The Best PC Cases for Airflow in 2023

Buyers have many priorities when shopping for a case, but the best PC cases for airflow can increase the lifespan of critical components. With more gamers than ever now overclocking CPUs, GPUs, and memory, an excess of heat can quickly build up inside a case. As a result, manufacturers have put more of an emphasis on thermal performance with cases, employing several different strategies for effective cooling.

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How to Find the Best Case for Controlling Temperatures

Considerations like build quality and aesthetics undoubtedly will become factors when shopping for any case. However, when cooling is the priority, these qualities should concern buyers before any others:

• Filters and Vents: Many PC cases have mesh filters or perforations on their front panels to allow more air to enter rigs. With cases that encourage ample airflow, it’s also common to find dust filters, vents, and other openings placed on all sides of an enclosure.
• Case Fan and AIO Liquid Cooling Support: In many instances, ventilation alone won’t be sufficient to keep temperatures down inside a case. Consequently, some cases accommodate a vast array of case fans and AIO liquid coolers. The ideal case for cooling is flexible enough to allow for a configuration that draws cooler air into a chassis and exhausts heat from CPU coolers and GPU fans out of an enclosure.
• Form Factor: How large or small a case is doesn’t necessarily dictate how easy it is to cool the components inside. Even so, it’s usually more difficult to find generous cooling pathways in compact mini ITX cases. On the other hand, larger mid-tower and full-tower cases boast more unobstructed areas to blow air around a chassis.
• Cable Management: Organizing cables inside a case isn’t the first thing system builders concern themselves with trying to increase thermal performance. Even so, particularly in compact cases without practical cable routing options, thicker cables can block airflow.

With these general guidelines in mind, both novice and experienced system builders can find suitable cases with unlimited cooling potential.

The Best PC Cases for Airflow

The Corsair 4000D Airflow is ideal for system builders looking to achieve excellent cooling performance without spending an enormous amount of money. While its pricing often sends it into the budget case category, the build quality and thermal performance of the case outperform its more expensive rivals.

For buyers who have an intense dislike for triangles, the Corsair 4000D Airflow is a bit of a nightmare. Triangular cutouts dominate this mid-tower case, including on its front panel, backside PCI slot covers, and the PSU shroud cover inside the chassis. This design not only promotes airflow but also gives the case a unique look compared to most mesh-dominated alternatives. The Corsair 4000D Airflow boasts stellar build quality, with a healthy amount of steel throughout the enclosure. A tempered glass left panel would seem to limit cooling potential, but buyers will appreciate that the component feels like a solid piece of glass rather than hard plastic.

Corsair keeps the asking price of the 4000D Airflow reasonable in part because they only include two fans. However, the pair of Corsair 120 mm AirGuide fans can do the work of a larger assortment of fans by outputting highly concentrated blasts of air throughout a case. Buyers can add four more 120 mm fans on the front, top, or back of the case. AIO liquid coolers are also welcome, though 360 mm configurations are limited to the front panel with the top of the case accommodating 240 mm radiators.

The 4000D Airflow is a mid-tower case that leans toward being slightly more compact than some of its competition. Still, there is plenty of room behind the motherboard tray to route cables which can eliminate any chance of messy wiring interfering with cooling. Unfortunately, some system builders may find the top I/O panel a bit too minimalist since there are only single USB 3.0 and 3.1 ports.

Ultimately, the Corsair 4000D Airflow stakes its reputation on its cooling performance. Thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint. Unique triangular openings used throughout the 4000D Airflow allow more air to enter and leave the case compared to high-end builds with mesh materials. The Corsair 4000D Airflow ranks higher than any of the best PC cases for airflow with a thermal performance that far exceeds its reasonable asking price.

As cooling performance became more of a priority among gamers, mesh materials began to dominate cases. The Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact includes a front mesh panel that stands out from the crowd, thanks to an angular pattern that pops out from the surface of the case. On the front of the case, buyers have the option to remove the nylon filter, which maximizes airflow without ruining the overall design. This compact mid-tower case also makes extensive use of dust filters on the front top and bottom of the enclosure, and all are easily accessible for quick cleaning.

With the Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact, buyers receive one 120 mm and two 140 mm Dynamic X2 fans, which is rather generous for a smaller mid-tower case. These fans rely on extremely durable bearings which allows the fans to long outlast other parts in a build. The Meshify 2 Compact also is flexible when it comes to adding fans, with room for up to seven 120 mm fans on all sides of the case. Fans of liquid cooling don’t have to fret, since the case also provides installation points for a front 360 mm or top side 240 mm radiator.

The Meshify 2 Compact is carefully designed so that the front fans can blow air into the case and then directly over vital components like M.2 SSDs and, most importantly, powerful CPUs. This air is then sent speedily toward the included rear fan to be exhausted out of the case. Of course, system builders are free to modify the cooling layout, and working inside the surprisingly spacious chassis is easier with a removable top panel.

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Despite the praise that the Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact often receives, there are a few negatives worth mentioning. Screwless hard drive bays which have become almost standard in modern cases are not found here. Also, while the Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact has a premium look, it’s actually quite lightweight which makes its price tag seem excessive. Regardless, the manufacturer has made it as simple as possible to reduce CPU and GPU temps with an easily accessible and modifiable design.

Manufacturers now take a liberal approach as to what constitutes a mid-tower case. The MSI MPG Gungnir 300R is more of a standard-sized mid-tower that’s larger than the company’s budget-friendly MAG Forge 112R but more compact than the giant MEG Prospect 700R. Buyers can find less expensive cases that cool components just as well, but the MPG Gungnir 300R offers solutions to certain builds where cooling is especially difficult.

One of the obvious selling points of the MPG Gungnir 300R is its included omnidirectional GPU holder. This component can move in several different directions and includes brackets that rest on the top and bottom of the largest graphics cards. The holder has its most appeal for vertical GPU mounting which often requires purchasing an extra kit with a PCIe riser cable. Vertical PCI slot brackets are easily installed at the rear of the case, and MSI even includes a small fan to take advantage of the added cooling pathway. The MPG Gungnir 300R is quite friendly to ARGB lighting, shipping with a controller unit, and along the same lines, the GPU holder is also illuminated.

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Vertical GPU mounting is a creative way to create new cooling pathways in a case, but its execution can ironically endanger the graphics card itself. However, the MPG Gungnir 300R leaves enough of a gap between its tempered glass left panel and a graphics card for the GPU to not overheat. There are also numerous other aspects of the case that encourage airflow, most notably the perforated front panel which juts out at an angle. MSI also placed a large vent toward the top edge of the case’s front side, as well as air holes on the right panel. Not to be overlooked are the four included ARGB fans, which softens the somewhat steep asking price of the MPG Gungnir 300R.

Most of the appeal of the MPG Gungnir 300R lies in its creative and highly adjustable GPU mount. Otherwise, the cooling performance of a system will not be significantly higher than that of a typical mid-tower case. Nevertheless, with excellent build quality and some modular components that a buyer would expect to find on the most premium offerings, the MPG Gungnir 300R is one of the best PC cases for airflow.

Whether a buyer is putting together a full-fledged file server or just has a lot of hard drives in use, a full-tower case like the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 can be the solution. Large cases are sometimes intimidating, but Phanteks has made it relatively straightforward for novices to maximize the potential of the Enthoo Pro 2. Also, because of a unique mesh fabric made from nylon materials, the case can match the thermal performance of any full-tower case on the market.

To get any disappointment out of the way, the Enthoo Pro 2 doesn’t ship with any case fans. Since the case can hold up to fifteen 120 mm fans or eight 140 mm fans, fully decking out the chassis with cooling can become quite expensive. The good news is that even with adequate CPU cooling and limited additional fans, the Enthoo Pro 2 has posted impressive cooling benchmarks. An effective AIO liquid cooling system can more than suffice for keeping system temperatures down, and this case can even have up to 480 mm radiators on its front or to the right of the motherboard tray. Responsible for amplifying airflow in the case, the high-performance mesh fabric on the front panel has larger openings than typically seen. There are also numerous dust filters scattered around the case that further enhance airflow and make cleaning the system simple.

With the Enthoo Pro 2, buyers can install an insane amount of storage. By default, it’s possible to use up to 11 SSDs and four 3.5-inch hard drives, with more options after purchasing additional brackets. Even more impressive is the fact that it’s possible to place an additional mini-ITX system at the bottom of the case. This allows gamers to have a dedicated server and gaming machine without having to purchase an excess of parts. To run two PCs in the Enthoo Pro 2, system builders must purchase a power supply designed to connect to two systems, like Phanteks Revolt X.

The Enthoo Pro 2 has a minimalist look despite having plenty of space for ports and buttons. It might take a moment for users to find the front I/O panel which flips open to reveal a generous four USB 3.0 and one USB-C Gen 2 port. The case is sold in variations that include a tempered glass panel which can showcase a massive build in its full glory. Clearly not designed for just servers, the Enthoo Pro 2 also has an onboard RGB controller to add an onslaught of illuminated fans and light strips.

Falling short of the tank-like build quality that some buyers might expect from a full-tower case, the Enthoo Pro 2 is still durable enough to survive its five-year limited warranty period. Capable of cooling components with only a bare-bones fan configuration, the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 is one of the best PC cases for airflow among full tower contenders.

The goal of the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P is to provide many of the capabilities of a full-sized ATX case in a mini-ITX chassis. Of course, buyers will need a mini-ITX or mini-DTX motherboard to use with this case. It’s ideal for compact and power-efficient builds. Even so, gamers can assemble a surprisingly capable gaming PC in the MasterBox NR200P with an emphasis on accommodating full-sized graphics cards.

For a small case, some buyers may find that the MasterBox NR200P is on the pricey side, but they will receive a lot of extras in the retail box. Instead of making builders choose between tempered glass or vented left-side panels, Cooler Master ships both with the case. This provides users with the flexibility to enhance cooling performance since the one-panel option has extensive venting. The MasterBox NR200P is available in several different colors, but its basic-looking front side makes the case look more like a server or home theater PC than a trendy gaming rig.

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Even with the tempered glass side panel, adequate cooling remains possible thanks to the many other vents and flexible fan configuration options. The MasterBox NR200P ships with two 120 mm SickleFlow fans intended for its top panel and also allows for a maximum of seven fans to be installed around the chassis. CoolerMaster’s SickleFlow fans deserve some praise, with blade curves that maximize air pressure while remaining quiet. On the bottom and sides of the case, gamers can also place liquid cooling radiators of up to 240-280 mm. The result is a serious amount of airflow in a confined space that can help to cool powerful CPU and GPUs.

Often a frustrating exclusion with other cases, with the MasterBox NR200P buyers receive a riser cable that allows gamers to vertically mount two-slot GPUs. Three-slot graphics cards are welcome in the typical horizontal orientation, so gamers don’t have to compromise on performance. Mini ITX cases can be problematic when working with large components like graphics cards, but the MasterBox NR200P allows builders complete access since most of its panels are removable.

Complaints are usually minimal with buyers of the MasterBox NR200P, but the lack of a USB-C port can cause some inconvenience. Regardless, rivaling the expandability and cooling options of much larger cases, the MasterBox NR200P warrants consideration from anyone trying to save space on a gaming desk.

Budget system builders also have plenty of options for cases that promote adequate airflow. The Thermaltake Versa H18 is one of the better solutions on the market for buyers who are focused on affordable cooling options in compact systems. Supporting mini ITX and micro ATX motherboards, the Versa H18 is another case that makes intelligent use of what limited chassis space is available.

As opposed to some mini ITX cases with unusual designs, the Thermaltake Versa H18 is essentially a prototypical mid-tower case that has been downsized. Besides the tempered glass panel, the most visible feature of the case is its large front mesh panel which is responsible for drawing in ample airflow. On the right side of the front panel, buyers will find a series of ports and buttons that include one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports. A bit dated compared to most modern cases, fewer USB 2.0 ports and a higher speed USB 3.0 port would have been preferable, even with little surface area to work with. Finally, toward the right edge of the front panel, there is a blue LED light strip, though users can only turn it off and on and are unable to change colors. Even so, it adds some flair to make a budget case seem a bit more premium.

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The front mesh panel on the Versa H18 is not the only way that the case keeps components at safe temperatures. Thermaltake reserves a significant amount of space behind the motherboard tray to make cable management easier. In a small chassis, thick cables can block airflow so this compartment plus the large PSU shroud can effectively keep wires out of the way of fans. The case ships with one 120 mm on its rear panel, and there is the option for installing three 120 mm fans on its front side and top panel. Remarkably, builders can place up to a 280 mm AIO liquid cooling radiator near the front panel or a smaller 120 mm radiator at the back.

At its extremely affordable price point, some aspects of the Versa H18 don’t measure up to more expensive alternatives. Although the 4 mm tempered glass window feels substantial enough, the rest of the case is composed of some thin panels that may not survive excessive abuse. Overall, even though the Thermaltake Versa H18 might not be the last case a buyer will own, there is nothing in its price bracket that offers as much cooling potential.

Deciding on the Best Case for Cooling Components

As this guide has demonstrated, manufacturers keep finding innovative ways to maximize airflow in PC cases. If doubts remain about what case is right for a new build, remember to focus on these critical elements first:

Filters and Vents

While mesh filters are a popular way to keep air circulating into and out of a chassis, the Corsair 4000D Airflow takes a slightly different approach to cooling. This mid-tower ATX case features enlarged triangular cutouts on its front panel and throughout its chassis that not only invite airflow but also give the enclosure a unique appearance.

Case Fan and AIO Liquid Cooling Support

Cases often come with two or more case fans, but the most powerful gaming rigs may require additional cooling. The MSI MPG Gungnir 300R Airflow is an example of a mid-tower case that not only ships with four ARGB fans but has room for eight more fans and two 360 mm liquid coolers. Even more interesting is its included vertical GPU mounting hardware which is complete with an additional fan that sits next to PCI slot brackets.

Form Factor

The size case that a buyer targets can impact what cooling options are available. Still, a mini ITX case like the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P maximizes its available space with the ability to install seven fans around its chassis. Of course, full-tower cases will have an advantage with thermal performance because of the sheer amount of room in the enclosure. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 is a generously sized case that provides enough ventilation and cooling for two systems installed adjacent to each other.

Cable Management

Some gamers may not realize that poor cable management can also threaten airflow. Since this problem is more common in compact cases, the mini ITX Thermaltake Versa H18 ensures that there is plenty of room behind its motherboard for proper cable routing. Smaller cases like the Versa H18 also make intelligent use of the shrouds covering PSUs with additional locations to hide bulky wiring.

Game Rant believes that the Corsair 4000D Airflow provides the best combination of ventilation and support for additional case fans and AIO liquid coolers. Still, depending on the components and cooling needs a particular buyer has, the best PC cases for airflow include the many other candidates discussed in this guide.

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FAQ

Q: Do PC cases matter for airflow?

Even if a CPU cooler has the most direct effect on the stability of a system, the hot air generated by components needs a place to escape. Well-ventilated PC cases allow cooler air to enter through perforated front panels to reduce temperatures while providing exhaust points for warm air.

Q: What size PC case should I buy?

Whether buyers should purchase a mini-ITX, mid-tower, or full-tower case depends on which motherboard/CPU combo they 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.