The best PC cases 2024: perfect shells for high-spec rigs

Best PC cases 2024
(Image credit: Corsair / Future)

The best PC case can serve as the life and soul of your system, and it's not just a shell for your expensive components. Yes, technically its main purpose is to hold your rig's guts in one place so they're protected from dust and external dangers, but that doesn't mean you can't go for something that'll turn a few heads at LAN events. So, to help you pick the perfect shell for your gaming powerhouse, we're rounding up the best options out there right now to suit all budgets.

Not all PC cases are created equal, and you'll find that the best gaming PC models use a box with more than just good looks. Not that we don't think having a snazzy system is important, and there are certainly plenty of options that prioritize things like RGB lighting and stylish tempered glass panels. That said, space, functionality, and ease of access are all worth bearing in mind too, as no one wants to realize they've picked the wrong box while trying to squeeze an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 into place.

Right now, our overall best PC case pick is the NZXT H710i, as it offers a striking design and plenty of features to help amateur builders and enthusiasts alike. That said, it's far from the only option out there, and as custom PC nerds, we've worked with more than a fair share of shells and enclosures. You'll find a few of our favorites below alongside pros, cons, and additional buying advice, all of which should make picking up a new box easy peasy. 

The best PC case overall

best PC cases: NZXT H710i

(Image credit: NZXT)

1. NZXT H710i

The best PC case overall

Specifications

Form factor: Mid tower
Motherboard support: MicroATX, Mini-ATX, ATX, EATX
Drive Bays : 2.5-inch: 7 3.5-inch: 2+1
Radiator support: Front: 2 x 140 or 3 x 120mm with Push/Pull Top: 2 x 140 or 3 x 120mm Rear: 1 x 120
I/O Ports: 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x Headset Audio Jack
Weight: 12.3kg / 27.1lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful design 
+
CAM diagnostics and lighting
+
Vertical GPU mount

Reasons to avoid

-
May look plain to some people

Building a gaming PC in 2022 is a very different proposition from years prior, and NZXT seems to agree with its line of understated cases that still feature RGB lighting as well as modern innovations such as USB-C and vertical GPU mounting for an encompassing next-gen shell for your build. 

Tempered glass is going to be hit and miss for some people, but personally, we found that the commitment to aesthetics here really works in the case's favor without compromising the airflow, especially with a case as spacious as this. The included cable-routing kit allows for easy management so it will look just as good as it performs at a competitive price for its size. 

Ultimately, the NZXT H710i balances style and functionality in a way that earns it a place at the top. Rather than opting for the usual RGB and gamerish affair, this case opts for subtle minimalism, all while still looking like it houses something that'll smash Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K.

The best premium PC case

Corsair iCUE 5000T

(Image credit: Corsair)

2. Corsair iCue 5000T

The best premium PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Mid tower
Motherboard support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX
Drive bays: 4x 2.5-inch; 2x 3.5-inch
Radiator support: up to 360mm (front); up to 360mm (top/roof)
Front I/O: 3x USB 3.0; 1x USB-C; 3.5mm jack
Weight: 14.52 kg / 32.03 lbs

Reasons to buy

+
208 programmable LED lights
+
Support for multiple AIO water coolers
+
Excellent cable management

Reasons to avoid

-
Potentially overpriced
-
Pretty heavy

The Corsair iCue 5000T is one of the best PC cases for those wanting to make the most of the brand's extensive RGB lighting capabilities and thorough cooling options. Though this particular PC case carries a very premium price tag with its $400 / £350 MSRP, there's no denying that if you've been in the market for a high-end box to build in, few can compare. 

On the practical side, the Corsair iCue 5000T tool-free hinged side panels make it easy to access both sides of your PC case without tools or thumbscrews. What's more, there's support for both vertical GPU mounting and two 360mm radiators (one for your CPU and GPU), or support for up to 10x 120mm or 4x 140mm fans. You've got a lot of options here to keep your computer ice-cool, in other words, but it's perhaps the aesthetics and steel frame that will push this case to the next level. 

If you're familiar with the iCue RGB technology, then the 208 (!) LEDs are sure to be the standout at first glance of the Corsair iCue 5000T. There are three front RGB case fans in the front, as standard, but this monster also includes light strips on the top, side, and bottom of the case to highlight your components. 

The best Razer PC case

best PC cases: Razer Tomahawk ATX

(Image credit: Razer)

3. Razer Tomahawk ATX

The best Razer PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Mid Tower
Motherboard support: MicroATX, Mini-ATX, ATX, EATX
Drive Bays: 3x 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch HDD or SSD 2x 2.5-inch SSD
Radiator support: Up to 360mm
I/O Ports: 2x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports 1x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port 1x Dedicated Microphone Port 1x Headphone 1x Power Button 1x Reset Button
Weight: 13.5kg/ 29.85lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Built-in cable management
+
Tempered glass swivel doors 
+
Razer Chroma enabled lighting

Reasons to avoid

-
Love it or hate it design

Razer has been making sleek gaming laptops and peripherals for a long time, and the company has channelled its knowledge - and lighting - into this Mid Tower gaming PC case which features some neat inclusions, most notably the built-in cable management and forwards opening doors for easy building. 

That's not to mention the Chroma lightning - which some people may find excessive - though it's only underneath as opposed to be being hooked up to any included fans and what have you. Even better is the support for a a 360mm radiator size, so you can keep high-end CPUs ice-cold with ease. 

The whole Razer get-up won't be for everyone, but if you're a big fan of the snake-headed accessory maker's stuff, having a matching case makes a lot of sense. It's arguably pretty low key compared to a lot of the company's peripherals, so that may help it appeal to those of you out there not looking for a loud and proud aesthetic. 

The best budget PC case

best PC cases: MSI MAG Forge 100R

(Image credit: MSI)

4. MSI MAG Forge 100R

The best budget PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Mid tower
Motherboard support: MicroATX, Mini-ATX, ATX
Drive Bays: 2x 3.5-inch
Radiator support: 120 / 240mm (Top); 120 / 240mm (Front); 120mm (Rear)
I/O Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A / 1 x HD Audio / 1 x Mic
Weight: 25kg/55.12lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Solid cooling performance 
+
ARGB front fans 
+
Spacious for the price

Reasons to avoid

-
No support for 360mm radiators
-
No front USB-C ports 

There's no reason why a high-quality gaming PC case should cost a crazy amount of money. MSI seems to agree with its line of MAG Series cases, with the 100R being great for any budget builder ensuring that your money can be better spent on core components without conceding on class. 

The concessions made to keep the costs low aren't likely to be a deal-breaker - the lack of support for 360mm radiators and only two drive bays comes to mind, but if these omissions don't matter much to you, then this is still a great case for the money. 

The best full tower PC case

best PC cases: Thermaltake View 71

(Image credit: Thermaltake)

5. Thermaltake View 71

The best Full Tower PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Full Tower
Motherboard support: MicroATX, Mini-ATX, ATX, EATX
Drive Bays: 8+2
Radiator support: Front: 1 x 360mm / 1 x 420mm Top: 1 x 360mm / 1 x 420mm Rear: 1 x 120mm / 1 x 140mm Bottom: 1 x 240mm
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 2 USB 2.0 x 2 HD Audio x 1
Weight: 19.1kg/ 42.11lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Modular drive cages
+
Support for custom cooling loops 
+
Vertical GPU mount

Reasons to avoid

-
Could be too big for some

Let's be real, when you want to make a high-end gaming rig, you're going to need some serious space. Fortunately, this particular Full Tower is comparatively massive with more than enough space - with its modular nature - to build as insane of a battle station as your money - or imagination - can come up with. 

Hyperbole aside, the tool-free drive bay cages are a genuine game-changer, meaning that you can hot-swap storage drives to suit your usage without having to mess around with unscrewing things, so you won't have to fret about buying another SSD or HDD again. 

Best PC case for upgrading

best PC cases: Cooler Master case

(Image credit: Cooler Master)

6. Cooler Master MasterCase H500

The best PC case for upgrading

Specifications

Form factor: Mid Tower
Motherboard support: MicroATX, Mini-ATX, ATX, EATX
Drive Bays: 2x 2.5-inch/3.5-inch (Combo) or 4x 2.5-inch
Radiator support: Up to 360mm
I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (formerly USB 3.0), 2x USB 2.0, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x 3.5mm Mic Jack, 1x ARGB Controller, 1x ARGB 2-to-3 splitter
Weight: 9.2kg / 20.33lbs

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning RGB lighting 
+
Great airflow 
+
Handle for easy transportation

Reasons to avoid

-
Design isn't for everyone

If there's one thing to know about Cooler Master, it's that the company always tends to live up to its name, and that's due to its spacious design which makes it prime real estate for building into as you go. 

Those dual 200mm ARGB fans aren't going to be everyone's proverbial cup of tea, but they are bound to keep your rig chilled - and with easy fan controls - you can be sure that you can tailor the speeds easily to keep those temps down at all times. Personally, we're fans of the angular, thick tank-like shell, too.

Best PC cases - Frequently asked questions

Which PC case brand is best?

Corsair, Cooler Master, and NZXT are examples of great case brands, which each company providing shells that'll efficiently accommodate your gaming PC parts. Not to mention they look the part, with many boasting RGB lightings both inside and out. Many cases also come with glass side panels, feature that'll enable you to gaze in at your pricey graphics card and other components.

Does a PC case improve performance?

The case itself might not aid the performance of your gaming PC, but it will certainly help to make sure all your components fit together, and that they stay cool through liquid or air cooling. In that way, you could argue that one of the best PC cases will nurture good performance. Sadly, like with RGB lighting, they won't increase your frame rate, or help you to click more heads.

Which is better out of a mid tower or full tower?

Mid tower cases are, arguably, the most popular type that you can get for your gaming PC build. This is due to a balance size between form and function, generally being lighter and smaller than full towers while, largely, being able to accommodate the same components. The main advantage of full towers, however, is the increased building space and breathing room, meaning support for larger radiators (such as 360mm models) and bigger graphics cards (like the RTX 3090 Ti). Full towers also tend to be more expensive depending on the manufacturer, so it comes down to what your usage requirements are. 

What PC case setup is best for airflow

If you're installing fans in a PC case yourself, you'll want to set them up so that the front draws in cool air and the back exhausts hot air. That way, you'll help toasty components like your GPU and CPU shift heat and keep high temperatures at bay. It's also worth ensuring your intake fans run slightly higher than your exhaust fans, as this will prevent dust from building up as fast inside.

What is a good RGB PC case?

Personally, we like the NZXT H510 Elite case thanks to its clean look, beautiful RGB fans, and transparency. However, most of the best PC cases will already have plenty of RGB lighting opportunities since the market for it is crazy nowadays. The Cooler Master MasterCase H500 is also a solid choice, as is the Corsair iCue 5000T. The latter has an RGB hub in its roof that controls the lights on the top and bottom of the case. Since we use this as the case for our testing PC, we can recommend its style fully.


What's more, kit your setup out fashionably with the best gaming chairs, best gaming desks, and best gaming monitors to enjoy the latest titles in comfort and luxury. 

Phil Hayton
Hardware Editor

I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.

With contributions from