The 6.7 × 6.7-inch Mini-ITX motherboard type issue has been round for many years at this level. But whereas many different sorts of tech have continued to shrink, most individuals are nonetheless constructing PCs in cumbersome towers with full-size ATX motherboards. That actually isn’t mandatory for many players and system builders at this level, even if you happen to’re assembling a high-performance rig with an enormous, heat-generating RTX 4090.High-power-draw GPUs like Nvidia’s RTX 4090 and CPUs Intel’s Core i9-13900K are going to tax compact case designers going ahead. But as course of nodes shrink and associated tech will get smaller, the recognition of ITX programs and circumstances will nonetheless doubtless enhance.The days of multi-GPU SLI or CrossFire gaming rigs are long gone. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and high-end audio at the moment are constructed into most mid-range and higher motherboards. Four- and even eight-terabyte M.2 SSDs are the dimensions of a finger (and shortly getting cheaper), minimizing the necessity for a number of SATA exhausting drives and SSDs for many builders. Cloud companies and exterior NAS gadgets can deal with most mass storage as of late. Most PC builders simply don’t want a big ATX system anymore, particularly with so many nice Mini-ITX motherboards at the moment in the marketplace.There was a time when choosing Mini-ITX meant buying and selling efficiency for a smaller PC, requiring compact elements like brief, compact graphics playing cards. While choosing a small-form-factor (SFF) SFX energy provide remains to be typically a requirement within the smallest circumstances, most ITX circumstances launched lately additionally assist full-length two- or three-slot graphics playing cards. Still, that is not all the time the case, and playing cards have gotten bigger with the launch of Nvidia’s 4090. So remember to examine clearances earlier than shopping for.Below are our favourite examined picks for the most effective Mini-ITX circumstances you should purchase as we speak.The Best Mini-ITX Cases You Can Buy Today Why you’ll be able to belief Tom’s Hardware
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select the most effective for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.Best Mini-ITX Case Overall: Lian Li Q58 (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)1. Lian Li Q58 Best Mini-ITX Case OverallSpecificationsType: ITX CaseMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 320mm (12.6 inches)Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (3) 2.5”Included Fans: NoneReasons to purchase+Tidy, fairly glass/mesh seems to be+Great thermals+Flexible construct choices, together with ATX PSU+Affordable at simply $130Reasons to avoid-Cable administration is a bit tough-PCIe riser card wants extra assistLian Li’s Q58 blew us away, making it a simple choose as the most effective Mini-ITX case for most individuals. This is a 14.3-liter Mini-ITX case that prices simply $130 in its base variant, and it packs nice seems to be, glorious cooling potential, and a versatile inside design.The fundamental body is created from metal, and either side homes half-glass, half-perforated metal panels. The entrance and the highest plate are created from fancier aluminum, altogether giving the case a really premium appear and feel. The GPU can draw contemporary air straight from the aspect, however you’ll be able to nonetheless see its fairly RGB via the glass, and you may squeeze a 280mm radiator within the case’s roof. But, the case will be reconfigured to sacrifice some AIO and storage choices in favor of becoming an ATX energy provide, which is a good way of reaching some price financial savings, together with choosing the plain PCIe 3.0 riser cable. Throw one other $30 in, and also you’ll get a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, prepared for RTX 3000 and RX 6000 graphics playing cards. There are few issues to not like concerning the Q58.Read: Lian Li Q58 Review (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)2. Fractal Design Terra Best Design-Focused Mini-ITX CaseSpecificationsType: SFFMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 322.1mm (12.68 inches)Storage Support: (2) 2.5-inchIncluded Fans: NoneReasons to purchase+Stunning wood-accented seems to be+Extremely compact+Flexible backbone to regulate cooling or GPU spaceReasons to avoid-No entrance audio jacks-Cramped cooling, storage and PSU assistThe smallest DIY PC circumstances from only a few years in the past have typically been thwarted by the elevated cooling wants and measurement of as we speak’s elements – significantly graphics playing cards like Nvidia’s RTX 4090. But at 10.4 liters, the Mini-ITX Fractal Design Terra case has (simply) sufficient room for many massive GPUs, whereas delivering eye-catching aesthetics due to an aluminum exterior with some actual wooden journey up entrance. As compact circumstances go, this is without doubt one of the prettiest round. I doubt it’ll have as extensive an enchantment as its bigger North cousin, since element and airflow choices are way more limiting right here. But if you happen to need not pack within the absolute strongest elements (significantly on the CPU aspect) and you do not want various storage drives, Fractal has as soon as once more delivered one of many prettiest circumstances obtainable – particularly in order for you a respite from the RGB and aggressive designs that dominate the gaming aspect of the PC realm. And the Terra’s flip-up doorways and adjustable backbone make this case surprisingly straightforward to construct in for one thing so compact. Just ensure you carry your modular SFX energy provide.Read: Fractal Design Terra Hands On Best Mini-ITX Case For Lan-Parties: Hyte Revolt 3 (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)3. Hyte Revolt 3 Best Mini-ITX Case For Lan-PartiesSpecificationsType: ITX CaseMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 335mm (13.2 inches)Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (2) 2.5”Included Fans: NoneReasons to purchase+Beautiful, minimalistic seems to be+Easy to construct in, with some air filtration+Affordable at simply $129 in base variantReasons to avoid-Relies completely on AIO for coolingWhen iBuyEnergy mentioned that it might be opening the Revolt 3’s chassis for buy as a standalone chassis, we have been excited. And now that it’s right here, we’re fairly impressed. The Hyte Revolt 3 is a compact ITX case that doesn’t price a lot at $129, however gives a splendidly sensible design with loads of mesh, two click-away headphone holders and a carrying deal with that sits flush into the highest whenever you don’t want it. Of course, the construct high quality isn’t fairly top-notch at this worth. It’s all simply painted metal, however the paint end is good and with its smooth, tidy seems to be, will slot in effectively in virtually any gaming setup. Internally, the Revolt 3 also can home virtually any Mini-ITX system you throw at it, with room for giant GPUs, as much as a 280mm AIO, two 2.5-inch SSDs and one 3.5-inch drive. Better but, its format meanst it would not want a PCI-e riser cable, so that you received’t have to fret about decreased bandwidth on an RTX 3000 or RX 6000 sequence graphics card. The solely actual catch to this chassis is that it depends completely on the AIO for airflow. But in testing, we discovered that this setup is completely sufficient, even once we threw our high-TDP i5-11600K and RTX 3080 Ti graphics card at it. Read: Hyte Revolt 3 Review Best Looking Mini-ITX Case: Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)4. Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 Best Looking Mini-ITX CaseSpecificationsType: ITX CaseMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 335mm (13.2 inches)Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (2) 2.5”Included Fans: 1x 140mmReasons to purchase+Small footprint, with lovely panels+Straightforward inside format+Fits massive GPUs -Only matches 120mm AIOs for CPU coolingReasons to avoid-Challenging to construct in-PCIe 3.0 Riser cableThe Evolv Shift 2 stands out at first look for its towering, small footprint design and exquisite anodized aluminum panels. Priced at $100 for the mesh model and $110 for the variant with TG and an addressable-RGB fan, it simply earns a spot on our Best Mini-ITX PC Cases record. With a small footprint and exquisite end in each the tempered-glass and mesh variants, the Evolv Shift 2 is ideal as an SFF PC to be used in the lounge, or transferring round the home wherever you want it. The simply accessible prime IO makes plugging gadgets in a breeze too. Building in it was tight, and got here with the standard frustrations related to Mini-ITX programs, however I nonetheless managed a construct inside about 3 hours, and the top outcome was effectively definitely worth the effort. The general measurement is a bit larger than most Mini-ITX circumstances can be, however the tempered glass aspect panels do wonders for creating programs to point out off, although understand that its single-fan radiator assist could also be too thermally limiting for some programs. Read: Evolv Shift 2 Review Best Mini-ITX Case for Novice Builders: Cooler Master NR200P Max (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)5. Cooler Master NR200P Max Best Mini-ITX Case for Novice BuildersSpecificationsType: ITX CaseMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 336mm (13.2 inches)Storage Support: (2) 3.5” (3) 2.5”Included Fans: 2x 140mmReasons to purchase+Includes pre-installed 280mm AIO, 850W PSU, PCIe 4.0 riser cable+Easy to construct in+Great cooling+Includes mesh and glass panelsReasons to avoid-Expensive at $349, however that does embrace a PSU and AIO-Design and paint end are a bit blandCooler Master’s NR200P Max is a superb, ready-to-go chassis that comes from the manufacturing unit with a robust 850w energy provide and 280mm liquid cooler. Top that with the inclusion of each mesh and glass aspect panels, a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, PSU cables and AIO tubes which are match to size and pre-routed, and the NR200P Max is very simple to construct in and a simple advice for these in search of easy setup. All it’s essential carry is a motherboard, CPU, graphics card, reminiscence, and a boot drive, letting you concentrate on the essential issues. The solely actual catch to this case is that its paint and end are a bit boring. But with the glass panel exhibiting off your fancy internals, we doubt you’ll thoughts. And if you happen to do, paint it!Read: Cooler Master NR200P Max ReviewBest Premium Mini-ITX Case: Louqe Raw S1 (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)6. Louqe Raw S1 Best Premium Mini-ITX CaseSpecificationsType: ITX CaseMotherboard Support: Mini-ITXCard Length Supported: 320mm (12.6 inches)Storage Support: (1) 2.5”Included Fans: NoneReasons to purchase+Stunning minimalist design+Excellent construct high quality and thermal efficiency+Very compact, even by Mini-ITX requirements+Easy to construct in+No RGBReasons to avoid-No entrance IO or air filtration-ExpensiveIt’s been a typical criticism that Mini-ITX circumstances are costly. And if there’s one chassis that makes this assertion true, it’s the Louqe Raw S1. But it is a Mini-ITX case to gawk at. From its elegant design to its thick, one-piece aluminum outer shell, the Louqe Raw S1 is extra of a murals than a case.However, you’ll be able to match a PC in right here. There’s no AIO assist, nor air filtration. So sure, there are sacrifices, but it surely gives among the many best construct processes – likelihood is you’ll be carried out constructing inside the hour and have a really tidy finish outcome. It can even fortunately match large triple-slot graphics playing cards, regardless of its ultra-compact 12-litter body, and with a elaborate ‘Cobalt’ PCIe 4.0 riser cable, there’s hardly a factor about this case that isn’t ultra-premium. It even has a carrying deal with. Just take into accout the case’s $330 worth level and restricted availability. Read: Louqe Raw S1 ReviewDifferent Cases We Tested:9/25/2022: Montech Sky One LiteWith a sub-$100 worth, a mesh entrance, RGB mild bar and a hinged glass aspect panel, Montech’s Sky One Lite seems to be a formidable deal on paper. But our testing noticed it operating a bit of heat and loud. This, mixed with its in any other case pretty uninspired design means it doesn’t actually stand out within the crowded funds case realm in comparison with glorious choices like Phanteks G360A. Read: Montech’s Sky One Lite review9/4/2022: Ssupd Meshroom SLian Li spinoff Ssupd (sunny aspect up design, in case you have been questioning) gives up an fascinating mesh-covered rectangle with the Meshroom S. It’s compact at 9.7 x 6.6 x 14.2 inches and technically helps as much as ATX motherboards and enormous 13-inch graphics playing cards. It’s thermal efficiency was additionally nice in our testing. But it’s costly for what it’s, at $160, there actually isn’t any consideration paid to cable administration, and due to its inverted design (with the motherboard ports dealing with the underside), you’ll have to make use of the included right-angle HDMI cable, or furnish your personal right-angle DisplayPort cable. The case additionally comes with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, but it surely solely works with sub-ATX-sized motherboards. If you propose on putting in an ATX board, you’ll want to produce your personal longer riser cable if you happen to’re going to put in a GPU (maybe one of many finest graphics playing cards).Read: Ssupd Meshroom S reviewTriple examine your components compatibility: When constructing in the most effective Mini-ITX case, compatibility turns into a difficulty extra typically than in larger circumstances, so that you’ll need to spend additional time planning your construct across the case. The finest technique is to begin with the case you need, after which discover components that match accordingly.Ensure sufficient cooling: Especially in small circumstances, cooling can grow to be a difficulty resulting from restricted fan and radiator assist. If you’re constructing a mid-range system, this isn’t a lot of a difficulty as most circumstances can take care of that form of thermal workload. But if you happen to’re constructing a high-end PC with a high-TDP CPU and GPU (and particularly if you happen to’re going to overclock the CPU or GPU), it might be price in search of a case that helps 240mm or 280m AIOs (we have examined the most effective AIO coolers right here), plus an additional consumption fan.Double Check PCIe 4.0 Support: Many of the most effective Mini-ITX circumstances use PCI-Express riser cables in order that the GPU doesn’t need to be slotted straight into the motherboard. But whereas PCIe 4.0 cables are on the rise, not each Mini-ITX case comes with one. When putting in a contemporary graphics card and a motherboard that has PCIe 4.0 assist, it might be price the additional outlay, particularly if you happen to plan on upgrading your GPU once more a number of years down the street.Follow your coronary heart: When it comes all the way down to it, the most effective Mini-ITX case to your construct relies upon quite a bit on what you want. Mini-ITX circumstances are available all types of bizarre designs and shapes, so there are many types to select from. Take the time to take a look at all of your choices and select one that most closely fits your wants and aesthetic style.MORE: Best PC CasesMORE: Best Mini-ITX CasesSpherical up of as we speak’s finest offers
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