If you’re short on space, building your next PC with a Mini ITX PC case might be the way to go. The best Mini-ITX PC cases are the smallest PC cases you can buy, making it easy to save room on your desk for additional computer accessories to improve your gaming PC setup. Mini ITX cases, like our top pick, the Cooler Master NR200, sit neatly within your setup, and could easily be mistaken for a subwoofer.
TL;DR – These are the Best Mini ITX Cases:
- Cooler Master NR200
- SilverStone Technology SUGO 16
- NZXT H210i
- Fractal Design Ridge
- SSUPD Meshroom S
- Lian Li TU150
- Razer Tomahawk
- Fractal Design Torrent Nano
- BitFenix Prodigy M2 2022
- Cooler Master QUBE 500
While a Mini-ITX case might not offer as much internal room to work with as a mid-tower or eATX case, you can still get a surprising amount of room to fit it with the one of the best CPUs, motherboard, and even a powerful GPU. Since mini PCs have become much more popular over the years, many of the top manufacturers have started building some incredible, feature-rich Mini-ITX cases over the years.
The Best Mini ITX Cases
1. Cooler Master NR200
Best Mini-ITX Case
One of the biggest concerns people have when building Mini-ITX PCs is being able to accommodate the most powerful hardware, which tends to run a bit big. You don’t need to worry with the Cooler Master NR200. It may be only 18.25 liters in volume, it has enough room for a 330mm-long graphics card, which is even longer than the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.
It also has racks for two 2.5-inch drives and a 3.5-inch drive, and there is space for an NVMe SSD, which should be your game (and high-intensity program) drive. Make sure everything stays cool with an CPU cooler or 240mm liquid CPU cooler, and you’ll be good to go.
2. SilverStone Technology SUGO 16
Best Budget Mini ITX Case
To save on space and cash, you can’t go wrong with the SilverStone Technology SUGO 16. For under $100, it offers a unique, cubelike aesthetic in a compact form factor, making it shorter and stouter than most cases to fit in tighter spaces. Luckily, there’s enough room for a standard ATX power supply to save on money, but you sacrifice GPU length—though it’ll still hold cards up to 275mm.
The case is made of steel with mesh panels on the front, side, top, and rear for extra ventilation. However, much of the hardware, when installed, blocks the vents. You get several cooling opportunities, with the front of the case offering a mount for a 120mm fan or radiator, while the back has space for an 80mm fan with an ATX PSU installed. If you have an SFX PSU, there should be room for a 120mm fan or radiator. But still, this case could get hot when pushing the PC’s components to their limits.
3. NZXT H210i
Best Midrange Mini ITX Case
NZXT delivers a versatile case with top-notch quality in the H210i. It’s easy to build in thanks to a roomy design and ample cable management, while a glass side panel and some extra RGB lighting let you show off all your hardware. Its I/O panel could use an some extra ports, though the USB-A, USB-C, and headset jack should suffice for most.
The NZXT H210i can pack in an ATX power supply, along with a full-size GPU, like the RTX 4070, a solid CPU, and several drives, so excellent cooling is essential. Luckily, the case is fitted with two 120mm fans, and there’s the opportunity to install additional fans or a radiator up to 240mm using a removable bracket. Mesh is also incorporated into the design, making for a great PC case for airflow, despite its size.
4. Fractal Design Ridge
Best Console-Style Mini ITX Case
The Fractal Design Ridge channels the classic rectangular, sleek look of the Xbox and PlayStation, helping your PC fit right at home next to your gaming TV. This compact case is slightly cramped, as is to be expected, but ready to house up to four 2.5-inch SSDs or hard drives and a graphics card up to 325mm. You’ll only be able to fit an SFX or SFX-L power supply into this narrow case, though those small dimensions make it easier to grab and go places.
When it comes to cooling, the Fractal Design Ridge is ready to keep most build’s temperatures in check, but you may want something a little roomier if you’ve got a top-tier processor or graphics. The case’s sides offer perforations for airflow, and a ventilated fabric front gives it the look of a speaker, especially when you go for the vertical over horizontal orientation. Inside, you get limited fan options with two Aspect 140 mm PWM included, while there’s a relatively short CPU cooler clearance of 70mm.
5. Fractal Design Terra Graphite
Best Compact Mini ITX Case
If you’re looking for a stylish Mini-ITX case, you can’t go wrong with the Fractal Design Terra. Instead of having tons of RGB lights, the Fractal Design Terra has gone for a simplistic and natural design, with a gorgeously stylish wood front I/O panel.
It might be on the small side, but the Fractal Design Terra has been well throughout, with perfectly placed ventilation to ensure you can still use the best components without worrying about overheating issues.
The Fractal Design Terra features enough room for a powerful GPU up to 233mm in length, as well as having room for two 2.5” drives, and 130mm clearance for your PSU. While it might not support gigantic GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, it still gives you ample room to build a powerful PC.
6. Lian Li TU150
Best Portable Mini ITX Case
With enough space for a triple-slot graphics card, four fans, an SFX power supply, and great cable routing areas behind the motherboard tray and in the roof of the case, this Lian Li case still has lots of room.
It also has a retractable carrying handle, to make moving it even easier. It clinchs the spot as the most portable case on our list, even if it is a bit larger than some of the other cases we’ve highlighted.
7. Razer Tomahawk
Best RGB Mini ITX PC Case
While this stylish case only supports up to 320mm graphics cards, it does support those that need three expansion slots. It has room for lots of different CPU coolers, and even 240mm radiators for liquid cooling, as well as three 2.5-inch drives.
The front panel gives access to a wide variety of ports, and Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting effects on the bottom of the case, giving it a stylish underglow.
8. Fractal Design Torrent Nano
Best Mini ITX Tower Case
The Fractal Design Torrent Nano enables ITX builds closer to those of traditional mid-tower PC cases. That’s thanks to its larger-than-average size, making it easier to build in and allowing for more standard components. You can even squeeze in a 200mm ATX power supply and up to a triple-slot 335mm graphics card. It also features a unique front panel design and mesh throughout for ample airflow, while a side glass panel lets you show off components.
Of course, the Fractal Design Torrent Nano comes in clutch for cooling opportunities. There’s a 180 mm front intake fan, along with the ability to mount up to two additional 120mm fans at the bottom and one 120mm fan at the rear. As for CPU coolers, you get a 165mm clearance. If you love water cooling, you can fit multiple radiators, but installing a 240 mm one at the front of the case means losing the preinstalled fan.
9. BitFenix Prodigy M2 2022
Best Mini ITX Cube Case
This cube-like case allows you to be a bit more flexible with part selection. By enabling ITX and even Micro ATX builds, you can choose from a greater array of standard components, including graphics cards, coolers, and power supplies. This should all help make building your modern gaming rig significantly less expensive too.
In addition to ventilation throughout the case’s side panels, there are fan slots in the front, top, and back. Use 120mm fans in any of these locations, or up to 140mm on the top, where you can also opt for a 240mm radiator.
10. Cooler Master QUBE 500
Best Stylish Mini ITX Case
If you want your Mini-ITX case to stand out, the Cooler Master QUBE 500 will do just that. It’s available in a range of bright and pastel colors, and comes with a living accessory ecosystem, cable manager, and accessory hook. Compact by nature, the case comes flatpacked for easy installation, and boasts fully modular panels to streamline the process.
In fact, you can swap the side glass and steel panels, allowing you to decide whether you want a transparent or non-transparent build. You won’t have to sacrifice quality components either, since the QUBE 500 can house GPUs up to 365mm, and dual 280mm radiators. It’s like your own personal Tardis on your desk.
Where to Get the Best ITX Case in the UK
What to Know Before Building a Mini ITX Case
Mini ITX cases are beloved because they allow you to build a much smaller gaming PC. Since lots of the bigger cases have so much empty space (which enables for build variety), this is a much more ‘optimal’ way to build.
Unfortunately, this also means that building a Mini ITX PC is more challenging, requiring you to account for the size of each component. Even simple upgrades can be complicated by the restricted space, so always keep this in mind before you jump in or make another purchase.
Pre-plan your PC build before you start buying parts to avoid running into issues. As carpenters say; “measure twice, cut once.” Measure the GPU and main compartment twice to ensure you can actually fit your desired CPU cooler or graphics card inside the case.
Considering how small these PC cases can be, you should also get a handle on cable management. When you’re working with so little space, the less clutter you have means you can more freely work your other components in and ultimately ensure good airflow when the system is up and running.
When you have everything you need and are ready to build, do a dress rehearsal. Put everything in its place BEFORE fastening it down. You don’t want to finish the 10th step only to realize a mistake makes Step 11 impossible.
Look at Mini ITX builds as puzzles and you should find the same sense of satisfaction we do when finishing your PC.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Mini ITX Case
If you are thinking of buying a Mini ITX case, you might want to weigh up the pros and cons before parting with your hard-earned cash.
One of the biggest reasons people invest in a Mini ITX case is due to the small form factor. These cases are far smaller than mid-tower PC cases and take up much less room in an office space. They also tend to be more lightweight, so if you need to move your PC, it’s less of a hassle.
However, by sizing down, you may find that your PC case doesn’t offer as much room for additional expansion slots or hard drive bays. Similarly, you might have to seek out a slightly smaller CPU cooler or low-profile GPU.
Brian Barnett writes reviews, wiki guides, deals posts, features, and more for IGN. You can get your fix of his antics on Twitter (@Ribnax) or check out his show on Twitch (The Platformers).
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
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