing a Mini ITX Case
Mini ITX instances are beloved as a result of they let you construct a a lot smaller gaming PC. Since plenty of the larger instances have a lot empty house (which permits for construct selection), it is a way more ‘optimum’ strategy to construct.
Sadly, this additionally implies that constructing a Mini ITX PC is more difficult, requiring you to account for the dimensions of every element. Even easy upgrades may be sophisticated by the restricted house, so all the time hold this in thoughts earlier than you bounce in or make one other buy.
Pre-plan your PC construct earlier than you begin shopping for elements to keep away from operating into points. As carpenters say; “measure twice, reduce as soon as.” Measure the GPU and principal compartment twice to make sure you can truly suit your desired CPU cooler or graphics card contained in the case.
Contemplating how small these PC instances may be, you also needs to get a deal with on cable administration. Whenever you’re working with so little house, the much less muddle you’ve gotten means you may extra freely work your different elements in and finally guarantee good airflow when the system is up and operating.
When you’ve gotten every part you want and are able to construct, do a gown rehearsal. Put every part in its place BEFORE fastening it down. You don’t need to end the tenth step solely to appreciate a mistake makes Step 11 unattainable.
Have a look at Mini ITX builds as puzzles and it is best to discover the identical sense of satisfaction we do when ending your PC.
Professionals and Cons of Shopping for a Mini ITX Case
If you’re considering of shopping for a Mini ITX case, you would possibly need to weigh up the professionals and cons earlier than parting along with your hard-earned money.
One of many greatest causes individuals make investments in a Mini ITX case is because of the small kind issue. These instances are far smaller than mid-tower PC instances and take up a lot much less room in an workplace house. In addition they are typically extra light-weight, so if you have to transfer your PC, it’s much less of a trouble.
Nevertheless, by sizing down, it’s possible you’ll discover that your PC case doesn’t provide as a lot room for added enlargement slots or onerous drive bays. Equally, you might need to hunt out a barely smaller CPU cooler or low-profile GPU.
Brian Barnett writes evaluations, wiki guides, offers posts, options, and extra for IGN. You may get your repair of his antics on Twitter (@Ribnax) or try his present on Twitch (The Platformers).
Danielle Abraham is a contract author and unpaid music historian.