Best Budget PC Cases in 2023

The choices for a PC case have never been more extensive and diverse than they are today. If a gamer decides against a budget prebuilt PC, they will first need to consider a case’s form factor and whether the chassis will house their desired motherboard, CPU, and graphics card. With powerful processors and GPUs generating heat, how much airflow a case promotes is also critical. Fortunately, if on a limited budget, the best budget PC cases not only suit any list of parts perfectly but also can reflect a gamer’s personality.

RELATED: The Best Budget Gaming Monitors In 2023

A common mistake inexperienced PC builders make is choosing a case that won’t allow them to install larger graphics cards, additional storage, and more cooling as their rigs evolve. Accordingly, it’s usually better to buy a case that’s too large than too small. Larger mid-tower and full-tower cases are more adaptable and can accommodate cooling options for increasingly hot CPUs. Smaller mini-ATX solutions are appropriate for gamers with limited desk space or constructing a power-efficient system. As the following list demonstrates, the budget does not have to dictate what case a gamer selects, regardless of what size or style of a case a builder desires.

To outrank all other budget PC cases, the Thermaltake V200 Tempered Glass Edition RGB has to excel with both build quality and compatibility with the most common motherboards. As a mid-tower case, the Thermaltake V200 can accommodate anything from mini-ITX to full ATX motherboards, and there is enough room in the chassis for up to 5 hard drives. The case is large enough that even a giant Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card can fit with some room to spare.

Sitting on a gamer’s desk, the V200 also makes a statement with 3 pre-installed 120 mm RGB fans shining brilliantly through the 4 mm thick side tempered glass window. Unlike some other cases, the fans do not have proprietary connections and are compatible with 12 V headers on motherboards from manufacturers, including Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI. If a motherboard lacks this header, users can still control the lighting with buttons on the I/O panel, accessible near the front of the case.

If temperatures are an issue, gamers can add additional cooling to the Thermaltake V200, with a total of 6 fans and installation points for liquid cooling radiators. There aren’t many drawbacks with the V200, but the solid acrylic front panel does reduce potential airflow in the chassis somewhat. Overall, the Thermaltake V200 Tempered Glass Edition RGB is a great choice for a diverse selection of PC builds, and its price makes it especially attractive to gamers assembling their first rig.

Mid-tower PC cases are extremely popular because they provide a balance between size and their ability to hold both small and large motherboards. The Lian Li Lancool 216 accomplishes that task easily, with its relatively small frame, but is still able to support E-ATX motherboards. Most gamers will probably recognize the name Lian Li for their infamous O11 case, and while that is a great case, the 216 feels like the unsung hero for their lineup, especially for budget-conscious gamers. RELATED

The Best Motherboards You Can Buy in 2023The Lancool 216 comes with 2 160mm RGB fans, a vertical GPU mount, and a ton of built-in cable management points. Plus, for those gamers running power-hungry GPUs, the rear PCIe 140mm fan included in this case aims to eliminate thermal throttling problems. Unlike most rear case fans, this fan sits right next to the PCIe slots to ensure that the GPU gets a constant flow of air across it. Front I/O wise, the 216 comes with 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A ports, and a headphone microphone combo jack. Like Lian Li’s other cases, the front I/O can be moved to the bottom left corner of the front panel for easier access if the case is sitting on the desk.

Besides the wealth of features and very reasonable price, the Lancool 216 is an excellent starting case for a new PC builder or a more experienced one that wants to save some money. Regardless of the skill level, this case is easy to build in, and the cable management points make it much easier to keep the set-up looking clean.

The choices for a PC case have never been more extensive and diverse than they are today. If a gamer decides against a budget prebuilt PC, they will first need to consider a case’s form factor and whether the chassis will house their desired motherboard, CPU, and graphics card. With powerful processors and GPUs generating heat, how much airflow a case promotes is also critical. Fortunately, if on a limited budget, the best budget PC cases not only suit any list of parts perfectly but also can reflect a gamer’s personality.

RELATED: The Best Budget Gaming Monitors In 2023

A common mistake inexperienced PC builders make is choosing a case that won’t allow them to install larger graphics cards, additional storage, and more cooling as their rigs evolve. But with the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2, that is not a problem at all. This absolutely massive case is so big that it allows users to build 2 complete Mini ITX systems inside one case. Running out of drive bays should never be a worry with 12 3.5″ drive trays and 11 2.5″ SSD trays. And for those gamers that can’t decide between a 360mm or a 480mm radiator, this case can fit both simultaneously.

Of course, most builds will never take up this much space. But for those who want to buy one massive case and never worry about running out of room, at least inside the case, the Enthoo Pro 2 might be the case to go with. And for the monstrous size of this case, the price is actually quite reasonable at around $170.

The micro-ATX form factor is ideal for gamers who decide against prebuilt PCs and put a rig together themselves. Cases like the Thermaltake Versa H18 have just enough space for powerful graphics cards and sufficient cooling, while not taking up a massive footprint on desks. The tight quarters inside small cases can pose a challenge for routing cables, but Thermaltake intelligently encourages hiding wires behind the motherboard tray. With a small micro-ATX chassis, even wires can interfere with airflow, but the cable management here keeps obstacles clear of the included 120 mm rear fan. There are destinations for more fans at the top and rear of the case, and liquid cooling is also a possibility with places for two radiators.

RELATED: Best Budget Gaming Chairs in 2023

The Thermaltake Versa H18 isn’t the flashiest-looking case out there, but the blue LED strip gives it enough flair to please entry-level gamers. Also, the transparent side window provides a striking view if builders want to include other RGB-enabled parts in the chassis. The limitations of many micro-ATX cases involve the lack of space for hard drives, but the Thermaltake Versa H18 somehow crams a drive bay large enough for two 3.5-inch hard drives and two SSDs.

The front I/O panel of the Thermaltake Versa H18 provides easy access to one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, as well as headset and microphone jacks. As a budget case, the Versa H18 is not the most solid piece of hardware, and there are quite a few plastic parts inside and around the edges of the frame. Still, with a surprising amount of room for graphics cards and ample storage capacity, the Thermaltake Versa H18 ranks among the best budget PC cases to accommodate entry-level CPUs.

The Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is a mini-ITX case that resembles an Xbox Series X console more than a traditional PC enclosure. Cases designed for the mini-ITX form factor are all compact, but the Evolv Shift 2 takes things to the next level with a slim vertical profile. Despite the small footprint it takes up a gaming desk, the case manages to accommodate large graphics cards, with space for cards over 13 inches in length. The Evolv Shift 2 features a tempered glass side panel, but there is also the Evolv Shift 2 Air available, which includes a mesh fabric side panel instead.

If a gamer is looking for the best budget PC case that doesn’t look out of place in a media or living room, the Evolv Shift 2 looks attractive from any side. RGB effects also add to the overall look of the case, with an integrated D-RGB controller. Phanteks only includes one 140mm PWM fan with the Evolv Shift 2, but there are multiple installation points for more RGB fans and LED strips. There is also space for a 120 mm AIO liquid cooler, which comes into play more with the Evolv Shift 2 Air. Sadly, the tempered glass on the Evolv Shift 2 Air simply doesn’t allow air to circulate as well as the version of the case with a mesh panel.

Once components are installed in the Evolv Shift 2, Phanteks tries to make it as simple as possible to access vital ports while hiding unsightly cables. Instead of having to take off side panels, gamers can access Ethernet, audio connections, and even a graphics card’s video ports by popping up the top cover. It’s a challenge to hide all these cables in such a confined space, but well worth the effort not to have a bunch of wires destroying an otherwise minimalist look.

RELATED: Best Budget Graphics Cards in 2023

Storage is often an unfortunate compromise that PC builders have to make when it comes to a mini-ITX case. However, the Evolv Shift 2 saves enough space in its chassis for 1 3.5-inch hard drive and up to 4 2.5-inch SSDs, depending on if buyers make use of the dual SSD bracket.

If a gamer is willing to put a bit more thought into cable management, the Evolv Shift 2 is an opportunity to place a powerful gaming PC anywhere that a tower case is normally an eye-sore. The glass panel of the case gives a modern and sleek aesthetic, but builders using top-tier or overclocked CPUs and GPUS will want to consider the Evolv Shift 2 Air for more efficient cooling.

With so many PC cases that look relatively alike, the CORSAIR Carbide Series SPEC-DELTA RGB is a mid-tower case that refuses to blend in with the crowd. The distinctive look of the SPEC-DELTA RGB is a result of a combination of RGB lighting effects and a sloped front panel. The case is relatively compact for a mid-tower, but still has enough real estate for 4 hard drives and graphics cards that are over 14 inches long. Corsair removes some of the burdens of assembling a new system by including 3 RGB front fans and 1 rear fan, with the capability of accommodating 3 radiators for liquid cooling solutions.

RGB-enabled devices present a way for gamers to showcase their unique builds with customizable lighting schemes and patterns. Corsair themselves have made the process of adding RGB-enabled devices and syncing them with other devices easier with their ICUE software. Although the SPEC-DELTA RGB does not ship with a separate controller box, the bundled fans are accessible in the iCue software if connected to an Asus motherboard 12 V header. Corsair also goes the extra mile by adding a 3-way RGB fan splitter to make connecting a series of fans to one header easier.

Despite the somewhat limited space in the chassis, the power supply cover hides wire bundles while still leaving much of the interior open. The CORSAIR Carbide Series SPEC-DELTA RGB is a great cheap PC case for any gamer searching for a compact mid-tower with a distinctive front panel shape and convincing RGB lighting effects.

In a sea of tempered glass and RGB fans, the Antec Performance Series P7 Neo is a mid-tower case that offers an alternative with a classic design. The focus of the P7 Neo is on Antec’s usual top-flight build quality and on silencing noisy components like CPU and GPU fans. While there is no tempered glass, Antec takes advantage of the lack of a window with sound dampening foam on the side panels. The P7 Neo is not completely devoid of exterior styling, making effective use of air vents placed just to the sides of the front panel.

RELATED: Best Budget Gaming Intel CPUs in 2023

Faithful to the throwback approach of the Antec Performance Series P7 Neo, the case has some features lacking in most contemporary competitors. In addition to the 4 drive slots for hard drives and SSDs, the P7 Neo also provides a rarer 5.25-inch slot for nearly forgotten optical drives. The case can hold larger E-ATX motherboards, but only after sacrificing the 5.25-inch bay. The fact is that many gamers add RGB fans for the sake of looks, and the fans shipped with the P7 Neo (two front and one rear) provide adequate airflow for most builds. Even with a somewhat dated design, the case also accommodates liquid cooling systems with installation points for multiple radiators on the front and rear.

The Antec Performance Series P7 Neo Case stands out among other cheap PC cases with a profile that blends in perfectly in office and gaming environments. Also, the sound-dampening features of the P7 Neo simplify an often perilous quest to create a silent PC build. For any gamer who isn’t obsessed with rigs that look like neon billboards, the Antec Performance Series P7 Neo Case is a tempting purchase.

Gamers who build PCs with high-end components like the Intel 13700K go to great lengths to keep their investments from overheating. Even with the rising popularity of liquid cooling systems, there remains no substitute for a PC case that facilitates airflow in and out of its chassis. The Corsair 4000D Airflow has some unique design elements that complement the use of AIO water coolers and traditional fans.

The most obvious physical feature of the Corsair 4000D Airflow that repeats itself throughout the case is the steel triangular grate on its front. While some gamers may prefer a solid piece of tempered glass, Corsair is betting that this unique pattern is stylish enough to appeal to most buyers. However, Corsair strikes a balance between function and modern styling by including a glass side panel. The triangular cutouts are also found on the interior of the case as well, including above the power supply and with the slot covers on the rear.

RELATED: Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE Gaming Mouse Review

It’s somewhat surprising that in a case that’s all about maximum cooling, Corsair only ships two 120mm AirGuide fans with the 4000D Airflow. These aren’t run-of-the-mill cooling fans, however, as they rely on anti-vortex vanes to push a more concentrated airflow deeper into a chassis. There is also room for 6 120 mm or 4 140 mm fans on the front top or back of the case. The triangle-heavy front of the 4000D Airflow really comes alive with the addition of some RGB fans. Liquid cooling is another perfectly viable solution to keep temperatures in check, with several areas ideal for radiators.

Even as mid-tower case, the Corsair 4000D Airflow is a fairly compact and minimalist enclosure. Unfortunately, this simplicity also takes a toll on its front I/O ports, with only 2 USB 3.0 and 3.1 ports available. Regardless, the 4000D Airflow’s ability to become a rectangular slice of Antarctica makes it a seriously tempting choice. The Corsair 4000D Airflow is the best budget PC case for any gamer who wants to overclock CPUs and GPUs without taking unnecessary risks.

Check out Game Rants’ review of the Corsair 4000D Airflow here!

Previously, Fractal Design was not known as a manufacturer of budget PC cases, creating some truly trend-setting enclosures. In more recent years, the company has brought to the market more affordable and compact options, including the mid-tower Meshify C. This white version of this case is ideal for gamers who want more than just a black case done in a white color scheme. The lighter trim of the Meshify C serves as a striking contrast to the darker angular design of the front mesh panel.

Of course, as its name implies, the Meshify C’s focus is on its perforated front which enables air to travel in and out of the case easily. Uninterrupted air flow is what Fractal Design is aiming for with this case, and accordingly, has removed any hard drive trays from the front of the chassis. Instead, the company encourages some strategic placement of storage either on the sides of the interior of the case or on the bottom adjacent to the power supply. Using these installation points, the case can hold up to 3 SSDs and 2 full-sized hard drives. The added space in the case also has other benefits, clearing the way for the most powerful graphics cards and making it realistic to install up to 7 cooling fans. Some cases ignore the inevitability of dust which usually finds its way inside cases and on the surface of components. The Meshify C enables gamers to deal with this annoyance as efficiently as possible, with easy-to-access dust filters on the top, bottom, and front of the case.

RELATED: The Best PSUs For Your Gaming PC

The Meshify C is definitely on the smaller side for a mid-tower case, and there are a few comprises buyers will have to make. Going by the supplied specs, the case will not hold the largest EATX motherboards, at least without blocking some vital areas or complicating cable management. Also, if a gamer installs a 360mm radiator for liquid cooling near the front panel, it may limit options as far as using a full-sized power supply. Even so, for budget PC builders, it’s unlikely they will be selecting expensive motherboards or elaborate water-cooling systems for an affordable rig.

Many case manufacturers leave users on their own to figure out the best routes for cable management. Fractal Design takes a different approach, almost begging gamers to maximize the generous 35 mm of free space behind the motherboard tray with pass-through sections complete with grommets.

The Fractal Design Meshify C is worthy of selection for the most premium gaming PC builds, and looks especially dashing in white. As one of the best budget PC cases, the Meshify C belongs at the top of any gamer’s list when searching for a stylish compact case that offers the flexibility of a larger chassis.

So many cases, and so little money?

Even though they have become more elaborate over the years with RGB fans and glass panels, PC cases are actually relatively affordable parts of any build. When on a limited budget, there are ample choices that make deciding on the right case for your build problematic. Form factor is a vital part of the decision-making process, as it will determine which components like motherboards and graphics cards can join other parts in a potential build. However, whether a gamer settles on a more compact case or a full-tower candidate, many of these cases accommodate anything from mini ITX to full-sized ATX motherboards.

RELATED: The Best SSDs for Gaming in 2023

As powerful graphics cards have become the centerpiece and most expensive component of most gaming rigs, they often pose the most problems as far as fitting in cases. Fortunately, enclosures like the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 have found some ingenious ways to contain these increasingly mammoth graphics cards even in the most miniature of chassis. Cooling is still a concern, especially with less open space for fans to circulate air. The best budget PC cases keep the path from the front of the case to the back as clear as possible, while including mounting points for liquid cooling systems. Cable management also plays a role in keeping temperatures down, but cases typically have areas designated to route air-blocking cords.

Finally, for gamers, style is a larger factor than ever, when shopping for a case that best reflects a personality or matches the theme of a gaming room. Dull-looking cases are a thing of the past, and many choices feature similar elements like tempered glass panels seen with the Thermaltake V200. Today, it’s common for cases to be sold in many different colors and configurations.

As this guide has shown, a finite budget does not prevent a gamer from finding a case that is the right size for a space, cools key components adequately, and complements other cutting-edge peripherals on a gaming desk.

MORE: The Best Gaming Routers in 2023

FAQ

Q: What size PC case should I buy?

Whether you should purchase a mini-ITX, mid-tower, or full-tower case depends on which motherboard/CPU combo you select for a PC build. However, most medium-sized and large cases accommodate a wide range of motherboard sizes, so the choice also depends on available desk space, storage requirements, and budget.

Q: How do I know if my components will fit in a PC case?

Even smaller PC cases are designed to accommodate the most common components in a condensed area. Still, it’s best to check the specs of a case to ensure that long graphics cards will fit and that storage bays will hold a suitable number of hard drives.

Q: How can I save money when buying a PC case?

Look for cases that include at least 2-3 pre-installed cooling fans or RGB controllers to avoid extra expenses. Although it has become more uncommon, some cases may still be bundled with power supplies.