Desktop PCs supply benefits over laptops, however full tower builds can take up an excessive amount of house. As a substitute, why not construct a robust PC in a a lot smaller kind issue with a favourite Mini ITX case?
Shopping for a Mini ITX Case in 2023
Whereas Mini ITX circumstances slot in locations most computer systems cannot and are extra transportable total, you possibly can nonetheless make numerous PC builds work on this kind issue. That stated, there are some things you may need to remember when purchasing for a Mini ITX case.
The obvious situation is your motherboard. Mini ITX circumstances solely work with Mini ITX motherboards, so for those who already personal a motherboard you plan to make use of, double-check its kind issue earlier than shopping for a case. You’ll be able to match Mini ITX motherboards in bigger circumstances, however not vice versa.
One other main consideration is what you may use the PC for and the way heavy the workload will probably be. If you happen to’re constructing a Mini ITX gaming PC or video modifying rig, and also you’re planning on air cooling, make sure the case has adequate airflow to maintain every thing cool.
Talking of cooling, you may additionally want to consider fan clearance. If you happen to plan on utilizing a liquid cooling setup, you additionally want to make sure the case has sufficient room to suit the reservoir contained in the case with enough clearance. Even bigger Mini ITX circumstances are smaller than their greater siblings, so that you need not fear about too giant a footprint.
If you happen to’re not planning on built-in graphics, you may even have to contemplate the graphics card you may use in your construct. Whereas some circumstances can match even triple-slot GPUs, not all of them do, so make sure that to consider doable future upgrades. Additionally notice the size of the GPU, as totally different circumstances assist totally different max lengths for graphics playing cards.
Lastly, if you have not already purchased an influence provide, you need to contemplate whether or not you need to purchase a case with an included energy provide. These aren’t typically as high-performance as different energy provides. That stated, for those who’re constructing a easy residence theater PC or comparable kind of construct, these might do the trick and prevent a bit of cash and match the case nicely.
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Finest General Mini ITX Case: Lian Li Q58
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Cons |
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✓ Hanging look |
✗ Cable administration is not nearly as good as others |
✓ Half-glass, half-mesh panels supply good airflow |
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✓ Software-free sizzling swap SSD tray |
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✓ Versatile cooling choices |
Being small does not imply a Mini ITX case should look boring. A case can nonetheless be compact and have a novel look, as proved by the Lian Li Q58. Whereas this can be a hanging case, that is removed from all it has going for it.
In fact, the look does bear mentioning. In contrast to many circumstances which use both mesh or tempered glass facet panels, the Lian Li Q58 makes use of each supplies. This ends in facet panels with mesh on the underside for airflow, whereas the higher half is tempered glass, letting you simply see inside your PC.
There are many sensible touches to the Q58, just like the PCIe 4.0 riser and hot-swappable SSD tray. The case additionally makes use of a modular design that permits you to use SFX or ATX energy provides as much as 160mm in size. The design additionally helps triple-slot GPUs and permits you to go for air-cooled or water-cooled builds.
The Lian Li Q58 is obtainable in each white and black coloration varieties. You may also discover the case bundled with an influence provide, motherboard or a PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 riser.


Lian Li Q58
Finest Mini ITX Case General
There is not a lot the Lian Li Q58 would not have to supply, with room for a triple slot GPU, glorious airflow, and an awesome look. If you happen to do not require in depth cable administration, you possibly can’t go unsuitable.
Finest Moveable Mini ITX Case: Hyte Revolt 3
Execs |
Cons |
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✓ Appears to be like like a recreation console |
✗ Solely helps AIO cooling |
✓ Constructed-in deal with for simple portability |
✗ No room for triple-slot GPUs |
✓ Each panel is detachable for simple entry |
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✓ Good cooling efficiency |
Whatever the kind issue, PCs are likely to appear like PCs. If you happen to want the look of a recreation console in your gaming PC, the Hyte Revolt 3 is an ideal possibility, bearing a hanging resemblance to a serious recreation console. It additionally has a deal with on high, excellent for bringing your gaming rig in every single place.
Regardless of its comparatively small footprint, the Hyte Revolt 3 affords loads of entry to the internals. That is because of the detachable panels on all sides, letting you entry the within of the PC from any angle. The one main draw back is that the case solely helps AIO liquid cooling, with no room for followers. Nonetheless, If you happen to plan on a liquid-cooled construct, this would possibly not be an issue.
Whereas the Revolt 3 would not supply room for triple-slot graphics playing cards, it does assist dual-slot GPUs. It additionally helps longer playing cards than many Mini ITX circumstances, with room for playing cards as much as 335 × 140 x 55mm. That is loads of clearance for working extra highly effective GPUs.
The Hyte Revolt 3 is obtainable in white and black coloration choices, and you may typically discover the case bundled with a 700-watt energy provide as nicely.


HYTE Revolt 3
Finest Moveable Mini ITX Case
If you happen to’re constructing a liquid-cooled transportable gaming PC, the HYTE Revolt 3 will be the excellent case with its trendy, game-console impressed seems to be, quick access to internals, and a conveyable deal with for LAN events.
Execs |
Cons |
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✓ Nice airflow |
✗ Bigger than different Mini ITX circumstances |
✓ Room for as much as seven followers |
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✓ Good liquid cooling assist |
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✓ 360-degree entry |
Cooler Grasp is a longstanding PC case model that has constructed a rock-solid repute through the years. This definitely has one thing to do with the recognition of the Cooler Grasp NR200 case, however it additionally affords a simple to work with construct and loads of airflow and clearance.
The corporate actually primarily based its identify on cooling, and this case definitely excels at that, no matter whether or not you are going for an air-cooled or water-cooled construct. For extra conventional air-cooled builds, the NR200 affords room for as much as seven fans—more than you may usually discover on this kind issue.
Don’t fret for those who’re planning on a water-cooled construct, because the NR200 works nicely right here too. The case affords two places to mount a cooling pump, whereas radiator mounting places are on each the facet and backside of the case. You’ll be able to entry all of those simply, with tool-free detachable panels on all sides.
There are two variations of this case: the NR200 and the NR200P. The one distinction is the NR200P makes use of a tempered glass panel as an alternative of the mesh panels discovered on the NR200. The Cooler Grasp NR200 is obtainable in black or white coloration choices.


Cooler Grasp NR200
Finest Mini ITX Case for Cooling
The Cooler Grasp NR200 is likely one of the most versatile circumstances you should purchase, with 360-degree entry, nice assist for each air or liquid cooling, and room for bigger graphics playing cards than most Mini ITX circumstances.
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Cons |
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✓ Expandable design is tremendous versatile |
✗ Look will not be for everybody |
✓ D-RGB lighting results |
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✓ Stable cooling assist |
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✓ Helps triple-slot GPUs |
Each from time to time, you see an fascinating new thought in PC case design, however it would not occur that usually. The Phanteks Evolv Shift XT is a good instance, because it makes use of an expandable design that permits you to hold it small for portability or make it taller to extend the clearance for followers or liquid cooling.
The case begins at simply 211mm tall, however you possibly can increase the peak by both 30mm or 60mm. Inside, you may discover room for 2 followers, both 120mm or 140mm in measurement. If you happen to plan on a water-cooled construct, there’s room for a 240 AIO liquid cooler.
This case has loads of room for highly effective {hardware} regardless of the small measurement. This contains triple slot graphics playing cards, because of the built-in PCIe 4.0 x16 riser cable. The case accommodates GPUs as much as 324mm in size, so you possibly can match pretty highly effective playing cards inside.
One different distinctive side of the case is the included D-RGB infinity mirror to supply built-in lighting results. The Evolv Shift XT is obtainable in Silver or Black varieties.


Phanteks Evolv Shift XT
Finest Premium Mini ITX Case
If you happen to like flexibility, the Phanteks Evolv Shift XT, as it might probably increase in top so as to add clearance for improved cooling assist. The case additionally has a novel look and even RGB lighting results.
Execs |
Cons |
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✓ Good airflow |
✗ Does not assist bigger GPUs |
✓ Included 200mm fan |
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✓ Interchangable mesh or tempered glass panels |
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✓ Very reasonably priced |
A case would not need to be flashy or new to make it an awesome purchase. The Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Dice has been round for a couple of years, however it’s nonetheless an awesome case from a good model and way more reasonably priced than our different case picks.
The low worth does not imply it is a primary case. You will discover a number of helpful touches right here, like an adjustable I/O panel location, making port entry extra handy, no matter the place you are placing the PC. You may also freely interchange the symmetrical facet panels to swap between mesh and tempered glass sides.
Many Mini ITX circumstances do not ship with followers, however regardless of the low worth, the Core V1 ships with a 200mm fan preinstalled. Relying on what you are constructing your PC to do, this might cowl all of your cooling wants. There’s additionally room for 2 80mm followers in the back of the case.
Whereas this case would not match GPUs as giant as a few of our different picks, it does assist twin slot playing cards as much as 260mm in size. The case would not supply 360-degree entry, however each facet panels and the highest panel are detachable, providing you with loads of angles to method from.


Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Dice
Finest Finances Mini ITX Case
The Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Dice affords good airflow, a versatile construct, and a helpful technique to change out the facet panels to customise your look. That it is also reasonably priced is only a bonus.