RGB-packed bling box? Aquarium-style glassy chassis? The right PC case makes or breaks your PC build. Here's what to look for in a new tower chassis, plus reviews of our highest-rated models.
I have been a technology journalist for 30-plus years and have covered just about every kind of computer gear—from the 386SX to 64-core processors—in my long tenure as an editor, a writer, and an advice columnist. For almost a quarter-century, I worked on the seminal, gigantic Computer Shopper magazine (and later, its digital counterpart), aka the phone book for PC buyers, and the nemesis of every postal delivery person. I was Computer Shopper's editor in chief for its final nine years, after which much of its digital content was folded into PCMag.com. I also served, briefly, as the editor in chief of the well-known hard-core tech site Tom's Hardware. cpu cooler with screen
Your house, according to George Carlin's timeless advice, is the place where you put your stuff while you go get more stuff. But a PC tower case is not just the box where you put your PC components while you earn money to buy better ones. It matters much more than that! Having the right PC case can make or break the whole process of building or upgrading a PC. That's why we review and test cases, including the classic towers we outline here. Our reviewers evaluate chassis on the basis of design, features, ease of use, bundled accessories, thermal and acoustic performance, and much more. Our current top pick among PC towers for most people is the 2024 NZXT H7 Flow, but our guide below outlines other top chassis for different budgets and build scenarios. Read on for our top picks, plus all you need to know to buy the right PC tower chassis for you.
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Most buyers will be drawn to NZXT’s revamped H7 Flow for its striking aesthetic and build quality; its cooling performance in our tests made us perk up. It’s a winner of a midtower PC chassis.
Corsair’s 3500X ARGB delivers solid build quality, flashy fans, and a good mix of convenience features in a midtower chassis distinguished by cool wraparound glass.
A little pricier than some competitors, SilverStone’s Fara 514X ATX case offers plenty of effective, good-looking fans and a mostly solid build experience.
Packing RGB fans, a fan and lighting hub, side glass, and more, Montech's Air 903 Max offers value-conscious PC builders the features of a far costlier ATX case for less than $80.
pc case fan Fractal Design’s Pop XL Silent PC case offers a valuable feature set, generous component space, and hushed-up, air-cooled operation for right around $100.