Best Small ATX Case For Your Gaming Setup

Gaming has also become an industry these years due to its mind-blowing aspects, which lead to entertainment and next-level technology. It’s a career option that is developing more every day, and people are also evolving in it, so they are looking for good gadgets that will not interrupt their gaming experience.

When building a new computer, the case is an important consideration.

If you’re looking for a new compact ATX case, you may wonder if there are any smaller options. You want one large enough to hold all your components but small enough to fit on your desk. Hundreds of PC cases are on the market, all with different sizes, looks, and capabilities. Choosing the suitable gaming PC case for your build can take time, and you can only buy a case which suits your requirements.

The ATX form factor was introduced in the late 1990s as a successor to the Baby-AT form factor and has since become the most widely used form factor for desktop computers. An ATX case is a computer case designed to accommodate motherboards based on the ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) form factor. Computer cases are typically classified into four major categories based on their size. A small ATX case takes up less desk space while providing the same features and options as an ATX case.

We’ve researched and updated our list of compact PC cases for ATX form factor setups currently used by gamers and recommended by enthusiasts, focusing on the latest trends, mobility, beauty, low cost, and exceptional airflow for top performance. This comprehensive guide will look at some of the best and smallest ATX cases. We’ll also go over some of the benefits and drawbacks of these cases so you can decide if they’re right for you, so keep reading because, by the end of the article, you will have the confidence to select the best ATX case for your gaming room.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an ATX Case for Your Gaming Setup

When choosing an ATX case for your gaming setup, there are several factors that you should consider so that you get the best value for your money. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:

Size

ATX cases come in different sizes, so you should choose one that can accommodate all the components you want to install in your gaming setup. Consider the size of your motherboard, graphics card, and cooling system.

Cooling

Proper cooling is crucial for your gaming PC’s performance, so choose an ATX case with sufficient fan mounts, fan sizes, and space for radiators. Also, check if the case has good cable management to avoid airflow blockages.

Cable management

A good cable management system helps keep your gaming setup tidy, improves airflow, and makes it easier to upgrade your components.

Noise level

Some cases are designed to minimize noise levels, so choose one with sound-absorbing materials or an acoustic design to keep your gaming setup quiet.

Material and Build Quality

A good ATX case should be made of sturdy materials, such as steel or aluminum, with a high-quality finish that complements your setup’s aesthetics.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics are important to many gamers, so choose an ATX case that suits your preferred style, color scheme, and lighting preferences.

Let’s dive into the details of the top 10 Best Atx cases so you can choose accordingly.

Corsair Carbide Air 540 – Best ATX Case

If you want to save money while getting one of the best PC cases, the Corsair Carbide Air 540 is the way to go. It has plenty of room for airflow and a surprising amount of room for future expansion.

Corsair is known for producing top-notch PC goods. One of their best PC cases for sleek, tiny construction is the Carbide Air 540 compact PC case. It has a cube-shaped dual-chamber architecture. The motherboard, CPU, GPU, and RAM are in the main chamber, while the discs and PSU are in the back chamber. The best compact atx case is due to its excellent construction, including a roomy interior for expansion and high-performance air cooling.

Specifications

• E-ATX, ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX supported
• Case Fans Up to 6 x 120mm or 5 x 140mm
• Drive Bays 4 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″, and 2 x 5.25″
• Exhaust Fans and 3 pre-installed 140mm Corsair Air Series AF140L intake
• CPU cooler height 170mm, GPU length 320mm, and PSU length 250mm
• It includes a front dust filter to keep the build clean
• E slots-8 PCI
• Audio In/Out ports and Front I/O with USB 3.0 x 2

Pros

• Runs silently.
• More spaceous with a cube shape constructed of steel.
• Exceptional cooling abilities.
• PCI-E and storage drive installation without tools
• Channels for cable management make it simple.

Cons

• Too expensive for low-cost PC builders.
• It only includes a front dust filter as standard equipment.

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Cooler Master Q500L – Best High Airflow

The Q300L, a best small ATX case from the previous year, was succeeded by the Q500L from Cooler Master. Although somewhat bigger, the Q500L also supports ATX motherboards. This is undoubtedly one of our top recommendations for the smallest ATX case due to the airflow-optimized front and top panels, the enormous side panel window, and the plenty of fan mounts. Two sturdy XtraFlo fans are already mounted in the front of the case. Moreover, a 240mm radiator can be supported, providing strong airflow to keep your system running cool. There aren’t many things that tempt builders to abandon the O11-D Mini. The absence of support for a standard ATX PSU is one such issue. This makes sense, given that the chassis is SFF.

Specifications

• Supports ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX
• Polymer with a mesh front bezel and made of high-quality steel
• GPU length 334mm, PSU length 180mm, and CPU cooler height 180mm
• Pack 2 x 3.5″/2.5″ and 2 x 5.25″ external drive bays plus Packs 2 x 3.5″/2.5″ internal drive bay
• Support up to 4 fans: a 200mm at the top, a 120mm rear fan, and 2 x 120mm in the front
• 7 PCI-E for expansion
• Audio In/Out and Front I/O with USB 3.0 x 2
• Two Top-Panel designs: meshed for superior cooling or windowed for showing off

Pros

• Support for an inexpensive ATX motherboard in a case that was formerly mATX
• Removable dust filters
• Powerful airflow
• Flexible side panel I/O.

Cons

• Only one fan installed
• The front panel’s plastic stabs are easily breakable in a compact enclosure.
• Up to nine 120mm or six 140mm, fans can be installed, and the casing can even be slightly modified to enable water cooling.

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Cooler Master HAF XB EVO: Best for LAN Parties

The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO excels at controlling the temperature of any high-end PC, as its name implies.

The HAF XB has outstanding air flow capability with support for many fans, a 240mm radiator up front, and a 120mm radiator down back. It even has two 120mm XtraFlo fans already fitted. To further enhance the airflow, you can take off the side panels.

There are four dust panels that aid in preventing dust buildup. This greatly simplifies maintenance.

The HAF XB EVO’s detachable motherboard tray is one of its best features. This is perfect for enthusiasts who want to bench-test their rigs. The hard disc trays can be removed without using any tools.

Specifications

• Support mATX, ATX, and Mini-ITX
• Supports 2 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the front, and 1 x 120mm or 2 x 80mm fans in the rear, 1 x 200mm fan on top
• Comes with 2 120mm XtraFlo fans pre-installed at the front
• Bays 4 x 2.5″/3.5″ and 2 x 5.25″
• CPU cooler height 180mm, GPU length 334mm, and standard ATX PSU length 180mm
• With 4 dust filters (1 x Bottom, 1 x Top, and 2 x Side) to keep the build clean
• Has 7 PCI expansion slots
• Front I/O Panel: HD Audio In & Out, 2 x USB 3.

Pros

• Extraordinary airflow with all-around ventilation
• The motherboard tray is removable
• Strong, durable construction
• Extensive hardware and lots of room for creative customization
• Drive trays are simple to insert and require no tools.

Cons

• Difficult to assemble
• Only a 200mm fan can be supported by the top; normal 120/140mm fans cannot.
• It can take up a lot of room
• Somewhat expensive

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NZXT H510 – Best for easy and quick builds

The NZXT H510 (and its i-series companion) is the best small atx case that replaces the previous-generation NZXT H500. Like before, it offers superb build quality, excellent cable management, and a simple design. The NZXT H510 is the most beautiful and versatile ATX case, with a smaller footprint than most. NZXT’s new H-series case line incorporates many of the same features as Micro ATX and mid-tower counterparts, including mesmerizing, built-in, smart device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that is only improved by the Grid+ V3 fan controller.

The NZXT H210i is an excellent foundation for building a PC and is ideal for living-room gaming setups.

Specifications

• Motherboard Support: Up to ATX
• GPU Length: Up to 381 mm
• CPU Cooler Height: Up to 165 mm
• Fans Pre-installed: 2 120mm fans included for intake and exhaust
• Fan Slots: 2 120/140 mm slots on the top, 1 120/140 mm slot on the front, 1 120mm slot on the rear
• Side Panel Window: Tempered Glass
• PSU Support Size: Standard ATX PSU
• Input/Output Ports: 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port
• Extra color options and RGB lighting with -i version

Pros

• Size-efficient for a complete ATX chassis
• Assistance with specialized loop liquid cooling
• USB Type-C PSU bottom
• Updated I/O ports for cable management

Cons

• Expensive

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SilverStone Grandia GD09 – Best for HTPC Builds

The SilverStone Grandia GD09’s form factor indicates that it is designed for the best Home Theater PC (HTPC) experience.

The Thermaltake Core G3, the GD09B’s closest competitor, is larger than it. It does, however, benefit in a few ways from the increased size.

You can construct a PC in the GD09B without using an SFX power supply. It works excellent with ordinary ATX PSUs and can accommodate a higher CPU cooler. Although the GD09B doesn’t place the GPU directly up against the side panel, the maximum GPU length is the same as the G3. That ought to assist in lowering temperatures. You have lots of potential for expansion with this one, so long as you can control your CPU cooling.

Specifications

• Motherboard Support: SCI-CEB, Micro ATX, and ATX
• GPU Length: Up to 309 mm
• CPU Cooler Height: Up to 138 mm
• Pre-installed Fans: 1 120 mm intake fan on the right
• Fan Slots: Up to 3 120 mm fans
• PSU Size: Up to 140 mm (standard ATX)
• I/O Ports: 1 Audio, 2 USB 3.0
• Extras: Supports Kensington lock and rack mounting

Pros

• Small, intelligent form factor
• Support for Kensington and rack mounting
• Drive cages with adaptability; no additional adapters are required

Cons

• High Price
• Only one fan installed

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Corsair Carbide Series 175R – Best RGB ATX Case for Gaming

If you want to save money while getting one of the best PC cases, the Corsair Carbide Series Tempered Glass is the way to go. It has plenty of room for airflow and a surprising amount of space for future expansion. The Corsair Carbide 175R is the most recent addition to the Corsair Carbide Series, offering an excellent minimalist design at a low price.

Sure, we could go on and on about the 175R’s shortcomings and where it could have been improved. But the truth is that this is a low-cost chassis. And you won’t find anything better at this price.

The case includes a tinted tempered glass side panel and a 120mm rear fan with RGB lighting.

Because this case supports up to six 120mm or four 140mm fans, airflow is excellent. There’s even room for a 350mm cooling radiator, giving the 175R good thermal performance for its price.

Specifications

• Supports mATX, ATX, and mini-ITX
• Supports up to 3x 120mm or 2x 140mm fans at the front, 2x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans on the top, and 1x 120mm fan in the rear
• With one pre-installed programmable RGB fan
• Bays 2 x 3.5″ and 2 x 2.5″
• GPU length 330mm, standard ATX PSU length 180mm, and CPU cooler height 160mm
• Seven PCI expansion slots
• Programmable RGB Lighting
• Front I/O Panel: Audio In & Out, 2 x USB 3.0

Pros

• Excellent cable management
• Features strong water cooling support
• Side panel made of tough glass to display your project.
• Is very inexpensive
• Includes nice RGB lighting

Cons

• The built-in RGB fan is not very good.
• Side panel could be more sturdy.

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Thermaltake Core G3 – Best for Slim ATX builds

One of the premium tiny computer cases that embraces slimmest atx case is  Thermaltake Core G3. It’s made to fit on your desk or in a small living space. The roomy container enables you to assemble a full 4K VR gaming setup. A lovely transparent acrylic side glass panel is included with the Core G3 to display your creation. It comes with a specially-made GPU mount for a floating GPU architecture. The Core G3 has an excellent transparent acrylic side window panel to display your build. It comes with a custom GPU mount for a floating GPU design.

Specifications

• Supports 12″ x 9.6″ (ATX), 9.6″ x 9.6″ (Micro ATX), and 6.7″ x 6.7″ (Mini ITX)
• Supports 2 x 2.5″ or 2 x 3.5″ storage drives with HDD cage
• Supports 2 x 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator in the front and a 120mm top fan
• CPU cooler height 110mm, GPU length 310mm, and SFX PSU length 130mm.
• USB 3.0 x 2, and HD Audio jacks, Handy Top-Front I/O with USB 2.0 x 2
• Compatible with up to NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1080/1070
• 2 expansion slots

Pros

• Light-weight
• Both vertically and horizontally oriented.
• Comes with two 120mm fans already installed.
• Very portable ATX case constructed from premium SPCC

Cons

• Not compatible with the regular PSU.
• Cable management can be challenging.

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Fractal Design Meshify C – Compact Case With Cooling Support

It’s unusual to come across a PC case that even remotely resembles the Fractal Design Meshify-C. The Meshify-C has a distinct style, thanks to the front of the case is entirely made of a mesh material sectioned off into an array of polygonal shapes. Cooling is (forgive us) a breeze with two fans pre-installed, even if a number of issues hamper the Meshify-C. The Fractal Design Meshify C initially has the same appearance as its more expensive brother, the Define C. Yet; it is distinct in terms of both the cost and the features. The Meshify C is an excellent mid-range computer case with a reasonable price, given its features. Since the front panel does not reflect the noise from the internal components back into the case, it is a little noisier than typical cases.

Specifications

• Supports ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX
• Support 2 x 120/140mm fans on top, 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the front, 1 x 120mm fan in the rear, and 1 x 120mm fan at the bottom
• Comes with 2 Dynamic X2 GP-12 fans pre-installed
• Radiators: Front 120/240/360mm and 140/280mm + Rear 120mm + Top 120/240mm
• Bays 2 x 2.5″/3.5″ and 3 x 2.5″ (dedicated) bays
• GPU length 315mm, CPU cooler height 170mm, and standard ATX PSU length 175mm
• For Dust filters: Bottom Fan, Top fans, PSU, and Front Fans
• Seven PCI expansion slots
• Front I/O Panel: Audio In & Out, 2 x USB 3.0

Pros

• Slimmest Atx Case
• Supports a number of radiators with water cooling
• Decent airflow
• Excellent cable management
• Includes two fantastic 120mm fans.
• Easy to put together
• Contains a lot of dust filters
• Build is robust

Cons

• It might be a little noisy
• The front I/O panel should be better.
• The spacing could be better and accommodate longer PSUs or bigger ATX boards.

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Rosewill Challenger S – Best Budget-Friendly Small ATX Case

Our inexpensive selection, the Rosewill Challenger S, is nonetheless loaded with features. The 120 mm intake fan and the dual blue LED intake fans are welcome extras. This case is particularly appealing if you’re on a tight budget because it comes with an airflow arrangement that is entirely functional right out of the box and doesn’t require any further fine-tuning on your part. The Rosewill Challenger S is a budget-friendly ATX mid-tower case suitable for gaming setups. The case also has ample space for high-end graphics cards and supports up to 160mm tall CPU coolers. It features a tool-less design for easy installation of components and includes two USB 3.0 ports, an audio in/out port, and a reset button on the top panel. The Rosewill Challenger S is an excellent option for budget-conscious gamers who want a reliable case that still looks good and performs well.

Specifications

• Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and ATX
• GPU Length: Up to 360 mm
• CPU Cooler Height: Up to 170 mm
• Fans Pre-installed: 2 120 mm intake fans, 1 120 mm exhaust fan
• Fan Slots: Up to 5 120 mm fans
• PSU Size: Standard ATX
• I/O Ports: 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0, and 1 Audio Port
• LED intake fans

Pros

• It includes 3 fans.
• The affordable price
• Despite its compactness, it provides decent support for GPUs and air cooling.

Cons

• Only one USB Port

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Conclusion

To create a manageable gaming PC with a low profile, you can choose the best smallest ATX PC case from the above collection as an alternative to large rigs. Because they can fit anywhere, “compact mid-towers” are desirable. You may construct a small rig that not only looks fancy, intriguing, and attractive with complete panoramic glass fronts, but you can also achieve an H500M, as well as the Dark Base Pro 900, Thermaltake Core P3, SilverStone Fortress FT05, and In Win 101. Choosing the best compact computer case can be a simple task. Their tiny ATX cases are pricey but provide the best value.

While you’re looking for a comparable product at an affordable price, other companies, like NZXT, Fractal Design, etc., might have fewer high-end features.

It is crucial to consider factors such as size, drive bays, fan capacity, design, materials, price, and any additional features that may be important to you.

With the right ATX case, you can enjoy improved cooling and airflow, the ability to accommodate larger components, and a customizable appearance for your gaming setup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an ATX case?

An ATX case is a computer case designed to accommodate motherboards that follow the ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) specification, which is a standard for computer motherboard sizes and component placement. ATX cases are typically larger than other computer cases and can accommodate larger components such as larger power supplies, larger graphics cards, and more fans for improved cooling.

What is the best smallest PC ATX case for airflow?

The Cooler Master H500P Mesh is at the top of the list if you want to keep your PC components cool without investing in expensive and complicated liquid cooling setups. It has more open and fan space than many other mid-tower PC cases.

What are some benefits of using an ATX case for a gaming setup?

Some benefits of using an ATX case for a gaming setup include improved airflow and cooling, the ability to accommodate larger components such as larger graphics cards and power supplies, and the ability to customize the appearance of the case through features such as built-in lighting and tempered glass side panels.

How will an ATX case fit all of my components?

Before purchasing an ATX case, it is essential to check the dimensions and specifications of the case to ensure that it can accommodate all of your components. You should also consider the number of drive bays and the number of fans that the case can adapt to ensure that it meets your needs. Additionally, some manufacturers may provide a compatibility list for their cases that can be useful in determining if your components will fit.