The Case Race Pc Cases

Need a suitable vessel for your custom PC system? From space-saving Mini-ITX models to heavyweight multi-motherboard hulks, we put 12 chassis through their paces.

YOU’VE GOT THE motherboard. You’ve picked out the processor. You’ve readied the power supply, decided on your storage and maybe even shelled out on a proper graphics card. There’s just one thing left to do before your perfect PC is completely specced out: it’s time to choose a case.

This is likely to be one of the cheapest components in a system build, but it’s still worth taking the time to mull over your options and look for something absolutely ideal. For one thing, it’s the part of the PC you’ll see the most, so there’s no sense in settling for a chassis you’ll come to dislike.

Perhaps more importantly, the case will dictate the terms of which other components can be combined with it – when building a PC, there’s even an argument to start with the case. Whether it’s the size of the motherboard, length of the graphics card, or number of bays and trays for storage drives, a case’s limitations (and opportunities) could have just as much influence on your eventual PC spec as your own wishes.

To help avoid getting stuck with an under-equipped box, we’ve tested 12 desktop cases across a range of price points. We’ve judged them on build quality, upgradability, ease of use and any special features.

BUILD IN ACTION 

PCs may not be portable like laptops, but that doesn’t make build quality any less important. A well-constructed chassis should be able to passively reduce the noise of whirring components, survive any accidental toe-stubbing or item droppage, and preferably do it all while looking good.