Desktop PCs offer advantages over laptops, but full tower builds can take up too much space. Instead, why not build a powerful PC in a much smaller form factor with a favorite Mini ITX case?
Buying a Mini ITX Case in 2023
While Mini ITX cases fit in places most computers can't and are more portable overall, you can still make various PC builds work in this form factor. That said, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind when shopping for a Mini ITX case.
The most obvious issue is your motherboard. Mini ITX cases only work with Mini ITX motherboards, so if you already own a motherboard you intend to use, double-check its form factor before buying a case. You can fit Mini ITX motherboards in larger cases, but not vice versa.
Another major consideration is what you'll use the PC for and how heavy the workload will be. If you're building a Mini ITX gaming PC or video editing rig, and you're planning on air cooling, ensure the case has good enough airflow to keep everything cool.
Speaking of cooling, you'll also need to think about fan clearance. If you plan on using a liquid cooling setup, you also need to ensure the case has enough room to fit the reservoir inside the case with adequate clearance. Even larger Mini ITX cases are smaller than their bigger siblings, so you don't need to worry about too large a footprint.
If you're not planning on integrated graphics, you'll also have to consider the graphics card you'll use in your build. While some cases can fit even triple-slot GPUs, not all of them do, so make sure to think about possible future upgrades. Also note the length of the GPU, as different cases support different max lengths for graphics cards.
Finally, if you haven't already bought a power supply, you should consider whether you want to buy a case with an included power supply. These aren't often as high-performance as other power supplies. That said, if you're building a simple home theater PC or similar type of build, these may do the trick and save you a little money and fit the case well.
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Best Overall Mini ITX Case: Lian Li Q58
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Striking look | ✗ Cable management isn't as good as others |
✓ Half-glass, half-mesh panels offer good airflow | |
✓ Tool-free hot swap SSD tray | |
✓ Flexible cooling options |
Being small doesn't mean a Mini ITX case must look boring. A case can still be compact and have a unique look, as proved by the Lian Li Q58. While this may be a striking case, that's far from all it has going for it.
Of course, the look does bear mentioning. Unlike many cases which use either mesh or tempered glass side panels, the Lian Li Q58 uses both materials. This results in side panels with mesh on the bottom for airflow, while the upper half is tempered glass, letting you easily see inside your PC.
There are plenty of practical touches to the Q58, like the PCIe 4.0 riser and hot-swappable SSD tray. The case also uses a modular design that lets you use SFX or ATX power supplies up to 160mm in length. The design also supports triple-slot GPUs and allows you to opt for air-cooled or water-cooled builds.
The Lian Li Q58 is available in both white and black color varieties. You can also find the case bundled with a power supply, motherboard or a PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 riser.
Lian Li Q58
There isn't much the Lian Li Q58 doesn't have to offer, with room for a triple slot GPU, excellent airflow, and a great look. If you don't require extensive cable management, you can't go wrong.
Best Portable Mini ITX Case: Hyte Revolt 3
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Looks like a game console | ✗ Only supports AIO cooling |
✓ Built-in handle for easy portability | ✗ No room for triple-slot GPUs |
✓ Every panel is removable for easy access | |
✓ Good cooling performance |
Regardless of the form factor, PCs tend to look like PCs. If you prefer the look of a game console for your gaming PC, the Hyte Revolt 3 is a perfect option, bearing a striking resemblance to a major game console. It also has a handle on top, perfect for bringing your gaming rig everywhere.
Despite its relatively small footprint, the Hyte Revolt 3 offers plenty of access to the internals. This is thanks to the removable panels on each side, letting you access the inside of the PC from any angle. The only major downside is that the case only supports AIO liquid cooling, with no room for fans. However, If you plan on a liquid-cooled build, this won't be a problem.
While the Revolt 3 doesn't offer room for triple-slot graphics cards, it does support dual-slot GPUs. It also supports longer cards than many Mini ITX cases, with room for cards up to 335 × 140 x 55mm. That's plenty of clearance for running more powerful GPUs.
The Hyte Revolt 3 is available in white and black color options, and you'll often find the case bundled with a 700-watt power supply as well.
HYTE Revolt 3
If you're building a liquid-cooled portable gaming PC, the HYTE Revolt 3 may be the perfect case with its stylish, game-console inspired looks, easy access to internals, and a portable handle for LAN parties.
Best Mini ITX Case for Cooling: Cooler Master NR200
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Great airflow | ✗ Larger than other Mini ITX cases |
✓ Room for up to seven fans | |
✓ Good liquid cooling support | |
✓ 360-degree access |
Cooler Master is a longstanding PC case brand that has built a rock-solid reputation over the years. This certainly has something to do with the popularity of the Cooler Master NR200 case, but it also offers an easy to work with build and plenty of airflow and clearance.
The company literally based its name on cooling, and this case certainly excels at that, regardless of whether you're going for an air-cooled or water-cooled build. For more traditional air-cooled builds, the NR200 offers room for up to seven fans---more than you'll typically find in this form factor.
Don't worry if you're planning on a water-cooled build, as the NR200 works well here too. The case offers two locations to mount a cooling pump, while radiator mounting locations are on both the side and bottom of the case. You can access all of these easily, with tool-free removable panels on all sides.
There are two versions of this case: the NR200 and the NR200P. The only difference is the NR200P uses a tempered glass panel instead of the mesh panels found on the NR200. The Cooler Master NR200 is available in black or white color options.
Cooler Master NR200
The Cooler Master NR200 is one of the most flexible cases you can buy, with 360-degree access, great support for both air or liquid cooling, and room for larger graphics cards than most Mini ITX cases.
Best Premium Mini ITX Case: Phanteks Evolv Shift XT
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Expandable design is super flexible | ✗ Look won't be for everyone |
✓ D-RGB lighting effects | |
✓ Solid cooling support | |
✓ Supports triple-slot GPUs |
Every once in a while, you see an interesting new idea in PC case design, but it doesn't happen that often. The Phanteks Evolv Shift XT is a great example, as it uses an expandable design that lets you keep it small for portability or make it taller to increase the clearance for fans or liquid cooling.
The case starts at just 211mm tall, but you can raise the height by either 30mm or 60mm. Inside, you'll find room for two fans, either 120mm or 140mm in size. If you plan on a water-cooled build, there's room for a 240 AIO liquid cooler.
This case has plenty of room for powerful hardware despite the small size. This includes triple slot graphics cards, thanks to the built-in PCIe 4.0 x16 riser cable. The case accommodates GPUs up to 324mm in length, so you can fit fairly powerful cards inside.
One other unique aspect of the case is the included D-RGB infinity mirror to offer built-in lighting effects. The Evolv Shift XT is available in Silver or Black varieties.
Phanteks Evolv Shift XT
If you like flexibility, the Phanteks Evolv Shift XT, as it can expand in height to add clearance for improved cooling support. The case also has a unique look and even RGB lighting effects.
Best Budget Mini ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✓ Good airflow | ✗ Doesn't support larger GPUs |
✓ Included 200mm fan | |
✓ Interchangable mesh or tempered glass panels | |
✓ Very affordable |
A case doesn't have to be flashy or new to make it a great buy. The Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube has been around for a few years, but it's still a great case from a reputable brand and much more affordable than our other case picks.
The low price doesn't mean this is a basic case. You'll find several handy touches here, like an adjustable I/O panel location, making port access more convenient, regardless of where you're putting the PC. You can also freely interchange the symmetrical side panels to swap between mesh and tempered glass sides.
Many Mini ITX cases don't ship with fans, but despite the low price, the Core V1 ships with a 200mm fan preinstalled. Depending on what you're building your PC to do, this could cover all your cooling needs. There is also room for two 80mm fans at the back of the case.
While this case doesn't fit GPUs as large as some of our other picks, it does support dual slot cards up to 260mm in length. The case doesn't offer 360-degree access, but both side panels and the top panel are removable, giving you plenty of angles to approach from.
Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube
The Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube offers good airflow, a flexible build, and a handy way to change out the side panels to customize your look. That it's also affordable is just a bonus.