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Best mini ITX gaming PC build 2024

Built & Tested By Our Team

WePC experts that worked on this build

Trusted Source

Skytech Shiva Gaming PC (R7 5700X, RTX 4070)

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Table of Contents

Best mini itx gaming pc build.

Our best Mini-ITX gaming PC build is for the space-conscious gamer with limited desk space or someone who just loves a clean-looking setup. This may be a small form factor system, but the components offer big performance. This custom mini build is even capable of 4K gaming, with some incredible FPS counts thanks to the powerful CPU/GPU combination. So throw out your console, and let’s get building this mini gaming rig.

With airflow, cooling, and affordability all improving over recent years, it is finally viable to build a mini-ITX gaming PC without breaking the bank or creating a mini oven. We haven’t built this with a budget in mind, but we were aiming to keep this  high-end build  as cost-effective as possible, without compromising on performance.

PC hardware deals

If you are planning on building out your next gaming PC, then finding deals on some components is the best way to get something better for cheaper. In that case, you can find  deals on GPUs ,  CPUs ,  coolers ,  motherboards ,  power supplies , and  cases . There are always some discounts to be found even if it’s not any special sales time so you can save a few bucks here and there.

What you get for your money

While a small form factor PC build isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, a Mini-ITX gaming PC is a great option for space-conscious gamers or users who are frequently on the move with their system. In the past, it could often be too costly to build a mini ITX PC and, in some instances, not worth the trade-off with limited component compatibility. Now though, with many motherboard manufacturers offering excellent quality ITX boards, the mini build is certainly worth a look but beware ITX components could increase the budget.

Performance

As mentioned, this PC is made to be powerful, and this machine’s gaming performance alone is of stellar quality. Inside we see one of the best price to performance CPUs on the market, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X. This multi-threaded CPU comes with 6 cores running at 4.7GHz out of the box and 12 threads. Furthermore, the processor can be overclocked to an impressive 5.3GHz for improved performance. This CPU won’t let you down, and it also offers some workstation performance too!

Backing up the CPU is very powerful graphics card , which will easily run any AAA game you throw at it in immense detail. This GPU will smash anything in 1080p but impressively has shown to perform well while playing in 1440p and 4K, without getting poor FPS counts on those demanding titles.

Reinforcing those strong components, we see a reliable, feature-packed motherboard. This mobo will handle overclocks without a sweat, giving you the reassurance you need to push this system to its full potential. To help boost the overall gaming performance, we have included 16GB of fast RAM , which works hand in hand with the Ryzen CPU. Lastly, a generous 1TB M.2 SSD has been included, to store your operating system, applications, and games, while also saving on space.

AMD vs Intel

We wanted to get the absolute most out of this Mini-ITX build, so naturally went for AMD over Intel. This isn’t to say Intel would be a bad choice. After all, they offer fantastic single-core performance for gaming and generally have cheaper ITX boards, but AMD’s value is undeniable. You are simply getting more for your money with the AMD CPU, and the added benefit of multi-threading with your day-to-day tasks is always a great addition to any build. While a small form factor PC build isn’t everyone’s concern, a Mini-ITX gaming PC is a great option for space-conscious gamers or users who are frequently on the move with their system. In the past, it would often be too costly and not worth the trade-off with limited component options suited to fit. Now though with many motherboard manufacturers offering excellent quality ITX boards, the mini build is certainly worth a look.

Why should you consider a small form factor ITX PC?

An ITX form factor PC can be a great option for several reasons:

• Size: ITX form factor PCs are smaller in size compared to traditional PCs, making them easy to fit in tight spaces, such as small apartments, home offices, or living rooms.
• Portability: Due to their smaller size, ITX form factor PCs are more portable, making it easier to take them to different locations, such as trade shows, LAN parties, or friends’ houses.
• Energy efficiency: Smaller PCs often use less power, which can lead to lower electricity bills and less impact on the environment.
• Customization: ITX form factor PCs can be customized to suit specific needs, such as gaming, media center, or home server.
• Cost-effective: ITX form factor PCs can be more cost-effective than larger PCs, as they typically have a lower price point and use fewer components.
• High-performance: Despite its smaller size, ITX form factor PCs can have high-performance components, such as powerful CPUs and GPUs, that allow them to handle demanding tasks, such as gaming, video editing and 3D rendering.

In summary, ITX form factor PCs are a great option for those who are looking for a compact, portable, energy-efficient, customizable, cost-effective, and high-performance PC.

The WePC experts that worked on this build

Sebastian kozlowski.

Seb is a Mechanical Engineering Graduate who has always been passionate and involved in gaming and computers. Ever since tinkering with the family computer and being the tech wizard in the family, he’s had an interest in PCs and all things tech. So while at University build his own computer, became tech support for others and finally found a career working with them daily.

Jack Howarth

Jack has has a keen interest in computers and video creation for a little over 10 years, and with a professional background in PC building, an education in cyber security and a life long love for gaming, he really likes to not only play games but to know what makes the PCs driving them tick! The perfect pick for a Benchmarker.

Shaun Conroy

Shaun is a gaming enthusiast and computer science graduate who has been working with computers for the last 15 years. He took a shine to competitive FPS back in the mid-2000s and hasn’t looked back since.

Prebuilt Mini-ITX Gaming PC

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X

16GB DDR4 RAM 3200

1TB NVME SSD

If you are going for a Mini-ITX build, you are most likely an experienced PC builder, as these tend to be on the tricky side. Building a computer in a mid or even full-sized tower can have some people sweating, so we have included a small form factor prebuilt gaming PC. Take any stresses away with this Skytech Shiva Gaming PC that brings some compact and cool performance.

Our Recommended Custom Build Details

• Last Updated - Jan 2, 2024

Small form factor gaming has never been better, this high-end Mini-ITX build has got you covered and features some of the best components available on the market.

Our Mini-ITX AMD Custom Gaming PC Build

The best Mini ITX build for gaming brings high-quality components together to produce a spectacular gaming experience in a compact package. When it comes to gaming in a smaller form factor, no longer does size matter, you’re going to play the latest AAA games in pristine quality at a multitude of resolutions.

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

Boost speed

With the Ryzen 5 7600X , you get onto AMD’s newer platform of AM5. That allows you to enjoy the latest features and improvements even if it means a change of hardware overall. But the 7600X is a great entry point to it. Featuring 6 cores and 12 threads, running at 4.7 GHz and boosting up to 5.3 GHz, you get plenty of performance out of it for the cost of gaming. With a TDP of 105W, you still can manage its temp in a confined space.

ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-I Gaming WIFI

Form factor:

Power stages:

10 + 2 power solution

PCIe Gen 5:

x16 and onboard M.2 slot are PCIe Gen 5-ready

Memory speed:

DDR5 at 6400 MT/s+

This mini-ITX build is going to need a reliable motherboard with overclocking capabilities. The ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I is the choice to go for. Getting the best out of your CPU and pushing it to its limits, the X670 motherboard is compact and full of features for you to enjoy.

Moving extras offboard, such as the DAQ for audio, also limits you to just one PCIe and two RAM slots. Along with featuring 10+2 power stage solutions at 110A. Along with PCIe 5 connectivity along with M.2 stacked and cooled, you get the most out of all of your components.

Noctua NH-L9x65

Air or Hydro?

(H)65 x (W)95 x (D)95 mm

With this being a mini form factor build, we need to ensure the processor is getting sufficient airflow without taking up too much room. With this in mind, we have selected Noctua’s very own NH-L9 to provide all the cooling your CPU will need. This fan cooler not only fits into the small chassis but it looks the part too. This cooler will keep your processor’s temps low and do so quietly but if you ever get a CPU with a higher TDP, you may want to consider a more powerful cooling solution.

CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR5 RAM 16GB

16GB (2x8GB)

Memory Technology

Memory Speed

CAS Latency

This 16GB kit from Corsair offers more than enough for any computer, regardless of whether you go for  AMD or Intel . It is the standard these days and might be better to get more down the line, the AM5 platform does require to go for DDR5 fast and new memory for it. As such the Corsair Vengeance unlocks the most out of your processor and system.

ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070

Base clock:

Boost clock:

Memory Size:

Memory clock:

Product Dimensions:

267 x 134 x 51 mm

While this is the best mini ITX gaming PC, it is designed to be gamed on while still being affordable. Well, what about Nvidia’s RTX 4070 ? One of the best graphics cards to go for in the generation, it offers great all-around performance, with even 4K capable framerates it does get the job done. More importantly, it is very efficient running with a TBP of 200W, meaning the ASUS Dual card is small and compact fitting into the small case.

The new tech also provides you with the likes of DLSS 3 and frame generation. It gives you an extra boost as well when it comes to certain games, although the pure rasterization is plenty for what you might need it for. But it might be a good boost for usage in ray tracing scenarios.

Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0

The Sabrent PCIe 4.0  SSD features sequential read and write speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and 4,400 MB/s, which is already much faster than the highly regarded Samsung EVO 970 Plus (PCIe 3.0). With this 1TB device, you have enough space for your operating system and a selection of your most played gaming titles. This SSD goes straight into the motherboard, making installation a doddle, and keeps your small system free of extra cables.

Thermaltake Core V1

Motherboard Support

Dimensions (H x W x D)

276 x 260 x 316mm

Included Fans

1 x 200mm fan

The Core V1 from Thermaltake is a mini-ITX case with good value for its price tag. It includes a 200mm intake fan, ample room for customization, and user-friendly design features like interchangeable side panels. Obviously, it is rather limiting in size, but that does provide a good mini-ITX option to go for.

Corsair RM850x

80 Plus certification

Fully Modular

Every PC needs a solid power supply to bring efficient power to those components, and that is precisely what you get from this Seasonic  PSU . This is a 850W model, giving you more than enough power and leaving some headroom for overclocking and future upgrades. A higher wattage than needed will also keep the fan quieter for longer, giving you better acoustic performance. The Corsair RM850x PSU comes with an 80+  gold rating and is  fully-modular , giving you greater control over the  cable management.

What Games Can This PC Run?

In this section, we’re going to tell you how this game should be able to run your favorite games.

• Fortnite  – This build well exceeds  Fortnite’s  required specs- 4K60FPS at Max settings shouldn’t be a problem at all.
• PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds  – Unfortunately,  PUBG  still needs optimization work…while 4K will be achievable, you will need to turn down some settings to land at 60FPS.
• Monster Hunter: World  – At max settings and 4K, this intensive title will push your system to its limits. Expect 30-40 FPS if you don’t turn anything down.
• League of Legends  –  League of Legends  is optimized to run on low-spec PCs, so don’t even worry: 4K60 should be  nothing  for this PC build.
• Dota 2  – eSports titles in general are well-optimized (they have to be for accessibility purposes), so 4K60 shouldn’t be a problem here.
• Overwatch  –  Overwatch is a bit more intensive than the other aforementioned eSports titles, but 4K60 should still be plenty achievable. You should also consider 1440p @ 144hz.
• Rainbow Six: Siege  – At max settings and 4K, you should be able to easily achieve 70+ FPS with this build.
• Warframe  –  Warframe  is pretty well-optimized, so at 4K and max settings you should be able to easily push 120+ FPS.
• Grand Theft Auto V  – At 4K and Ultra settings,  GTAV  should be playable at anywhere from 70-100 FPS with this build.
• Team Fortress 2  – Despite being well over a decade old,  Team Fortress 2  is still regularly in Steam’s most-played. Fortunately, the game should still be easily run on this PC setup at 4K and high settings, though if you play competitively you may want to turn some things down if you experience lag spikes.

Things To Consider

The majority of builds on WePC are split into a variety of budget categories. Of course, there are a few of our custom builds that don’t fit in with our main recommendations, but that doesn’t mean a budget wasn’t in mind. When putting these parts together, the main goal was to try and keep it around $1500, which for a high-end build such as this, isn’t a bad price. The budget was merely a guideline, but it ensured greater thought about what would power this mini machine.

Upgradability & Future-Proofing

This Mini-ITX gaming PC is packed to the rafters with top quality components, but there are a few areas that can certainly be upgraded in the future, depending on your needs. One thing we made sure while making this was to leave you with some of the basic components that will enable you to improve this at a later date. The motherboard was chosen so that you could install a Ryzen 5000 CPU without the need of flashing the BIOS first. Furthermore, the motherboard supports overclocking and can handle the quickest RAM speeds out there.

Overclocking

This is a high-end gaming PC, so overclocking is certainly not a requirement. That being said, it is still nice to have the option to boost your system’s overall performance without extra cost. So if you are someone who likes to squeeze every drop of juice out of your gaming PC then don’t worry, we have you covered.

The RAM will naturally come at a lower speed as the advertised speed is simply letting you know what speeds you can clock it to. To get your RAM running at its best, you will need to go into the BIOS and  XMP the RAM  to 3600MHz.

Ease Of Building

Generally speaking, building a Mini-ITX gaming PC can be a greater challenge than your average build. This is due to the limited space for your cabling to go, meaning you are going to have to get creative when going down the ITX route. To combat the increased difficulty of this, we have gone for the NZXT H210i PC case, which, like its bigger siblings, is incredibly easy to build in.

For a mini-ITX case, this feels spacious, giving you a bit more room to build in, and it doesn’t have a sandwich layout or anything like that you see with other ITX cases, so it’s just a regular build – shrunk down. This case fits the 240mm radiator towards the front of the case, and the panel easily comes off to reveal the bracket, so no worries there. You could go for an air cooler or even water-cool in this, but the recommended AIO cooler in this build will do wonders for your CPU temps.

A screwdriver was the only tool required to complete the build, but if you want to ensure you protect your components fully, then invest in  anti-static equipment.  It is worth noting that the cooler will come with a small tube of thermal pate for you to apply some fresh paste on your CPU. We advise wiping off the  old thermal paste  and applying a branded type like the ones from our best  thermal paste roundup .

Non-Gaming Performance

The components speak for themselves, and this an unquestionably good gaming PC, but that isn’t all. Thanks to this mini PC’s AMD multi-threaded processor and fast RAM, this PC can handle its self for some heavy-duty CPU tasks too. So if you need to do a bit of light rendering or 4K playback, then this Mini-ITX build will do a superb job.

The Best Mini-ITX build comes with a  case that has aesthetics in mind, the NZXT H210i. Mini builds mostly look superb, but when there is tempered glass involved, it is important to pick the correct components, and cable manage thoroughly. The case features a fan hub that has two lighting channels on it, meaning you can easily add some NZXT HUE lighting to this if needed.

The recommended cooler also is compatible with the case and has one of the nicest pump designs on the market. The board features some lighting, and the Corsair RAM is the RGB PRO version, giving you nice little touches of light through the build. You could pimp your build  further with the inclusion of  RGB fans , RGB strips, and NZXT’s under-glow lighting.

Build A Gaming PC By Price

Check out some of our other price-focused custom PC build guides below.

• Best Custom Gaming PC under $400
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Build A Gaming PC For Specific Games

Check out some of our game-focused custom PC build guides below.

• The Best Gaming PC For Valorant
• The Best Custom Built Gaming PC For CS:GO
• The Best Custom Built Gaming PC For Fortnite
• The Best Custom Gaming PC For Cyberpunk 2077
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Related Prebuilt Gaming PC Guides

Check out some of our related prebuilt PC guides below.

• Best Prebuilt Gaming PC
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• Best RTX 3080 Prebuilt Gaming PC
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• Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Under $2000
• Best Prebuilt Gaming PC under $1500
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Best Prebuilt Gaming PC Brands

Every recommended prebuilt gaming PC in this article is from a reputable manufacturer. You are probably wondering how we know what the best gaming PC brands are? Well, we have done our research and purchased PCs from these brands.

Most notable brands:

Alienware Corsair CyberPowerPC SkyTech iBUYPOWER Thermaltake MSI Scan 3XS Overclockers UK

Calculating The PSU Wattage

Making sure your PSU provides the correct amount of wattage to your custom build PC is an essential part of the build process. For that reason, we’ve created a handy  PSU calculator  which will work out exactly what PSU wattage your components require – no matter how many changes you make.

Crucial MX500 2TB

560/510 MB/s sequential, 95K/90K random

SATA 6.0 Gb/s

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Boost speed:

G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32GB 6600MHz DDR5

DDR5 6600MHz

Operating System & Peripherals

Since the budget only factors in the cost of the important components, we have included this section. Most people already have operating systems and gaming peripherals, but for those that don’t, here are our top recommendations.

Note: These will raise the price of the build!

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Building Tips

When building a PC, you need to handle it with care. This is especially true if this is the first PC you’ve ever built; definitely read various online tips to clear up any questions you have before starting.

Closing Thoughts

Getting a great gaming experience out of this Mini-ITX build is easy; after all, it features some of the best gaming components on the market. This is a superb gaming PC for the money, and it will smash through those AAA games without breaking a sweat, while also giving you a solid general computing experience too. We opted for AMD at the heart of this build purely for its multi-threaded capabilities and price to performance. This processor really rounds the build off well, giving you a mini PC that will stand the test of time.

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Best budget gaming pc: a cheap custom pc for 1080p gaming, best gaming pc build under $3000 in 2024, best streaming pc build in 2024, best gaming pc build under $300 of 2024, best gaming pc build under $700 in 2024, best gaming pc under $800 2024 – build the best $800 gaming pc, best gaming pc build under $600 in 2024, best gaming pc build under $400 2024 – build the best $400 pc, share this article.

The Best Mini-ITX Motherboards for 2024

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Searching through the vast collection of the best motherboards from each vendor can be frustrating and time-consuming. Dozens of chipsets, compatibility with components, cooling, and connectivity are a handful of factors users have to keep in mind when selecting a motherboard. However, it doesn't have to be irksome, especially when it comes to gaming motherboards.

Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi

Asus rog strix x670e-i gaming wifi, asus rog strix b650e-i gaming wifi, msi mpg z790i edge wifi, gigabyte b650i aorus ultra, gigabyte b760i aorus pro ddr4, best amd motherboards for gaming in 2024.

Here are our picks for the best AMD AM5-based motherboards for gaming that players can buy right now!

Mini-ITX motherboards are small, but they still pack a punch with unbelievable features that weren't possible a decade ago. Due to their tiny form factor, these motherboards require less space inside the chassis and can easily fit in smaller cases. They also make fantastic portable gaming and productivity machines that can execute almost every operation possible on a comparatively bigger ATX build.

If you're looking for the latest and best in Mini-ITX motherboards, you're in luck! Game Rant has compiled a list of the top feature-packed Mini-ITX motherboards from each vendor that support the latest Intel and AMD CPUs, all while offering unparalleled specifications, aesthetics, and functionality.

Updated on June 29, 2024 by Muhib Nadeem: Motherboards have gotten increasingly better at handling daily demands. In light of this, the guide has been ironed out to provide more user-centric information, ensuring preferences are also catered for alongside practicality.

Game Rant's Picks for the Best Mini-ITX Motherboards in 2024

The multiple award winner Asus ITX motherboard for Intel's latest Raptor Lake/Refresh CPUs leaves no room for criticism. The excellent design supports higher-end CPUs and allows overclocking through a simple press of a button. With native PCI-E 5.0 support for NVME SSDs, a Thunderbolt port and the Type C Gen 2x2 port at the I/O allows connecting faster storage and peripherals.

• PCI-E 5.0 x4 mode for primary M.2 and x16 for PCI-E x16 slot
• Clear CMOS, Type-C, and Thunderbolt at the I/O
• Dedicated ROG Strix Hive controller for various functions

Asus ROG Strix motherboards are typically expensive, but they also boast premium construction and high-end features. For Intel CPU users , the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming is a no-compromise board for all types of builds. It features gorgeous aesthetics with RGB lighting-equipped heatsinks over the I/O and M.2 connectors. Whether users want gaming-focused builds or builds that excel in productivity, this motherboard can handle it all. With support for up to 96GB of DDR5 memory at up to 7600MHz through Intel XMP, you won't have to worry about upgradeability.

However, its more notable features include the power delivery with 10+1 power phases each rated at 105A of current. It will make sure the processors are fed enough voltage for stability and the dense heatsinks over the VRM components will passively dissipate heat. Another major advantage of this board over the others is the included ROG Strix Hive Controller. Sure, stock coolers have a bad rep, but this is hardly a concern on the higher end, especially for additional peripherals and controlling miscellaneous functions like BIOS Flashback, Volume Control, and Overclocking buttons.

Multiple USB ports reside on the I/O, including different generations of USB-A and USB-C ports for peripherals and faster USB devices. Moreover, there is a Clear CMOS button at the bottom for resetting the BIOS if anything goes wrong with overclocking or BIOS upgrades. This is especially helpful as clearing CMOS requires opening the case panel to access the CMOS pins or battery.

Lastly, for storage, there are two SATA ports and two M.2 connectors for fast storage with the primary M.2 connector featuring a native PCI-E 5.0 x4 mode. This motherboard serves the higher end of gaming enthusiasts, and it spares no expense in ensuring satisfaction. It's sturdy, it has all the bells and whistles, and it can ensure reliable performance.

AMD CPU users can opt for the ROG Strix X670E-I which is the alternative to the Z790-I, boasting similar specs and pricing. With a few noticeable changes here and there, this motherboard is one of the finest choices for high-end gaming/productivity builds for compact systems. Users will get a solid VRM and more USB ports at the I/O for better connectivity.

• Dedicated ROG Strix Hive Controller for multiple handy functions
• 8x USB Type A and 2x Type C ports at the I/O
• Native PCI-E 5.0 support for PCI-E x16 and primary M.2
• No built-in RGB lighting

Except for a lack of RGB lighting , the ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming Wi-Fi is basically the AMD version of the previous motherboard. However, there are some differences between the two that make it advantageous (or limited) over the Z790-I in some situations.

Apart from a similar power delivery system and the included ROG Strix Hive Controller, this board has a different I/O layout with more USB-A ports for supporting multiple peripherals at the same time. The disadvantage is the absence of a Thunderbolt port (which is faster than USB-C) and the Clear CMOS button, which can sometimes be a lifesaver.

It's a bit on the higher end when it comes to price. However, despite the price and the lack of RGB lighting, it more than makes up for it in terms of stability and performance.

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Also, the RAM frequency support is higher on this one, but that may or may not benefit users as both Intel and AMD processors react a little differently to highly clocked memories, even if the frequencies are identical. Except for these differences, most specs are identical to the Z790-I. Plus, users get to enjoy the latest M.2 connectors, PCI-E 5.0 x16 slot, Wi-Fi 6E, and some overclockability, thanks to the ten Vcore power phases with insanely high current support.

ASUS ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming Wi-Fi provides support for modern PC hardware, letting users unlock the potential of their system. Powered by the B650E chipset, it provides native PCI-E 5.0 support for the PCI-E x16 and M.2 connectors. The power delivery is satisfactory for overclocking and is passively cooled by enlarged heatsinks.

• Ideal for overclocking budget and mid-range CPUs
• Native PCI-E 5.0 support for both PCI-E x16 and M.2 slots
• Provides multi-purpose Flexkey button at the I/O
• Expensive as a B650E chipset board

The B650E chipset is slightly nerfed compared to the X670E, but brings adequate features for a powerful modern gaming and productivity build. Despite falling short in a few areas, the B650E chipset offers better PCI 5.0 support than the X670. This is why the ROG Strix B650E-I Gaming Wi-Fi can be used to build a mid-range gaming build with a potent processor like Ryzen 5 7600X or even Ryzen 7800X3D . Its VRM provides a 10+2+1 power phase design with enlarged heatsinks to let users experiment with the clock speeds and relieve worries about too much about VRM thermals.

With native support for PCI-E 5.0, users will have a PCI-E x16 and M.2 connector supporting the Gen 5.0 speeds. Even though the current market doesn't have a GPU with such an interface, the board opens up the door to supporting such next-gen GPUs. The board provides multiple headers for cooling and RGB/ARGB devices and has dedicated Q-LEDs for basic troubleshooting.

What's great is the presence of a multipurpose FlexKey button in the I/O, which lets users choose what function they would like the button to execute. Whether it's a simple system reboot or controlling the reset of the BIOS, it's a highly handy feature.

Apart from providing a solid 12-power phase VRM design for overclocking and support for highly overclockable memories, the Z790I Edge Wi-Fi brings the highest number of SATA ports for expanding the storage capacity. Moreover, the EZ Debug LEDs single-handedly make it a worthy ITX board for mid-range PC builds.

• Rich I/O with fast USB-A and USB-C ports
• 4x SATA ports for adding more storage
• EZ Debug LEDs for easy troubleshooting
• No native PCI-E 5.0 support for M.2
• Single M.2 connector

A superb alternative to the Gigabyte AORUS Ultra, the MSI Z790I Edge Wi-Fi brings an identical VRM design with 10 Vcore power phases each rated at 105A. The design boasts a fantastic cooling solution with two aluminum heatsinks that are connected via a copper heat pipe for faster heat dissipation. For a price tag of slightly over $300, this board provides a higher value than the Asus boards, particularly because it also provides 4x EZ Debug LEDs that are absent on most of the motherboards that are listed in this guide.

The only limitation here is the presence of a single M.2 connector which can limit users' ability to add high-speed storage. However, this is compensated by providing four SATA ports for adding multiple SATA drives. The I/O is also decent with six USB ports (mostly 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2) plus a Type C Gen 2x2 for high-bandwidth peripherals. Besides that, users will find a Clear CMOS button, which is another handy option for troubleshooting major faults in the BIOS.

The B650I Aorus Ultra brings a robust power delivery system, a 12-layer 2X copper PCB, PCI-E 5.0 support for M.2, and an adequate number of USB ports for connectivity. It's already unmatched at this price for the mentioned features, but it stands out due to the availability of 3x M.2 ports and 4x SATA ports which is a rarity for most M-ITX motherboards in its price range.

• Allows CPU overclocking
• 3x M.2 and 4x SATA ports for multiple storage drives
• Q-Flash Plus at I/O for BIOS upgrade
• Not the best option for flagship CPUs
• No PCI-E 5.0 support for PCI-E x16
• Supports a max memory frequency of 6400MHz

It might be the cheapest, but it's not the slowest. The B650I AORUS Ultra is the ultimate budget mini-ITX motherboard for budget and mid-range AMD builds. Even though it's not suitable for overclocking flagship processors, its 11 power phases will take care of high clock speeds. Despite being well below $300, the board features a durable 12-layer PCB that hides all the connection traces well and makes it a reliable option.

However, what sets it apart from all the other motherboards in this guide is the availability of three M.2 ports and four SATA ports, which is an insane storage capacity on an ITX motherboard. This sets it apart from other similarly priced motherboards on the market. You can think of it as the king of versatility. Lots to offer, with no clear downsides.

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Building or upgrading a gaming PC doesn't have to be an expensive venture. Here are some of the best budget gaming motherboards money can buy!

The only major limitation (if you're being picky) is its incapability to support highly overclocked memories. Unlike most models found in this guide, the B650I Aorus Ultraone only supports a max of 6400MHz of clock speed, which is arguably a lot but can be even better. Still, there are plenty of other features that overshadow this limitation, including the already-mentioned features and connectivity.

The GIGABYTE B760I AORUS PRO DDR4 LGA 1700 Intel B760 Mini-ITX Motherboard supports 13th and 12th-Gen Intel Core Series processors, and it is Dual Channel DDR4 compatible. Plus, it supports fast internet connections with Wi-Fi 6.

• Reasonable price
• Supports Wi-Fi 6
• RGB Fusion 2.0
• No PCI-E 5.0 support
• No DDR5 support

The Gigabyte B760I AORUS Pro DDR4 is the best budget Intel Mini-ITX motherboard for several good reasons. First, it is priced competitively as a sub-$200 Mini-ITX motherboard. If you're on a tight budget and have a preference for an Intel CPU, then this motherboard becomes extremely desirable, because it also offers support for 12th and 13th-Gen Intel Core Series processors. It is Dual Channel DDR4 compatible and supports fast, stable wireless internet connections with built-in support for Wi-Fi 6.

The main downside here is that there is no PCI-E 5.0 support. Also, it does not support DDR5 memory, which is going to be the memory standard going forward. Aside from these notable flaws, it is a capable motherboard that is worth considering on a budget as it is significantly less expensive than the premium options in this guide.

What Makes an Ideal Mini-ITX Motherboard?

Potential buyers can choose the best motherboard for their needs and budget by considering several different factors before purchasing a Mini-ITX motherboard to install in their custom PC build. These factors include memory support, power delivery, storage, and I/O (input/output).

Memory Support: Almost every Mini-ITX motherboard comes with two DIMM slots, which means users can only install two RAM modules. While the total RAM capacity that Mini-ITX motherboards can support is generally half that of ATX motherboards, they should still bring support for a total memory size that can meet the needs for high-end gaming and productivity tasks.

64GB of RAM is enough for high-end mainstream computers, but some ITX boards can support up to 96GB of RAM. Moreover, higher clock speed support allows users to achieve higher performance in memory-oriented applications.

Power Delivery: Even though enthusiast overclocking is not recommended on Mini-ITX motherboards due to fewer power phases and smaller heatsinks, mild overclocking shouldn't be a big deal. It's crucial that the VRM can handle higher-end processors.

Storage: At a minimum, a good ITX motherboard must come with two M.2 connectors, as generally, these are equipped with only two to four SATA ports. As most users prefer the faster M.2 interface, multiple M.2 connectors are the only options for storage upgrades.

I/O: The availability of a built-in Wi-Fi adapter is a must. ITX motherboards don't feature additional PCI-E slots for expansion cards other than the primary PCI-E x16 for GPUs. It wouldn't be a great experience to rely on the LAN port only. Moreover, motherboards with USB 3.2 ports and USB-C ports with up to 20Gbps transfer speed should be given priority.

Q: Who makes the best Mini-ITX motherboard?

Asus and Gigabyte generally have one of the best mini-ITX motherboards in a variety of models. While Asus excels in providing premium aesthetics, Gigabyte does a good job in providing good functionality in a budget.

Q: Why is Mini-ITX so expensive?

Motherboard vendors have to make sure they design the circuit board in a way that can accommodate as many features as possible. Throwing various ports, headers, and slots in a compact space is complicated and can be costly.

Q: What is the disadvantage of Mini-ITX motherboard?

The path to upgradeability is generally narrower than the bigger form factor motherboards. Also, Mini-ITX motherboards generally don't come with a strong power delivery for enthusiast level of overclocking. The ports and headers are also fewer in numbers compared to M-ATX, ATX and E-ATX motherboards.

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How to build a mini-itx gaming pc.

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Why compression-mounted ram is such a big deal for laptops, lenovo thinkpad troubleshooting: how to fix frequent and common issues.

We can probably all agree that desktop gaming PCs represent the pinnacle of gaming performance. However, not everyone wants, or has the space for, a hulking great machine on their desk.

That's where mini-ITX comes in, allowing for top-notch performance in a form factor that's much easier to live with. You get all the same benefits as a full-size gaming rig, including the ability to upgrade easily in the future, all in a case that's close to the size of an Xbox .

• The best gaming PCs: Top rigs starting from $650

Typically, full-size builds are a little easier to put together, simply because there's more room for all of your components and for that reason, the mini-ITX realm is often reserved for more experienced builders and enthusiasts.

For first-time builders, you might have an easier time with our how to build a mid-range gaming PC or extreme gaming PC guides. That said, we can't imagine most people would have too much trouble with the build that we're outlining today and if you're up to the challenge, read on.

Budgeting your mini-ITX gaming PC

As with any PC build, it's crucial to have a budget in mind before you start your mini-ITX adventure. For this guide, we'll be working on an upper mid-range build that's capable of serious gaming but it's easy to pick and choose what will suit your needs best. For example, maybe you need a lot more storage but aren't as interested in graphically intensive games. Then you could allocate more of your budget into SSDs and buy a less expensive graphics card.

The beauty of building your own PC is that you can swap out parts as and when you need to upgrade. With graphics card prices and availability presenting a particular challenge at the moment, it's not uncommon for people to build a system without a graphics card with the aim of adding one later down the line.

With that said, it's still important to get the core components right the first time around. We recommend paying particular attention to the motherboard and CPU as these are the hardest to swap out.

What components do you need?

When it comes to building a mini-ITX machine, size is obviously a key factor. For that reason, we recommend starting out with your case choice and working out the rest of your system from there. It will be important to check the measurements of your components, particularly large ones such as the graphic card, to ensure they can squeeze into your chosen chassis.

Case - NZXT H1 V2

For our system, we'll be using the second generation of NZXT's H1 case. It may seem a little pricey at first glance, but that's because it comes with a 750-watt power supply and AIO liquid-cooler in the box. When you consider what they would cost you separately, it's actually not bad value at all. Plus, it makes for one of the easiest mini-ITX builds we've ever attempted, since all the cables are the correct length and partially managed right out of the box.

The H1 V2 retains the Xbox Series X style form factor of the original H1, whilst improving thermal performance, beefing up the PSU and allowing extra clearance for massive graphics cards. It's quite the looker too, in our opinion.

There are loads of options for mini-ITX cases on the market, but after our experience building in the H1, we'd highly recommend seeking out an option with an included PSU. It makes cable management so much easier and cuts hours off the build time.

Motherboard - Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI

For the motherboard, we have selected Gigabyte's X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI. Not only does it offer great value for money, but it also looks the part and is feature-packed to boot.

It's got high-end features such as reinforced PCIe 4.0 and memory slots, an actively cooled M.2 heat spreader, a built-in I/O shield and a beefy extended heatsink. Alongside cutting-edge features like Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.1 gen 2. All packed onto the tiniest of circuit boards.

Remember when choosing a motherboard to be careful with both the CPU compatibility and the connectivity on offer. There's nothing worse than completing a build and realising that you don't have enough USB ports.

Gigabyte I Aorus Pro AMD X570 AM4 Mini ITX DDR4-SDRAM Motherboard

Cpu - amd ryzen 5 3600xt.

We'll be using AMD's Ryzen 5 3600XT as the brains of our machine. It's a solid mid-range performer with 6 cores and 12 threads, it'll handle light video editing without breaking a sweat and, when paired with a decent GPU, is more than enough to play the latest triple-A games on high settings.

If you'll be gaming exclusively, you could cut some costs here and still get excellent performance. Whereas, if you're more serious about content creation you could bump it up to a Ryzen 7 to cut down your render times.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT 6-core, 12-threads unlocked desktop processor with Wraith Spire cooler

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GPU - ZOTAC RTX 3070 Amp Holo

This RTX 3070 from ZOTAC is one of the coolest looking cards of the bunch, as you'd expect, it's quite the performer too. The twin fan cooler leaves us plenty of room in the H1's GPU chamber and the RGB lighting should give us something nice to look at through the tinted glass window.

We went for the 3070 in order to get the maximum performance possible, without over-stressing our 750W power supply. ZOTAC's specification recommends a minimum power supply wattage of 650, so we've got boatloads of headroom for our other peripherals too.

Buying a GPU is no easy feat these days, but with some persistence and a bit of hunting, there are still deals to be had. Keep a keen eye on restock dates and you should be able to find an equivalent without resorting to resellers.

Memory - XPG Spectrix D45G 3600MHz

With a clean industrial finish and a prominent diffused RGB lighting bar, the Spectrix D45G is one of the most attractive memory kits to ever grace our desk. Beyond looks, it's competitively priced and speedy at 3600MHz. Our 16GB (two sticks of 8GB) configuration should be plenty for multi-tasking, light video editing and, of course, gaming.

This is another area that's easy to tweak for your specific needs, so, if you'll be spending all day in After Effects churning out animations then feel free to bulk up the memory. For most users, however, 16GB seems to be the sweet spot where value and performance intersect.

XPG GAMMIX D45G RGB DDR4 3600MHz 16GB (2x8GB) 288-Pin SDRAM PC4-28800 Memory Kit (AX4U36008G18I-DCBKD45G)

Storage - samsung 970 evo plus nvme ssd.

NVMe is where it's at these days, not only do you get blazing fast read and write speeds, but also a clean wire-free install that's perfect for small form factor builds. Samsung's reliability is essentially unmatched when it comes to SSDs, that's why we've gone for the 970 EVO Plus as our boot drive.

There are plenty of cheaper drives out there and faster ones too, but the 970 EVO Plus is one that we trust to keep our rig going for many years to come.

Just like with memory, storage is another area where configurations can vary wildly. Maybe you only need a 500GB SSD for your essential games or maybe you're a data-hoarder that needs 12TB of HDDs for your ever-expanding movie library. Whatever the case, we reckon the 970 EVO Plus is a solid choice for a boot drive and it's super easy to add or take away additional storage as necessary.

MZ-V7S500BW

How to build your mini-itx gaming pc.

With any PC build, and particularly when it comes to small form factor builds, it's best to get as many components installed on the motherboard as possible before installing it into the case. Usually, this means the CPU, RAM and NVMe SSD.

Everyone hates manuals, but for a PC build they're essential. Particularly the case and motherboard manual, so, keep them handy and let's get into it.

Installing the CPU

Installing the CPU can be nerve-wracking as it's an expensive and fragile little thing, but it's actually very easy to do.

First, lift the little metal lever by pushing it gently to the side and lifting upwards. Then align your CPU so that the little golden arrow in the corner matches with the arrow on the bottom-left of the CPU socket.

Gently lower the CPU pins into the socket, be sure not to twist it at all and you shouldn't need to apply any force. Once it's properly seated, lower the lever and tuck it back under its retention tab.

That wasn't so bad, was it?

Installing the RAM

On mini-ITX motherboards, this is easy as can be. Since you'll be filling all the slots, you don't have to worry about which stick goes where.

Begin by releasing the latches on all corners of the RAM slots. Then, align the memory stick with the notch in the slot, it can only go in one way around.

Once you're confident it's in the right place, apply firm and even pressure to the top of the RAM stick. You should hear a satisfying click as the latches snap into place.

Finally, double-check that all the latches are secured before moving on.

Installing the NVMe SSD

We'll be using the M.2 slot on the rear of the motherboard for our SSD, as it will allow us easier access for later upgrades. However, if you want additional cooling, we'd recommend using the cooled mount found on the front of the motherboard. Either way, the process is very similar.

Once you've located your M.2 slot, take out your screwdriver and remove the retaining screw.

Then, align the SSD with the socket, this too is notched and can only go in one way around. Usually, the SSD's logo will be facing outwards.

Insert the SSD at an approximately 45-degree angle, don't force anything, it should go in quite easily.

Push the SSD downward so that it lays flat against the standoff, and re-insert the retaining screw to keep it in place.

Preparing the case

The H1 case is very unique in its construction, but NZXT has done a great job in clearly marking things to make it as straightforward as can be.

To access the internals, pull off the glass and rear panels by lifting from the marked area at the bottom. It can take a bit of force the first time it is done.

Once removed, you can slide the metal shell upwards and off of the chassis, giving you 360-degree access to the internals.

Inside, you'll find an accessory box, remove this before continuing.

To gain access to the motherboard tray, we need to move the radiator. This too is clearly marked.

Remove the two screws at the top of the panel, then the radiator can fold out of the way.

Take both of the polystyrene blocks that secure the CPU cooler and remove them from the case.

Installing and connecting the motherboard

This part is a little trickier as it's where the size constraints of a mini-ITX case start to come into play.

In this case, we want the IO shield facing towards the bottom of the chassis, which is an unusual configuration. Normally, the IO shield would go towards the rear of the case.

Simply align the motherboard with the four standoffs, one will be located in each corner, and press the IO shield into its hole.

Then use the supplied screws from the case accessory box to fasten the motherboard to the case.

Next, we need to connect up the power supply, fan and front panel connectors. We won't go into too much detail here, it's a fiddly job but everything is labelled clearly. Consult your motherboard's manual if you get stuck.

The H1 case takes a lot of the hassle out of this step by having the cables routed to the correct location and at roughly the correct length. It's just a case of matching them up and connecting.

If you have any cables left over, don't worry, not all cables will be applicable to all builds. For our build, we didn't have anywhere to connect the USB 3.1 front panel header, meaning that the USB-C port on top of the case won't work unless we buy an adapter. Just be sure to tuck it neatly out of the way and it won't cause any other issues.

Now we need to connect our PCIe riser cable for the GPU. This is a lot like installing the RAM, first, we have to release the latch. Then, line up the PCIe insert and press it into the slot until the latch flicks into place.

Finally, use the velcro straps to tuck your excess cabling out of the way as neatly as possible. This is especially important in the H1 as we won't have much clearance between the radiator fan and the motherboard once assembled.

Installing the CPU cooler

Slide off the bracket that comes fitted on the CPU block, we'll be replacing it with one that's designed for AM4 motherboards instead.

It's best to pay close attention to the H1's manual in order to select the correct parts, but we'll be needing some screws, clips and a bracket.

Fasten the parts together as shown in the manual and slide the assembly over the CPU block paying close attention to the orientation.

Thankfully, the CPU cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste so we can get straight on with the installation.

Carefully, position the CPU block over the CPU and attach the retaining clips to the plastic hooks on the motherboard.

Tighten the screws down with your fingers at first, then grab your trusty screwdriver in order to make them snug.

Try to apply even pressure on the CPU by tightening each side a couple of turns at a time.

Once the cooler is secured, we can close up the motherboard chamber by folding the radiator back up into position.

Take great care to ensure that the CPU cooler hoses don't get pinched on anything and that all cables are clear of the fan.

Once it's in place, reinsert the two screws we removed earlier.

Installing the graphics card

Now we need to move around to the rear of the case to get the GPU installed.

First, remove the two screws at the bottom, you can probably do this by hand, but use a screwdriver if they're a bit stiff.

Then, locate the PCIe power cables at the top of the case and pull them out to the side for easy access.

Release the latch on the PCIe riser cable, just as we did on the motherboard side, ready to receive the GPU.

Carefully align the graphics card with the PCIe slot and the slots on the bottom of the case and slide it into place.

Ensure that it's fully seated and that the latch clicks into position.

Then we need to connect the PCIe power cables. We actually found this to be the trickiest part of the entire build, but those with skinnier fingers will have a much easier time.

Once they're in place, use the two screws to secure the rear of the graphics card to the case. We found it easiest to flip the case on its front in order to see what we were doing.

And that's it, all of our components are in. Time to see if it works.

Putting it back together and testing it out

To reattach the panels, first, slide the metal housing back over the frame. Then, pop the front and back panels on by lining them up with the top of the case and firmly pressing them into place.

We can then plug in a power cable, a monitor and peripherals - and pray that we did everything correctly.

If it's all gone smoothly, you'll see a satisfying illumination from all of your RGB clad components and it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Installing Windows

If you've made it this far, we dare say that you're comfortable installing Windows, but for the sake of completion here's what you'll need.

• A purchased licence key for Windows 10 or Windows 11
• A USB thumb drive with at least 8GB of free space
• Access to the Windows Installation Media tool

Windows 10 Home 32 bit/64 bit English International | PC | USB Flash Drive

On another PC or laptop, visit this website to download the installation media of your choice. We're sticking with Windows 10 for now, but you can go with Windows 11 if you want to be on the cutting edge.

Once downloaded, open the media creation tool and follow the onscreen instructions to write to your USB flash drive.

After it's complete, insert the USB drive into your new mini-ITX rig and power it up. All being well, you'll boot straight into the Windows installation process. Just follow along with the installation wizard and configure Windows to your liking.

Finally, you can install your games and play to your heart's content.

Special thanks to NZXT, Gigabyte, ZOTAC, Samsung and ADATA for the support provided in creating this article.

How to build a mid-range gaming PC

Complete guide to pc gaming, useful things to know before you build a gaming pc.

Best Mini ITX Cases For Computers In 2024

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If you're sure you're ready to dive into the world of Mini ITX cases, the market offers a plethora of options, but we've narrowed down the best choices to make your decision easier.

From compact powerhouses to cases offering unmatched build flexibility and those specifically tailored for APU builds, we're going to look at every detail you might be interested in. For an idea, let's say we tell you everything from the exterior dimensions and color options to the power supplies and graphics cards you can use with it. Let's explore some of the top PC cases to help you find the perfect fit for your next ITX build!

Cooler Master NR200P V2

Silverstone technology sugo 14, hyte revolt 3, kxrors s300, fractal design terra graphite case.

A Compact Powerhouse For all Your Needs!

The NR200P V2 with a compact design strikes a good balance between a small footprint and the ability to house high-performance components. The efficiency of the vertical airflow layout system is surprising because even the most power-hungry GPUs can maintain good thermals in this tiny housing.

• Enhanced cooling support
• Flexible GPU orientation
• Good connectivity
• Tempered glass adds to the aesthetic appeal
• Price point could deter budget-conscious builders
• Limited color options

The NR200P V2 has an 18.25L design, putting it into perspective, a small microwave usually has a volume of 20 liters, and in the context of Mini-ITX cases, this is on the lower end, which is why it deserves to be called compact.

For aesthetic appeal, it uses vented steel for airflow and tempered side glass panels; tempering is when a material is heated and then cooled, which improves strength and thermal shock resistance.

The case also supports 240 mm and 280 mm liquid coolers on the top panel, which gives you a range of cooling solutions to cater to even the most thermally demanding components. GPU performance is also optimized with the use of a vertical airflow layout. The 120mm bottom-mounted fan directs the cool air straight to the GPU. This would help maintain optimal temperatures for high-end GPUs .

The build process is also user-friendly, since you can remove the GPU panel and make way for the graphics card with convenient pins for securing components, and you don't need any tools for assembly. Finally, the I/O panel includes a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C port, which supports data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps, which gives you high-speed connectivity, ideal for transferring the largest files you have.

High Performance Builds Bringing High Performance to Your Life!

SilverStone SUGO 14 is a compact and versatile chassis made specifically for those prioritizing performance and cooling! Looking at its highly adaptable design, supporting various cooling solutions and component sizes, it's ideal for building a high-performance, small-form factor builds!

• Compatible with a wide range of components for ITX builds
• Paired with the right cooling systems it can deliver good thermals
• Fits ATX power supplies which is a plus
• Supports 5.25 inch drives
• Materials not premium
• Requires measured building process

The SilverStone SUGO 14 Mini ITX case is distinguished by its best-in-class performance. Supporting Mini-DTX and Mini-ITX motherboards, it offers versatile motherboard choices.

It has ample drive bay options, including space for 2.5" and 3.5" drives, giving you efficient storage solutions. The case also supports air coolers up to 182mm and AIO water blocks up to 55mm. With rear, top, and side fan mounting options, and radiator support on the rear and side, at the end of the cooling layout, this compact case is as versatile as it gets.

Notably, the expansion slots for larger GPUs can accommodate high-performance graphics cards up to 330mm in length and 148mm in width. Unlike most ITX cases that only support GPUs up to 310mm in length and 120-140mm width, the SUGO 14 leaves a lot of graphics card options on the table, which is always a plus. Also, with front I/O ports, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connectivity, and a combo audio jack, you get great accessibility too!

While the SUGO 14 supports AIO water cooling, its ample space for air coolers caters specifically to users who prefer traditional air cooling solutions and are aiming for a high-performance Mini ITX build.

Everything You Need, But in Style!

Having been crafted from a blend of aluminum, steel, and ABS, it brings you the best in style and sturdiness! Available in sleek black or elegant white, the case is perfect to match any setup you go on to design. That's not even mentioning that, with enough space for high-performance components and full-size graphics cards, it's a beauty inside and out!

• Easy assembly
• Dedicated airflow channels for CPU and GPU
• Offered at a competitive price point
• The front panel might lack sufficient USB ports for some users

This case goes beyond the box. It is made from a blend of aluminum, steel, and ABS (thermoplastic polymer made of synthetic resin), giving it a sleek appearance and lasting strength. The integrated carrying handle adds to the convenience, making it perfect for LAN parties or showcasing your build on the go.

Despite its compact dimensions, measuring (253 x 178 x 409 mm), it offers ample space for high-performance components and full-size graphics cards, and completely gets rid of the need for a riser cable (used to install a PCIe device in different positions) for fitting large GPUs in tight spaces.

The Revolt 3 accommodates up to a 280mm radiator and has separate airflow channels for CPU and GPU cooling. It's as practical as it is good-looking. The bottom-front I/O panel offers a cleaner desk setup, and the downward-facing motherboard I/O routes cables out the back of the case, adding to the functionality and user-friendliness. Plus, the easily removable magnetic filters make maintenance very convenient.

If you are looking for a premium case that is easy to maintain, looks good and can house high performance components, the Revolt 3 is an excellent contender.

A Titan That Doesn't Break the Bank

One of the best in looks, power, cooling, but most importantly in expense! With a really compact aluminum and alloy steel frame, and broad compatibility, the KXRORS S300 is perfect for budget-conscious builders seeking a capable Mini ITX case.

• Compact size and lightweight design
• Efficient cooling channels
• Sturdy build
• Potential to fit ATX power supplies
• Limited front I/O ports
• Challenging cable management

We can promise this is going to be the best bang for your buck! Measuring just 12.2 x 5.3 x 7.6 inches, and constructed from durable yet lightweight aluminum and alloy steel, this 8.1L ITX case will outlast every other component of your build. The S300 has three-sided MESH panels that are there to filter dust, but they add to the minimalist modern aesthetic, and also facilitate fan and radiator installations.

Don't forget the 2.5-inch PCIe slot (2.5 times the width of a standard slot of 18mm) provides additional space for graphics cards. You can go up to 305mm in length with a height limit of 55mm, which counts most high-end graphics cards.

Given a USB 3.0 Type-C port on the front panel and room for one 2.5-inch SSD and one 3.5-inch HDD, it can pack a lot of storage. The S300 does have fewer than ideal front I/O ports and cable management can be very tricky with this one, but for budget-minded builders prioritizing power and portability, it's a great option.

The Best for Next-Gen APU Performance

This Mini ITX case offers a compact design with ample cooling for high-performance APUs. With a sleek and customizable design, it's the perfect solution for building an aesthetically pleasing and powerful APU system!

• Unique oval appearance
• Affordable price point with a pre-installed 200W PSU included
• Does not accommodate PCI Express cards
• Thermal performance sub par

Look no further than the In Win B1 Mini ITX case if you want the best with its size! This isn't really your typical case, you're looking at one of the nicest for APU systems! The in Win B1 gives you a maximum CPU heat sink height of 60mm, which does limit your cooling options, given that most CPU coolers can range from 120mm to 150mm. But the case includes an 80mm exhaust fan and can house 3 more to help with that. Plus, if you pair it with a low-profile cooler like AMD's Wraith Stealth, you can easily get decent thermals with APU (Accelerating Processing Unit) powered core, despite space constraints.

This little powerhouse comes with a 200W PSU, which is completely sufficient for this system considering the low power demands. As for the aesthetic, it doesn't go more out of the box than this. In Win is known for radical designs and the B1 follows the trend. Coupled with an APU, this case, with its unique style, will be a statement piece, delivering ideal performance for home theater PCs or light gaming builds.

The Ultimate in Build Construction!

Crafted with a blend of aluminum and wood, Fractal Terra is exceptional for its build quality. Featuring a movable spine for flexible component clearances, a removable top panel, and gull wing doors, we're looking at something commended for its premium feel.

• Good thermal performance
• Unique aesthetic
• Easy access to components
• High price point
• Size limitations for CPU coolers and GPUs

With customization comes the freedom to personalize, and you're looking at one of the most flexible cases here. Before that, you should know that the case is durable and sturdy despite its flexibility, because of the anodized aluminum used to make it and the front-facing panel made from FSC-certified solid walnut, with the fronts and backs being 8 mm thick, contributing to its structural integrity.

Back to customization, innovative features like a movable spine allow for customized component clearances, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of high-performance CPU coolers and graphics cards. The removable top panel and gull-wing doors open effortlessly with a gentle pull, thanks to the screwless design. This provides complete access to your entire system, making building and maintenance a breeze.

Terra prioritizes performance. Perforated panels ensure optimal airflow, while strategically placed mounting points allow for a variety of fan configurations. This combination keeps your system cool and quiet, even under demanding workloads. All in all, the Fractal Terra is a premium case for discerning builders who prioritize both aesthetics and functionality.

Are Mini-ITX cases prone to overheating?

Mini-ITX cases often have limited airflow compared to larger form factors, which can result in potential thermal issues. To prevent overheating, it's important to avoid using oversized components that may restrict airflow within the case.

Which cases are compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards?

Mini-ITX motherboards are designed to fit specifically within Mini-ITX cases. These cases are built with the smaller 170mm x 170mm motherboard size in mind, ensuring proper alignment and component placement. Mini-ITX motherboards can often fit into cases designed for ATX, micro-ATX, and other ATX variants. However, it's important to note installing a Mini-ITX motherboard in a larger case can lead to wasted space, mounting challenges, and limited functionality due to size differences.

How many RAM slots does a Mini-ITX motherboard have?

Mini-ITX motherboards typically have two RAM slots. This is due to their compact size (170 x 170 mm). While some exceptions might exist, the vast majority of Mini-ITX motherboards will offer only two slots for memory modules.

Best PC Cases In 2024

The outside of your PC is almost as important as what's inside.

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The pros and cons of building a mini-itx gaming pc.

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In the immortal words of Jacobim Mugatu, mini-ITX gaming PCs are "so hot right now." While home-assembled gaming computers have generally been focused on the larger mid-tower ATX standard for decades, a recent wellspring of tiny, powerful components have made more compact builds worth considering.

But what are you giving up if you decide to go for a smaller form factor? Not much, as it turns out. Even with high-power components, there are only a few things you need to look out for. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of going for a smaller build.

Let's start with the good stuff: why would you want a Mini-ITX build in the first place?

Mini-ITX Saves Space (Obviously)

Okay, you probably realized this already, but it's dramatic how much space you can save with a Mini-ITX build. My ATX mid-tower is 232 x 464 x 523mm, approximately 56,000 cubic centimeters of space. A Mini-ITX case from the same manufacturer, with room for a full-sized power supply and gaming-grade GPU, is 203 x 250 x 367mm, about 18,600 cubic centimeters. So you could stack three Mini-ITX cases together and they still wouldn't be as big as a standard mid-tower. You might even be able to put your computer on your computer desk---what a concept!

Mini-ITX PCs are Lighter

A fully-loaded mid-tower in a steel case can be 40 pounds or more. Anyone who's had to carefully move one knows it's a hassle. Though Mini-ITX builds use most of the same parts aside from the motherboard, that smaller case makes it dramatically lighter, not to mention much, much easier to pick up and move around. It really lessens the fear of dropping it and snapping all of your components in half. LAN party, anyone?

Mini-ITX PCs Generally Cost Less

This one's a no-brainer. While it's still possible to trick out a Mini-ITX build with insanely expensive components and the latest designer case, the smaller physical dimensions and lessened complexity of the motherboard and case mean they're generally cheaper than their full-sized counterparts. Of course, that also means things are generally less flexible (which we'll get to in a moment).

They're Just Really Cool

It's hard to define the specific appeal of a tiny machine packed with just as much polygon-pushing power as something much bigger, but it's undeniable. A well-constructed Mini-ITX build is like a tricked out Honda Civic that can beat a European supercar off the starting line. While you can get most of the same benefits with an expensive custom-designed Mini-ITX PC, like the Falcon Northwest Tiki or the Digital Storm Bolt, it's a lot more satisfying (and a lot less expensive) to select and assemble the components yourself .

Alright, so what's the catch? As long as you build smart, there aren't that many downsides---but here are the things you'll want to consider.

Not All GPUs Will Fit

The simple physics of a smaller case means that you'll have to carefully select your graphics card if you're building a gaming PC. The extra-long high-end cards from NVIDIA and ATI may not fit in some Mini-ITX cases, even those specifically designed for compatibility with gaming builds. Luckily, GPU manufacturers are not blind to the desire for smaller, shorter cards, and they're designing high-end GPUs with compact PCBs and coolers  specifically for Mini-ITX cases. You may be able to use a bigger GPU, but you'll just have to check first---sites like PCPartPicker are really useful for determining the compatibility of your build.

Mini-ITX Offers Less Room for Expansion

Mini-ITX motherboards have to cut corners, almost literally, so that means that most of them don't offer multiple PCIe card slots for multi-GPU setups (though multi-GPU setups are rarely worth it for the average gamer, so this shouldn't be too big a concern.) Most of them only offer two RAM slots as well, so in order to get a beefy 16GB or 32GB memory setup, you'll have to pay for more expensive high-capacity DIMMs.

Most Mini-ITX cases have room for at least one full-sized 3.5-inch hard drive and a 2.5-inch SSD, covering the needs of most gamers, but for truly capacious storage or backup, you might need to look at some kind of external solution. Some cases also omit a standard 5.25-inch disc drive mount, which is less of an issue now that the majority of PC games are downloaded from services like Steam.

Cramped Space Means More Heat

Mini-ITX gaming builds run a little hotter than bigger systems, simply as a function of the design---the same components running in a smaller space concentrates the heat. This problem is compounded when you try to add in extra fans: mounting area for air intake and output is limited. There's also less vertical space for elaborate CPU cooling setups, so gamers who like to overclock their systems would probably be better served with a larger build. Water cooling with a small radiator/fan combo is an option, though.

Mini-ITX Is More Challenging to Work On

Building computers is pretty easy, but when you have such a small case, component access and cable management can be like working on one of those extremely finicky LEGO builds. This issue is compounded by cables that are designed with the length of standard ATX builds in mind. To help resolve this, you can go for aggressive cable management with ties and routing (many Mini-ITX cases have this built in) or look for a short cable set specifically designed for compact builds. For the most part, though, it just means you'll need to be careful, patient, and---if you have hands like the Incredible Hulk---have someone with slender fingers help you out.

Image Credit: Newegg , olgaiv /Flickr, athan902 /Flickr

October 10, 2023

Last Updated: 2023-11-06

The Lian Li DAN A4-H2O focuses on liquid cooling in a compact package.

The Highlights

• The A4-H2O is designed by DAN and manufactured by Lian Li
• A lack of cable management features makes tidy builds more difficult
• Clever airflow from the top-mounted CLC keeps GPU thermals under control
• Original MSRP: $155
• Release Date: February 9, 2022

For the second of our revised Mini-ITX case reviews , we’re looking at the Lian Li DAN A4-H2O . It’s specifically designed for accommodating, as the name suggests, liquid cooling in the form of a 240mm CLC. The name is H2O, despite the fact that Lian Li’s website contains multiple instances of both H2O and H20. It also has some impressive GPU thermals for the size due to clever airflow management, but there are drawbacks, including the cable management.

It’s available for $155 at the time of writing, putting it up against options like the Fractal Terra (that we recently reviewed ) and the Cooler Master NR200P , with comparable prices depending on the exact model. At the time of writing, the Terra tends to be around $180 and the NR200P is around $145. There are tons of Mini-ITX cases out there these days and we’re only getting started rolling into more reviews of them. We wanted to get to this one next because, as another sandwich-style Mini-ITX box, it has managed to position itself as one of the mainstays.

Host, Writing, Testing

Steve Burke

Writing, Testing, Web Editing

Jeremy Clayton

Patrick Lathan

Camera, Video Editing

Vitalii Makhnovets

This design has roots that go way back, and Lian Li has brought it forward over the years, so this is going to be an important one for us to keep developing our test methodology. We’ll continue to iterate on our process, but we need to test a good cross-section of cases to establish future test parameters and conditions. There’s an exploratory phase to methodology development, and that’s what we’re doing now with Mini-ITX. The A4-H2O makes a good fit to follow our Terra review then, since it’s a more ‘traditional’ ITX design. Check out our Terra review for more discussion on how specifically we’re approaching ITX reviews as a whole.

Lian Li DAN A4-H2O Mini-ITX Case Specs

The A4-H2O has the components compartmentalized on two sides – similar to the Terra only in that respect, but without the moveable spine. They’re mechanically very different, and thermally of course, because of the cooler support. This deviates quite a bit from the Terra, which means some of the components in the test bench have changed, like the cooler. Interestingly, the video card actually ends up upside down inside the case, and it’s attached via a PCIe riser cable. The power supply mounts on the same side as the motherboard.

The A4-H2O is a direct descendant of the original A4-SFX , but with what it calls “improved hardware compatibility,” which mostly means it’s larger to allow things like a triple-slot GPU. The main difference is in the H2O part – the ability to mount a 240mm liquid cooler radiator in the top of the case. The original A4-SFX only supported either 92mm or 120mm liquid coolers with heavy compromises. There are other tweaks versus the H2O’s precursor, but most of the focus is on the liquid cooling, given the name.

Aside from the obvious potential for keeping CPU thermals more in check versus a small air cooler, having the 240mm CLC take up essentially the entire top of such a small case helps to prevent hot air from lingering inside. This has an impact on other components in the case that we’ll see the effects of in the thermal section.

The biggest other feature is the removable bottom panel, which helps with access to the bottom edge of the motherboard and the limited cable management area under the PSU. 

This makes it possible to add and remove modular power cables without removing the PSU. The panel comes off easily with 5 screws, although we’d like to see a larger hole here. It was still a little difficult to plug or unplug some of the PSU cables, and more clearance would help. Every millimeter counts in these small cases.

The case measures in at 340mm long, 141mm wide, and 251mm tall, which is larger than the advertised 326x140x244mm. The difference between advertised and actual dimensions also means the calculated overall volume is 12L rather than the 11L number that Lian Li declares. This is another example of the manufacturer choosing to ignore protrusions like screws and case feet almost arbitrarily, and we again stand by our decision to include those protrusions. 

This is a gripe we have with cases in general, this isn’t just a Mini-ITX thing. Sometimes they choose to ignore things that stick out the back of the case. There was one such instance at Computex this year. We saw a case, and we'll see if they come to market like this, where they were electing to not count an additional 1 inch protrusion out the back because it wasn't part of the structural case, it was just a hard drive cage or something.

When it comes to these protrusions, using the case without them isn’t realistic. Even if not counting them toward volume, they should be counted towards exterior measurements. To choose to ignore certain protrusions is not only a slippery slope, but could mean someone just barely isn’t able to fit a case in a media console or corner.

Part of the feedback we got on the Terra review was to include a “footprint” figure – meaning the 2-dimensional area the case takes up on a desk. We integrated a lot of the feedback from the community, as you’ll see in this review, like switching power supplies. However, there are some things we’re not integrating, and we wanted to use this as an example. An area calculation, in this instance, doesn’t make much sense as a review metric. Really, what you need is just simple length by width, and that’s kind of it.

The A4-H2O’s footprint calculates out to 479cm 2 – try to visualize that. We think it’s even less intuitive than volume, and that it mostly serves as a semi-arbitrary way to create a single number to rank cases. Footprint loses the directionality of length and width measurements, which are what matter for visualizing the area a case will take up on a desk. A theoretical case that measured 50mm wide by 400mm long would have roughly the same 200cm 2 footprint as one that measured 141mm by 141mm. It doesn’t really tell you anything.

Sometimes, we don’t need fancy reviewer metrics -- just plain old length by width already tells us the footprint, and it’s something you can read in the spec sheet and measure without needing us. Assuming the manufacturer is being honest about the dimensions, that is.

Let’s get into the build quality details.

The A4-H2O is designed around one specific type of build, resulting in a focused and intentional overall package. This is evident throughout the build process and the manual – it has limited options and choices. That’s not a bad thing though, as we can appreciate products that do one thing well over trying to do too much at once and failing.

Both the PSU and the radiator mount to removable brackets within the case, which has become a popular approach in small and large cases alike. It gives flexibility to the designer and can have ease-of-use advantages for the builder.

Once assembled, the radiator and bracket install without much hassle – as long as there aren’t too many wires to manage. These fans act as the only active airflow for the rest of the case as well, and there are no additional fan mount locations.

There’s basically zero wasted space in the motherboard side of the case – everything fits extremely snugly. The ASUS Z790-I we’re using has a particularly bulky rear I/O cover that barely clears the radiator section at the top, and we had to angle the board in from the bottom edge first to make it fit. 

The top edge of the board is barely accessible with the radiator and fans in place, but that can be mitigated by leaving the cooler out or not fastened in place until finished with the motherboard.

Power supply installation is pretty straightforward, except for one note. Depending on where the on/off switch is located on your power supply, the thickness of the cooling solution, the size of the GPU, etc., it can affect the accessibility of the power switch itself. We would recommend toggling it on before you install it. However, if you didn't toggle it on, you can remove the four screws from the cooler bracket to get access to the power switch. With the cooler installed, we can still just barely access the outer edge of the PSU. Depending on the choice of power supply, and more importantly the length of the GPU, it may become less accessible. 

Installing the GPU into position on the included riser cable is made easiest by turning the whole case upside down. We didn’t encounter any real problems with this process, and the space within the GPU chamber is generous considering the overall size of the case and the size of modern video cards. We’ll talk more specifics about GPU fitment a little later. Once the card is screwed in and the case is upright in its final position, the GPU ends up upside down.

Thermally speaking, in most instances being upside down like this won't really hurt anything. A GPU with a vapor chamber is already in effectively its worst orientation when it's installed in a standard ATX case horizontally, because it’s fighting gravity at that point. So, the GPU being upside down in a vertical orientation like it is in the H4-H2O isn't going to hurt the performance of the cooler in any meaningful way – at least not based on what we've researched. You can see our interview with NVIDIA's thermal engineer Malcolm Gutenburg for more discussion on the topic.

There’s some flexibility for 2-slot cards – two standoffs are included that allow the user to mount the GPU into the outer two slots rather than the inner two. This is intended to help by giving the GPU more direct access to fresh air through the side panel. We tested in both configurations for the thermal section later.

Cable Management Trade-Off

Our main complaint with the A4-H2O is cable management – it’s more non-existent than it is bad. There aren’t any dedicated cable management features or tie-downs. Lian Li just throws in two cable-ties and an implicit “good luck.” Compacting the components this close together leaves the user with very limited areas to shove or tie up cables. There’s really only under the power supply or in any area of the GPU side that isn’t occupied by the GPU itself. It’s definitely workable. You’ll just spend some time to get it really nice -- but in ITX, that’s expected.

Our Fractal Lumen S24 RGB has individual cables for the fans and RGB of every component, so fishing them into the case and later finding places for the excess length to go was a challenge. We could have managed the wires in a more tidy fashion elsewhere within the case, but we wanted to keep the GPU side uncluttered for GPU fitment testing.

The motherboard side of the case leaves the user without any other choice but to lay cables over the top of the board until they can go to an area of free space. With careful planning and a lot of patience we’re sure users could end up with a clean looking build, but it’s not easy. We’d recommend against fans with individual RGB cables for a start, though.

Fit and Finish

The case is constructed in a straightforward, almost formulaic way with flat exterior panels attached to an inner frame via pushpins. In this respect it’s similar to other Lian Li built cases like the SSUPD Meshroom and the original Ncase M1 .

Despite the use of thin stamped metals throughout, the case maintains surprising rigidity. We were impressed with the overall sturdiness of the case. Thin internal pieces do flex when manipulated, but as assembled, the build quality is good. That’s important for a case that you might actually take from place to place in a semi-mobile setup. Lian Li has obviously gotten this method of construction down to a science – balancing simple materials and mature manufacturing methods to make a competent final product. 

Fitment and Clearance

Cpu cooler fitment.

The CPU cooler clearance is only 55mm, but running an air cooler goes against the main selling point, which is support for 240mm liquid coolers. Though it is important to keep that clearance in mind for the CLC pump block – it’s best to opt for coolers where the tubes exit the side rather than the top. 

The upper area where the radiator and fans sit measures at roughly 275mm long, 132mm wide, and 58mm deep. This is tight enough that users need to pay close attention to the dimensions of the cooler they want to use. The Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 , for example, doesn’t fit.

The manual’s suggested tube routing represents an ideal case that isn’t easy to replicate with the Fractal S24 CLC we have. We ended up needing to squish down on the tubes with the side panel to make it close, but we don’t think it’s to a problematic degree. Users should definitely experiment with different mounting orientations and tube directions for best results.

GPU Fitment

The GPU side of the case is spacious and forgiving compared to the motherboard side. GPUs up to 322mm long, 150mm tall, and 3 slots (60mm) thick are supported. There’s even considerable space (by ITX standards) over the bottom of the upside-down GPU.

The front of the case has a hole that’s supposed to help with installing particularly large GPUs. Lian Li shows it being used to load the GPU in from the front of the case, but in practice it’s pretty awkward to do with the liquid cooler tubes in the way. More practically, the user can angle the long end of the card towards the hole from the inside, then bring it back in to slot the card.

Installing the RTX 4080 or 4090 FE is difficult but not impossible. Once it’s in there it takes up almost all of the available space in such a way that makes us think the size of this cooler was a critical dimension during the design process.

Since the vertical space is so generous, even exceptionally tall cards like the (obsolete) ASUS Strix Vega 64 fit fine. The XFX RX 7700 XT is too long to actually fit, but thanks to the open hole at the front it’s technically possible for GPUs of infinite length to slot in.

PSU Fitment

Another piece of feedback we got after the Fractal Terra review that we actually agree with was that despite the power advantages of SFX-L, most small form factor builders still opt for standard SFX power supplies for ease-of-use sake.

A proper ATX 3.0 compliant 850W unit is enough to power nearly any consumer build as well, so we’ll be opting for this Phanteks Revolt SFX as our standard going forward. We’ll use the Corsair SF1000L for SFX-L fitment testing.

All that said, the A4-H2O supports SFX-L models, with the obvious reduction of cable management space below the PSU. Users will need all the space they can get here, so we recommend sticking with regular SFX.

Test Methodology

Gn mini-itx variable test bench (2023), thermal benchmarks.

As we get into this, keep in mind that our goal with ITX reviews is to review only the case, so we're analyzing things like the impedance caused by the panels, the airflow path, and the compactness of the components affecting thermals. Because of that, these results can’t be compared to our other ITX case reviews due to different coolers. That just becomes a cooler benchmark at some point, and we already do those separately.

CPU Thermals - Full Torture

First up are CPU thermals under a full system torture workload. Our “default” setup for the A4-H2O has the system at a fixed 62% fan speed on the CLC, 100% on the pump, motherboard fans off, and the GPU in the interior position with fans at 44%. The GPU fan speed is chosen by the nominal speed of the fan under the standard VBIOS temperature targets, while the CLC fan speed is chosen based on noise targets. This results in 36.5dbA as measured in accordance with our old ATX case testing methodology, outside of the chamber in a noise floor of 26bA. Noise analysis from our hemi-anechoic chamber comes later.

The default setup at steady state had the P-Core average at 57C delta T over ambient. Locking the CLC fans to 100% dropped it by 5.4 degrees, actually outperforming the no side panels result (with reduced fan speed) too. That and the small change between no side panels and the default result stand as a testament to the efficient airflow pattern the A4-H2O provides. All of the airflow is directed through the top-mounted cooler, pulling air over most other components, and the panels aren’t too restrictive, as shown by the “No Side Panels” test.

Flipping the PSU around so the fan faces the GPU isn’t covered in the manual, but it is possible. In our testing, it didn’t change CPU thermals. The same can be said for running the 2-slot RTX 4070 in the outer position, but the data leans slightly warmer on the averages.

GPU Thermals - Full Torture

That brings us to GPU thermals, where we have GPU die idle, load, hotspot, and memory temperature. The default setup is actually the worst on the chart, but the 53-degree-over-ambient load average is still completely fine -- we’re in the 70s when ambient is added in. Running the CLC fans at 100% didn’t move the needle for the GPU, despite extra air movement into the case, but flipping the PSU to aid the flow-through 4070 FE dropped 2C off the load and hotspot readings versus default.

Pulling the side panels gained a little more, but as always, is just to illustrate impedance caused by case design. It’s not much. The real winner here is that outer mounting position for 2-slot cards. That setup gained us between 6.8 and 8 degrees off core load, memory, and hotspot. That’s a massive gain for a GPU, and that’s without any changes to fan speed whatsoever. That’s because the GPU is now in a position to draw in fresh air from directly outside the case, so the flow-through exhaust has more space to blow into, and that warmed air is immediately pulled out of the case by the CLC. This is what an efficient and less restricted airflow path can do.

Noise Testing

Noise levels are simple for this one. We’ve done a number of deeper explanations on our acoustic testing process now, including our video showing the build-out of the hemi-anechoic chamber, the news video that followed, the Terra review , and the ROG Ally review . Check each of those if this process is as cool to you as it is to us.

For this one, we’ll just look at one chart.

Because this isn’t comparative against other ITX cases due to a change in components between the smaller Terra and the Dan Case, we’re only going to look at the noise characteristics between the choice we found most impactful: The GPU positioning. If you’re running a 2-slot card, especially one with a flow-through area, we’d strongly recommend the outer position. But we need to see if that meaningfully impacted our acoustics. This will vary heavily based on fan blade design of the GPU behind the panel, but the FE card uses a fairly standard modern blade design.

Frequency Spectrum Analysis

Stock gpu position.

Plotting the GPU stock position first, we saw the noise profile of the case from straight-on at 1m distance was loudest in the 500Hz to 900Hz range. “Loudest” here just in the comparative against other frequencies, but not actually in a bad way. Overall though, even in this range, the profile is not indicative of any deviations that would be perceived as particularly unpleasant to a listener. This makes sense: As the panels aren’t perforated in a way that causes a whiny or turbulent noise from the fans and air movement, we have a frequency spectrum that primarily represents the components chosen and doesn’t reflect much direct negative impact from the case.

Outer GPU Position

Adding the GPU outer position, there’s functionally no difference in results. Moving our card to the outer position had significant thermal benefit and no objective acoustic change. There’s really no downside to having it this way.

The Lian Li A4-H2O is a focused and competent mini-ITX case. There’s not a lot of freedom or choice in how the system is built, but that’s not what this case is here to do. It wants to do one or two things well, and it succeeds. That’s fine as long as the user is aware of it. The case probably shouldn’t try to do too many more things at a size like this. The experience in both the design by DAN and the manufacturing by Lian Li come through.

The thermals are good, bordering on impressive for the size – particularly for 2-slot flow-through GPUs like the 4070 FE. We wouldn’t recommend going wild with part selection, but compared to the Fractal Terra, we'd be more comfortable with running higher-end parts like a 13700K and RTX 4080. There’s some thermal headroom to spare from our configuration.

Mini-ITX cases tend to run on the expensive side. The Fractal Terra was $180, and there are plenty of other cases in the $200 range, plus or minus about $20. The price for the A4-H2O at $155 ends up being one of the more competitively positioned cases. Yes, there are some options like certain Cooler Master NR200P variants that are very worth considering, even today. We’re still adding cases to the list, and we’re looking forward to testing lower cost options as well. 

Despite being cheaper than the Terra or a FormD T1 Sandwich, the A4-H2O does feel a little expensive in our opinion – just strictly based on what it is in isolation, given the construction methods and relatively simple design. It’s just not out of line for the mini-ITX crowd. This comes back to two factors. One is economies of scale – lower volume leading to higher manufacturing costs relative to high-volume ATX cases. The other is being adjacent to the boutique side of the market, where enthusiasts are willing to pay.

The people who might be the most frustrated by this are ones who want perfect cable management or those who want to retain unrestricted access to the motherboard. The removable bottom panel is a helpful feature in that respect, but ultimately has limits as to how much it can help.

Overall, we recommend the A4-H2O for anyone who wants to get higher-end components in a small package. That comes back to the 240mm CLC, it really opens up options for the CPU and creates a pressure system within the case that sucks out lingering hot air.

ASRock M8 Mini-ITX Barebones Gaming PC Review

Some of us love compact gaming builds, but the best of these have always been pre-configured into custom enclosures. Is ASRock’s M8 the perfect open-architecture alternative? We load this $550 barebones up with hardware and test its mettle.

ASRock's M8: Build Your Own Compact Gaming Box

• Page 1: ASRock's M8: Build Your Own Compact Gaming Box
• Page 2: ASRock M8 Mini-ITX Gaming PC
• Page 3: Inside ASRock's M8 Chassis
• Page 4: Taking More Of The M8 Apart
• Page 5: Hardware Installation
• Page 6: Overcoming A Significant Thermal Issue
• Page 7: ASRock M8 Software
• Page 8: Z87-M8 Motherboard Firmware
• Page 9: Benchmark And Overclocking Configurations
• Page 10: Results: Synthetic Benchmarks
• Page 11: Results: Battlefield 3
• Page 12: Results: Far Cry 3
• Page 13: Results: F1 2012
• Page 14: Results: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
• Page 15: Results: Audio And Video Encoding
• Page 16: Results: Adobe Creative Suite
• Page 17: Results: Productivity
• Page 18: Results: File Compression
• Page 19: Power Consumption And Heat
• Page 20: Average Performance And Efficiency
• Page 21: Is ASRock's M8 A High-End Mini-ITX Winner?

A number of Tom's Hardware editors are excited about the trend towards smaller, faster PCs after witnessing Chris Angelini’s love affair with Falcon Northwest's Tiki. At the same time, we still remember that expensive pre-built systems were outside of our budgets back when we actually had to pay for the latest hardware ( Ed. : Hey, I paid for the Tiki with my own money ). Sharp memories like those help us keep a proper perspective on the reasons enthusiasts like to build their own boxes.

ASRock thinks it has the perfect do-it-yourself solution in the M8 PC. But is this system really all that special? Isn’t it just another fancy case with conventional, standardized parts inside? Couldn’t we just buy a mini-ITX motherboard, an SFX power supply, and a  slim gaming case of our choosing?

Designed with a riser to accommodate extra-large graphics cards, enclosures that leveraged this concept aren't very common any more. Maybe they were ahead of their time, or perhaps enthusiasts simply didn't "get it". But with compact towers introducing us to flagship-class hardware in ever-small spaces, ASRock sees this as the perfect time to re-introduce the concept to our do-it-yourself community.

Rather than forcing builders to figure out on their own (the hard way) that they need special cables to connect a standard board to a slim optical drive, the company even goes so far as to include the drive itself. And rather than watch us all argue over the various power supply form factors that erroneously get labeled microATX, ASRock installs a 450 W SFX unit at its own factory. And since ASRock just so happens to be a motherboard manufacturer, it ties everything together using an upgraded version of its Z87-ITX.

If we subtract the cost of its expensive slot-loading optical drive and power supply, we end up paying $400 for a very nice compact motherboard and BMW-designed feature-packed case . Two hundred dollars each for a motherboard and case isn’t cheap, but it still pushes us towards a far less expensive build compared to the pre-configured systems we’ve recently tested. We'reready for a closer look!

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• rolli59 Definitely only reason to purchase is the style. Reply

The old saying that hot air rises is usually true because it's less dense. To take advantage of this phenomenon, I flipped the bottom exhaust and top intake fans. Both bottom fans were now intakes, both top fans were now exhaust, and all I needed to do was: Completely gut the system, since the bottom panel is secured from the inside with four screws. And then slice up the wire sleeves, since the guide on each fan frame was farther apart. CPU load temperature immediately dropped by roughly 20°, but at the expense of messier cabling.

• second_exodous I'm looking into barebones to build a steam box and I'm finding they all have noise/thermal issues. I hope that Valve has a hand in some sort of certification program and hires their own engineers to test these barebone systems before giving the stamp of approval as a system to be used as a steam box. I'm also a Linux user and if they can clear up Linux compatibility for me that would also be great. Reply
• jestersage I hope this fans the flames of trend and others follow suit - so innovation goes up and prices go down. I like the M8. And Thomas gives it a very good once-over - including answers to some issues. Good job! Reply
• gadgety Thank you for a thorough review. Reply
• razzb3d Just remove the plexiglass window and replace it with a nice honeycomb metal mesh. Cooling problem solved. Reply
• Onus This case looks like a good idea, that just needs some refinement to make it even more generic. Another 10mm of thickness to allow 80mm fans (and possibly a full-size optical drive) could go a long way. Does the added trace length or extra connection required to use a riser card impose any kind of penalty on graphics cards? Please test this, by using one on a typical motherboard just for some measurements. Reply

11789583 said: This case looks like a good idea, that just needs some refinement to make it even more generic. Another 10mm of thickness to allow 80mm fans (and possibly a full-size optical drive) could go a long way. Does the added trace length or extra connection required to use a riser card impose any kind of penalty on graphics cards? Please test this, by using one on a typical motherboard just for some measurements.

• thespaceduck Maybe it is just me, but doing 9 different test for "performance" for a CHASSIS seems redundant and obsolete. Reply
• crenwelge I purchased an ASRock mini-ITX HTPC that never worked. It continually blue screened and crashed. I sent it to ASRock 5 times for repair before finally giving up. Its technicians are either incompetent or dishonest . Once they sent it back with parts loose inside the case, another time without the power supply. Every time they claim to have tested it, but every time it came back blue-screening and crashing. Newegg refused to take it back and instead offered me a $100 credit. When I tried to use it, I found Newegg had deactivated my account. ASRock may be a competent motherboard house, but they cannot build and service reliable systems. Reply
• View All 59 Comments

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The Best Prebuilt Mini ITX PCs (Gaming, HTPC, Work)

Computers have been steadily shrinking for decades. And because of this, it’s possible to get a high-end computer with some serious performance in a small form factor.

Perhaps the most optimal balance between size and performance is the mini ITX form factor. Mini ITX motherboards are smaller than other standard motherboard form factors, while still allowing you to use standard PC parts.

That means that if you’re looking to get a small computer that’s big on performance, you’ll want a mini ITX PC. You can always build one yourself to get the best performance-to-dollar ratio.

Check it Out: Small Form-Factor Mini-ITX Gaming PC Builds

But if you just want a system that’s ready out of the box, prebuilt PCs are an option. Let’s go over some of the best prebuilt mini ITX PCs available right now.

Best Prebuilt Mini ITX PCs

1. Thermaltake Reactor 380 (Top Pick)

2. CUK Stratos (Streaming)

3. Adamant Custom (Workstation)

4. ZOTAC MAGNUS (HTPC)

5. Velztorm Natalix (Honorable Mention)

6. AVGPC Mini (Honorable Mention)

Quick Look: The Best Prebuilt Mini ITX Gaming PCs

*For more information on the mini prebuilt gaming PCs above, click the “Read Review »” link and you will skip to our overview of that PC. To see our Honorable Mention picks, keep scrolling down.

1. Thermaltake Reactor 380

Best prebuilt mini-ITX gaming PC

• AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
• NVIDIA RTX 3080
• 16GB of DDR4 RAM

Our Rating: 9.3 /10

Check Price on Amazon

If you want a mini ITX PC that’s powerful and capable of handling just about anything you can throw at it, then you’ll want to check out the Thermaltake Reactor 380.

At the forefront of this top-tier build is the Ryzen 7 5800X and the NVIDIA RTX 3080 . Coupled with the 16GB of RAM and a 1TB Seagate FireCuda 520 NVMe SSD, this PC is capable of handling any gaming, streaming, or other heavy workloads you can throw at it.

There to reign in the powerful hardware and keep things cool is an AIO liquid cooler. Mixed with the unique case and optimized airflow, the Thermaltake Reactor 380 does a great job of keeping the PC as cool as it looks.

No matter how you use it, whether you want to game, stream, or do work, if you want a small PC with a lot under the hood at a great price, this RTX 3080 desktop PC offers the best of everything.

2. CUK Stratos Mini Gaming PC

The best mini PC for streamers

• Intel Core i9-12900F
• NVIDIA RTX 3090
• 64GB of DDR4 RAM
• 1TB SSD/2TB HDD

Our Rating: 9.5 /10

Whether you’re an aspiring game streamer, or you just want a top-tier gaming PC , you’re going to need a PC with a strong processor and a good graphics card . And the CUK Stratos Mini Gaming PC fits the bill.

Much like the Thermaltake Reactor 380, this PC is a powerhouse packed into a small form factor computer. But with an RTX 3090 and a Core i9 12900F, this impressive little machine hits even harder, albeit at a higher cost. With it also comes a decent amount of space and more than enough RAM for gaming, streaming, rendering, and editing.

This PC definitely lives up to the steep price tag attached to it. If you just so happen to be looking for a small yet powerful PC, and can squeeze this into your budget, this prebuilt RTX 3090 desktop PC is an excellent choice.

3. Adamant Custom Workstation

A great option for serious work

• Intel Core i9-10900K
• Intel UHD 630
• 32GB of DDR4 RAM
• 1TB SSD/4TB HDD

Our Rating: 8.0 /10

We all love gaming computers. But as powerful as they can be, they’re not always the most suitable machine for professional use. With gaming-centric hardware driving up costs or requiring sacrifices elsewhere, a dedicated workstation makes more sense if, for example, you’re able to skimp on graphics if it means having more RAM and storage at a lower price.

That’s why if you’re looking for a great modern workstation, then you can’t go wrong with the Adamant Custom Mini ITX Workstation. Being one of the more affordable options on this list, it places an emphasis on professionalism with its sleek, modern look. Under the hood, it comes with Intel’s 10-gen flagship CPU, 32GB of DDR4 memory , and a combined total of 5TB of storage (1TB NVMe + 4TB HDD).

At a cheaper price than our number one pick, this is a great choice if you want a professional PC that can handle whatever work you plan to throw at it. Plus, you can always throw in a graphics card later, if you decide you want to do some gaming on the side.

4. ZOTAC MAGNUS ONE

Best prebuilt mini ITX HTPC

• Intel Core i5-10400
• NVIDIA RTX 3060
• 512GB SSD/1TB HDD

Our Rating: 8.9 /10

If you want a tiny PC that is more affordable and is still capable of gaming, then you might consider the ZOTAC MAGNUS ONE. This little PC is somewhere in between a mini ITX PC and a mini PC, featuring a custom H470 chipset motherboard. However, it does feature a swappable CPU, along with other components, making it a mini ITX PC in our book.

Semantics aside, this machine is the perfect size for your living room, and it’s got plenty of power to boot. With a 10th-gen Intel Core i5, an RTX 3060 , 16GB of memory and 1.5TB of storage, it’s easily capable of doing some serious gaming. With this computer, you’ll be able to hit at least 60 FPS in most games at 1440p resolution.

So whether you’re looking to do some epic couch gaming, or you just want a small and sleek gaming PC on your desk, this no-frills mini PC is available at a great price.

5. Velztorm Natalix

Honorable Mention #1

• NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti
• 1TB SSD/1TB HDD

Our Rating: 8.7 /10

If you want a mini ITX gaming PC that strikes a good balance between catering to professionals and to gamers, check out the Velztorm Natalix Mini ITX gaming PC. This computer is great as a light gaming PC, featuring mid-range hardware.

With its Ryzen 7 5800X and GTX 1660 Ti combo, this computer will easily play most triple-A titles at 1440p at around 60 FPS with no issues. But this computer isn’t solely for hardcore gamers. In fact, the 64GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage make it seem more like the Adamant workstation as a computer aimed at professional workloads, with the addition of a graphics card for a little gaming on the side.

This computer is a bit expensive for its capabilities. But if you want a sleek, gamer-esque computer that blends performance and aesthetic in a small mini ITX package, then this is a worthwhile consideration.

6. AVGPC Mini Gaming PC

Honorable mention #2

• AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
• NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti

Having a sleek gaming PC is one thing. But trying to find a prebuilt mini ITX computer in white is pretty difficult. Fortunately, if you’re looking for one, we found the AVGPC Mini Gaming PC, which will look great in any minimalist home setup.

This modest minimalist build features a solid combination of hardware, with a Ryzen 7 5700G, an RTX 3060 Ti , 16GB of memory, and a 1TB NVMe SSD, all wrapped in a sleek white shell. With the hardware inside, you’ll be able to play just about anything you throw at it at a high frame rate, and for its price, it’s a solid deal.

If you’re looking to balance budget, performance, and aesthetic, and you just have to have a white PC to go with your home’s décor, then this is it. This is the computer you want.

Small Computers with Big Performance

Mini ITX computers are a great compromise between small mini PCs and more capable full-sized desktops. They allow you to choose a small case while still being able to use parts interchangeably with other computers, making them capable of packing a punch when it comes to gaming and professional use.

If you want the best bang for your buck, then it’s best if you build your own PC.

Also Read: How to Build A Gaming PC (Step-By-Step Guide)

But if you’re not big on the idea of building a small computer yourself, don’t worry. We’ve gone over some of the best prebuilt mini ITX computers around to help you find the right computer for you.

Cody is a gamer, writer, and computer programmer who's always looking to optimize and automate everyday tasks. When he's not immersed in prose and code, he's busy tinkering with computers, automating his home, and spending time with his wife and kids.

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Mini ITX Gaming PC - Intel Core i7-14700K 20 Cores 28 Threads, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti OC 12GB, 32GB DDR5 RAM 7000MHz, 1TB SSD Gen 4, 360mm Liquid Cooler, 750W 80 Platinum PSU, Wi-Fi + BT

• Warranty: 1 Year    Effortless warranty claims with global coverage; shipping costs are on us*. Learn more

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Description for Mini ITX Gaming PC - Intel Core i7-14700K 20 Cores 28 Threads, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti OC 12GB, 32GB DDR5 RAM 7000MHz, 1TB SSD Gen 4, 360mm Liquid Cooler, 750W 80 Platinum PSU, Wi-Fi + BT

6-8 Days Delivery in Russia We offer express delivery to Russia, Moscow, Sant Petersburg for Mini ITX Gaming PC - Intel Core i7-14700K 20 Cores 28 Threads, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti OC 12GB, 32GB DDR5 RAM 7000MHz, 1TB SSD Gen 4, 360mm Liquid Cooler, 750W 80 Platinum PSU, Wi-Fi + BT. Best Price Guarantee We offer the best price for Mini ITX Gaming PC - Intel Core i7-14700K 20 Cores 28 Threads, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti OC 12GB, 32GB DDR5 RAM 7000MHz, 1TB SSD Gen 4, 360mm Liquid Cooler, 750W 80 Platinum PSU, Wi-Fi + BT in Russia, Moscow, Saint Petersburg. Buy now with the best price!

Specifications for Mini ITX Gaming PC - Intel Core i7-14700K 20 Cores 28 Threads, NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti OC 12GB, 32GB DDR5 RAM 7000MHz, 1TB SSD Gen 4, 360mm Liquid Cooler, 750W 80 Platinum PSU, Wi-Fi + BT

• 26 May, 2021
• 30.00 cm x 55.00 cm x 47.00 cm

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The Best White PC Cases in 2024

Most gaming setups have a theme , and for the longest time, black has been the dominant color. However, over the years, that has changed as all-white gaming setups have carved a niche in the industry. There has been a shift in how manufacturers develop new products; a lot of PC components, as well as peripherals, come in white (among other colors). One major aspect of a setup that draws the most attention is the PC case itself, especially if it’s placed on the desk, which is typical with gaming setups.

Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW

Fractal design torrent, nv9 - white, asus tuf gaming gt501 white edition, fractal design north chalk white, thermaltake core p3 tg pro snow, cooler master masterbox nr200p, best pc cases in 2024.

These PC cases not only impress as showpieces but also allow CPUs and GPUs to perform optimally.

White PC components and peripherals come with their drawbacks as they need a bit more maintenance to keep them looking new and shiny. They will also pick up stains and discoloration marks more easily, so a little extra care is required. In the current market, some PC cases have white accents while others are white-dominant. A lot of cases have tempered glass all over with the chassis defining the case color. Furthermore, some cases have white insides while others retain the black interiors with just white on the exterior.

Updated on June 1, 2024 by Sarfraz Khan: White PC cases are beautiful and can go with different color themes. We made sure to explain the appearance and design details of every PC case so that you can choose the case without compromising on functionality while knowing how it will look on your desk.

Game Rant's Picks for the Best White PC Cases in 2024

The Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW is an all-white mid-tower case that, as the name suggests, focuses on airflow. It has a tempered glass side panel and a mesh front panel that allows for unrestricted air to enter the chassis. There are three Corsair AF120 RGB ELITE white fans installed at the front with options for mounting radiators at the front or top. TheCorsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW comes with seven vertical and two horizontal expansion slots, four drive bays, and built-in RGB lighting.

Brand Corsair

Material Steel, plastic, tempered glass

Motherboard Size (Max.) E-ATX

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 360mm

3.5" Drive Slots 2

RGB Lighting Yes

Fan Controls Yes

Viewing Window Yes, tempered glass

2.5" Drive Slots 2

Color Options Black, white

• Fully ventilated front panel
• Allows vertical GPU mounting
• Three RGB fans included
• Vertical GPU mounting may hinder airflow
• Less clearance at top for radiator installation

Corsair made a big splash with its iCUE series of cases, offering a variety of combinations, such as RGB + airflow, no RGB + airflow, RGB + glass front panel, and no RGB + glass front panel. Not only does the series cater to the various requirements of different users, but it does so in a clean all-white design. This means that the Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW is white on the inside and outside.

This mid-tower case can accommodate ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX, and E-ATX motherboards. It has a tempered glass side panel, giving a complete view of the components inside. While this means a stylish-looking PC, it also makes cable management more important. The Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW comes with three Corsair AF120 RGB ELITE white fans installed in the front. These intake fans can be controlled through the iCUE software.

The Best PC Cases for Airflow in 2024

If powerhouse CPUs and GPUs are turning a gaming rig into an oven, these cases can combat the most dangerous temperatures.

From CPU cooler compatibility to GPU clearance, the iCUE 4000D has enough room to accommodate large-sized components. There are multiple places where you can install a radiator, including the front and the top. However, the top area is a bit constricted and may pose some difficulties when connecting wires at the top. Except for this, the interior is spacious and has a completely white PSU shroud that is highly effective in hiding the PSU and the cable clutter. The storage drive bays could have been more, but if you are planning to add more M.2 SSDs, then the four bays for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives will be sufficient.

The Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB AIRFLOW is a complete package and great value. It checks most boxes for white PC case enthusiasts with good airflow, decent RGB, and great cable management.

The Fractal Design Torrent is a modern-looking PC case that features a large base for mounting up to three fans that direct the airflow upwards toward the GPU. As for radiator support, the Torrent can accommodate up to 420mm radiators at the front as well as the bottom. It comes with a total of five case fans, two 3.5-inch drive bays, and four 2.5-inch drive mounts. Additionally, Fractal Design offers a Nexus 9P Slim PWM fan hub, a GPU bracket, cable straps, and more with the Torrent.

Brand Fractal Design

Material Steel, tempered glass

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 423mm

2.5" Drive Slots 4

Color Options Black, White, Grey with Light Tint, Black with Dark Tint, Black with Light Tint, White with Clear Tint

• High airflow design
• Integrated RGB lighting
• Five fans included
• A bit pricey
• No vertical GPU mounting out of the box
• No radiator mounting option at the top

With a strong focus on airflow, Fractal Design's Torrent is an artistic-looking case with a unique front panel design. It comes in three sizes: the Torrent, Torrent Compact, and Torrent Nano. Starting with the largest, the Torrent is a mid-tower case that's compatible with all motherboard sizes, while the Compact is a smaller ATX case. As the name suggests, the Nano is compatible with mini-ITX motherboards.

Coming back to the Torrent, it boasts a completely white interior and exterior, including the motherboard tray and the PSU shroud. While the rubber grommets and the pre-installed fans at the bottom are black, it won't cost you a lot to replace them with the best RGB cooling fans . Nonetheless, these three fans are accompanied by two more at the front that also come with the case. For storage, the Torrent offers two 3.5-inch drive bays and four 2.5-inch drive mounts. In terms of clearances, the case can fit a GPU as long as 423mm (with front fans installed) and a CPU cooler as tall as 188mm.

Best Fractal Design PC Cases in 2024

Fractal Design is known for its unique and stylish PC cases, so if youre in the market for one, this guide will help you find the right one.

Those looking for a liquid-cooling system will be happy to know that the Torrent supports up to a 420mm radiator at the front and the bottom, and up to a 140mm radiator at the rear. Unfortunately, due to the placement of the PSU shroud at the top, you won't be able to install exhaust fans or radiators at the top. Apart from that, the case is pretty versatile in choices and offers a tempered glass or a steel side panel edition for individual taste. Furthermore, some of the creature comforts that are included with the Torrent are cable straps, a Nexus 9P Slim PWM fan hub, a GPU support bracket, bolt-free top-latches on tempered glass models, and a top-mounted PSU shroud with integrated ARGB effects (also for the tempered glass version).

Phanteks NV9

The NV9 by Phanteks is the latest iteration in the NV series. This case is designed for large, show-stopping builds, displaying PC components at their best. The NV9 features a slanted base, allowing the bottom fans to be elevated and visible at any angle. This case is ideal for water-cooled builds or a hybrid build due to the picture-frame quality and large spacing of the case.

Brand Phanteks

Material Steel chassis, tempered glass side panels

Motherboard Size (Max.) E-ATX, ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX, SSI CEB

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 490 mm x 205 mm

3.5" Drive Slots 3

RGB Lighting Yes, around motherboard

Viewing Window Yes, two tempered glass panels

2.5" Drive Slots 6

Power Supply Size (Max.) 210 mm

Exterior Dimensions 575 x 280 x 615 mm

Color Options White, Black

• Dual chamber design
• Radiator mounting at the rear
• Excellent cable management
• Dual tempered glass panels restrict airflow
• Not suitable for small desks

The NV9 is a large and beautiful case, allowing motherboard support up to E-ATX and SSI CEB. The NV9 by Phanteks is designed to resemble a picture frame, perfectly capturing and displaying a user's PC and transforming it into a piece of art. It's an all-white case with no traces of black or any other color. Even the rubber grommets on the routing holes are completely white and so are the dust filters. This case comes with two large tempered glass aquarium-style panels and an RGB strip around the motherboard. These RGB elements can be easily slid on and off during assembly to hide cable clutter. Users can also take the RGB to the next level with the NV9 Premium D-RGB Kit, which creates a matching RGB border around the glass panels.

The NV9 features an ample amount of room for a user to experiment with, and limiting components based on their size is not a factor in this case. Water cooling is made a breeze due to the ample options in radiator mounts. A user can choose to mount a radiator up to 280 mm along the exhaust located at the back of the case, and radiators up to 420 mm on every other side with a mount. The same logic is applied to air cooling, as this case can fit a whopping twelve 120 mm fans along the inside of the case.

It should be noted that this case is not ideal for small spaces . It is meant to be a large, eye-catching addition to any setup, and due to that, a proper amount of dedicated space to display this beast is required. This case likely wouldn't fit comfortably underneath a desk, and besides, it should be considered a crime to hide this beauty.

TheAsus TUF Gaming GT501 White Edition is a well-built white case with black accents. The mid-tower can support up to an E-ATX motherboard and allows for vertical GPU mounting with the two additional expansion slots. Up to a 420mm GPU and a 180mm CPU cooler can be used. It also comes withthree 2.5-inch and four 3.5-inch drives for plenty of storage options.

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 420mm

3.5" Drive Slots 4 combo bays

2.5" Drive Slots 3

• Ample cable management space
• Sturdy carry handles
• Supports 360mm AIO at front and top
• Black accents may not appeal to all users
• No USB-C port on front panel

The Asus TUF Gaming GT501 White Edition is a rugged-looking white PC case with black accents. It's ideal for users who are planning to create a black-and-white setup, but it will be fine even if you are planning to build an all-white setup if you are willing to change its pre-installed black fans. It is a mid-tower case compatible with up to E-ATX motherboards and is one of the most spacious cases you will find for under $200. There is a metal front panel with perforations on the sides to let air in, although the TUF Gaming GT501 doesn’t provide the best airflow. Speaking of which, there are three 120mm RGB fans installed at the front and one 140mm fan at the back.

You may replace the fans at the front with a big 360mm AIO cooler, but if you need high airflow from the front, you can change the radiator's location to the top, which has ample clearance for the motherboard and its cable connectors for easy cable management. Like the O11 Dynamic EVO XL, the TUF Gaming GT501 also offers seven storage drive mounting options, including three 2.5-inch and four 3.5-inch drives. There are seven expansion slots, and the two extra vertical slots allow for mounting the GPU vertically. It supports up to a 420mm GPU and up to a 180mm tall CPU cooler. The case also supports up to a 360mm radiator at the front and the top. Cable management is made easy with 30mm of space behind the motherboard tray.

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The Asus TUF Gaming GT501 White Edition features woven cotton carry handles to transport the case easily, but it should be noted that they are rated for a weight of up to 30 kg, and the case itself weighs 10.5 kg. Even though there are black accents all over the outside, the inside is mostly white. Asus has been releasing white components for a while now – from GPUs to motherboards, PSUs, AIOs, and more.

The North by Fractal Design is a stylish and sophisticated PC case, which uses real wooden accents to turn the average PC into a centerpiece. The North can be further customized, with the option of a tempered glass or mesh side panel. This case fits all motherboard sizes up to the standard ATX and is an excellent choice for both air-cooled and water-cooled systems, with radiator support up to 360 mm.

Material Steel, Oak Panels, Tempered Glass (optional)

Motherboard Size (Max.) ATX / mATX / Mini-ITX

RGB Lighting No

Viewing Window Yes, TG

Power Supply Size (Max.) 1 HDD Tray: 255 mm max, 2 HDD Tray: 155 mm max

Exterior Dimensions 447 x 215 x 469 mm

Color Options White, Black, Mesh or TG

• Real wooden accents
• Allows balanced airflow
• Comes with USB-C port on top
• Not ideal for E-ATX builds
• A bit expensive
• Completely black inside

Fractal Design is well-known for creating well-made and visually innovative PC cases, and the North is no exception. The North draws the center of attention to the front panel, which features real wooden oak accents. These wooden panels bring a touch of nature and organics into an otherwise modern case design. The case is completely white from the outside if this is what you need, but it is also completely black from the inside. If you love this contrast, it's going to be perfect, but if you need an all-white case, we have already listed plenty of them before.

This case is great for air-cooled and water-cooled builds. If you prefer an air-cooled build, you can install a CPU cooler up to 170 mm. Additionally, you can choose between a tempered glass or a mesh side panel, depending on their needs. The mesh side panel offers more airflow, which is beneficial for the overall performance of air-cooled builds, and the tempered glass side panel offers an aesthetic view of the PC's interior. Nonetheless, the fully ventilated front and the rear will allow a great balance in the airflow, dissipating heat and bringing in the cool air rapidly. If your preferred cooling method is water cooling or a mix of both, the North offers several radiator mount options. The top of the case allows for a radiator of up to 240 mm to be mounted. Moreover, a radiator of up to 360 mm can be mounted along the front of the case.

The North features a bottom chamber for the PSU and the bulk of cable management. It should be noted that there is a space in the back of the case for thinner cables such as front panel cables, PWMs, or RGB. However, some users have expressed some frustration with the amount of space in the back of the case for these cables. Regardless, the North by Fractal Design is a stunning centerpiece of a PC case. Great for elevating office spaces or adding a touch of class to the standard desktop PC.

TheThermaltake Core P3 TG Pro Snow is an all-white mid-tower PC case that has a unique open chassis design. It allows for easy building as well as easy access to all sides. It does not restrict airflow in any way and allows for a variety of water-cooling hardware. Up to a 450mm GPU can be used in the Core P3 TG Pro Snow, depending on the reservoir. It can also be wall-mounted using the included bracket. A radiator can be mounted on the front, top, or next to the motherboard.

Brand Thermaltake

Material SPCC steel, tempered glass

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 450mm without reservoir, 330mm with reservoir

3.5" Drive Slots 4

2.5" Drive Slots 5

• Airflow from all sides
• Highly modular design
• Great cable management
• On the heavier side
• Open chassis design may not work in some settings
• Dust accumulation is quick

The open chassis design of the Thermaltake Core P3 TG Pro Snow is a different approach to PC cases. The main structure is just a solid base and a backplate to mount the motherboard. It is open from the top, front, and back with a tempered glass panel mounted on the side with four solid metal pillars. It has an all-white chassis that can be taken apart completely.

The Core P3 TG Pro Snow is a mid-tower case that supports all four major form factors and offers eight expansion slots. Thanks to the modular (yet minimal) design, different combinations of cooling hardware can be used. Next to the motherboard is a ventilation panel that can accommodate up to a 420mm radiator; the top and front can do the same with the included bracket. Thermaltake says a 450mm GPU can be used in the Core P3 TG Pro Snow. However, the space reduces to 330mm if a reservoir is used. The maximum allowed CPU cooler height is 180mm.

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The PCIe slots can be rotated to mount the GPU vertically or horizontally. Even in the vertical orientation, multiple GPUs can be used. There are mounting options for up to five 2.5-inch drives or four 3.5-inch drives. Furthermore, the Thermaltake Core P3 TG Pro Snow comes with a bracket that can be fixed to the back of the case, allowing for wall mounting. The design of the case makes it the perfect wall-mounted PC with clear glass and open sides to look at all the custom water cooling and RGB fans above or beside any gaming desk .

TheCooler Master MasterBox NR200P is a small form-factor white PC case with the features of an ATX case. The compact case can be completely taken apart for easy access to all components. It can accommodate up to a 240mm radiator at the bottom (with custom loops) while the side can take up to a 280mm radiator. It can also fit up to a 155mm tall CPU cooler and up to a 330mm long GPU. Two fans come included with theMasterBox NR200P.

Brand Cooler Master

Material Steel, Plastic, Mesh, Tempered Glass

Motherboard Size (Max.) mini-ITX

Graphics Card Size (Max.) 330mm

3.5" Drive Slots 1 + 1 combo slot

Viewing Window Yes, optional tempered glass

2.5" Drive Slots 2 + 1 combo slot

• Compact design with solid compatibility
• Multiple ventilated panels
• Tricky to build in for new builders
• Limited compatibility with AIO coolers

If full-tower or mid-tower cases are just too big and bulky, then the mini-ITX MasterBox NR200P from Cooler Master is the solution. The company says this small form factor case offers unrestricted airflow with a vented side panel and features that are present in most ATX chassis. Despite its small size , building within the MasterBox NR200P is relatively easy because every panel can be dismantled, and users can have 360-degree access to the components.

It's fully white from exterior to interior and has properly ventilated panels for maintaining good thermals. It's surely not going to compete with regular-sized mid-towers, but it isn't going to thermal throttle your system. Support for long GPUs up to 330mm and even standard-sized air coolers up to 155mm is provided. However, if you plan to use an AIO cooler, make sure you don't go over 280mm. With such large components, it's a bit complicated to build inside it since there is less room for your hands, but due to its modularity, you can build your system within an hour or two.

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Nonetheless, its complex interior along with its minimalist exterior design will match your white-themed setup without taking up too much space on your desk. Tool-free access to the inside is one of the most notable features of the NR200P and the ability to detach the frames and panels from each side enables easier changes to the build.

Things To Consider When Buying A PC Case

Purchasing a PC case is a major step towards having a gaming rig fully catered to an individual's needs. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, players should keep a few key elements in mind.

Form Factor : Some people prefer big bulky setups where they can jam in the most powerful components, while others prefer smaller cases that don’t take up too much space on a desk. In the case of the latter, some non-traditional components may be required, such as a smaller SFX or SFX-L PSU, a smaller and possibly less powerful GPU, a thinner radiator, and other space-saving components.

A full-tower PC case allows for E-ATX motherboards that are larger than ATX boards, but they offer more connectivity and expansion options. Additionally, full-tower cases are the easiest to build in because of the ample space. Airflow is generally the best in full-tower cases as well.

A mid-tower case, even though smaller than a full-tower, can accommodate an ATX motherboard – and in some cases, even an E-ATX motherboard. This form factor is mostly big enough to fit larger components, such as AIOs and even multiple GPUs.

Mini-ITX cases are designed to work with smaller motherboards and have the least space for customizability. They are the hardest to build in, especially for beginners, and require smaller components like SFX or SFX-L PSUs, thinner radiators, low-profile CPU coolers, and more. The height of the RAM can also cause clearance issues in some cases. Additionally, airflow will suffer when all the components are packed into a mini-ITX case.

Airflow and Cooling Options : Proper airflow is key for any PC build. The different components inside a PC need to be cooled either actively or passively. This cooling is carried out by case fans or fans on the individual components themselves. Regardless, the case must allow for air to move across the components and then get exhausted out the back. As mentioned earlier, bigger cases will typically have better airflow.

Furthermore, while most cases support water cooling, only some are designed specifically with water cooling in mind. Depending on whether it is an air-cooled or a water-cooled build, the case must allow for radiator mounting, a spot for the pump, and enough room for the tubes. PC builders who like to challenge themselves can pick a small form factor case and try to run custom water-cooling loops and other low-profile parts.

Cable Management : Usually the last step in the PC building process, cable management determines whether the final appearance of the build is clean or messy. With so many power-hungry components inside a case, there’s bound to be a lot of wires running from one end to the other. Most of the cables need to be managed behind the motherboard tray, which is then covered by the side panel, but the sheer number of cables can sometimes prevent the panel from closing. With cable management, being creative and putting in the effort can result in a clean-looking build, but a case that has plenty of space is a godsend. Nowadays, some cases have dedicated solutions for cable management.

Drive Bays : While most cases come with at least two bays for storage drives, be it HDDs or SSDs, and there are dedicated SSD mounting options as well, some modern cases rely on the fact that the user will be going the all-NVMe route and will not require any bays for mechanical storage. However, if lots of storage is a requirement, it is ideal to check how many drive bays a particular case has. Some cases allow users to move drive bays as well, for additional clearance or customizability.

Why Choose a White PC Case?

There are plenty of reasons to go with a white PC case. Not only does it make RGB lighting look fancier, but it also gives an elegant look compared to the more standard all-black cases. Those looking to build in a white case will be thrilled to know that there are options in all categories – be it full-tower or mini-ITX form factor. However, white hardware and peripherals also require more regular cleaning than darker shades, as dust collected on top is more visible. The aforementioned cases will check most of the boxes for new builders as well as experienced ones.

Q: Do white PC cases turn yellow?

It depends on what kind of material has been used. If it is a metal case with a white coating or paint, then no, it will not turn yellow. If the case has plastic components, then there is a possibility of them turning yellow over time. UV-protected finishes most often prevent electronics from yellowing over time.

Q: Is a white PC case better?

In some cases, it may make more sense to have a white PC. Since black absorbs more heat, in situations where the case is located next to a window or under direct sunlight, there is a possibility of it running hotter. In such a scenario, a white PC case makes more sense.

Q: How do I keep my white computer case white?

The outside of the case can be wiped with a damp cloth. For the internal components, the convenient option is using a compressed air can. Take off all the removable panels and use the can on the dust filters. The ideal way would be to disconnect whatever can be disconnected and then clean the components using the can or a microfiber cloth.

Metro Exodus review

A whirlwind tour of post-apocalyptic russia., our verdict.

An incredible trip through a stunning post-apocalyptic world, let down by some uninspiring FPS combat.

PC Gamer's got your back Our experienced team dedicates many hours to every review, to really get to the heart of what matters most to you. Find out more about how we evaluate games and hardware.

What is it? A post-apocalyptic first-person shooter. Expect to pay $50/£50 Developer 4A Games Publisher Deep Silver Reviewed on GTX 1080, Intel i5-6600K, 16GB RAM Multiplayer None Link Official site Buy it Epic Store

After two games spent in the claustrophobic gloom of the Moscow Metro, it's a strange sensation, at least for a Metro game, to suddenly be staring across a vast, sun-bleached desert. Exodus is a post-apocalyptic road trip through a nuke-blasted Russia, and an arid expanse of what was once the Caspian Sea is one of a number of locations visited by Artyom and his band of survivors. But even with blue skies and the closest thing you can get to clean air in this grim, dead world, survival is still an everyday struggle.

I say road trip, but your primary mode of transport in Metro Exodus is an old Soviet-era steam train called the Aurora. The game begins in familiar surroundings—the shattered, radioactive ruins of Moscow and the labyrinth of tunnels beneath it. But it's not long before the Aurora is speeding out of the fallen capital, along the Volga River, and into the wintry countryside. This is your first taste of the open world in Exodus, which is made up of several large, self-contained areas, rather than one continuous sprawl.

Metro has always been a rigidly, sometimes suffocatingly linear shooter, but now you have the opportunity to venture off the beaten path, scavenge, and explore. It's a restrained freedom, limited by the size of the maps, but there's something refreshing about an open world that focuses more on detail than size. Every location the Aurora stops at feels wonderfully hand-crafted and the weather, atmosphere, and lighting regularly change as the story spans the seasons, making for an excitingly varied game.

Check out our Metro Exodus review and performance test . For handy tips, check out our Metro Exodus weapons guide , weapon upgrade locations , and Metro Exodus crafting guide . 

But this variety extends mainly to the setting and structure. The brutal, kinetic first-person combat and lightweight survival elements that define the Metro games haven't changed in any significant way. Ammo and gas mask filters are still precious commodities, and Artyom still spends the majority of the game in scrappy, tense firefights with other men in gas masks. This means, despite the spectacular change of scenery, it still feels like part of the series. But it also makes Exodus, in some ways, rather disappointing in its lack of ambition.

The context, stakes, and location will change, and there are some fantastically dramatic set-pieces to be found in here, but it's a shame how, fundamentally, every encounter in Metro boils down to shooting people. I know it sounds like I'm criticising an FPS for having too much S, but if you're going to give me this big, fascinating, beautiful world to explore, I feel like there should be more interesting ways to interact with it. Sometimes you can approach a situation stealthily, tossing tin cans to distract guards and quietly killing or incapacitating them, but that's about as exotic as it gets.

The furiously paced combat can be thrilling, especially when you start modding your guns, transforming puny revolvers into freakish weapons of mass destruction. But whether you're fighting mutants or humans, the AI is never particularly sharp or reactive, and constantly scrabbling for ammo can be a chore. The guns feel great, and I love how you can strip enemy weapons and attach the scavenged parts to your own at a workbench. But the novelty of shooting hordes of crustaceans, bandits, and mutants soon wears off, and after a while I found myself yearning for more depth.

A new mutant type, the ridiculously named 'humanimals', are zombie-like drones who rush you in packs, clambering over scenery and occasionally throwing bits of rubble at you. I think they were going for something similar to the creatures in I Am Legend, but they're clumsy, slow, and a drudge to kill, rather than some relentless, savage force to be reckoned with. Most of the mutants are generic, snarling monsters, and quite boring to fight, but there is one towards the end of the game that is actually kind of terrifying.

Graphics options Quality (low-extreme), vsync (full/half/off), motion blur (low-high), DirectX version (DX11/DX12), Hairworks (on/off), advanced PhysX (on/off), tessellation (on/off), texture filtering (AF4-AF16), ray tracing (off/high/ultra—requires RTX card), DLSS (on/off—RTX card) Performance With a GTX 1080, 16GB of RAM, and an i5-6600K overclocked to 4.0GHz I was able to enjoy Exodus at 1440p/high at a relatively steady 60fps. In really busy areas I'd get a dip to around 50, but it was never enough to spoil the experience.

There's also a benchmark utility, and we have a full Metro Exodus performance analysis that goes into more detail. Most people will want to skip ultra quality to maintain decent performance.

As for the survival elements, they do add some welcome texture to the game. Even though you've left the Metro, there are still moments where you have to equip your gas mask: radiation leaks, sandstorms, poison gas, and other nasty stuff. And every moment you spend in this toxic air, a timer ticks down, meaning you have to find a steady supply of replacement filters to stay alive. There's crafting too, which makes scouring the world for materials to build ammo and repair your mask and guns an important part of your routine. None of these systems are invasive, however, and the light-touch survival management reinforces the fiction without ever being overbearing.

Outside of combat there are some other new features, including the ability to use binoculars. If you climb somewhere high, such as a rusty old crane near the Volga that rattles violently in the wind, you can scan the horizon and zoom in on points of interest, marking them on your map. You won't know what it is until you travel there, which makes for some fun exploration, even if it's usually just more things to shoot at. I do like how each map is littered with stories. Some are relayed through diary entries and tape recordings, but it's the ones told by the environment that are the most vivid: a crashed plane with its skeletal pilot still at the controls, or an abandoned school littered with mouldy textbooks and colourful kids' drawings.

There are a few vehicles too, usually reserved for the larger maps, and slightly silly ziplines straight out of a Far Cry game. The weather can change suddenly and there's an ever-shifting day/night cycle, which you can speed up by sleeping at campsites. If you go somewhere at night there may be fewer enemies to deal with, but you could also be harassed by a deadly ball of lightning, which seems to be the Metro equivalent of the anomalies in the STALKER series. But this idea is underdeveloped, and I would have liked to experience more weirdness out there in the wasteland, to make leaving the relative comfort and familiarity of the Metro feel more alien and frightening.

What makes Exodus special, and the reason it held my interest all the way to the end despite the weak combat, is the journey. Freed from the dark maze of the Moscow Metro, the environment artists at 4A Games have achieved something remarkable here. From the frozen banks of the Volga to the dried-out Caspian Sea and beyond, the setting is constantly surprising and hauntingly beautiful. We've seen post-nuclear wastelands in a thousand videogames, but there's something about 4A's take on the concept that really creeps under your skin. A subtle air of hopelessness and melancholy that emphasises just how woefully tragic the state of this world is.

But by reaching out into the wider world, Metro loses some of its identity. The Moscow Metro, and the weird communities and cultures that developed there after the bombs fell, is one of the most interesting things about the series. Some of what you encounter on the surface in Exodus is just as imaginative, particularly the origins of a strange tribe you encounter in a lush boreal forest. But elsewhere it feels a little like a post-apocalypse by numbers, with shanty towns and bloodthirsty raiders straight out of Mad Max, and a general feeling that you're treading familiar irradiated ground.

Metro Exodus also has some problems with storytelling. For one, the English voice acting is, for the most part, terrible. I don't usually mind a bit of amateurish acting in games, but here it's so exaggerated and overdramatic that I actually found it distracting. There is the option to switch to Russian voices, which feels more authentic to the setting, but there's so much crosstalk that keeping track of the subtitles while playing is impractical. And there are too many scenes where you have to stand and wait as people heap big spoonfuls of exposition into your ears, talking interminably about what you're going to do next rather than just letting you, you know, do it .

Between major locations you can explore the Aurora as it hurtles along the tracks to its next destination, and it's here where the real heart of the game lies. The overarching plot is enjoyable enough, but it's the interactions between the characters, and how they spend their downtime on the train, that I found the most resonant. You'll see one character serenading another with his guitar; someone looking wistfully out of a window as the scenery rolls by; people telling jokes and shooting the shit in the communal area. The sense of community aboard the Aurora, of family, is palpable—which gives those moments when these mostly likeable characters are in danger added weight.

By leaving the tunnels of the Moscow Metro behind, the artists and world-builders at 4A Games have created something pretty incredible here. This voyage through a bleak Russian wasteland, from abandoned cities and burning deserts to autumnal forests and freezing tundras, is full of surprises and stunning scenery. It's just a shame your interaction with this brave new world largely consists of shooting at it. Metro Exodus is, in many ways, a pretty rote FPS attached to a setting that deserves much better. But when the Aurora's brakes screech as it pulls into the next station, the excitement of what lies ahead always makes up for its shortcomings.

If it’s set in space, Andy will probably write about it. He loves sci-fi, adventure games, taking screenshots, Twin Peaks, weird sims, Alien: Isolation, and anything with a good story.

Metro Exodus is the perfect post apocalyptic game to play if you're tired of Fallout's wasteland

The ray-tracing enhanced edition of Metro Exodus, the god-tier road trip game Half-Life 3 should've been, is on sale with an 80% discount

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