Ranking the best PC cases of 2021

Our rating continues with a very interesting design case for a computer, in which it attracts not only external minimalism, emphasized by a discreet ornament, but also functionality, unexpected for a seemingly simple “cube”. Let’s start with dust filters covered with the same ornament: they are removed elementarily (magnetic fastening), revealing a huge perforation area, which allows you not to limit yourself with the power of the supply ventilation. Next, let’s take a closer look at the panel with connectors — it is also not simple, but can be installed in three positions on any of the two sides of the case. And the case itself, finally, allows you to install it even upright, even flat. Well, the transparent cover will definitely interest modding fans who do not like to hide beautiful hardware far from their eyes.

In a word, in terms of functionality, the case turned out to be just excellent, and even the ability to install a powerful cooling system (up to “dropsy”) will not be superfluous if you want to assemble a compact, but at the same time high-performance PC. The possibilities for installing drives here, of course, are more limited than in the “towers”, but a set of two 2.5” slots and one 3.5” is sufficient to build a standard configuration “SSD for system + HDD for file storage”.

Outwardly, a simple «cube» of the case is actually also cunning. For example, how do you access the interior space not through the side cover, but by folding the front and top onto yourself (like a folding cab on trucks)? The solution, it would seem, is nowhere simpler — but how convenient it is to poke around in the «offal» of the computer after that, especially when you consider that the motherboard is installed horizontally here.

But the 5.25” and 3.5” baskets on the front panel look like an outright anachronism (indeed, who uses these compartments now), but at the same time they manage not to interfere with a video card up to 320 mm long. True, instead of them, it would be much better to see one more seat for the front fan, 120, or better, 140 mm at all: there is only one on the front panel, moreover, it separates the air flow up (to the main hardware) and down ( to drive cages and power supply). There is also only one fan for blowing out, plus one can be placed on the top cover (but only with a low processor cooler, which should not exceed 150 mm by default even without installing the fan on top). That is, it is not worth recommending such a case for powerful hardware — it is fraught with overheating. But it is quite possible to assemble an “average home” computer or NAS — especially since it will be really very convenient to assemble.

Cougar demonstrates another solution to the problem of access to components in extremely compact cases for mini-ITX boards: here the left wall (by the way, both sides are with large grilles, and the front panel is a “monolith”) leans up along with the fan and drives ( and you can place one 3.5-inch HDD and two 2.5-inch SSDs on it). Another 2.5-inch drive can be mounted on the back side of the partition on which the motherboard is mounted, but this is an extreme case: the optimal configuration for ease of use implies the placement of drives on the cover, and access to them is simply excellent here.

So, how does it all pan out? Two “hundred and twenty” can be installed at the bottom of the case, above the easily pulled out mesh filter. Here they will be just right, since it is above them that the video card will be located, which will receive the freshest air in sufficient volume (but, however, you will have to clean the dust collector with enviable regularity). It should be noted that the video card (maximum length — 350 mm) is located at the very bottom, and multi-slot «monsters» simply will not fit here. Although why assemble a compact mini-ITX computer with such a video card? The front 80mm fan draws air through the side of the front cover, two can be placed at the top, one 90mm at the back.

The power supply is located unconventionally — between the front wall of the case and the motherboard. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the location of the socket on it: the top of the “triangle” formed by the contacts should look up, to the right or to the left, but not down (if you look at the power supply turned by the fan up), because otherwise you cannot connect the internal cable to it , which leads the socket for connecting power to the usual place on the back wall.

The maximum height of the processor cooler is not high, so it would probably be better to use an AIO dropsy for the processor, installing its heatsink on the hinged cover (the possibility of such an assembly is directly indicated by the manufacturer). However, for «hardware» with high heat dissipation, «blowing» is still not enough here, especially when you consider that the front fan is only «eighties». But, after all, it’s mini-ITX!

A new application for the title of «People’s Corps» from Deepcool? At this price, the Martrexx 55 has really good chances: the case presented a year ago flaunts a 4mm tempered glass side wall, accommodates 370mm video cards and CPU coolers up to 168mm high, and is perfectly ventilated — you can install up to three «one hundred and twenty» or even «one hundred and forty» ”, two fans on top, one on the back (here it is a maximum of 120 mm, unlike the front and top walls). The dimensions of the case also do not interfere with the «dropsy» — the rejection of the baskets behind the front panel makes it very free. There are no fans in the kit, which is correct — in a budget case they would still be far from the best, and here the buyer himself decides how many and which Carlsons he needs.

But let’s talk about the unpleasant. The fact that the case is stamped from thin metal is understandable and expected, but the non-removable dust filter on the front panel is already too much, with it the computer can only be vacuumed from the outside. The dust filter under the power supply is frameless, so picking it out and putting it back will be another task if the system unit “lives” on the floor. There are few baskets for drives — two by 3.5 inches, two by 2.5. A raid array with high redundancy will not fit here … but, in fact, most of the «target audience» of this enclosure do not know what RAID is at all.

As many as 4 120mm fans are pre-installed in the case, and all of them are backlit, so the illumination at dusk will be the same from the front panel. The decision is for an amateur — it seems to be for cooling «out of the box» plus, but not everyone needs this backlight. Through the acrylic side cover, the rear Carlson also adds light. The fans are powered through the built-in reobas (a good bonus), but since they are all three-pin, when the speed changes, the brightness of the backlight also changes.

The dimensions of the case are quite specific. Although, in theory, full-format ATX boards can be installed in it, in practice it is inconvenient, and the declared support for coolers with a height of up to 175 mm causes a powerful overheating of the lower hemispheres when trying to actually install such a tower (hmm … so maybe in this case and so many fans?), because it will brazenly stick out the acrylic on the side cover, if it snaps into place at all.

The complete absence of 5.25-inch bays completely lowers the computer case down the ranking — the entire front cover is occupied by fans. That is, neither an optical drive, nor any controller you will put purely physically. In general, the case is interesting and even seems pretty, but definitely not for everyone.

The classic combination of black and white in the minimalist design of the H510 Elite will appeal to many. Except perhaps those who like to have a lot of USB connectors at hand: NZXT has only one, plus there is a type-C connector next to it — and that’s it.

Unlike the base model H510, the «elite» front panel is not metal, but smoked tempered glass, which opens up to two pre-installed 140mm RGB fans. It is controlled by a controller that is also connected to a built-in RGB tape that has address control of individual LEDs — proprietary NZXT Cam software is used to adjust the light. The air intake for blowing is on the sides and bottom of the front panel through the filters.

The case is made of 0.75 mm steel, and together with glass panels weighs about 8 kg — quite adequately, it has good rigidity. Drives can be installed either in the lower basket or behind the partition (there are two mounting bays for 2.5-inch SSDs). The maximum length of a video card (or video cards — a system with SLI or CrossFire will easily fit here) is 365 mm (if a coolant radiator is not installed in front), the height of a processor cooler is up to 165 mm.

The most convenient access to the dust filter of the power supply: it is a frame, easily shifted back thanks to the high legs. But the side and lower front are more difficult to clean.