Best PC cases 2017: top cases for your desktop computer

If you’re planning to begin building a computer, finding the best PC case is probably the last thing that you’re thinking about. So, why wouldn’t you settle for a PC case that’s cheap and wobbly instead. Well, when that chassis eventually breaks, moving all of your myriad PC parts over to a new case will probably drive you out of your mind.

That’s why, before you start even thinking about the best graphics card for your new rig, you should begin with one of the best PC cases on the market right now. And, luckily, we here at TechRadar have went ahead and found all the best PC cases for you. Whether you’re planning on using your new PC to play games, make art, watch movies or just write like us, we’ve sorted through every PC case we could get our hands on to bring you only the very best PC cases that you can find.

We know, this sounds just a little bit too good to be true, you can feel it deep in your gut. Don’t confuse hunger for suspicion, though, as we’ve rounded up 8 unique PC cases for you – each in separate categories – that feature an array of airtight reasons for why they should be the case to house your beloved PC components. What’s better, these cases won’t hurt your wallet either, as they pursue value just as much as function.

Some of you might be thinking that this list might already be out of date by including this familiar case, we don’t blame you for your suspicion. The Cooler Master Cosmos II 25th Anniversary Edition was designed to mimic the 2012 case of its namesake to – of course– celebrate its 25th Anniversary. The 2017 edition optimizes HDD installations with its trademark X-Dock, and its tempered glass side panel looks beautiful while illuminated by its blue LEDs.

There are very few PC cases that look anything like Fractal Design’s Meshify-C. It’s even rare to see a chassis that even vaguely resembles it.. Given that the entire front of the case is made of mesh material sectioned off into many polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique aesthetic, and it does so without compromising on function. With two fans pre-installed, interior cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles.

Nanoxia Deep Silence 4, as it’s name suggests, was crafted with the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX case that’s affordably priced and even accommodates some of the biggest, most powerful graphics cards with its spacious interior. The fact that you’ll rarely hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake.

Micro ATX may have been here longer, but Mini-ITX tech is getting to the point where it’s finally competitive for PC power users and gamers alike. The problem that Mini ITX shells still need to overcome, though, is the restraints they inevitably place on cooling and power solutions. Fortunately, the NZXT Manta was tailored for your beefier components as well as tiny motherboards. The nearly full-size design may put some people off, but we find that it’s more than acceptable for this bubble-shaped titan of a case.

When you first look at it, the Phanteks Evolv Shift X appears more like a sound bar than a PC case, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV just as it does atop a desk, next to an equally high-end monitor. It may only be compatible with Mini-ITX mobos, which seems crazy given its size but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid-cooled loops. If this case is a little too large for your preference, there’s also the more manageable and smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift.

Fractal Design has scored a second entry on this list, and they deserve it. The Define R5 is yet another mid-tower case exhibiting a beautiful style. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of the case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior. In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being tool-lessly accessible, the Fractal Design Define R5 is otherwise painless to build a computer inside of. Not only that, but it’s not as expensive as you would expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name either.

Even if you’re trying to avoid spending a fortune on your build, it’s probably not a great idea to not settle for the absolute cheapest PC case you can find. For the most part, cheap cases don’t really incorporate proper ventilation and airflow, not to mention you’ll end up buying your own fans and cable management supplies. The Corsair Carbide Spec-04, on the other hand, shows up even some of the more expensive cases. It does so with rubberized feet, an included LED fan and tons of room to spare for additional fans and components.

This case is for the Razer fans out there. While the green snake-adorned company doesn’t manufacture its own PCs, it has partnered with several OEMs in the past to add its signature green-infused flare to a handful of desktop PC cases. This includes the Antec Cube, a small form factor chassis that supports Mini-ITX motherboards and is shaped like an italic font (but backwards). Complete with lots of space, either for an initial build or future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with.