Best PC case: How to find the right tower
If you want to buy a new PC case, you are spoiled for choice: There are models from a wide variety of manufacturers, in different sizes and sometimes with very varied designs – especially for cases for gaming PCs. Here you can get tips on how to find the right housing.
What would you like: big tower, midi tower or mini tower?
The most important question you should ask yourself before purchasing a PC case is: How big should and can it be? On the one hand, the hardware must find enough space that you want to install in the case. On the other hand, where you want to set up your computer, there must be enough space for the PC case.
There are three types of computer cases:
- midi tower are the most common. They usually have enough space inside for the typical PC hardware and don’t take up too much space under your desk.
- Big Tower are significantly larger. They are particularly suitable if you want to install many components because they offer plenty of space for hard drives and other components. The larger interior also has advantages when it comes to cooling your PC: the airflow from the fans is less affected.
- mini tower have the advantage that they can also be placed on the desk due to their compact size – or in a TV shelf if your PC is to serve as a media center in the living room.
The size of the mainboard also plays a role when you buy a new PC case. If you only want to upgrade your PC, you have to make sure that the selected housing fits the existing mainboard. If you put together a new computer, you are more flexible: You can first select the case and then the mainboard.
Recommended midi towers
There is space for many drives in the midi tower from Fractal Design.
Image: © SATURN 2022
In the field of midi towers, we recommend the PC case Fractal Design Define 7. It may appear simple, but it shines with its equipment. It has nine drive slots (expandable up to 18) and enough space for long graphics cards and tall processor coolers. In addition, insulating mats are integrated, which reduces the noise level caused by the well-functioning fans.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 240 x 475 x 547 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Number of installation bays: 7 x 3.5″/2.5″ universal mount (expandable to 14), 2 x 2.5″ (expandable to 4)
- Fan slots front: 3 x 120/140mm
- Rear fan slots: 1x 120/140mm
- Max. length graphics card: 491mm
- Weight: 13.49kg
The Corsair iCUE 465X RGB also looks good.
Image: © SATURN 2022
If the Fractal case is too unspectacular for you, you can use the case Corsair iCUE 465X RGB bring some color under your desk. This model has three large front fans, which are a real eye-catcher thanks to the RGB lighting on the housing. The disadvantage: This means there is no space for drives, there are only six drive slots here.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 216 x 455 x 467 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Number of installation bays: 4x 2.5″, 2x 3.5″
- Fan slots front: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm (3 x LL120 RGB fans included), Top: 2 x 120mm, 1 x 140mm
- Rear fan slots: 1x 120/140mm
- Max. length graphics card: 370mm
- Weight: 8kg
Both housings support all common mainboard versions.
Recommended big tower
From the dimensions, this model could almost pass as a midi tower.
Image: © SATURN 2022
In the large PC case category, our first recommendation is a midi/big tower hybrid of sorts. That be quiet Dark Base PRO 900 Rev. 2 is not much larger than a midi tower, but offers the space and optimal ventilation of the larger models. A real equipment highlight: a Qi charger on the top, with which you can charge your smartphone – provided it supports wireless charging.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 243 x 586 x 577 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: E-ATX, XL-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, Mini-ATX
- Number of installation bays: up to 5x HDD, 10x SSD, 2x ODD
- Fan slots front: 2 x 140mm, optional 1 x 120mm, Top: 180mm fan mount, Mount for 4 x 120mm or 3 x 140mm fan, Bottom: 2 x 120/140mm mount
- Rear fan slots: 1 x 140mm
- Max. length graphics card: 323 mm (with HDD cage), 472 mm (without HDD cage)
- Weight: 14.39kg
Among the highlights of the Be Quiet! Silent Base 802 counts the good noise insulation.
Image: © SATURN 2022
As an alternative, we will provide you with the housing be quiet Silent base 802 to the heart. This model also offers a lot of space, has a good cooling capacity and at the same time good noise insulation. Although there are no gimmicks like the smartphone charger, this PC case is a little cheaper.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 281 x 553 x 539 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Number of installation bays: up to 7 x 3.5″ or 15 x 2.5″
- Integrated fans: 3 x 140 mm (2 x front, 1 x back)
- Fan slots: up to 8 x 120 or 140 mm
- Max. length graphics card: 287 mm (with HDD cage), 432 mm (without HDD cage)
- Weight: 12.6kg
These two housings also support all mainboard designs.
Recommended mini towers
If you want to get a mini tower as a PC case, remember: They are only compatible with mainboards with the Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX form factor.
The mini tower from Fractal Design offers sufficient cooling capacity despite its small size.
Image: © SATURN 2022
In this category, our first recommendation is the case Fractal Design Meshify C Mini. For its size, it offers enough space for the typical hardware. It also convinces with good cooling performance – otherwise often a problem with mini-tower cases.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 217 x 409 x 412 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: mATX, ITX
- Number of installation bays: 2 x 3.5″/2.5″, 3 x 2.5″
- Fan slots front: 3 x 120 or 2 x 140 mm (1 x Dynamic X2 GP-12 included)
- Rear fan slots: 1 x 120mm (1 x Dynamic X2 GP-12 included)
- Max. length graphics card: 315 mm (with built-in front fans)
- Weight: 6.28kg
The Crystal Series offers a visible and a non-visible part.
Image: © SATURN 2022
If you are looking for a more stylish alternative, because you want to set up your mini PC in the living room, for example, we recommend the case Corsair Crystal Series 280X. This model scores with a two-chamber design: You can stow drives, power supply and all cables in a non-visible area. This will make the inside of your computer look tidier. However, this PC case offers significantly less space for the processor cooler than the Fractal model, since the interior is less deep.
Important data at a glance:
- Dimensions: 276 x 351 x 398 mm (W x H x D)
- Suitable mainboard sizes: Micro ATX, Mini ITX
- Number of installation bays: 2×3.5″, 3×2.5″
- Fan slots front: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm (optional)
- Fan slots above: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm (optional)
- Fan slots below: 2 x 140mm (optional)
- Max. length graphics card: 300mm
- Weight: 7.24kg
summary
- When buying a new PC case, you should know exactly how big it can be (space requirements at the installation site) and how big it has to be (space requirements for the hardware inside).
- Big towers offer the most space for hardware and have advantages when it comes to cooling.
- The existing or planned mainboard must match the case, otherwise it cannot be installed.
Reference-www.turn-on.de
