Computer cases protect your PC components from insects and even liquid. They are manufactured to make them capable of providing good airflow throughout the computer. They also come with a cable management system and even dust filters. There are so many case options for compact computers, and the demand for this build was at its peak last year. Office workers usually use these computer cases and a dual-PC setup.
Computer cases are usually grouped into four categories based on their sizes. Small ATX cases can consume less space on your work table and still offer you the same options and features as full-size ATX cases. If you’re looking for an even smaller case than the ones mentioned in this article, you can read up on the smallest micro ATX PC cases. There is a wide variety of PC cases on the market, ranging from appearance and sizes to opportunities. Getting the ideal gaming case for your PC can be confusing, and you can’t purchase every PC case you find on the market.
This is where we step in. After intense research and analysis on the smallest PC cases, we have shortlisted the best smallest ATX cases for every need. Here are our recommendations on the best smallest PC cases:
8 Best Small ATX Cases
- Corsair Carbide Air 540 – Best Overall Small ATX Case
- NZXT H510 CA-H510B-B1 – Best Small ATX Case for Minimalist Builds
- Cooler Master HAF XB EVO – Best Value Small ATX Case
- Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L – Best Budget Small ATX Case
- Corsair Crystal 460X RGB – Best High Airflow Small ATX Case
- Cooler Master MasterCase H500P – Best Looking Small ATX Case
- Thermaltake Core G3 – Best Slim Small ATX Case
- Cooler Master MasterCase SL600M – Best Quiet Small ATX Case
Quick Summary:
Image | Motherboard | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Small ATX Case | Corsair Carbide Air 540
| 9.8 | Check Price |
Best Small ATX Case for Minimalist Builds | NZXT H510 CA-H510B-B1
| 9.7 | Check Price |
Best Value Small ATX Case | Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
| 9.7 | Check Price |
Best Budget Small ATX Case | Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L
| 9.6 | Check Price |
Best High Airflow Small ATX Case | Corsair Crystal 460X RGB
| 9.5 | Check Price |
Best Looking Small ATX Case | Cooler Master MasterCase H500P
| 9.4 | Check Price |
Best Slim Small ATX Case | Thermaltake Core G3
| 9.3 | Check Price |
Best Quiet Small ATX Case | Cooler Master MasterCase SL600M
| 9.2 | Check Price |
Best Overall Small ATX Case
Corsair Carbide Air 540
Instead of opting for the standard cooling options, this PC case features a dual chamber with exhaust and intake fans to provide more ventilation to internal components such as the motherboards, CPU, and graphics card without restraint. This translates to enhanced airflow and less noise without the need of a CPU cooler.
Another notable feature of this PC case is its cable routing system which enables you to manage tubes and pumps in the liquid-cooling system. In addition, the Corsair Carbide Air 540 was designed to carry two cooling systems. This gives you an option to either choose your preferred cooling option or switch from one system to another without compromising replacements or aesthetics.
This small ATX case also includes PCIe installation, tool-free storage, low maintenance requirements, and fast and simple upgrading. In summary, this PC case ticks all boxes and gives you what you expect from it as the best PC case on the market.
Best Small ATX Case for Minimalist Builds
NZXT H510 CA-H510B-B1
NZXT has developed a reputation for being one of the best-selling PC case brands because they made their case visually appealing for game lovers. This small ATX case is available in 3 colors, which gives potential buyers some options to choose from.
Thanks to its enhanced cable management system, this product supports ATX motherboards better than other PC cases. It also has seven expansion slots. The right side of this case is made up of tempered glass and steel, while the entire body of the case has matte black coloring. Unfortunately, this PC case cannot provide sufficient airflow, which can hinder performance.
It also has a very effective cooling system: four fans (one on top, two on the front panel, and one on the backside). This gives the case superb airflow and makes it ideal for heavy operations that generate a lot of heat and are energy-intensive. You can add custom loops and water cooling systems if you’re big on temperatures and boost speeds.
Best Value Small ATX Case
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
Cooler Master is well known for its computer cases. Unlike many PC cases, they used three materials (front mesh bezel, steel, and polymer) to manufacture their casing. The casing color is black, which makes it visually appealing to gamers. The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO dimensions are 13 x 17.4 x 16.7 inches. It features a side panel and detachable top, making it easy to swap, install or remove components from it.
There’s also a detachable tray that makes it easy to remove or install the motherboard. It supports different types of graphic cards and a variety of motherboards such as the Mini-ITX, ATX, and Micro-ATX. The top part of the casing features a large cut that makes it easy to use your preferred CPU cooler. This casing has 2 X-dock bays for easy installation or swapping of hard drives.
The selling points of this PC case are the dust-removing filters, water cooler holes, meshed front, top panel, and carrying handle. It has a good build quality, but the front panel features plastic stabs that are easily breakable. This casing is a favorite of LAN gamers because of its handles and compact build. It weighs 18 pounds, which makes it heavier than many lightweight computer casings on the market.
The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO has a different look from other PC cases because of its distinctive cube shape. In summary, this casing gives you very good value for your money and has all the options for its type of build. Although you may consider other options, this is a great all-rounder PC case if you want to go big on price.
Best Budget Small ATX Case
Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L
This PC case is proof that quality and performance are not measured by size. It supports standard motherboards (386 x 381mm). It also comes with entirely perforated top, bottom, and front panels to provide superb airflow for various fan configurations. In addition, it has a PSU bracket and a portable I/O that you can adjust in six various locations.
It also has a flexible frame that you can place in multiple positions to let you use the internal space the way you prefer and according to the form factor. This computer casing comes with great specifications such as rubber stompers, efficient radiators, efficient cooling, and cable management. It can support Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, and ATX motherboards. To further embellish its appeal, it’s very affordable.
Best High Airflow Small ATX Case
Corsair Crystal 460X RGB
This is another Corsair product on the list, which attests to the quality of this brand. Its tempered glass is dual-paneled and contains 3 RGB SP120 fans on the front panel. These fans generate airflow quietly and enhance the performance of this PC case. It’s available in black color, and the design is a product of exquisite engineering. Every component is placed in a visually appealing way but doesn’t hinder airflow.
The Corsair Crystal 460X RGB features seven expansion slots and can support a variety of motherboards such as the Micro-ATX, ATX, and Mini-ITX. It’s also compatible with multiple graphic cards. Because of the small build of this ATX case, there’s insufficient space for cable management. Despite having three pre-installed fans on the front panel, you can’t install 3 120mm radiators on it. Moreover, it can’t even keep lengthy power supplies.
Finally, this system doesn’t have enough bay drives. However, it’s the best airflow, and it’s quite formidable in the appearance department.
Best Looking Small ATX Case
Cooler Master MasterCase H500P
This ATX case was initially very expensive, but the price has dropped. It offers premium performance. This PC case comes with a detachable mesh front panel and tinted tempered glass. This look isn’t just appealing, but it also enables proper airflow. The casing features CPU cutout covers, cable covers, a 360mm radiator on the front or top, and a PSU shroud. This casing can also support virtually every motherboard on the market, and that’s one edge it has over other cases.
This casing has a good cable management system, it comes with a pair of pre-installed 200mm fans, and it can support five fans (2 on top, one on the rear, and two on the front). Using e-raiser cables, you can vertically mount graphic cards (up to 412mm). It also contains a pair of slots for bay drives and nine expansion slots. This casing enables you to regulate its RGB LED lighting with its RGB controller easily.
If you’re big on appearance, this should be your go-to ATX casing. No PC case looks better.
Best Slim Small ATX Case
Thermaltake Core G3
This slim ATX case can be utilized for any compact form factor build. It has a black interior and exterior, and it was manufactured using steel. Because of its slim design, its rear and front side has a different appearance from the PC cases you usually see. This casing also comes with a pair of pre-installed 120mm Turbofans on the front panel. The interior of the casing also features a pair of slots for bay drives. They can support a pair of 3.5 inches drives or a pair of 2.5 inches drives.
It also features a pair of expansion slots on the rear side of its chassis and can support a dual-slot graphics card. However, it’s not compatible with multiple graphics cards. Because of its slim build, you can’t install full-size PSUs or coolers on it to avoid conflicting with the right panel. The top of this casing features mounting space for a fan, and it can support a 120mm fan, which will directly provide airflow to the graphics card.
This PC case can support multiple fans on its front panel. If you want to opt for the liquid cooling system, it can support a 240mm radiator. Thanks to its slim build, it is light and very portable.
Best Quiet Small ATX Case
Cooler Master MasterCase SL600M
This PC casing was designed with top-notch aluminum, which gives it a silver exterior while the interior is black. It has a superb airflow system that can handle high-end processing units. The fans responsible for the airflow also operate quietly during heavy operations because they have been designed to operate with minimal noise. In addition, it features nine expansion slots.
It can support a pair of 3.5 inches drives and as many as eight 2.5 inches drives. It can also support a full-size CPU cooler and multiple graphics cards. The front panel is endowed with multiple high-speed ports, and they are equipped with a proximity sensor. This illuminates these USB ports when it’s dark and enables you to easily plug-in cords. It has a unique-looking chassis. In addition, it lacks a mounting space for a rear fan and a PSU remote controller.
This case is not ideal for LAN gaming, but it’s perfect for office use and heavy operations.
Our Review Process: Why You Should Trust Us
Here at OvrClock, we are committed to keeping our editorial and product recommendation processes completely independent from our monetization — so, you can always be sure we are recommending the best PC Parts for you without any partiality.
The OvrClock team has been reviewing all parts of a PC build for years now, and we use our expert opinion and experiences when making recommendations. We try to get our hands on and actually test all of the products we recommend, in addition to the dozens of alternatives that are not on the final list. This allows us to provide insights beyond what you can find from reading other online reviews, and get a true and more clear understanding of the best options. Our diverse team and vast experience also allow us to highlight each product’s ideal use cases, as well as the perfect customer profile for any given product.
For PC Cases, we test things including but not limited to: form factor, build quality, dimensions for parts clearance, parts included, RGB lighting options, and elegance, among many other factors. Our experience allows us to translate these insights into actionable conclusions and purchase recommendations for you, without you having to test all the products, or having to sift through piles and piles of data from our testing. All of the recommended small ATX PC Cases and dozens of others not in this roundup have been tested rigorously by our team and shortlisted thereafter.
For any questions about our product selection and recommendation process, feel free to contact us.
Smallest ATX Cases: Our Picks (Conclusion)
After giving you a list of the best micro-ATX cases on the market, we won’t expressly say that one system is better than the other, but there’s always a number one.
The overall best casing is the Corsair Carbide Air 540, followed closely by the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO, and the Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L.
For the best airflow, go for the Corsair Crystal 460X RGB. If you’re big on appearance, you can get the Cooler Master MasterCase H500P. If you want a casing that’s lightweight, the Thermaltake Core G3 has got you covered. Finally, if you’re concerned about the space the system takes up, go for the NZXT H510 CA-H510B-B1.
While there may be one winner, every PC case has one unique strength that stands them out from the others.
FAQs
The best full size ATX case with a small footprint is the Corsair Carbide Air 540 as outlined earlier in this article. It is extremely small in terms of its dimensions, which still having the slots and expansion support of a typical ATX case.
The best micro-ATX case in our experience is the MasterBox Q300L, but you can read OvrClock’s dedicated article about the topic here.
As you would imagine, micro-ATX cases are smaller than ATX cases. Mini-ITX cases would be smaller than them both, with each motherboard size having its own, unique characteristics and intricacies.
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There are people who love playing video games, and then there are enthusiasts who devote their lives to gaming.
Corey has been playing games since The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy III were still young.
Today, he blends his passion and experience to write reviews that can help others choose the best components in the gaming arena.