You can build a compact, attractive, and powerful system with one of the best Mini-ITXDunno PC cases.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

For nearly twenty-five years, the 6.7 × 6.7-inch Mini-ITX motherboard form factor has been in use. However, a lot of builders and enthusiasts are still building PCs in large towers with full-size ATX motherboards, even if a lot of other equipment has continued to decrease. At this point, even if you’re building a high-performance setup with a massive, heat-producing RTX 4090, it really isn’t necessary for people.

Choosing Mini-ITX meant sacrificing performance in favour of a smaller PC, necessitating small-sized parts like low-profile coolers and short, compact graphics cards. Even though the tiniest cases still sometimes require a small-form-factor (SFF) SFX power supply, the majority of ITX cases that have been launched in recent years also accommodate full-length two- or three-slot graphics cards. However, with the release of Nvidia’s 4090, cards have become larger and this isn’t always the case. Thus, before making a purchase, confirm approvals. Additionally, remember to chill. High-end components crammed into a small case with insufficient fans and ventilation can, at best, cause throttling and, at worst, shorten the life of your components.

These are our top-rated, tried-and-true choices for the greatest Mini-ITX cases available right now.

New Cases at Computex 2024

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At Computex, hundreds of new cases from Phanteks, Fractal, Thermaltake, Jonsbo, and other businesses were on display. As the year goes on, expect evaluations of many more of those as well as some of those. It’s likely that some of the smaller models will end up on this page.

These are our top-rated, tried-and-true choices for the greatest Mini-ITX cases available right now.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

1. Lian Li Q58

Best Mini-ITX Case Overall

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: ITX Case

Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Card Length Supported: 320mm (12.6 inches)

Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (3) 2.5”

Included Fans: None

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

We were blown away by Lian Li’s Q58, which is why most people would find it to be the greatest Mini-ITX case. At a starting price of $130, this 14.3-liter Mini-ITX case boasts a versatile internal design, good cooling capabilities, and a stylish appearance.

The steel basic frame has half-glass, half-perforated steel panels on either side. The case has an extremely upscale appearance and feel thanks to the nicer aluminium used for both the front and top plates. A 280mm radiator can be squeezed into the case’s roof, and the GPU can draw fresh air directly from the side while maintaining a beautiful RGB display through the glass.

In addition to choosing the standard PCIe 3.0 riser cable, the chassis can be redesigned to forgo some AIO and storage options in favour of installing an ATX power supply. This is an excellent method to save money. For an additional $30, you can purchase a PCIe 4.0 riser cable that supports graphics cards such as the RX 6000 and RTX 3000. There aren’t many issues with the Q58.

(Image credit: Fractal-design)

2. Fractal Design Terra

Best Design-Focused Mini-ITX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: SFF

Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Card Length Supported: 322.1mm (12.68 inches)

Storage Support: (2) 2.5-inch

Included Fans: None

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The smallest PC cases from before the RTX 4090 and current high-end CPUs are essentially out of date because they are unable to withstand large graphics cards and the intense heat of contemporary components. However, the Mini-ITX Fractal Design Terra case is more attractive than other cases because of its aluminium exterior shell and eye-catching wood trim up front. It also has (barely) enough room for (most) large graphics cards. This case is a refreshing diversion from the aggressive lines and RGB of most gaming-focused cases, much like the larger Fractal North tower.

Considering its small size, the Terra’s flip-up doors and movable spine also make this case rather simple to build in. Just be sure to purchase a modular power supply for SFX. In this situation, you’ll need as much extra space as possible.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. Hyte Revolt 3

Best Mini-ITX Case For Lan-Parties

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: ITX Case

Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Card Length Supported: 335mm (13.2 inches)

Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (2) 2.5”

Included Fans: None

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

We were thrilled to learn that iBuyPower would be making the chassis for the Revolt 3 available for purchase separately. And now that it’s arrived, we’re really pleased. The Hyte Revolt 3 is a reasonably priced, small ITX case that comes with two click-away headphone holders, plenty of mesh, and a carrying handle that nestles neatly into the top when not in use. Naturally, for this budget, the build quality isn’t exactly excellent. Even though it’s only painted steel, the paint job is good, and it looks sleek and professional enough to go with practically any gaming setup.

Internally, the Revolt 3 can accommodate nearly any Mini-ITX setup you can think of, with space for big GPUs, two 2.5-inch SSDs, a 3.5-inch drive, and an AIO up to 280mm. Even better, its design eliminates the requirement for a PCI-e riser connection, so you may use an RTX 3000 or RX 6000 series graphics card without worrying about bandwidth reduction.

This chassis’s sole drawback is that its airflow is solely dependent on the AIO. However, testing revealed that this configuration is more than sufficient, even with our high-TDP i5-11600K and RTX 3080 Ti graphics card thrown at it.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

4. Phanteks Evolv Shift 2

Best Looking Mini-ITX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: ITX Case

Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Card Length Supported: 335mm (13.2 inches)

Storage Support: (1) 3.5” (2) 2.5”

Included Fans: 1x 140mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

At first glance, the Evolv Shift 2 is distinguished by its soaring, compact design and exquisite anodized aluminium panels. With a price tag of $110 for the version with an addressable RGB fan and TG and $100 for the mesh version, it is definitely deserving of a spot on our list of the Best Mini-ITX PC Cases.

The Evolv Shift 2 is an ideal SFF PC for the living room or other areas of the house because of its compact size and elegant finish, available in both mesh and tempered glass versions. Connecting devices is also made simple by the top IO’s easy accessibility.Even though there were limitations and the usual Mini-ITX system annoyances, I was still able to complete the build in about three hours, and the outcome was well worth the effort. Although the tempered glass side panels work wonders for creating systems to show off, the overall size of the case is slightly larger than most Mini-ITX cases. However, keep in mind that its single-fan radiator support may be too thermally limiting for some systems.

(Image credit: sea.ign)

5. Cooler Master NR200P Max

Best Mini-ITX Case for Novice Builders

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: ITX Case

Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Card Length Supported: 336mm (13.2 inches)

Storage Support: (2) 3.5” (3) 2.5”

Included Fans: 2x 140mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The excellent, factory-installed Cooler Master NR200P Max chassis boasts a strong 850w power supply and 280mm liquid cooler. Add to that the addition of mesh and glass side panels, a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, pre-routed and fitted PSU connections, and AIO tubes, and the NR200P Max becomes a very easy build-in and a great choice for folks seeking a straightforward setup.

You can concentrate on the crucial things by bringing only a motherboard, CPU, graphics card, RAM, and boot disc. The paint and finish on this example are a little dated, but that’s really the only drawback. Though we doubt you’ll mind, your sophisticated internals are on display thanks to the glass panel. If you decide to, paint it!

Quick Mini-ITX Case Shopping Tips

Make sure all of your parts are compatible. You should take additional time to arrange your build around the case because compatibility issues arise more frequently when constructing in the best Mini-ITX case than in larger cases. Starting with the case you desire and then looking for pieces that fit in line with it is the ideal approach.

Ensure adequate cooling:Due to insufficient fan and radiator support, cooling can become a problem, particularly in tiny cases. This isn’t much of a problem if you’re creating a mid-range system because most cases can handle that level of heat workload. However, if you’re building a high-end PC with a high-TDP CPU and GPU (and particularly if you plan to overclock the CPU or GPU), it would be worthwhile to seek for a chassis that can accommodate an additional intake fan in addition to 240mm or 280m AIOs (we’ve evaluated the best AIO coolers here).

Double Check PCIe 4.0 Support:PCI-Express riser cables are a common feature of the best Mini-ITX inclosures, allowing the GPU to be installed without having to be inserted directly into the motherboard. Although PCIe 4.0 cables are becoming more common, not all Mini-ITX cases include them. It can be worth the extra money to install a motherboard with PCIe 4.0 support and a current graphics card, particularly if you intend to upgrade your GPU again in the future years.

Follow your heart:The ideal Mini-ITX case for your setup ultimately boils down to personal preference. Mini-ITX cases are available in a wide variety of shapes and designs, making them ideal for a variety of aesthetics. Examine all of your options carefully and select the one that most closely matches your preferences for style and functionality.

Upcoming Compact PC Cases

We intend to try other small scenarios shortly. Currently available on our testbench, Lian Li’s A3-mATX is an interesting chassis for just $69. But it will have to wait a little while longer as we are going to go for Taipei for Computex 2024. We anticipate seeing a significant number of Mini-ITX and Micro ATX cases there for upcoming builds of small PCs. Maybe some of them, like MSI’s Project Zero line, will be made especially for motherboards with rear connectors.