What in Tech

The 6 Best Motherboards With 8 RAM Slots in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 07:21:00 +0000

The 6 Best Motherboards With 8 RAM Slots in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 25, 2022

We updated this article in July to cover the rest of 2022. There aren’t any new 8 RAM motherboards over this last half-year so our top picks remain the same.

It’s worth adding that today’s 8 RAM options run on HEDT chipsets that are a few years old. These are still very powerful for niche requirements but will have some diminishing returns compared to modern mid-range chipsets (e.g. the below picks have limited Intel processor and DDR5 compatibility).

With that in mind, I’d recommend carefully considering if you really need 256GB of RAM. I think a majority of high-end builds will do better with a premium E-ATX motherboard running on a more up-to-date offering with 128GB RAM.

If you told me there would be motherboards with 256GB RAM support 20 years ago, I would have laughed at your funny joke.

And yet, here we are!

AMD and Intel’s innovations have come so far that there are now premium offerings that boast 8 DIMM slots capable of up to 32GB each.

While the average user does not need this amount of RAM, if you’re building a serious setup for production, hosting, or the most powerful PC you possibly can, then this capability could really take you to the next level.

Today’s feature is here to guide you through the best motherboards with 8 RAM slots. These are premium offerings with lots more going for them than just the RAM, too.

Best AMD Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots

MSI Creator TRX40

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Best Intel Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots

ASUS ROG Strix X299-E

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Budget AMD Pick

ASUS Prime TRX40-PRO

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Budget Intel Pick

GIGABYTE X299X AORUS Master

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

High-End AMD Pick

ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha

Our Rating: /10

Read Review

High-End Intel Pick

ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Best AMD Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: MSI Creator TRX40

We’re starting with AMD in no particular order (both leading manufacturers are kings in the high-end desktop space, though AMD is a great choice for those after a CPU with the most cores).

The MSI Creator TRX40 is a fantastic offering. While no mobo with 8 ram slots is cheap, this option achieves a great sweet spot; balancing most of the features you expect in a premium motherboard, while not carrying the 4-figure price tag some HEDT hardware can creep up to.

This Threadripper motherboard doesn’t just boast 8 RAM slots but also supports up to 256GB DDR4 RAM.

Don’t assume this is the case for all 8-sotted offerings, many only go up to 128GB/even 64GB in some budget cases.

What’s more, its JEDEC RAM capacity allows you to achieve 256GB RAM @ 3200MHz, this is an insane speed for this quantity of JEDEC which we would often expect to be bottlenecked further at these amounts.

This is an E-ATX motherboard, with an incredible level of power drawn across the board. With a Threadripper CPU and powerful GPU/s, we can’t imagine any builder, be it for rendering, gaming, or other high-end needs, would be left wanting more power than a build on this motherboard could offer.

Speaking of GPUs; with 4x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and compatibility for 3-way Nvidia SLI or 3-way AMD Crossfire GPU setups, the amount of graphical capability here is insane. I’m really impressed by MSI’s ability to balance the power draw between the RAM, CPU, GPU, and other onboard features.

The motherboard excels storage-wise too, with 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports & up to 3 M.2 storage slots. I expect this to be a decent option (alongside a premium PC case with high storage capacity) for those after a server motherboard or one for virtual hosting.

On the notion of overclocking your key specs; the Creator TRX40 also lives up to its HEDT name. With plenty of heatsinks operating through the board to maintain appropriate thermal control.

You might not have the bells and whistles of our pricier picks below. But relative to many other options on the market, you can get expect to achieve some impressive speeds.

It’s also worth touching on the I/O panel port and Wi-Fi/audio availability here too. With a whopping 9 x USB 3.2 type-A outputs (some equipped for Flash BIOS use also), a 20G USB type-C port, in-built Intel Wi-Fi 6/bluetooth, Realtek ALC1220 Codec/outputs for high-quality 7.1 audio & 10G Super LAN.

The inner connectivity is equally impressive, with tonnes of 4-pin fan connectors, ARGB/RGB headers, and all the other ports you’d expect.

What else is there to say? Not only is this the best motherboard with 8 DIMM slots for AMD builders, but it’s an offering that excels in all the categories HEDT users demand.

If you’re looking for the most power possible without getting into nearly 4 figures for your motherboard alone, this is an incredible choice.

2022 mid-year update: Threadripper remains the best AMD platform to operate the most possible RAM in 2022, and the MSI Creator TRX40 keeps our top spot as the best balance between quality and price in high-range TR motherboards.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Intel Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: ASUS ROG Strix X299-E Gaming II

If you are instead, after an Intel LGA 2066 motherboard with 8 DIMM slot capability, our top pick comfortably goes to this ASUS offering.

Coming in at a very impressive price point for the features, it’s a worthy rival to our top AMD choice.

With its 8 RAM slots also supporting up to 256GB RAM at impressive speeds (or lower quantities at up to 4266MHz). Whether it’s quantity, speed, or a mix of both, you won’t find better RAM capacity at this price point.

With a very impressive set of PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots, you will have the option to install up to 3-way GPU builds with SLI or Crossfire.

ASUS is also a great reliable brand as far as decent BIOs and onboard overclocking software go; often ranking very favorably in benchmarks if you’re after a fantastic OC motherboard.

Another offering with 3 x M.2 slots, the E Gaming II isn’t just great for storage, but also slightly trumps our top AMD pick with an extra 2 SATA ports totaling 8 (6 was already impressive!).

Port-wise, there’s a lot on offer here. With 9 x USB 3.2 Type-A & 1 x Type-C ports, as well as a SupremeFX CODEC S1220A leading its audio ports are perfect for high-quality speakers or headphones. There is little left to desire network connectivity-wise (the LAN port is 2.5G vs our top AMD pick’s 10G, but I don’t expect many users will notice this difference much).

Also for those aesthetic focussed folk, ASUS is a great brand for offering onboard ARGB lighting with the fantastic ASUS ARGB software/onboard headers. I’ve seen these create beautifully illuminated builds alongside an RGB PC case.

Alongside one of the Core-i9 10000X series CPUs in its X299 socket, it’s hard to imagine any type of user wanting more from a high-end build.

At an incredible price for the offering, this is comfortably our top pick for the best Intel mobo with 8 RAM slots.

2022 mid-year update: The LGA 2066 chipset remains the best 8-ram slot motherboard Intel choice in 2022, and we continue to rank the Stri X299-E at the top of the list.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Budget AMD Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: Asus Prime TRX40-PRO

Looking for a cheap motherboard with 8 RAM slots feels like a bit of an oxymoron; you’re not going to find the budget options of the mainstream market here.

But with that said, there’s still a huge difference in the price range between the top 8 DIMM options and the cheapest. I’m pleased to say this AMD offering is a very decent choice for those with a tighter budget.

One of the cheapest Threadripper motherboards available today, I’m impressed that the TRX40-PRO still boats 256GB memory support across its 8 DIMM outputs. I expect with the onboard specs, you won’t get quite the same speeds as that of our top AMD pick @ 256GB, but the board will still be capable of a very impressive speed/GB balance when compared to a huge majority of other market offerings.

One of the biggest changes to our more expensive offerings is a slightly reduced power draw to PCIe. With 3 4.0 slots, it’s still a fantastic capability for a budget, but supports a max of 2-way SLI/CLX instead of our main choice’s triple-GPU capability. It’s really up to your if this matters, dual GPUs will still offer incredible utility for most HEDT builds.

The unit still boasts plenty of onboard M.2, VRM, and active chipset thermal protection with its heatsink arrays (alongside the great ASUS UEFI BIOs, you’ll have plenty of customization available).

For storage, we’re pleased to see the TRX40-PRO boasts 3 x M.2 slots and 8 x SATA ports at 6Gb/s; if your prime needs are storage, this may even be a better choice for you than our overall best AMD pick!

Port-wise, you still have a great array of connectivity, with 9 x USB-Type A, 1 x USB Type-C, and decent onboard audio. Compared to our more expensive picks, it’s worth noting the outputs are slightly less capable, with only 3 of the Type-A USB ports being 3.2 Gen 2 (we expect most users will be fine balancing their needs here though).

There is no included Wi-Fi or Bluetooth onboard. We expect this has been done to achieve both the fantastic price and also minimize the power draw. If you do need these, a good Wi-Fi card and Bluetooth adapter will do the job just fine.

The budget hasn’t compromised on headers either, with decent fan, RGB & ARGB connectivity.

If the reduced ports, no Bluetooth/Wi-FI, missing third GPU capability, and slightly lower expected RAM speeds don’t bother you much, know I very nearly made this our top overall AMD pick. It’s great for the price and I was impressed by the performance I saw from it.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Best Budget Intel Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: GIGABYTE X299X AORUS Master

Although our top pick is already a very cheap 256GB motherboard offering, there’s another compelling option in the AORUS Master.

Previously highlighted on our E-ATX motherboard feature, I consider it one of the best HEDT options on the market and have reviewed some fantastic builds operating on it.

Let’s start with one of the most impressive capabilities of the X299X; its PCIe bandwidth is capable of 4-way GPU builds (with a 48-lane CPU).

You’d be forgiven for thinking this means it’s better than many of our pricier offerings, and for those focussed on graphical capability, it’s a very compelling choice!

RAM-wise, the system still boasts the ability to support 256GB RAM (we expect slightly lower speeds than the top overall/high-end Intel choices, but not significant in the grand scheme of things). Bear in mind that if your CPU is <48 lanes, the maximum support will be 128GB RAM (still a fantastic amount even for a production machine).

Port-wise, the motherboard is still plenty equipped with 9 x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1 x Type-C. The audio codec is a little more basic than our higher ends choices but still capable of great sound output to the average listener (especially with a good pair of headphones). We’re happy to see the board still includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too.

The inner connectivity is still good, with plentiful fan headers and outputs for the front I/O panel.

The only thing to reiterate is that to access its 4-way GPU capability, and many other features (including 256GB RAM instead of 128GB max) the motherboard requires a 48-lane CPU to draw from.

That’s the secret to the X299X, part of its lower price tag is achieved by utilizing more capability from the onboard CPU.

While more expensive offerings definitely still require high-lane CPUs for their capability, they can get more done with less. With this dependence, you can also expect to be a little more limited speed-wise if you choose to use all of the Master’s functionality (e.g. quad GPU, 256GB RAM, max storage).

So if you’re a top-end user, you may desire one of the other picks. But on a budget, there is no contender more worthy than the Aorus Master.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best High-End AMD Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha

Now, we will say that we think the mid-range or budget AMD board picks will satisfy many users, even those after a HEDT setup with 256GB RAM.

That said, if you want the best sTRX4 motherboard possible in the premium price range, this is our choice for you.

With its E-ATX form factor, the Zenith II Extreme Alpha has a feature list as long as its name and is an incredible solution for balancing high-end RAM, CPU, GPU, and storage combinations.

With its 8 DIMM slots, this ASUS offering doesn’t just support 256GB RAM, but according to user reports, can handle that quantity at 3600MHz.

This is an incredible achievement on modern hardware, if your needs are of a serious production/rendering persuasian, this RAM capability could be a game-changer for high-end productivity.

The PCI-express 4.0 x16 capability is what you would hope for in a top-end choice, with excellent bandwidths capable of 3-way SLI/Crossfire and unrivaled overclocking capability.

Now, onto storage…

The Extreme Alpha boasts, wait for it…5 PCIe 4.0 bandwidth M.2 drive & 8 x SATA ports!

We are floored by how ASUS has managed to utilize the power draw to incorporate this on top of all of the other specs throughout the motherboard and we can’t imagine anybody needing more storage capability.

There is no compromise on ports either, with 2 x USB Type-C, 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 & 4 x USB3.2 Gen 1 outputs, we haven’t come across a motherboard with more USB connectivity. These are accompanied by a 10Gbps ethernet port, AX200/Wi-fi 6, and a fantastic codec for high-quality audio output.

Internal headers are what you would expect in a premium ASUS mobo too, with plenty of connectivity for ARGB/RGB lighting and 4-pin fans.

As you’d expect at this high-end price, it’s also one of the most beautiful motherboards we’ve come across.

Not only does it have some gorgeous ARGB lighting surrounding the top and bottom, but its various heatsinks are designed in a way that has clearly put aesthetics in the equation (without compromise on thermal control capability, something the Extreme Alpha is unrivaled for).

Speaking of thermal control, with all of its onboard heatsinks, intelligent layout, various buttons to test/switch during failed OCs, and fantastic BIOs, the Extreme Alpha is one of the best overclocking motherboards available for Threadripper (or any socket, for that matter).

There is even a customizable OLED screen to display either key thermals or other overclocking stats you’re focussed on at a given time.

Is there anything I don’t like about this offering? Well, I could certainly say it’s easy to praise something that is this expensive because it has all of the bells and whistles you can imagine. But that comes at a price that might be overkill for some builds.

So with that in mind, ask yourself: do you need everything the Extreme Alpha offers to enjoy the benefits of 8 RAM slots? No, our above choices are very respectable offerings.

But if you want to build on the most powerful AMD HEDT motherboard possible in nearly every sense of the word, then this is the choice for you.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best High-End Intel Motherboard With 8 RAM Slots: ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore

Last but most certainly not least is our premium 8 DIMM Intel motherboard option.

The Extreme Encore is made for the top echelon of HEDT and overclocking with its 16 70 amp power stages giving an incredible capability across the board.

Its 8 RAM slots are capable of 256GB with decent speeds, its PCIe capable can support up to 3-way Crossfire/SLI & with 3 x m.2 outputs and 8 x SATA ports, it’s got fantastic storage allotment.

Similar to our top AMD pick, the overclocking capability is top class. Working alongside the fantastic AI overclocking/UEFI BIOs is an active VRM heatsink & onboard M.2 heatsinks (not to mention an incredible array of fan headers).

It’s one of the best-looking motherboards, with its metal heatsinks sharply covering many of the more traditional “ugly” board components, with ASUS design lighting on the front and further illumination on the bottom; this would look gorgeous in a clear PC case.

One thing we will say; if you are trying to support the best of the best as we expect for this price range, we think that AMD may be the better choice for you.

That’s not to say the Extreme Encore isn’t capable of an immensely powerful build for rendering, production, server-building, or more.

We just recognize that our AMD premium pick above offers unparalleled connectivity with PCIe 4.0 and its 5 M.2 slots amongst all the other incredible features.

That said, if your heart is set on an Intel HEDT, this is comfortably our choice for the best 8 RAM slot motherboard for LGA 2066 and still packs an incredible punch.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

LGA 1200, 1700 or AM4 Motherboards with 8 RAM Slots

We appreciate some users may be looking for significant RAM on mainstream, non-HEDT motherboards.

However, for 8 RAM slots, you need to be looking at LGA 2066and sTRX4 motherboards.

Not only are these the only type with support for 8 slots, but also the only sockets that can accommodate up to 256GB of RAM.

On top of this, if you are building a production/hosting machine that requires 8 RAM slots, we expect you’ll probably want a HEDT motherboard to match anyway. These machines give you CPUs with insane amounts of cores, the power to draw lots of PCIe slots (for multi-GPU builds), and much more.

If however, you want to build a setup with mainstream GPUs, then check our best E-ATX motherboard picks, which include premium AM4/LGA1200 mobos (some of which can accommodate a hefty 128GB RAM).

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About the author

Kaelum Ross

Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 5 Largest PC Cases for High-End Builds in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:48:00 +0000

The 5 Largest PC Cases for High-End Builds in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 25, 2022

We updated this article in July. After reviewing the new large cases on the market in the first half of 2022, our top picks remain the same. We’ve added a couple of additional alternatives to consider for certain picks.

After 100s of PC case reviews, I’ve been through many different shapes and sizes of chassis on What in Tech.

Amongst them, some extra-large towers have really stood out for those looking at creating something particularly powerful.

If that sounds like you, today’s feature is about ranking the largest PC cases I recommend for top-end gaming/production builds. These are cases that I recommend for their utility across the board, not just the largest in dimension (otherwise I’d recommend you an XXL cardboard box!).

Largest PC Case Top Pick

Corsair Obsidian 1000D

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Largest PC Case for Silent Builds

Deep Silence 6

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Largest Cheap Case

Corsair Graphite 780T

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Unique Pick

Cougar Conquer 2

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Honorable Mention

Cooler Master Cosmos C700M

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

Largest PC Case (Best Pick): Corsair Obsidian Series 1000D

Now, there are a couple of chassis picks further below that are a tad larger in terms of external dimensions. But in terms of internal space and capability? The 1000D is comfortably my top pick for super tower gaming or high-scale production use.

Featured multiple times on WIT, the 1000D is an absolute powerhouse. Its build quality has one of the slickest and sturdiest combinations of thick steel, aluminum, and tempered glass I’ve ever seen. It’s a case that is not done justice by stock photos. Only once powered on with beautiful internal components on display it’s stunning to behold. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing many 1000D builds and even the most basic look incredible.

The crowning feature of the 1000D (aside from its excellent cooling, which we’ll discuss later) is that it’s a dual-system PC case. This means it supports an independent Mini ITX motherboard/PC alongside your main setup (in other words, 2 PCs inside the same chassis!). There’s a lot of potential utility for premium work/gaming builders with this, and great for content-focused streamers who can they enjoy separate dedicated gaming and streaming setups.

Inside this super tower is room for:

10 x expansion slots
GPU length clearance up to 400mm (enough for any mainstream card with room to spare for airflow, one of the best PC cases for RTX 3090 builds)
A great front I/O panel, with 2 x USB 3.1 gen-2 type C USB ports amongst the classic inputs (all beautifully backlit with RGB)
Accessible but nicely hidden bays for up to 5 x 3.5″ & 6 x 3.5″ drives
Up to 18 x 120mm fans (stock configuration up to 10 x 120mm + 3 x 140mm)
Or up to 4 x 480mm + 1 x 240mm radiators (stock configuration up to 2 x 480mm, 1 x 420mm + 1 x 240mm)
Triple-chamber layout to maximize cable management and airflow of both the main and secondary systems (as well as room to hide “uglier” components like PSUs)
Included smart fan controller if you want to add RGB fans to your build

Source: six60six

These are some of the most insane specs I’ve ever seen for a chassis. The 1000D isn’t just extra-large but adds some really unique features with its size.

Between the triple-chamber design, dual system capability, and fantastic room for hardware/cooling, what I like most about the 1000D is that it isn’t just large for the sake of it. It’s clearly been meticulously designed to make use of its huge dimensions for amazing capability.

The only case I’ve seen come close to its cooling capacity is the Thermaltake Core P8. But that case does not have the same large space for ventilation and airflow. The 1000D is the best PC case for airflow, cooling (fan or water cooling) I’ve ever seen. I’ve been super impressed by the thermal benchmarks I’ve seen from it, even in particularly demanding builds.

Whether you are intending to intensely overclock a gaming build or keep a demanding production setup performing optimally, you really can’t get better than this.

2022 mid-year update: The 1000D remains our top extra large pick for 2.5 years running. I’ve not seen a chassis enter the market that better balances its cooling, features, and build quality.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Largest PC Case for Silent Builds (Best HTPC Case): Nanoxia Deep Silence 6

Our next choice is for those builders who have a specific requirement for an extra quiet super tower. The Deep Silence 6, while not reaching all of the highs of the 1000D, has some very impressive features (particularly in storage) and would make a great music production PC case, server chassis, or some other high-end work that requires optimum noise-reduction.

The Deep Silence 6’s build quality, as you would expect for a premium silence-focussed chassis, is very thick steel (one of the most sturdy/durable cases I’ve come across). Surrounding a large portion of the exterior is also some industrial sound-proofing material to maximize noise isolation. It’s one of the quietest PC cases available today, impressive considering its size. Aesthetically, everything about the case looks “professional”, like it’s designed to really make an impression for high-budget production.

This super tower PC case has room for:

HPTX / XL-ATX Motherboard support (one of the very few cases to have it, but you can still reap the value of the case with ATX or E-ATX)
10 x expansion slots
GPU length clearance of up to 400mm (perfect for all mainstream cards)
4 x 5.25″ external, 2 x 3.5″ external (with adapter), 10 x 2.5″/3.5″ internal (up to 13 with adapter) & 2.5″ internal drive bays
Up to 8 x 140mm + 1 x 120mm fans with 5 140mm quiet fans pre-installed + front panel controller to allow you to balance performance and noise depending on the situation
Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 280mm & 1 x 140mm radiators (that can be combined with some of the fan setup).

The Deep Silence 6 has some simply fantastic specs across storage in particular. Combined with its silent design, we rank this as one of the best server PC cases or something for media/HTPC builders available today. Not only is the drive bay allowance incredible out of the box, but the fact that you can add to it further with adapters is a bonus (not to mention, if you’re like most people and don’t need 4 x 5.25″ drive bays, you can use them to massively expand your storage).

There is also plenty of cooling capability, and we appreciate the 5 included 140mm fans that will be enough for a majority of builds in here. If you are looking for a gaming build, the 1000D is probably the better choice with its additional cooling and triple-chamber layout. However the Deep Silence 6 could still aptly run a powerful gaming machine if achieving a low decibel level means more to you.

Simply put, the Deep Silence 6 is an incredible chassis and easily the best quiet super tower available today.

2022 mid-year update: The DS6 is still a fantastic choice, but I’ve continued to be impressed by the Fractal 7 XL for premium quiet builds. It’s not as large, but I think if your build would fit inside, it’s the better choice. That said, I still rate the DS6 for a reason and it’s a great pick-up if you need to make full use of its space.

Our Rating: 9/10

Largest Budget PC Case: Corsair Graphite 780T

While “budget” and “largest” don’t go very well together, the 780T, despite still being a fair bit pricier than the average budget chassis, is notably lower than every other extra-large case close to its size while still being decently featured in its own right.

The case design is striking. With thick, curved steel engulfing much of the case’s exterior, the 780T feels built to last and has a rather unique aesthetic. One design feature we really appreciate is the latched handles on most of the case’s panels, with it being one of the easiest chassis we’ve seen to quickly access/re-close once finished.

This full tower has room for:

9 x expansion slots
Graphics cards up to 355mm in length (more than enough for most, but double-check dimensions if you’re buying a premium GPU)
2 x 5.25″, 2 x 2.5″ & 6 x 3.5 /2.5″ combo drive bays
Deep and well-laid-out cable management facilities
Up to 10 x 120mm fans with 3 x 140mm fans included (2 with red LEDs)
Alternatively, combine a smaller fan setup with up to 2 x 360mm radiators

With these specs, it’s clear that the 780T does a fantastic job of retaining lots of internal capability despite costing less than half our two top picks.

With plenty of room for high-end GPUs and cooling, this would make a great choice if you’re after one of the largest ATX cases for gaming (plenty of overclocking potential here).

Simply put, if you want an extra-large PC case that is only a hair above the usual mid-range price bracket, the 780T is the ideal choice.

Our Rating: 9/10

Largest PC Case with Unique Design: Cougar Conquer 2

I think you’ll agree that the chassis image speaks for itself!

If you want your extra-large PC case to also turn the heads of any guest that comes to your house, this is the ideal choice. The Conquer 2 has a wonderfully unique design.

Covered in thick metal panels and 4 tempered glass windows, the Conquer 2 has one of the nicest build qualities I’ve seen from any chassis. The aesthetic is made extra unique by the ARGB lighting on the front side of the case (including the pre-installed ARGB fan at the bottom). This is a strong example of a case that cannot be done justice by stock photos. I love how this case looks in person. The quality of the material really shows when you see a full build powered-on and running as part of a nice setup.

Inside this large ATX full tower is room for:

8 expansion slots & 2 for vertical GPU installs
VGA lengths up to 400mm (more than enough as a PC case for RTX 3080, 3070, or 3090).
2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays
Up to 6 120mm fans
Alternatively up to 1 x 240mm & 1 x 360mm radiators

You may find some of the above specs underwhelming compared to our other top choices. There is a key difference though: the Conquer 2 is an open-air PC case that is designed to be presentable at all angles. This means that the cooling solutions will be more than enough for even a powerful gaming setup due to the amount of open airflow and ventilation the case gets.

I am a little disappointed in the drive bay availability. They are notably lower as they are all designed to be hidden to maximize the clean aesthetic the Conquer is going for. Let’s be real though; unless you’re building a server, HTPC, or something with very high storage requirements, the drive bays enough will be plenty, especially for gaming.

It looks like the Conquer 2 would be difficult to build in, but Cougar included a fantastic feature: a detachable sub-chassis. Essentially you can remove a tray from the middle of the case where your motherboard & main components will sit. This doesn’t just make building smooth, but I found it more pleasant to build in than a lot of traditional cases!

You are, of course, paying a premium for the design of the Conquer 2, but it is a true marvel to behold. If you want to build a powerhouse in not just one of the largest gaming full towers available, but one of the most unique, the Conquer 2 is for you.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Largest Full Tower (Alternative Pick): Cooler Master Cosmos C700M

Our last pick is an honorable mention if you want an overall alternative to the 1000D (in the same price range). The C700M is another supersize PC case designed for high-end builds.

With a beautiful, thick aluminium//steel/dual-curved tempered glass hybrid case design accompanied by some tastefully subtle ARGB lighting, the C700M is beautiful and another example of a case not done justice by stock photos. We appreciate also the handles neatly added to the top of the case; don’t underestimate how hard it can be to carry an extra-large chassis!

The specs lean the C700M towards being more of a gaming full tower, with:

8 x expansion slots
GPU lengths up to 490mm (320mm with HDD bracket, still enough for most cards)
1 x 5.25″, 4 x 3.5″ / 2.5″ combo & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays
Up to 9 x 140mm fans (with 3 pre-installed)
Up to 2 x 420mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 140mm (420mm reduce to 360mm if 5.25″ drive cage is installed)

There are some decent specs available on the C700M, certainly enough for a powerful gaming/production/video editing PC case. But you can probably see why, for the same price range, we rank the 1000D above it; with our top pick’s super cooling and storage availability. We also consider it to have a slightly better ventilation design (with its triple chambers & airflow setup) plus the nice option to set up a dual system.

None of this is to say the C700M is a bad case however, it has a lot going for it and we included it for a reason, if you’re looking for one of the largest PC cases and this Cooler Master offering fits in with your personal aesthetic, it’s a great choice for a very high-end build.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

What's Next?

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The 10 Best Gaming Laptops on Amazon in 2022

From powerful to budget.

The 6 Best Gaming PCs on Amazon in 2022

The best pre-builts available on the platform

About the author

Kaelum Ross

The 10 Best Gaming Laptops on Amazon in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 00:52:00 +0000

The 10 Best Gaming Laptops on Amazon in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 23, 2022

We significantly updated this article in July. Some of our top picks have been updated following reviews of new gaming laptops with improved specs compared to early 2022.

There are thousands of different laptop on Amazon.

How are you supposed to decide exactly what’s best for your gaming setup (and wallet!)?

I’ve reviewed the notable options and ranked them to easily guide you through the best gaming laptops on Amazon today, for all different budget considerations.

Overall Best Gaming Laptop on Amazon (Mid-Range)

Lenovo Legion 5

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Best Pick Under $1,500

MSI Pulse GL66

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Budget Pick

Acer Nitro 5 GTX 1650

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Read Review

Most Powerful Gaming Laptop Pick

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Cheapest Pick

Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Our Rating: 7.5/10

Read Review

Overall Best Gaming Laptop on Amazon (Mid-Range Pick): Lenovo Legion 5

I’ve been very impressed by what Lenovo offers in the laptop space for many years, and gaming is no exception.

For the top mid-range pick, I wanted to find the best gaming laptop for $1,000 on Amazon as this tends to be the most common price-range my readers will enquire on. This choice is just a touch more expensive than that, but paying that bit more is definitely worth it, as you gain access to an RTX 3050 Ti laptop.

This graphics card, as far as portable gaming goes, is the best you’ll get around the $1,000 mark. Many competitors offer RTX 3050s or even 1650s at this price range. It’s a fantastic deal, especially when the device is well-rounded in its other specs.

With great performance, you’re going to be able to play a majority of games at 1080p high settings with good framerates. And it will be well future-proofed for big upcoming titles. If you’re looking to get high framerates & resolutions with max settings in intensive games, you’ll have more luck with our premium picks below or desktop options. But rest assured, titles will look fantastic on the Legion 5.

Working alongside the 3050 Ti is a Ryzen 7 5800H, 16GB DDR4 RAM & a 512GB NVMe SSD. Not only are these specs more than enough for ensuring the GPU isn’t bottlenecked by the hardware, but they’re capable of giving you a very smooth general-use experience with the laptop (be it web browsing, videos, or other program usages).

It’s annoyingly common to see laptops come with the latest GPUs but skimp on CPU or RAM to keep the costs low. That’s really why I rate the Legion 5 so highly, it’s the full package spec-wise.

Although I’m happy to see 512GB over 256GB that many other builds at this price come with, the main area that left me longing was the storage space. It will serve you initially but is a little low for a gaming PC if you’re interested in multiple large titles. There is another drive bay you can easily use to upgrade your storage should you need to. Don’t be fooled by lower price laptops that have larger drives; I’ve been through them and their specs suffer in other ways to compensate for this (especially GPU, which is more important for your setup).

The laptop is well designed. One of the things I like about Lenovo the most is its ability to create sturdy, long-lasting PCs. With a good track record of thermal management for the powerful specs, a beautiful backlit keyboard, and a fantastic full HD IPS 144Hz screen.

If your budget is around the $1,000 mark, this is the best gaming laptop on Amazon for you.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Gaming Laptop under $1,500 on Amazon: MSI Pulse GL66

If you can stretch your budget a little further, the MSI GL66 is a fantastic laptop where you can expect a further 20-30% improvement in games compared to our above pick.

In our previous version of this post, we highlighted the 2021 version of the same laptop, the GL65. MSI has continued to offer a choice in this price range that is unmatched by competitors with specs and build quality considered.

This is achieved with the great combination of the RTX 3070 and Intel Core i7-12700H, both fantastic specs for this price range. You can expect to comfortably play most titles in great settings, 1080p with a very high frame rate.

You have a wonderful screen to enjoy those high frame rates on too. Boasting a full HD, IPS, 144Hz panel with low latency and great color accuracy. You can expect a vibrant picture and a snappy response time to match the fast reaction needs of competitive gaming.

Working alongside the CPU and GPU is 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. It would have been nice to see a 1TB SSD here, but the price tag has clearly gone towards maximizing the CPU/GPU which I think is the sensible choice overall. If your budget was around $1,500, you could always use the savings to add an additional drive to the laptop.

I wanted to quickly address some of the common customer reviews talking about the 85-watt version 3070. Yes, while of course the higher power 135W version would be preferred, you’re not going to find it at this price range (and the 85W GPU is still an excellent card). I wouldn’t be dissuaded by this point if your budget is around $1,500.

The list goes on: beautiful design, tactile RGB keyboard, good thermals, solid build quality. I really like that this 15.6″ gaming laptop doesn’t feel like it skimps on any area (aside from the slightly disappointing SSD space) and is a good all-around pick worth its price tag.

If you can stretch your budget to the MSI Pulse GL66, you’re going to love it. This machine is such a fantastic value for what you’re getting.

2022 mid-year update: I’ve updated this pick to the latest model number, the 12UGKV-464, which includes a notable processor upgrade to gen 12 Intel over last year’s 11th-gen pick.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Best Budget Gaming Laptop on Amazon: Acer Nitro 5 GTX 1650

You have to respect that with this budget, manufacturers are very limited on what kind of parts they can include. With that said, I’m pleasantly surprised by just how good this Nitro 5 model is for its ridiculously low price point.

Led by the GTX 1650, you still have a graphics card capable of running most games at fair settings/frame rates. If you’re playing older games/many of the popular titles that are well optimized (Fortnite, Overwatch, WoW, etc.), you’re still going to get great frame rates on them suitable for competitive gaming.

Accompanying the GPU is the very capable 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H, 8GB DDR4 RAM & a 256GB NVMe SSD. While you won’t get very far with high-end production work on this laptop (high-end video editing, rendering, etc.), it will still do very well when it comes to general use for things like web browsing, videos, and standard work if needed.

You have some easy options to upgrade this laptop also. Acer has sensibly installed 1 stick of 8GB RAM (instead of 2 x 4GB) to allow you to easily add a second 8GB RAM stick if you like. There’s also a 2.5″ drive slot if you wish to expand your storage.

Another reason we picked this as the top budget choice is that the laptop still has some impressive design features for its price range. With a good build quality, a 1080p IPS screen, and a USB 3.1 Type C port, you’re really getting a lot for your money here.

On top of being a great budget choice, I’d also suggest this is one of the best gaming laptops for beginners, kids, teenagers, or simply someone who’s behind on gaming and has some titles to catch up on alongside their general laptop use.

Rest assured, although it isn’t going to give you the same performance as our top picks, we still love the value of this Nitro 5 model. There’s a reason it’s one of the best-selling gaming laptops on Amazon.

2022 mid-year update: The Nitro 5 is still formidable for the price, but there is an updated version that improves a hugely upgraded CPU and GPU for about $200 more at the point of reviewing. I highly recommend this upgrade if you can stretch your budget further.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Most Powerful Gaming Laptop on Amazon: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15

Our next pick is for those looking for the most expensive gaming laptop on Amazon that is worth buying (not needlessly pricey for pointless bells and whistles).

There are some diminishing returns when comparing this laptop to our laptop pick under $1,500 for gaming alone (that said it has a whole lot more going for it). We’ve included a laptop under the $2,000 range further below but really, the laptops with prices between this pick and the MSI GL66 don’t improve notably on graphics performance (they up the price by including more RAM, drive space, and better CPUs, but these are all secondary for machines that are already powerful enough when it comes to these specs).

Now with all that said, what you’re getting in the Scar 15 is one of the best laptop GPUs available today: the RTX 3080Ti. With some incredible additional specs to go with it. You can expect this laptop to perform about 20-40% better than the GL66 in games. That is an incredible improvement considering how great the GL66 pick already feels. This would be perfect for someone looking for a VR-ready laptop or a reader who doesn’t want to compromise on game settings now or in the next few years.

Accompanying the powerhouse GPU is a beastly i9 12900H, 32GB of DDR5 RAM (upgradable to 64GB, but we can’t imagine you’ll need that for a long time) & a 1TB SSD. These are some seriously fantastic specs that will empower you to do some serious production work, with the Scar 15 doubling as a 4k video editing laptop/suitable for other intensive tasks.

I was really quite impressed when I saw the design of the Scar 15 in person. It looks and feels fantastic. The build quality is what you’d hope for in a premium gaming laptop and although the machine runs hot, the thermal solution is more than capable of keeping the device manageable.

And then there is the amazing display. On top of reaching great color accuracy and a sharp 3ms latency, it’s running at a very impressive 240hz QHD/1440p. Some laptops with these ultra-high refresh rates don’t have the specs to actually run games to take advantage of this, but the beauty of the Scar 15 is that it does. Some premium gaming laptops will push their screens to 360hz @ 1080p, but I think that opting for 1440p is much better. The resolution increase will be more significant (I’d argue even for many e-sports enthusiasts) than the diminishing returns of 240hz vs 360hz.

I was really impressed while using the Scar 15. It’s a pricey offering but the specs, build quality and thermal solution are classic examples of getting what you pay for. If you’re serious about buying the most powerful laptop possible, this is the pick for you.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Cheapest Gaming Laptop on Amazon: Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Now let’s be clear, I’m being very generous in calling this pick a gaming laptop and I would highly recommend you save up the extra money to at least get the budget Acer Nitro pick above for gaming.

That being said, I appreciate that some readers will be looking for the cheapest laptop for gaming on Amazon, even if that means some serious limitations.

This Lenovo laptop is impressive for its price point. With a capable Ryzen 5 3500U processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM & a 256GB SSD. You can still expect it to be a decent runner for general usage and office work.

For games, you’ll be relying on the integrated Vega 8 graphics; which still do a semi-decent job on older titles. You’ll be able to run games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and league of legends on lower settings.

Another credit to the IdeaPad 3 is that it has a nice build quality for its price. It’s a very slim, lightweight laptop that would be ideal for travel.

If your budget is very tight and you need a new PC now; then as long as you can respect that this is a light gaming PC, you’re still getting excellent value.

Our Rating: 7.5/10

Alternative Picks

The top 5 picks are our main favorite choices for your various budgets when considering the best gaming laptop on Amazon.

That being said, we’ve included some additional worthy choices for some other price brackets that are popular – we’d still recommend these laptops if they work for your budget.

Best Gaming Laptop under $1,200 on Amazon: ASUS TUF506IV-AS76

Between our top 2 picks is a choice that doesn’t upgrade the GPU, but does offer a fantastic design, upgraded processor, and impressive 1TB SSD. We featured one of the cheaper TUF models in our best 144HZ laptops feature.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Best Gaming Laptop under $800 on Amazon: Acer Nitro 5 RTX 3050

Inbetween our top overall and top budget picks is space for this fantastic Acer Nitro 5 unit – Getting an RTX 3050 for this price is still excellent if it’s as far as you can go.

Our Rating: 9/10

Second Best Amazon Gaming Laptop under $1,200: Acer Predator Helios 300

One other very decent option in this price range was worth calling out; this doesn’t have the same storage capacity as the ASUS laptop but has an improved thermal solution and fantastic 3ms response time which is why we ranked it at the top of our list for high-refresh-rate laptops, perfect for competitive gaming.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Best Amazon Gaming Laptop under $1,500 Alternative: ASUS ROG Strix G15

Now if you’re up for spending a little more than our second pick, this is one of the top gaming laptops on Amazon by ASUS. And their ROG brand really stands out with its fantastic design. For the extra price, you’re getting 240Hz and more storage, so worth considering.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Best Laptop under $2,000 on Amazon: CUK MSI GP65 Leopard

If you like the look of our best laptop under $1,500 pick, but want something with a little higher spec, this is a great future-proofed choice (it won’t get you much more performance in gaming, but it’s RAM, CPU, and storage are very impressive for other tasks).

Our Rating: 9/10

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The 10 Best Gaming Laptops on Amazon in 2022

From powerful to budget.

The 6 Best Gaming PCs on Amazon in 2022

The best pre-builts available on the platform

About the author

Kaelum Ross

The 6 Best Gaming PCs on Amazon in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 00:10:00 +0000

The 6 Best Gaming PCs on Amazon in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 23, 2022

We significantly updated this article in July. A few of the top picks have been updated as we’ve reviewed new versions with superior specs.

Many of my readers have told me about just how overwhelming it can be to shop through 1000s of gaming PCs; how are you supposed to know what to buy without expert advice?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. I’ve reviewed the top offerings and built this guide to take you through the best pre-built gaming PCs on Amazon available today for different budgets and requirements.

Overall Best Gaming PC on Amazon

Skytech Shiva RTX 3060 Ti

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Best Pick Under $1,000

Skytech Shadow RTX 3050

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Most Powerful Gaming PC

Skytech Prism II RTX 3090

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Budget Pick

Skytech Archangel GTX 1050 Ti

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

Cheapest Pick

Alarco GTX 650

Our Rating: 8/10

Read Review

Best Under $800

Skytech Shadow GTX 1660

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Read Review

Overall Best Gaming PC on Amazon: Skytech Shiva RTX 3060 Ti

When I get questions from our readers on this topic, they’re usually looking for the best choice under $1,500 as a mid-ranage pick.

This is slightly more than that, but I really think it’s worth pushing your budget a little further.

At a fantastic price point, you’re getting a well-rounded machine that is led by an RTX 3060 Ti, a fantastic GPU at this price point.

You can expect smooth 60+ FPS gameplay at 1440P in nearly every modern game; with fantastic future-proofing, VR ready, and some impressive capability for 4k gaming too.

Working alongside the card to achieve that gaming power is a fantastic Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7 GHz processor, 16GB 3200Mhz DDR4 Ram, and a 1TB SSD.

All of these specs make this a wonderful machine for not just gaming but some serious professional work if required (be it high-res video editing, rendering, production programming, and other intensive tasks).

All of this is housed in the fantastic InWin 103 case; a great chassis that offers good airflow and upgrade capabilities in the future if desired.

Tied in with the custom RGB lighting and fans, the unit will run well, look beautiful and most importantly, act perfectly as a gaming setup.

If you’re looking for a mid-range gaming PC that meets a sweet spot between price, performance, and build quality, this is the most ideal pick I’ve reviewed for the job.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Best Gaming PC on Amazon Under $1,000 (Top Pick): Skytech Shadow RTX 3050

As much as I’d love to tell everyone to stretch to the top offering, Skytech have an offering at a very decent budget price point.

This RTX 3050 Gaming PC packs a great punch with 8GB of dedicated GDDR6 VGA memory. This card is well known for its value, and many other picks around the $1,000 mark don’t compete with it.

You’ll get great performance in today’s popular titles (from Apex Legends to the latest Call of Duty), especially at 1080p and you can expect that to last for many future titles too.

Taking Cyberpunk 2077 as an example, in high settings the Shadow will manage a high frame rate on 1080p. You will even undoubtedly be able to get some decent rates on 1440p and even 4k if you play with some graphics settings.

The Core i5 10400F is a good CPU for gaming and general usage needs. It’s not one of the latest processors and I would have liked to see something a little better, but it’s clear the pre-built was intended to focus more of the budget on the RTX 3050. This is certainly a better tactic for a gaming PC than going overkill on the processor and offering a disappointing GPU (as is unfortunately common in a lot of pre-builds).

The 8GB RAM is enough to get the build up and running, but we would definitely recommend adding a second stick of 8GB RAM when your budget allows. It’s a quick, easy, and cheap upgrade that will not only give you a decent gaming boost but also make your workstation/browsing needs quick and more future-proofed.

Working alongside the CPU and RAM for a fast browsing experience is a 1TB SSD (with Windows 10 included). I was really pleased with this spec as it would’ve been super easy for Skytech to include a 512GB drive and still be considered decent amongst its similarly-priced competitors.

If for whatever reason you want more space in the future too, you’ll have room to add in another HDD or SSD.

The whole setup is stylishly housed in a decent chassis. You’ll have a good amount of USB ports within the case and alongside the 3 RGB fans and decent space for airflow, the setup looks great and has decent cooling.

The unit adds more value by including a free gaming keyboard and mouse. They’re perfectly serviceable for gaming use (but as you can expect with freebies, you may want to upgrade if you are into competitive gaming/esports).

Overall, I really like the package Skytech has put together here.

Yes, you can do better with a higher budget. But for $1,000? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with just how great the Shadow is at this price point.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Most Powerful Gaming PC on Amazon: Skytech Prism II RTX 3090

Now, for those looking for the most powerful setup you can possibly achieve, this is the best choice I’ve found.

There are some even more expensive options on Amazon, sure.

But I looked through these, and their spec choices add unnecessary extra bells and whistles for $100s (even $1000s) extra.

If your budget is large, then the Prism II is easily my choice for the best gaming PC on Amazon available today.

Leading its power is the monstrous RTX 3090 graphics card, the best on the market right now, which will simply crush anything you throw at it (and likely will for a very long time).

And what’s more, the benchmarking that has been achieved on 4K gaming with the RTX 3090 is very impressive. You can expect to still achieve great framerates in 2160p (it’s really one of the first and only GPUs that we consider suitable for 4K gaming).

Alongside this top-range GPU is the fantastic Intel i9 12900K, 32G DDR5 RAM & a Gen4 1TB NVMe SSD.

These specs will handle anything you can expect to throw at them and will be excellent for high-scale production work on top of your gaming (we especially like the 3600 Mhz clock on the RAM).

Powering the CPU is a 360mm liquid cooler, which not only looks fantastic alongside the 9 ARGB fans but will give you great overclocking potential should you desire in the future. I’ve not really come across many PCs (pre-built or custom) that boast this much thermal management.

For those of you with a focus on aesthetics, the RGB elements of this case are all addressable.

This means you’ll be able to program them into whatever colors, patterns, and rhythms you want.

The case itself is a gorgeous Phanteks offering too, with two long tempered glass windows running down the full length of the front and left side. Photos don’t do it justice, this machine looks incredible.

You’re then of course getting the other extras you would expect plenty of USB ports, decent Wi-Fi capability, Windows 11, and a free gaming mouse and keyboard.

What else is there to say about the Prism II, other than to reiterate how powerful the RTX 3090 graphics card is that leads its system.

This is the best pre-built 4K gaming PC on Amazon today.

If you have the budget for this, you’re going to love it.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Budget Gaming PC on Amazon: Skytech Archangel GTX 1050 Ti

As much as we’d recommend our above picks for a future-proofed setup, I wanted to include some more options that further consider tight-budget users.

The Archangel is a capable gaming desktop with its GTX 1050 Ti at the helm.

This 4GB VRAM graphics card is a little older than our top pick’s; but for the price range, still packs an impressive punch.

That includes running popular titles like Fortnite Chapter 2, Overwatch, and GTA V at excellent framerates on high settings @ 1080p.

With it, you’ll be able to play today’s major eSports & MMORPGs comfortably.

For newer titles, you’ll still have some capacity here in the lower settings/720p (occasionally 1080p), but of course, at this price-point, you won’t be as future-proofed as our top pick.

Working alongside its GPU is a Ryzen 3 1200, 1TB HDD, and 8GB DDR4 2400 Mhz RAM.

These specs are good to run alongside a decent gaming PC, and you’ll still be able to have a smooth workstation experience (web browsing, watching a high-quality video, etc).

In terms of advanced computing work (things like video editing, intensive programming, etc.) you may want to consider one of the more expensive picks if possible.

The unit looks striking with its sleek, blue LED fans and white case, with appropriate cooling for the setup.

We like that despite the lower price-point, Skytech still includes a gaming keyboard/mouse that will be serviceable for budget gamers.

But all in all, at its price point, the Archangel can still get an impressive amount done.

If this is as far as your wallet can take you, know that it’s the best cheap gaming PC on Amazon today.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Cheapest Gaming PC on Amazon: Alarco GTX 650

Now while I’ll be clear that the options above will serve you much better for gaming, I appreciate that some of you may be looking for the best beginner gaming PC, or simply the cheapest unit that still has some gaming capability.

And if that’s the case, the Alarco GTX 650 is the optimal choice.

You’ll have a setup designed for “light” gaming.

Don’t expect to run all of the newer titles, but with PC gaming where it is now, so many popular titles are older and well optimized.

With its Intel i5 3.10GHz CPU, 8GB RAM & GTX 650 GPU, you’ll have a good time running games like Fortnite, Minecraft, CS: GO, and other popular less-demanding titles (with some framerate/setting compromises).

Ideally, how we’d look at this choice is that it makes a great base setup; i.e. it will do for getting your feet on the ground for gaming (say, if it’s for a beginner/younger person), but ideally, you would be looking to upgrade the GPU at a later time when budget allows if you’re serious about performance.

For work/web-browsing/video watching, this unit will still perform well (just don’t expect to do any intensive tasks like video editing/rendering).

We appreciate also that the unit comes with a 1TB HDD; at this price, we’d almost expect Alarco to have included a 256GB or 512GB HDD.

That being said, if you upgrade anything other than the GPU, we’d make it a small SSD to run the operating system and your popular apps (in 2022, this makes a big difference for general use/loading)

We also like that despite it being the cheapest viable gaming PC, it still comes with a decent allotment of RGB fans and an aesthetically pleasing case that may not win any awards for cooing, but is more than capable for a budget build.

Perhaps our favorite thing about this gaming bundle is, despite how cheap it is, it isn’t skimping on any of the smaller inclusions.

You’re still getting Windows 10, a Wi-Fi-ready motherboard, and decent USB port availability (no keyboard & mouse included, but cheap bundles are available if needed).

Overall, while this isn’t the most future-proofed machine around, it’s the best gaming computer on Amazon available if you’re on a very tight budget (we wouldn’t recommend anything cheaper than this).

Our Rating: 8/10

Best Amazon Gaming PC Under $800: Skytech Shadow GTX 1660

We’re back to Skytech one last time, who seem to dominate many of the price brackets on Amazon with excellent specs compared to their other pre-built competitors.

The Shadow would be the ideal choice for someone who can’t quite afford our top pick but is still looking for something more powerful than our budget choices.

You can certainly get a lot done with the Shadow’s setup too.

With a decent GTX 1660 graphics card, you’ll run most of today’s titles at very high settings, full HD with 60+ frame rates (even for 1440p on certain titles).

Alongside this beefy GPU is a decent Ryzen 3 3100 & 16GB of DDR 4 3000Mhz RAM.

These will serve you nicely in general computer tasks and although it’s not a professional work PC for editing/rendering and other production, you’ll certainly be able to get some mileage from it if required.

The setup is included in a beautiful full-length tempered glass case with a decent allotment of RGB fans, you’ll have all the cooling and airflow needed for the spec.

You’re once again getting Windows, a great number of USB ports, a free gaming keyboard/mouse, and a wi-fi capable motherboard.

Overall, if you’re in the $800 dollar price range, this is a fantastic choice and meets a respectable balance between budget and performance.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

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Kaelum Ross

The 7 Best Clear PC Cases of 2022

Kaelum Ross — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:56:00 +0000

The 8 Best Clear PC Cases of 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 22, 2022

For those looking to show off their beautiful internal builds

We have updated this article in July 2022. Our top picks remain the same, but we’ve added a couple of additional alternatives for some of the options that occasionally run low in stock.

Let’s look at a hypothetical:

You’ve dedicated loads of time and money into putting together your perfect build.

The hardware looks amazing and you plan to set it up as neatly as possible.

…but then most of the cases you’re looking at only have one small window showing the internals!

Thankfully, there’s been an emergence of beautiful, clear computer cases that give as much transparency to your build as possible.

I’ve reviewed all of the significant offerings and reviewed/ranked them below for a range of sizes/budgets.

Overall Best Clear PC Case

Thermaltake Core P5 V2

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Runner-Up Clear Case Pick

Lian Li PC-011 Dynamic

Our Rating: 10/10

Read Review

High-End Clear PC Case Pick

Thermaltake Core P7

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best Clear Micro ATX Case

Thermaltake Level 20 VT

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best Clear Mini ITX Case

Thermaltake Core P1

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Best Clear EATX case

Thermaltake Tower 900

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Worth Considering

Thermaltake View 37

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

Best Clear PC Case: Thermaltake Core P5 V2

The Thermaltake Core P series is the undisputed king of transparent computer cases.

The P5 is the best “all-around” pick.

A tempered-glass ATX case, it has a single window on the top and completely open sides, with its slim base being made up of SPCC steel.

The case can be orientated horizontally, vertically, or even wall-mounted.

So you’re well-positioned to ensure the non-transparent base is against a wall/your desk with the rest fully on display.

Inside room for:

8 Expansion slots
VGA lengths up to 570mm (without drive reservoir)
1 x accessible 2.5″/3.5 & 3 x hidden 2.5″/3.5″ drive bays

You’ll have plenty of space for a meaty GPU and good storage options for a gaming PC.

I really appreciate how most of the drives can be hidden in a case designed to be so exposed.

Some builders choose to keep the top glass panel off. Source: chief3630

The other impressive allotment is cooling. Despite not having a lot of fixtures, the case still manages to have room for either

4 x 120mm fans
1 x 480mm radiator

This may not seem like much for an ATX case.

But remember, this clear tower has excellent ventilation with airflow from 4 of its sides. Meaning you don’t need as much internal cooling (a nice value-add).

With some basic air/water cooling setup you have a chassis perfectly capable of decent overclocking. I was really pleased with the thermals I observed in a test build.

Don’t be intimidated by the lack of fixtures and mounts that you’d see in a traditional case. The P5 is actually quite beginner-friendly for building.

When taking off the glass panel during assembly, you have a lot of space to place around with and are not “reaching inside” plastic/metal casing like you are with other chassis.

Is there anything I don’t like about the P5? Honestly; not really.

It is pretty expensive considering its very bare-bones material. But what you do get is high quality and I have seen so many great looking builds inside that it feels worth the premium.

If you’re comfortable paying a bit of a premium for an amazing aesthetic, I can’t recommend the P5 (and the other P-series options) enough. I’ve not seen another fully-visibile case that better balances excellent build quality, style, and space.

2022 mid-year update: The Thermaltake P series still remains the best clear option by a country mile. I think the P5 is still one of the better mid-range choices, but also consider the P3 if you have less of a budget or the P5 is out of stock.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Best Clear Case Runner-Up: Lian Li PC-011 Dynamic

One of the most renowned PC cases on the market, and for good reasons.

Lian Li’s flagship PC-011D model seems to tick every box most users need for a gaming ATX case and also ranks at the top of the list in our overall best PC case feature.

While a little more covered than the Core P5, I still think it warrants a good place on this list because of its full-length tempered glass panels on the side and front. It’s a lot more visible than a majority of options.

And with the rest of the exterior made between high-quality SECC steel and aluminum, even the non-clear sides look and feel excellent.

The case has great room for a mid-tower, with:

8 expansion slots
VGA cards up to 420mm in length
2 x 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays

There’s a very important USP over other chassis on this list: it’s a dual-chamber case.

This means it has a second compartment fully dedicated to hiding your “uglier” parts; think PSU, hard drives & cables.

I think this is a great bonus add for those after a clear case. It gives you the freedom to fine-tune how your build looks and make sure only the parts that you want on show are visible.

I’ve seen so many builds in the PC-011 and they never disappoint. Source: jerameyj

It also maximizes the airflow to your key components that need it (i.e. GPUs and CPU).

Despite the split compartments, the PC-011 still has room for:

Up to 9 x 120mm fans
Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 280mm & 1 x 240mm radiators

I’ve seen great thermal results in the case despite how much of it is covered. Both watercooling and air cooling builds have excelled in overclocking due to its great internal layout.

The reason I don’t give this case the top spot over the P5 is because it’s significantly more covered.

But if you prefer the 2-window approach of the PC-011 to the very transparent presentation of the P5, then I truly don’t think you can find a better case on the market.

Our Rating: 10/10

Best High-End Clear Case: Thermaltake Core P7 & Core P8

2022 mid-year update: The below focuses on the Core P7, our original high-end pick. However, Thermaltake has created another fantastic option in the Core P8 , check out our full review in our premium PC case feature.

For our most expensive case pick, we’re back to the P-series.

The premium model is an incredibly unique case and I’m sure you can tell why from its monolithic aesthetic.

The central body is similar to the Core P5 (just sized up for EATX motherboards / a full tower form factor).

But on top of that are two side panels on the left and right side designed to host and show off extra fans/radiators.

If you check out some of the build/stock photos on the product listing, you’ll see just how incredible this case can look, especially if you’re building an RGB setup.

The cooling potential is crazy for a see-through PC case with so much ventilation:

Up to 12 x 120mm fans
Up to 3 x 480mm radiators

The fact that there are so many cooling allotments despite the case also being large open-air is quite the achievement. I was really impressed by thermal benchmarks here. There’s capability here to run a very intensive build.

Few cases offer more freedom of expression while building. Source: ittypartspicker

You have the room in the main case for a monstrous multi-GPU build too, with:

E-ATX motherboard compatibility (allowing up to 4 GPUs)
The VGA cards can be up to 570mm in length (with the reservoir removed)
8 expansion slots
Up to 6 x 3.5″ / 7 x 2.5″ drives (or a mix) – more than enough for gaming, streaming, video editing or a HTPC case.

Between all the cooling options, space, and open-air case design, this is one of the best overclocking towers available today.

Let’s be real though; this is a very expensive choice.

And for many gaming builds, the Core P5 and others on this list are more than enough for what you’ll need and I recommend them more over the P7 for that reason.

But if budget isn’t a big concern and you want the most power/style you can possibly get, this is one of the best clear computer cases available.

Final note: If you like the look of this high-end chassis but it’s a little out of your price range, you can also consider the Core P90 as a great middle-ground option.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Clear Micro ATX Case: Thermaltake Level 20 VT

This list may seem a little Thermaltake-heavy

But there simply isn’t any other manufacturer that has come out with clear chassis as good as them (in so many prices/size ranges).

This next offering is for those looking for the best clear mini-tower case.

The L20 VT is covered with 4 tempered glass panels: left, right, top, and front.

These exposed angles and the small form factor would make it fantastic for an on-desk setup.

Due to the solid build quality of the case overall (SPCC steel), it’s still more than sturdy enough to act as a portable/LAN Party case if needed.

Source: a_pc_has_no_name

The space is really excellent for Micro ATX too, with:

5 expansion slots
VGA lengths up to 350mm (great for mATX)
Up to 7 x 120mm + 1 included high quality RGB 200m fan on the front
Up to 3 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

This case is also the smallest dual-chamber tower on the list.

With hidden compartments for PSUs, drives, and some of your cables.

There aren’t many see-through computer cases with full/open exposure for Micro ATX.

But fortunately, the Level 20 VT is such a good offering it hardly matters.

With excellent build quality, deceptive internal size, beautiful presentation/style, and unparalleled cooling options for a Micro ATX tower, this is an easy pick if you’re looking at this form factor.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Clear Mini ITX Case: Thermaltake Core P1

The last Core P case on our list is the smallest one available – perfect for mITX builders.

What I really like about the P1 is that it manages to maintain the excellent build quality of its larger brothers.

With an SPCC steel base and the same signature open-air setup (+ a thick tempered glass top).

Stock pictures really don’t do the P1 justice; with its compact size and high visibility, I’ve never seen a build completed and powered on that doesn’t look beautiful.

Note also, that even in this tiny option, the Core P1 still has dedicated wall mounting support and looks great in this format.

The tiny case still manages full-sized GPUs. Source: Flyinlow23

You’ll be getting good space for mITX, with:

5 expansion slots
VGA lengths up to 380mm
2 x 2.5″ accessible & 1 x 3.5″ / 2.5″ hidden bays

Obviously, this is much more limited than a mid/full tower.

But if your focus is on the smallest build possible, you have more options here for a portable gaming build than a lot of other similarly sized chassis.

Cooling-wise, you’ll be looking at either 2 x 140mm fans or 1 x 280mm radiator.

Alongside the open-air case design, this is more than enough for a single-GPU build.

The case is the cheapest of the P series, but it shares the premium price tag relative to other ITX options (which are usually cheaper due to their smaller size). My same point applies to this version; I think the premium is worth it if you’re really after a gorgeous aesthetic.

With excellent build quality, deceptive internal size, beautiful presentation/style, and unparalleled cooling options for a Mini ITX case. The P1 is unmatched in its form factor for a high-visibility build.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Clear EATX case: Thermaltake Tower 900

So what if you’re looking for the most space possible?

The Tower 900 is a fantastic option for Extended-ATX motherboard builds.

Dubbed “the fish tank PC case”, the Tower 900 has 3 full-length thick, tinted tempered-glass windows.

They provide an excellent presentation for a monstrous build alongside the rest of its rock-solid SGCC steel exterior.

Speaking of monstrous builds, you can certainly create one here, with:

8 Expansion slots
VGA lengths up to 400mm
1 x 5.25 “, 6 x 3.5″ / 2.5 ” & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays

Note this is in a case that is extra-long. If tied with an appropriate motherboard, these space provisions will give you room for a Quad-GPU build.

You’ll be able to overclock them well with the incredible cooling on the Tower 900 too.

Trust me; it’s larger than it looks. Source: Jaz11

It’s the largest dual-chamber case we recommend. With space to hide all your storage drives, PSU, and cables.

This gives maximum airflow to your GPUs/CPU in the main chamber (and makes them look as neat as possible).

That great airflow can then be combined with:

13 x 120mm fans
1 x 480mm & 1 x 560mm radiators

You can add air cooling to your water cooling build too if you prefer. If you install both of these radiators, there will still be room for 5 further 120mm fans on the top, rear & HDD cage.

The Tower 900, simply put, is one of the best cases for cooling and overclocking available today.

You will get diminishing returns compared to an ATX/Micro ATX case as we detail in our complete case size guide. These form factors are suitable for most builds.

But if your concern is less on budget and more on asking “how do I make the most powerful PC possible?”, here’s your answer.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Worth Considering: Thermaltake View 37

While not taking one of our top picks, the View 37 has some great factors going for it.

The biggest one by far is style.

The design is very unique; with a curved window covering the full length of the left side/top.

Paired alongside its included addressable RGB fans, it’s one of the coolest-looking cases in its price point.

For a mid-tower chassis, you’re getting excellent room too, with:

8 + 2 (vertical mount) expansion slots
VGA cards up to 410mm (without front fans)
3 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ accessible & 8 x 2.5 /4 x 3.5″ hidden drive bays
Up to 8 x 120mm fans
Up to 1 x 420mm, 1 x 360mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

The lack of an edge between the top/side glass looks very slick. Source: JTricky

The storage capability in this case is a particular standout.

With the drive bays here, you have room for an HTPC, server, production, and/or video editing build.

Note the airflow design of this case isn’t quite up to the standards of some of the other options on this list.

But there’s still great cable management utility and it’s good enough to achieve decent overclocking on a multi-GPU build.

The case even claims to support E-ATX motherboards. Though this may be a tight squeeze and we’d recommend the larger options above if you were looking at a huge build.

One important note: the View 37 is a clear plastic PC case.

It still has a sturdy SPCC steel exterior but the window is not tempered glass like the rest of our picks.

But if its curved window design, excellent space, or decent price-point appeal to you, know we’ve included it for a reason and would still highly recommend for a clear PC case RGB build.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

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The 12 Largest Computer Monitors in 2022 (Gaming, Work & More)

Kaelum Ross — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:23:00 +0000

The 12 Largest Computer Monitors in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 22, 2022

The best options at extra-large form factors

We have updated this article in July 2022. After reviewing some new market options, our top picks remain the same with no larger monitors entering the market. We’ve added a couple of additional alternatives for the ones that occasionally run low on stock.

When it comes to work and PC gaming, there’s nothing quite like using a massive monitor.

Resolutions have climbed in recent years to the point that the best monitor manufacturers have begun offering some seriously huge options that still have suitable DPIs for a PC setup.

But the biggest monitor doesn’t always mean the best quality.

So, today’s feature is here to not just here to guide you through the largest computer monitors, but also the ones worth buying after my many reviews through the world of monitors (with different uses, sizes and budgets in mind).

Largest Computer Monitor

Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Largest OLED TV for Monitor Use

LG OLED55CXPUA

Our Rating: 10/10

Read Review

Widest Computer Monitor

Samsung Odyssey G9

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Largest Monitor for Work:

Dell U4919DW

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Largest 16:9 Monitor – Cheap Pick

Philips Momentum 558M1RY

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Largest Computer Monitor: Asus ROG Swift PG65UQ

We’ll start by saying for many users (business/gaming focussed alike) we don’t think this size is necessarily the best pick-up, which is why we’ve focussed on 43″-55″ monitors in most of this feature.

We also think that our next OLED TV choice will likely suit a majority of PC users better for far less cost if you do want an enormous size.

With that said, no list of the largest computer monitors would be complete without the PG65UQ.

Boasting an incredible 65″ size alongside its 4K resolution, DisplayHDR1000 capability, 144hz refresh rate & 95% DCI-P3 & 4ms GTG response time. The PG65UQ has some fantastic capability not just as a gaming monitor, but also as one suitable for media & general use.

With G-Sync ultimate support, there’s great onboard functionality for avoiding v-sync/ghosting issues; this is integral for a display of this refresh rate/size, where screen tearing and other common issues are even more visible if no high-end screen sync technology is in place.

The build quality is also everything I would hope for in a premium display. With a sturdy design that feels built for longevity, not to mention incredibly thin bezels and a subtlely tasteful ASUS logo illuminating underneath.

So with all that said, why do I suggest something slightly smaller?

Well, although the PG65UQ is a beast, we assume that most reading this list will be looking for a PC monitor for gaming, media, or business/general use.

While it fits nearly all the specs perfectly, there is one problem; the 2160p resolution may be a lot, but at 65-inches, it begins to slightly show with a lacking DPI at this enormous screen size.

If you’re in the market for a premium monitor, we expect you’ll be after sharp text and crisp game detail even while sitting relatively close. If this is the case, our 43″-55″ monitors are the better choice, boasting the DPI we think is more suited for a PC experience.

If, however, you’re primarily after a monitor for gaming from afar with a console, then that issue is largely negated.

But there is another lacking area for you; there is no HDMI 2.1 output.

HDMI 2.1 introduces significantly better bandwidth rates and empowers you to play at high refresh rates/resolutions on PS5/Xbox Series X. To buy a monitor of this caliber without it seems wasteful for console gamers (if you’re focussed on PC gaming from afar with DisplayPort, then we have no qualms, and this is a great choice).

If you are in that console-gamer category, or a PC gamer who isn’t opposed to an OLED TV as a primary monitor, we would instead highly recommend the LG CX OLED pick a little further down.

For a significantly smaller price tag, you are getting an HDMI 2.1 display that excels in picture quality, contrast, while also being put together to counter the usual complaints about using a TV as a monitor (i.e. very high refresh rate and low latency).

Although this all sounds like a negative take, we do in fact, really like the PG65UQ. We just think the next pick trumps it in a majority of ways.

If your singular goal is the largest computer monitor possible and you would like to avoid an OLED TV for your setup, then this is the choice for you.

Its DPI may be a tad low, but with its fantastic HDR, color and refresh rate, it’s still a fantastic gaming monitor and beautifully encapsulates so much of what you want in a big format gaming display/BFGD.

2022 mid-year update: The PG65UQ is still the largest computer monitor, nothing else in the 65″+ range has been released that matches its value (or is on the horizon).

Our Rating: 9/10

Largest OLED TV for Gaming or Work: LG OLED55CXPUA

I alluded in my review above that for console gamers focused on a premium experience, this OLED TV choice will be better for you than the other options on the list.

That said, this isn’t just for console gamers; if you’re not a user concerned about the effects of OLED burn-in, I think this is arguably the best choice for nearly any user after an extra-large monitor.

This includes those after something for media, general use, or business work. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer here even if you were intending to avoid TVs.

If you haven’t experienced an OLED before, it’s hard to describe just how incredible the endless contrast ratio can look versus traditional LEDs. With the deepest blacks, and an incredible color range, the picture quality available here is the best on the list.

For general/work use, the sharp contrast is perfect for displaying anything from documents to media, to trading/production software in crisp detail.

Now, the worry with a TV for use with gaming and as a PC monitor replacement is its latency/refresh rate.

But LG has impressively innovated a massive 4k screen that boasts 120hz, G-Sync/Freesync support, and response times as low as 1ms.

I really can’t articulate just how good you can expect your content to look on this screen. These secondary specs essentially completely negate what often makes TVs worse than monitors for PC users.

And for console gamers, this TV supports HDMI 2.1 which is integral to gaming on high refresh rates/resolutions with the latest console generation.

The screen is amazing in lots of ways, but this alone is why I rate this LG TV as superior to any extra-large monitor for console use.

Whether you’re focused on immersive titles, competitive gaming, or non-gaming content, the LG CX ticks pretty much every box.

Size-wise, the largest available is as high as 77-inches, larger than the biggest PC monitor available today.

For most users, I would recommend the 55-inch (at a stretch 65-inch) if you plan to be up close and use it as a monitor replacement due to the decreasing DPI at the top sizes (if you plan to mainly consume content from further away, however, any size is great!).

You may have also noticed that compared to a similar PC monitor like the Alienware 55-inch AW5520QF, this LG TV runs at around half the price.

So, with all of this excitement, there is one caution to mention: OLED TVs carry the risk of burn-in, and the LG CX is no exception.

Burn-in can occur when certain pixels (especially bright colors) are set in the same position for a long period of time over many usages.

Due to the way OLED TVs are created, this can create a slightly transparent permanent “etching” of those pixels.

For TV/console gamers, the issue is minimal as your content will always be moving. The main concern here is when used as a PC monitor, most notably the Windows 10 logo in the bottom left is the main risk for minor burn-in. Or, if you’re a gamer focussed on a single title (e.g. a MOBA or MMO with a static UI) you may carry some small risk.

I’ll be clear though. In my experience, this is a very minor risk (I wouldn’t be featuring it if it was a more emergent issue). Burn-in is reminiscent of plasma TVs; yes it’s possible, but as long as you’re not leaving your monitor on all the time with the exact same pixel arrangement in certain areas (i.e. turning off/running a screensaver during idle moments) then the immense cost saving of the LG TV over the more expensive monitors makes it more than worth it.

Finally, while not straying away from the traditional TV design conventions, the LG CX looks very sharp, understated, sturdily built, and incredibly thin (it’s heavy at larger sizes, but still capable of VESA mounting).

So, with everything said, the LG CX doesn’t just offer the largest PC monitor replacement available with an incredible picture but also does so at a fraction of the price compared to the enormous monitor offerings.

If you can get on board with using a TV as your monitor/gaming solution, I think you’ll love the LG CX.

2022 mid-year update: With its great price in mind, the CX series is still our top pick for the best large gaming TVs in 2022. That said, LG has released an updated C1 version. The models are fairly similar, with the C1 having some updated software and an improved game mode setting that will take off a few extra milliseconds of latency (nice, but not essential at all). If you are extra serious about having the largest monitor, the C1 comes in an 83-inch version (it’s a very steep increase in price, however, so only consider if you have a huge budget).

Our Rating: 10/10

Widest Computer Monitor: Samsung Odyssey G9

Moving away from the largest 16:9 screens, Samsung instead positioned itself in the market with a focus on super ultrawide screens.

This naming convention may sound like a gimmick, but it refers to the 32:9 aspect ratio of the Odyssey G9. With a 5k resolution (5120 x 1440), this 49-inch monitor is the size of 2 1440p 27-inch screens in 1.

As far as work, general use, and other typical PC applications go, the utility of this is obvious; super ultrawide screens are perfect for productivity and multitasking.

While I recommend a Dell 49″ 32:9 screen further below that’s tailored for work, I think the Odyssey G9 is more than capable of a fantastic business use setup (and is notably cheaper than the other offering). I’ve had the chance to work on it in a limited setup and it didn’t leave me wanting in any way.

But it’s gaming where the Odyssey G9 really shines.

With a 240hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG response time, G-Sync/FreeSync Premium Pro support, HDR1000 capability & fantastic colors through its QLED IPS panel, the specs for gaming are incredible.

With the plethora of titles that support its UWQHD resolution. Playing immersive games in a 5K UW resolution is an experience that is hard to describe. I love that the G9 also boasts all the specs perfect for more competitive/esports-focused users.

This is also the largest curved monitor available, with 1000R curvature. This rating is the strongest curve you see on mainstream offerings, suitable for users after a real extra layer of immersion (and with the wide aspect ratio, the G9 feels like it engulfs you in your content; it’s quite a sight to behold.

Note: although we are discussing the G9; its 120hz brother, the CRG9, is a fantastic offering at around 15% less in price. Do we think the 240Hz refresh rate is worth the extra price for gamers? 100% But if you are price-focused, the CRG9 is still a premium gaming monitor in its own right (and if you are solely non-gaming focussed, it’s the better choice).

I’m simply floored by what an incredible offering the G9 is. No other screen encapsulates the kind of innovation I would want from a high-end monitor and it’s just such a joy to consume content on.

This isn’t just the widest PC monitor, but the best out of the competitors in the super ultrawide space.

If you prefer the immersion/productivity possibilities of 32:9 over a larger 16:9 screen, then you’re going to really appreciate what this Samsung offering can do.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Largest Monitor for Work: Dell U4919DW

As much as I gush about the Odyssey G9, there are certainly some other fantastic super ultrawide monitors available.

The U4919DW is the other one I think is worth highlighting. Designed as both the largest & widest monitor for business/general use.

With its 5120×1440 resolution & fantastic contrast/color gamut, the display looks as crisp as you would hope for anything from spreadsheets to video calls.

The real question is if you will prefer this to the CRG9/G9, and that comes down to a few areas.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the U4919DW boasts significantly less curvature with a rating of 3800R.

This has been designed because Dell expects business users to share content more and this curvature is more accommodating to larger viewing angles. A flatter screen can be slightly more ergonomic for “flat content” like spreadsheets (where games can benefit from the dramatic curve of the G9).

The monitor also proudly boasts its KVM capabilities, which allows you to connect 2 PCs at the same time to the monitor (the G9 can also do this, but the instructions are a little less clear because it isn’t marketed for work).

Not only is the picture great, but it’s also designed to accommodate business/general use (while the Samsung CRG9 is preset for gaming, you’d need to tinker with the settings to get an optimized screen for work purposes).

The thing that disappoints us with the U4919DW compared to the Samsung offering above is its price.

It’s certainly a high-end monitor worthy of a premium budget; but the Odyssey CRG9, with its more impressive specs across the board, is cheaper.

With that in mind, we think it’s worth going for the CRG9 over this Dell pick in a lot of cases, even if you are not interested in its gaming capabilities.

That said, if easy KVM functionality, no picture-setup requirements, less curvature & better viewing angles are important to you (and gaming isn’t), the U4919DW is your best large monitor choice.

Our Rating: 9/10

Largest 16:9 Monitor Cheap Option: Philips Momentum 558M1RY

If you’re focused on a 16:9 monitor for gaming or work, but don’t have the budget for the largest screen at the top of our list and aren’t happy with an OLED TV as a replacement option, the Philips Momentum series is the next best thing.

Still an enormous 55-inch monitor, the 558M1RY boasts some excellent specs across the board at a significantly reduced price tag compared to our top ASUS offering.

With UHD resolution, 120hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR1000 capability, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (G-Sync seems to run unofficially too) & 4ms GTG response time, the specs are excellent across the board.

When reviewing it, I also appreciated how the monitor manages to retain low latency even with HDR enabled, making it an incredible choice for immersive gaming titles.

One of the surprising USPs of the 558M1RY is its fantastic speaker setup.

On TVs and monitors alike, getting a standalone sound solution is nearly always the best bet. But here? You have a perfectly legitimate audio offering as far as gaming/media goes, with a Bowers & Wilkins-designed setup that emulates surround sound and boasts an integrated woofer.

Note: Through various user experience, we’ve noted that installing the latest drivers for this choice are integral when using it as a monitor (to ensure display/text sharpness).

For console gamers, there is no HDMI 2.1 here and we still highly recommend sticking to the LG OLED TV choice for your needs (unfortunately, there seems to be very little HDMI 2.1 availability amongst the biggest monitors).

It’s worth also touching on the quality and design of the 558M1Ry too; with an incredibly sturdy build that feels deceptive considering its tiny bezels and ultrathin depth, it’s one of the most beautiful monitors available.

55-inches is still a massive monitor, and with the Philip Momentum’s superb specs, this is a great choice for a high-end setup that demands some of the biggest PC display visibility for gaming or work.

Our Rating: 9/10

Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

Although the above choices are our absolute top picks for the biggest PC monitors today worth buying, we want to recommend some quick-fire options for users who:

Run into stock issues with the above (these other choices are excellent alternatives).
Want a large computer screen, but not quite as large as these, with some 40-inch monitors below.

Largest OLED Monitor: Alienware OLED AW5520QF

With the low latency of a PC monitor and the unrivaled contrast of OLED, this Alienware screen is a pricey, but stunning offering.

Our Rating: 8/10

Largest 4k Monitor for Work: LG 43UN700-TB

If you instead want a 16:9 screen specifically tailored for work/high viewing angles, this 4k display is beautiful and very capable with non-gaming content.

Its most impressive USP is its ability to operate as a multi-client monitor, capable of running 4 1080p screens simultaneously.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Best 43-Inch Gaming Monitor: Asus ROG Strix XG438Q

If you were surprised that our largest monitor picks got as big as they did, you may appreciate the XG438Q; while still an enormous screen, it’s certainly not as all-encompassing as our top picks but just as high-quality.

If you would prefer even smaller, most of our other monitor features specialize in picks between 23 & 32-inches.

Our Rating: 9/10

Cheapest Large Screen: ViewSonic VX4380-4K 43″

If you want a huge computer monitor for a fraction of the price, ViewSonic is the best brand in the business for offering the cheapest price tags.

Its picture/latency will be a tad less impressive, but it’s still an excellent value offering.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Cheapest Super Ultrawide Display: VIOTEK SUW49C

If you liked the sound of the Samsung/Dell superwide monitors but can’t stretch to them, Viotek is a great brand for offering a budget version of high-end gaming monitors.

We don’t love it quite as much as the G9, but it’s still an excellent large PC gaming screen.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Largest 5K Monitor Alternative: LG 49WL95C-W

Filling nearly an identical need to our top Dell recommendation, this wide monitor from LG is a compelling alternative.

We only rate it lower because its availability is historically not as decent, but if you are work-focussed and it is in stock, we think you’ll enjoy its capability.

Our Rating: 8.75/10

Best 65 Inch Monitor Alternative: HP Omen X Emperium

Finally, if your heart is set on the largest monitor in the world, but our ASUS pick is unavailable, the HP Omen X Emperium is a great alternative.

Our Rating: 9/10

Final Word

And there you have it! After deliberation over everything from DPI to color gamuts to build quality, the above are our top picks for the largest computer monitors worth buying today.

If you were looking for a 75-inch monitor, 100-inch monitor, or something even crazier, you may be disappointed to see that the largest PC displays available don’t go quite that high (unless you count the LG OLED 77-inch choice).

We would say, however, with the current 4k alignment with mainstream options, getting a PC monitor in the 43″-55″ range is the sweet spot, and where we recommend you to go for crisp content if you’re sitting up-close.

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The 5 Best PC Cases for First-Time Builders in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:45:00 +0000

The 5 Best PC Cases for First-Time Builders in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 18, 2022

The ideal picks for easy setups without compromising on quality

We updated this article in July. After reviewing some new cases, our top picks remain the same for new builders. We’ve added a couple of beginner alternatives throughout the feature where relevant.

We know that for those new to PC building, picking every part can be overwhelming, especially the basis of what you intend to build everything in!

Don’t worry, I’ve had many experiences in helping new builders get started (and have reviewed 100s of options). Today’s feature is here to guide you through the best PC cases for beginners that I’ve found.

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders

Fractal Design Define R5

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Runner-Up Pick

Phanteks P400

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Best Budget Case for First-Time Builders

Lian Li LANCOOL 205

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Cheapest PC Case for First-Time Builders

Cooler Master N200

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Cheaper Define R5 Alternative

Fractal Design Meshify C

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders: Fractal Design Define R5

This isn’t just the best PC case for beginners, but one of the top choices available today in any category.

If you’re not familiar with Fractal Design, they are one of the best PC case manufacturers in the business and a perfect starting point on your journey.

With the R5, you’re getting thick, solid steel on most of the exterior (and a metal-finished plastic front, designed to be lighter for airflow but still looks as excellent as the rest of the outside). The whole case has a beautiful, minimalist design and feels as good as it looks. When considering the best computer case for first-time builders, I like that the R5 has a windowless design for 2 reasons:

The sound-dampening material used on all sides (including the windowless panel) makes this one of the quietest options on the market (something that Fractal is known for). This is great for new builders who don’t have to worry about the fine intricacies of getting a quiet build (reducing vibrations from certain parts, etc.)
It’s always good to be a little clean with your internal setup for airflow. But with a windowless design, a new builder doesn’t have to be obsessed with extremely neat cable management (but if that’s something you do want, don’t worry, the R5 has plenty of capability).

This is a mid-tower/ATX case, which is the best form factor for a beginner to build in. They have plenty of space, ATX motherboards are easy to find and you’re very unlikely to run into any size compatibility. With room inside for:

7 x expansion slots
Graphics cards up to 310mm (this will be enough room for a majority of cards, but you can remove one of the HDD cages to increase this to 440mm, which is very easy to do).
8 x 3.5″ / 2.5″, 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 5.25″ drive bays
Up to 9 140mm fans with 2 high-quality Fractal Design Dynamic GP-14 fans pre-installed

All these specs check out for a beginner. You have the perfect gaming PC case for a first-time builder with great graphics card room and fantastic airflow/included fans. The fact that you can upgrade your cooling to include an additional 7 140mm fans is fantastic if you ever want to pursue overclocking, but for a beginner, there is more than enough to get your base build cooled.

The storage capability of this case is also fantastic. We expect most first-time builders will be looking at 1 SSD & potentially 1 HDD, but there’s an option to add so much more at a later date if you want your build to also operate as a server PC case or something else with high storage requirements (video editing, production work, etc.)

With great internal cable management, a really intuitive layout, and easily removable doors on both sides, there’s so much to appreciate here for every type of builder.

We love that you don’t have to compromise and get a PC case “for dummies”. The R5 has everything a great gaming/work build needs, but just also happens to be the best PC case for beginners too!

2022 mid-year update: The Define R5 remains our top pick for 2.5 years running. Nothing else has entered the market that competes with the all-around balance between price, features, quality, and ease-of-use that the R5 offers.

Our Rating: 10/10

Runner-Up Best ATX Case for First-Time Builders: Phanteks P400

Another case that we have featured countless times and consider to be the best chassis that Phanteks has ever produced.

The P400 is a really fantastic balance between build quality, design, cooling performance, space, and price.

Although our favorite pick is the R5, if you are more drawn toward a chassis with a window, then this will be the better choice for you.

The P400 has a thick steel exterior and full-length tempered glass that are deceptively high quality and aesthetically pleasing for the case’s price-range (topped off by that slim, understated LED lighting you see at the bottom of the front). It really is a great looking chassis built to last.

Another ATX case, there’s space for

7 x expansion slots
Graphics card lengths up to 395mm (will be enough for close to every GPU on the market)
Space for 2 x 2.5/3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays (with the possibility to add 4 more 2.5/3.5″ spaces with the purchase of additional trays, but this will be unnecessary for new builders).
Air cooling: 6 x 120mm fans with 2 high-quality 120mm fans included

As you can see, like the R5, this case has all the room and cooling to get you off to a great start. There’s a little less in the way of fan slots on the P400. But really, this won’t matter for a majority of builds (certainly not for beginners), you can get very far with the cooling in the case, and it has a superb internal ventilation design (you really will be fine with the included fans alone if you’re not overclocking and keep the internals fairly neat).

Similarly to the R5, there is a great inner layout that aids cable management and ease of installation. You of course have to be a little more careful removing a tempered glass window, but this is something even a first-timer builder will be fine with.

If your idea of the best beginner computer case includes a window to show off your cool hardware, then the P400, with its fantastic value and quality, is for you.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Budget PC Case for First-Time Builders: Lian Li LANCOOL 205

As great as the Fractal and Phanteks offerings are, we appreciate some of you will be looking for an extra cheap PC case suitable for beginners.

The best chassis that hits the mark is the LANCOOL 205 from Lian Li, another one of the top PC case brands in the business. I’ve kept this list focused on high-quality producers, as think the last thing a new builder wants is to be worrying about subpar manufacturing quality.

This is another case with a deceptively high-quality build for its price. Boasting a fully SPCC steel /tempered glass exterior (a little thinner than our top picks, but still great for the budget). Like the other choices, the LANCOOL 205 also has a decent internal layout that provides even a budget gaming PC build with good airflow and ventilation.

This chassis is an ATX case, with room inside for:

7 x expansion slots
350mm GPU clearance length (enough for nearly all mainstream cards)
4 x 2.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ drive bays
Up to 5 x 120mm fans with 2 included

We love that the LANCOOL 205 still comes with 2 fans pre-installed at its low price, which will be enough to get a beginner gaming PC case up and running. The rest of the specs also match nicely with what a budget build will be looking for, with plenty of hardware space. You won’t have quite the same noise cancellation and airflow as the top choices, but this case still does a fantastic job for the price.

Simply put, if your wallet can only stretch as far as the LANCOOL 205, know you’re still getting an excellent product, and what we consider the best cheap PC case for first-time builders.

Our Rating: 9/10

Quick-Fire Picks (Best of the Rest)

While the top 3 picks are our top choices for the best PC case for beginner builders, we’ve added a couple of extra choices for those with more specific requirements may want to consider.

Cheapest PC Case for First-Time Builders: Cooler Master N200

While the LANCOOL 205 is the better PC case for beginners, we know some of you will be on very tight budgets. The N200 is an absolutely ridiculous value offering for first-time builders. with its Micro ATX form factor, it will be a little tighter to build in but still more than doable, read more about it here.

Our Rating: 9/10

Cheaper Define R5 Alternative for First-Time Builders: Fractal Design Meshify C

If you like the style, quality, and quiet-focus of our Define R5 pick but want something a bit cheaper/with a window, the Meshify C is perfect.

It won’t give you the same level of silence as the R5, but it makes up for that with improved airflow; easily one of the best budget towers for beginners to consider. Read about it here.

Our Rating: 9/10

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The best pre-builts available on the platform

About the author

Kaelum Ross

The 7 Best Wall Mount PC Cases of 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:36:00 +0000

The 7 Best Wall Mount PC Cases of 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 18, 2022

How to install and choose your case for this unique aesthetic

We updated this article in July. Our top picks remain the same this time around, but we’ve highlighted some alternatives where we’ve observed some of our top picks go out of stock regularly.

Building a chassis on a desk is boring!

Wall-mounting your computer has become a great alternative in the past few years.

Though completing the DIY approach is hard and not for the novice.

Luckily, there is a small amount of dedicated wall-mountable PC cases available and we’ve broken them down in this wall mount case feature.

If you’re not keen on our top picks or they’re sold out, we’ve included some other options that could achieve wall mounting with PC mounters or shelves instead.

Best Wall Mount PC Case

Thermaltake Core P3

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Premium Wall Mountable Pick

Thermaltake Core P7

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Best Mini-ITX Wall Mount Case:

Thermaltake Core P1

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Slim PC Case for Custom Mounts

Thermaltake Core G3

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

Smallest PC Case for Custom Mounts

Fractal Design Node 202

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Honorable Mention

darkFlash Phantom

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

How to Wall Mount your PC

Before we get into the top picks, there are 3 main options you have when buying a wall-mounted PC case:

Cases designed to be wall mountable (i.e. the Thermaltake picks below).
- These are towers that are compatible with high-quality TV brackets which will give you the best sturdiness, presentation, and ease of setup.
Slim/small cases that can fit into a computer case mounter (we’ve detailed some smaller towers below that would work).
If you want a larger case that isn’t option 1, your best bet is to buy/install heavy-duty shelf brackets.
- We’d recommend you purchase the wood/metal plank for the brackets from a local DIY store.

Now, let’s get to it!

Thermaltake Core P3

Overall Best Wall Mount PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS*

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible build quality and aesthetic

+ Spacious layout with lots of modularity for parts and mounting

+ Open-air design provides great airflow

REASONS TO AVOID

– Slightly expensive

– A little challenging (but possible) for beginners

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Usually, in our best-of features, there’s a lot of deliberation for the top picks.

But if you want a chassis with wall mounting utility built-in, the Thermaltake Core P cases are easily the only ones we would highly recommend.

Don’t fret though, just because they’re the only good option, it doesn’t mean you’re not in great company.

The Core P3 stands as the best mid-range option in the series.

With an absolutely gorgeous design, this tower is covered with a thick, high-quality tempered glass panel over the top.

It’s suitable for vertical, horizontal, and wall mount orientations (with removable legs). Including a built-in bracket attachment on the back to work alongside a sturdy TV wall-mounter.

The P3 is an ATX case/mid-tower with plenty of room for a wide range of builds, with:

8 expansion slots
Vertical GPU install options
VGA cards of up to 450mm (if radiator/reservoir removed)
Hidden 2 x 2.5″ or 3.5″ + accessible 2 x 2.5″ or 3.5 storage bays

You’ll be well placed to create a powerful gaming PC here if desired.

As far as cooling goes, the case accommodates up to 3 x 140mm fans or a 420mm radiator.

This may seem low for a mid-tower, but because of its open-air design, it has plenty of breathing room for ventilation, very capable of overclocking.

You can take the cooling and space requirements one step further with the case’s high modularity/customization.

This means that a majority of the case’s parts (mounting facilities/drive bays, etc.) are removable.

This isn’t just great for an easier build process, but it improves ventilation, noise reduction, and style.

I’ve been super impressed with the Core P3. It’s a joy to build in and performs great in thermals. It feels like a product of a behemoth case manufacturer at the top of their game.

If you’re looking for the best wall-mountable PC case for both a beautiful and powerful build, I think this is an unrivalled choice for you.

Thermaltake Core P7 (& P8)

Best Premium Wall Mountable PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful design and top-tier build quality

+ Fantastic airflow/cooling options

+ Plenty of space for enthusiast builds

REASONS TO AVOID

– Expensive

– Large & very heavy (not for portability)

Our Rating: 9.25/10

2022 mid-year update: While the P7 remains one of the best mountable chassis, we have seen it run into more stock issues this year. As an alternative, we recommend looking at either the fantastic P8 iteration or Cooler Master’s MasterFrame 700. If these are outside of your price range, the P6 and P5s are excellent mid-range alternatives.

The P7 is the top choice if you’re looking for the most powerful build possible with little budgetary concern.

While we think that the P3 will comfortably handle most gamers’ needs, the features on the P7 are mouth-watering.

Let’s start with the incredible space and what it can offer you:

E-ATX motherboard support
1. Alongside its 8 expansion slots, will allow you to install up to 4 GPUs
2. Those graphics cards can be up to 570mm in length (reservoir removed)
Installation of up to 6 x 3.5″ / 7 x 3.5″ drives (or a mix)

As much as this case excels in space and design, its cooling capacity is what impressed me the most:

Up to 12 x 120mm / 9 x 140mm fans
Up to 3 x 480mm radiators for liquid cooling

Alongside its fantastic ventilation and modularity options, the P7 is one of the best cases for water cooling/air cooling around. The perfect basis for a build focused on overclocking.

The wall-mounting capability and design are the cherries on top. One important note is that this option is heavy. I’ve seen it mounted sturdily on plenty of setups but you’ll want to check that you have a strong enough mount (and wall) to handle this case.

There wasn’t much I didn’t like about the P7. I would say that, for many, the extra features over the P3 will feel like major diminishing returns; this is really for those with huge aspirations in mind (e.g. mining rigs) or those who don’t really have to worry about budget.

With the two side compartments for the additional fans/radiators and the thick tempered-glass presentation similar to the P3, this is one of the best-looking cases available and would make a great base for an RGB build given its excellent visibiltiy.

If you want a larger case than the P3, or are willing to fork out more, you are in for such a treat.

Thermaltake Core P1

Best Mini-ITX Wall Mount Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Same fantastic design and quality as the larger Core P cases

+ Very good airflow relative to most ITX cases

+ Good space & cable management options

REASONS TO AVOID

– Expensive for ITX

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Our final P-series/built-in mounting pick is the Core P1.

Another Thermaltake wall mount case, this is the case ideal for someone looking for a tiny build, with:

5 expansion slots/GPU lengths of up to 380mm (including vertical install options)
2 x 120mm fan or 1 x 240mm radiator support
1 x 2.5″/3.5″ inner and 2 x 2.5″ outer storage install options

The hardware support on this case is lower than the above picks, but that’s a given with a Mini-ITX PC.

You’ll be building a single-GPU setup in this form factor and the above specs + the open-air ventilation can easily handle this.

The case boasts the same great design, modularity, and high-quality tempered glass top cover as the P3/P7.

And of course, it still includes the wall-mounting options to attach to a bracket (due to its size, you’d get away with a smaller/lighter-weight bracket too if you prefer).

It’s also notably cheaper as mini-ITX cases often are due to less material. Usually, this is offset by the need to buy “specialist ITX parts”, but the P1 is pretty accommodating for many full-size components, so the price tag is a nice bonus.

If you’re looking for a wall-mounted PC case that also offers some portability, or simply don’t need the features that the top picks have and wanted something a tad cheaper, the Core P1 is perfect.

GDAE10 Open Frame Case

Best Budget Wall Mount PC Case

REASONS TO BUY

+ Very cheap

+ Perfect if you’re looking for a barebones, workbench-style chassis

REASONS TO AVOID

– No notable brand behind it (i.e. no service)

– Only to be considered for enthusiasts

Our Rating: 7.5/10

Let’s be clear, if you’re not an experienced PC builder, ignore this pick and focus on our other options, they’re worth the extra budget.

That said, we wanted to include something that was less than $100 as an option for budget builders.

This is the first pick on our list that doesn’t have dedicated wall-mount features (you would need to invest in some minimal shelving).

We would recommend the other cases (particularly the Core P series) in the article over this pick.

But if you’re looking for a cheap wall mount case and are ready to get your hands dirty, this may be a good option for you.

This is a DIY case. With very little in the way of features outside of the most barebone platforms for mounting the integral parts.

You’re still getting a slick open-air presentation that lends itself nicely to a budget build (i.e. less money spent on cooling), and if you are a DIY expert, you could makeshift your own glass enclosure around certain sides of the case/mounting shelves.

Reading this, you’ll see why we want you to stick with the Thermaltake Core options.

But if your budget is tight, your DIY/shelving skills are good and you aren’t building something too intensive, then you could still make a great wall mount gaming PC.

Thermaltake Core G3

Best Slim PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Really impressive price-point for the quality

+ Beautifully compact

+ Decent airflow

REASONS TO AVOID

– Tight layout means builds need to be planned

– Not too much cable management available

Our Rating: 8.5/10

2022 mid-year update: While the Core G3 is still our top pick for a slim mountable chassis, it occasionally runs into stock issues. Other thin options are available on our horizontal case feature.

If you don’t like the exposed tempered glass options above and want something a little more traditional, this is for you.

The G3 is a great all-around ATX case with lots of features for a very decent price.

It doesn’t have standalone wall-mounting options but is slim enough that it can work alongside an independent computer mounter (or a sturdy shelf if preferred).

The Core G3 is made with SECC steel, looking (and feeling) very sturdy.

Given it’s one of the slimmest ATX cases, you have limited room compared to other choices in this form factor. But still enough for:

2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ hidden storage bays
Up to 3 x 120mm fans (or replace 2 at the front with a 240mm radiator)
VGA length support of up to 310mm (with front fans installed)

This is a build for single GPUs only (with a great-looking vertical install option included).

That being said, for a single graphics card PC, the available cooling is more than enough.

The build is very well ventilated to ensure your parts have decent breathing room.

The G3 is also (rather uniquely) a reverse tower. This means its window is on the right side as opposed to the usual left.

This would be great if you want to wall-mount it to the right of your desk (so that the front I/O panel is still available easily to you).

The Core G3 ticks a lot of boxes as long as you can fit the hardware you want in it.

Affordable, compact, and stylish. If this case fits your specifications, then I highly recommend it.

Fractal Design Node 202

Smallest PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ High quality, compact build/design

+ Layout can still manage solid hardware/airflow

+ Portable

REASONS TO AVOID

– Thermals are, of course, limited compared to larger cases

– Tight space will limit some builds

Our Rating: 9/10

If you didn’t want any of the Thermaltake choices, we wanted to include the smallest case for wall mounting that we’d recommend.

The Node 202 is an incredibly low volume tower that excels as an HTPC case and could still manage to host a full gaming computer.

No in-built wall mounting options but due to its small size, it’s going to look great with either a PC mounter or on a shelf.

It also doubles as an incredible portable computer case (should you need something for LAN parties, a VR demo build, etc).

This Mini-ITX offering is a console-sized PC case with the excellent build quality, the design looks fantastic for those who enjoy a minimal style.

Despite the very tight dimensions, you can still achieve a gaming build with:

Vertical/riser GPU install options up to 310mm in length
2 x 2.5″ SSDs (you can go with M.2 storage if you need more)
2 x 120mm fans

The fan availability and room for ventilation are of course low.

But as always with Fractal, the case is designed to maximize the small volume it has.

With separate chambers for the motherboard and GPU (the 2 fan slots being located in the graphics card section), you’ll still have adequate cooling for a single-GPU gaming setup.

If you’re building this you’ll need to pay attention to the dimensions of your parts and their compatibility.

But if you want the smallest computer case that suits wall-mounting, this is a great option from a fantastic manufacturer.

darkFlash Phantom

Honorable Mention

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful glass and RGB fan aesthetic

+ Fantastic value for the build quality and fans included

REASONS TO AVOID

– Airflow is OK but inferior to some cases due to the glass coverage

– Some layout decisions make builds a little more difficult

Our Rating: 8.5/10

2022 mid-year update: The phantom is still a great pick, but has been running into stock issues lately. If you like the RGB customization nature of the case, we recommend our RGB chassis feature to give you alternatives you could mount on a shelf.

We’ve raved about the Thermaltake P series and would push you towards these cases for the best wall-mounted computer.

But if you were looking at a shelf build, weren’t a fan of the open-air case design, and needed something large, we’re rounding off our list with a great option from darkFlash.

You may not have heard of this manufacturer, but they’ve made plenty of other decent cases (some of which I’ve reviewed and featured here and here).

This one stands out with its beautiful 3-way thick tempered glass covers, covering all the sides that would be well-visible on a shelved PC.

The case has a lot of great utility for a powerful gaming build, you could build a 2-way or 3-way VGA build (with cards up to 359mm).

The Phantom has great options to cool all of this too, with:

Up to 11 x 120mm fans
Or up to 1 x 280mm, 1 x 240 & 1 x 140mm radiators

For an ATX form factor, this fan allowance (alongside the good internal layout) makes it a fantastic choice for overclocking.

Not only that, but the version we’re reviewing comes with 6 RGB LED fans pre-installed.

This makes the case an incredibly high-value offering for RGB builds (if you think the pictures look good, RGB setups always look better in person).

Make no mistake, while we have talked a lot about the Thermaltake P1/3/7, we’ve included this for a reason.

If you’re looking for more of a traditional case and don’t mind it being on-shelf, the Phantom is an incredibly cheap case for the quality, style, and features you’re getting.

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* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.

The 5 Best Be Quiet! Cases in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:23:00 +0000

The 5 Best Be Quiet! Cases in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 18, 2022

We've reviewed all of the cases from this great brand, here are the best

We updated this article in July. Our top picks remain the same this time for the second half of 2022, but we’ve added a couple of alternative picks for the options that occasionally run into stock issues.

Be Quiet! has been a sleeper-hit in the PC case manufacturing game for years now.

While they’re not as big a brand as say, Corsair or Thermaltake, they’ve made a name for themselves by being one of the best choices for a silent PC case

That’s why we’ve built today’s feature to guide you through the best Be Quiet! PC cases for your next gaming, streaming, or production build (with different budgets in mind).

Overall Best Be Quiet! Case

Silent Base 801

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Runner-Up Pick

Pure Base 500DX

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best Budget Be Quiet! Case

Pure Base 600

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best Premium Be Quiet! Case

Dark Base PRO 900

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Honorable Mention

Dark Base Pro 700

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Read Review

Overall Best Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Silent Base 801 / BG029

Comfortably taking our top spot is the fantastic Silent Base 801.

Ranked as one of our favorite picks in our silence-focussed feature, this chassis excels at balancing excellent sound dampening with great performance.

Boasting an exterior made largely of insulated steel, the cases finished looks and feels high quality and is of course, specialized to reduce noise as much as possible.

It does a fantastic job of just that, especially considering its mid-tier pricing. I was really impressed by how quiet the 801 stayed even in intensive gaming sessions.

The only similar cases rivaling it in this department/price range are our top Fractal Design picks.

The SB 801 excels in space too; this Be Quiet! mid-tower has room for:

7 x expansion slots
GPU lengths up to 449mm
5 x 3.5″ & 11 x 2.5″ drive bays
Air cooling: Up to 7 x 140mm with 3 high-quality 140mm fans included.
Water cooling: Up to 1 x 420, 1 x 360 & 1 x 140mm radiators

It’s not a small case by any means, but the specs for its dimensions are still impressive.

You have all of the GPU and storage room you could need, whether you’re looking for a gaming PC case or something more production focussed.

There’s plenty of cooling capability in the 801 too.

A case optimized for silence will never provide the same airflow as a louder tower (it’s the trade-off for sound-dampening insulation).

However, this chassis still does a great job of maintaining decent thermals, and provides great value out of the box with its 3 included fans.

Another feature I like is the front I/O panel fan controller designed to allow you to control the fan speed.

This isn’t a unique feature by any means, but nice to have it integrated into a build focused on noise reduction.

What the Silent Base 801 does so well is balance all the features we expect anybody building a quiet mid-range build would need.

Build quality, size, internal features, low noise all in a decent price tag; this is why we consider the 801 the best Be Quiet! computer case today.

2022 mid-year update: The 801 comfortably keeps our top Be Quiet! case pick for 2.5 years running. We are, however, seeing it occasionally out of stock. A good alternative to the 801 is the Silent Base 601 if you’re unable to find our top choice in stock.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Runner-Up Pick: Be Quiet! Pure Base 500DX

Our second-place pick comes for those wanting slightly more focus on airflow for an ATX build (in the mid-range pricing).

The 500DX trades in sound dampening panels for tempered glass internal views and more intake on the side.

Make no mistake, the build quality of the case is still great, with a design a little less minimalist compared to the 801 (with some beautiful RGB lighting included).

The 500DX still performs notably quieter than your average mid-range case with its 3 included silent fans and dampening panels on the non-window side of the case.

There’s decent space inside too, with:

7 x expansion slots
GPUs up to 369mm in length (enough for nearly all mainstream cards)
2 x 3.5″ & 5 x 2.5″ drive bays
Up to 5 x 140mm fans (with 3 high-quality silence-optimized fans included)

There is less fan availability than the 801. However, this is partially made up for by the increased airflow capability of the 500DX.

The issue with this increased airflow comes when your build is under high load (say, playing intensive games, video editing, etc.); you will hear noise levels akin to a more typical chassis.

This is where the 500DX has chosen to focus on cooling over noise dampening like our top pick.

That doesn’t make this case worse than the 801, it just depends on what your priorities are.

We chose the 801 as our top because it has a great balance between cooling and sound. I also still find it more than capable of hosting a powerful gaming build at reasonable temps.

But make no mistake, if you prefer the aesthetic and airflow focus of the 500DX, it’s a great pickup and a tad cheaper than the 801.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Budget Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Pure Base 600

Arguably one of the best budget quiet PC cases from any brand, the Pure Base 600 has a lot going for it in its price tag.

You’re still getting an exterior with steel elements (albeit more plastic) that looks and feels higher quality than the price may suggest.

The dampening is, of course, not going to be the same quality/thickness as you’ll see in the 801 and other premium picks.

But it still manages an impressive low-noise level that we think would meet most expectations for a budget gaming PC case (or even one for streaming and video/music production).

Spec-wise, this is another mid-tower, with:

7 x expansion slots
GPUs up to 280mm (or 425mm without HDD cage)
2 x 5.25″, 3 x 3.5″ & 8 x 2.5″ drive bays
Up to 4 x 140mm + 1 x 120mm fans (with 1 140mm & 1 120mm Pure Wings 2 fans included)

The fact that you are getting 2 high-quality Be Quiet! fans in a case already cheap on its own is a really impressive value-add.

With plenty of storage capability here too, you’re covered for most builds – and the case has good modularity with options to remove some of the HDD cages to make room for larger GPUs should your build be gaming focussed.

If your wallet is tight or you just want to dip your toes into the world of silent PC building, the Pure Base 600 is a great starting point, and easily the best budget Be Quiet! PC case on the market.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Premium Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Dark Base PRO 900

The Pro 900 is Be Quiet!’s answer to any builder who is after the most powerful silent PC build they can possibly create, regardless of price.

We have to point out that there are certainly diminishing returns when comparing the PRO 900 to our top 801 pick or the more expensive Fractal Design choices.

But if you have a larger wallet, this is a very powerful chassis for a high-end build.

One of our favorite features of the 900 (aside from the obvious high-quality design, aluminum/thick steel build, and noise dampening) is the level of modularity this case offers.

So many panels and cages can be removed or repositioned to help you minimize unnecessary parts.

This isn’t just great for airflow, but also reduces any subtler vibrations to optimize low decibel output.

And then there is the incredible space; this Be Quiet! full tower case comes with:

E-ATX motherboard support
8 x expansion slots
GPU lengths up to 325mm (or 470mm without HDD bracket)
Up to 2 x 5.25″, 7 x 3.5″ & 14 x 2.5″ drive bays
Up to 9 x 140mm fans with 3 x Silent Wings 3 140mm fans included (one of the best quiet fans on the market)
Or up to 2 x 420mm & 1 x 140mm radiators (could be combined with 2 140mm fans)

The capability in the PRO 900 is some of the highest I’ve seen in any chassis. There’s so much room to work with here even for high-level enthusiasts.

With unbelievable storage specs, you have a fantastic PC case for video editing, storage builds, or a high-end HTPC.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to build the most powerful silent gaming PC possible, there is plenty of room in here for a beastly overclocked GPU setup (especially with the excellent cooling capability).

With the amount of space in here though, you don’t have to choose one or the other; this case could easily host a multi-faceted enthusiast build.

To be clear; as enticing as this is, I don’t think you necessarily need to go this pricey to build something powerful for gaming or production. Our top picks would do just fine and there is some notable diminishing returns with the price increase of the Pro 900.

That said, if you are without any limits in your budget and are looking for something extra special, the PRO 900 is a great choice.

Our Rating: 9/10

Honorable Mention: Dark Base Pro 700

Coming in at the end of our list is a mid to high-range pick in the Pro 700.

This chassis is still fantastic in its own right, with an exterior largely made of steel, aluminum, and tempered glass; it looks simply beautiful.

Made to be the premium pick in between the price range of the silent base models and the top-end PRO 900, this chassis strikes a good level of quality and has excellent specs/noise dampening for a powerful (yet quiet) build.

The reason we don’t rate it as highly is it comes in at a similar price point to our favorite Fractal Design cases.

And in this specific price range, we think Fractal has the edge.

However, if you happen to prefer the build/design of this case or it meets your spec requirement in a way one of the high-end Fractal cases doesn’t, know we’ve included it for a reason.

It’s still a great chassis and easily one of the best Be Quiet! towers on the market.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Be Quiet! E-ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX PC Cases?

Today, there aren’t any Be Quiet! cases of other form factors we’d recommend (the company specializes in mid towers).

That said, if you’re after a silent case of a different size, there are plenty good options in our quiet PC case feature or our breakdown of the best Fractal Design cases (What in Tech’s favourite case brand for silent cases).

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The 10 Best Phanteks Cases in 2022

Kaelum Ross — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:10:00 +0000

The 10 Best Phanteks Cases in 2022

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated July 18, 2022

We've reviewed every case from this classic manufacturer to find the best

We updated this article in July after reviewing the new Phanteks offerings on the market. Our top picks remain the same this time, but we’ve highlighted some alternatives where relevant.

Phanteks have been in the chassis business for a long time now, and it shows in their quality.

Their modern-day catalog is a great mix between new innovations and cases that have been refined version after version.

We’ve reviewed a ton of them over the years. So today’s feature is here to break down the best Phanteks computer cases for gaming, production usage, streaming, and more.

Overall Best Phanteks Case

Eclipse P400

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Read Review

Best Budget Phanteks Case

Eclipse 300A

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Read Review

Best High-End Phanteks Case:

Enthoo 719

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Read Review

Best Phanteks Micro ATX Case:

Enthoo EVOLV MATX

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Best Phanteks Mini ITX Case

Enthoo EVOLV ITX

Our Rating: 9/10

Read Review

Overall Best Phanteks Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400

Forget Phanteks, this is one of the best PC cases from any manufacturer.

Raved about multiple times on What in Tech, the P400 is an incredible balance between build quality, design, cooling/component availability, and (especially) price.

You very rarely find a high-quality steel exterior in cases of this price range. Accompanied by a gorgeous tempered glass window down the full length of the side. Many competitors at this price point opt for a PSU shroud which I tend to think looks a little cheaper.

The P400 looks and feels incredibly slick, especially tied with its understated LED lighting.

Space-wise, you’ll have everything you need for a mid-range ATX gaming build and a great case for a beginner to build in, with room for:

7 x expansion slots
Graphics cards up to 395mm
Space for 6 x 2.5/3.5″ (2 included) & 2 x 2.5″ (2 included) drive bays

These specs mean you’ll have a good amount of space for a powerful GPU setup while not compromising on storage availability.

The P400 also excels for cooling/overclocking potential too; with:

Air cooling: 6 x 120mm fans
Water cooling: 1 x 360mm front & 120mm rear radiators (can be combined with 2 x 120mm top fans)

There’s a great internal design for airflow, magnetic dust filters, and ridiculous value with 2 included 120mm fans. At the price, I would’ve been happy with the value if no fans were included!

There isn’t much to say against the P400. In some ways, it’s a jack-of-all-trades case and master of none. There are a couple of picks below that excel in design and features if you have a larger budget.

But if you’re looking for the best balance between cost and performance (without sacrificing anything we’d worry about for a mid-range build) then this is by far the best Phanteks ATX case for you.

2022 mid-year update: While we still love the P400 and its fantastic value, Phanteks recently released another model in the P series; the Eclipse P500A. With a beautiful spacious inner layout, aesthetic, mesh airflow design, and material quality, the P500A is arguably the highest quality mid-range case Phanteks has produced.

With that said, we still really love the P400 because of its lower price point. If you have the budget for the P500A, it’s generally the better case. But rest assured, we’re keeping the P400 at the top for a reason, its value is very impressive and has all the key requirements for a great mid-range build.

Our Rating: 9.75/10

Best Budget Phanteks Case: Phanteks Eclipse 300A

We’ll start by saying for only a tiny bit extra, you can pick up our top pick, the 400.

I’d highly recommend that if you can, as I think the 400 is worth the extra ~20% cost versus the 300A.

That said, if you’re looking for the cheapest Phanteks case you can find, then this is an impressive budget offering.

Still largely built with a steel/tempered glass exterior (albeit lower quality), the look and feel of the case are decent for its very low cost.

The case still has a good internal capacity, with room for:

7 x expansion slots
VGA lengths up to 330mm
2 x 3.5″ & 1 x 2.5″ drive bays (extra 2.5″ bay can be purchased).
Air-cooling: Up to 4 x 120mm fans (with 1 included, great for the price).

There is certainly less VGA room in the 300A.

However, a majority of mainstream cards will still fit in the 330mm space available with breathing space.

And with a cheaper build, you’re likely looking at a smaller GPU/less overclocking anyway, which this case can comfortably host/cool.

The storage room is a fair bit less. But again, this shouldn’t be a problem for a budget gaming PC case (perhaps stay away if you’re after a tower for editing/production).

While the 300A technically has water cooling facilities, if you’re sticking to this build quality/budget range, we’d stick to air cooling.

While this may sound like a bit of a negative review, we do think the 300A is a good offering and is easily the best cheap Phanteks case today.

We just know that if you can stretch that extra ~20% and purchase the 400A, it’ll be worth it.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Best High-End Phanteks Case: Phanteks Enthoo 719

Now, as much as we rate the 400A, our premium pick is a case with even more capability (if your budget can stretch to it).

There is so much to love within the 719 for an enthusiast build or something more unique.

With high-quality steel, aluminum, and thick tempered glass making up its build, the Enthoo 719 is a beautiful chassis and feels built to last.

The design is not done justice by stock photos. I was really impressed by this case in person. Its design may look a little understated but there’s something quite special about how it looks with a completed rig running.

With a slick LED light running down its front, and the side panel covering the full length of the case (no awkward PSU cover) you have high visibility for your parts; I always appreciate this for enthusiast cases as this is usually where the beautiful GPUs, motherboards and fans come in!

But perhaps what is even more impressive is the capability of the case.

The best Phanteks full tower offering around, you will have:

8 standard + 3 vertical expansion slots
Up to 503 graphics card length clearance
Up to 11 x 2.5″ and 12 x 3.5″ drives (3.5″s require bays, 4 included)
SSI-EEB / E-ATX Motherboard support
Air cooling: Up to 15 x 120mm fans
Water cooling: Up to 2 x 480mm, 2 x 360mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

I was super impressed when I first caught the specs here. Not only do you easily have space for a powerful multi-GPU build with all the storage you need for either gaming or production/editing, but you also have the best Phanteks PC case for airflow and water cooling.

I was impressed by the thermal benchmarking and overclocking results for this case. I can only think of a few competitors that will give it a run for its money (most of them within our premium feature).

On top of that, this is also a capable dual-system PC case.

Perfect for streamers and other enthusiast production users, a dual system means you can host a secondary mini-ITX computer inside the case.

While you don’t need to build 2 PCs in here to make the most of what it offers, this is a great additional feature.

There is simply so much going for the Enthoo 719. If you have the money, this is an incredible premium offering and easily the best Phanteks case for those without budget constraints.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Best Phanteks Micro ATX Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV MATX

For those after a smaller form factor, Phanteks have created a really compelling mATX version of their flagship Enthoo ATX case.

The EVOLV MATX has one of the best build qualities we’ve seen for a Micro ATX setup.

With an exterior mix of aluminum, steel, and tempered glass, the case feels very sturdy and the design is strikingly unique.

One of my favorite things about this chassis is its space availability:

4 x expansion slots
2 x 2.5″ and 2 x 3.5″ drive bays
GPU Clearance up to 319mm
Air cooling: Up to 5 x 140mm fans (2 high-quality fans included)
Water cooling: Up to 1 x 360, 1 x 240 & 1 x 120mm radiators

For its tight dimensions, this is a really nice offering spec-wise.

With the cooling availability (combined with decent internal ventilation/cable management facilities), you’ll have enough to comfortably cool most beastly GPUs.

And the storage capacity will likely be plenty for anyone looking at this form factor. More is obviously available in the ATX offerings but 4 drive bays are good for most builds.

The only thing I dislike about the EVOLV is the price. It feels like a premium product in many ways so it’s not a great surprise, but when I compare it with the value of the P400, it’s slightly underwhelming. A 10% reduction would’ve sealed the deal for me.

Despite that, if you’re looking for something a bit more compact, but still capable of great gaming, streaming, or production work; then this EVOLV offering is the best Phanteks MATX case by a notable distance.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Phanteks Mini ITX Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ITX

You might be getting deja-vu from our last pick.

But for the smallest form factor, Phanteks created an equally compelling offering in its Enthoo EVOLV line.

The EVOLV ITX’s exterior is made largely of steel and tempered glass; carrying a similar premium look/feel as its larger brothers at a cheaper price point.

The interior capability is very impressive for the form factor. Phanteks have clearly focussed on making a Mini ITX case for gaming/other enthusiast builds.

2 x expansion slots
GPU clearance of up to 330mm length
2 x 3.5″ & 1 x 2.5″ drive bays (hidden)
1 x included 200mm fan and space for 3 more 120mm ones
Or up to 2 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

Now of course, in a typical ATX case, these specs are poor.

But for an MITX tower? They’re pretty great!

Phanteks EVOLV ATX vs Micro ATX vs ITX

The build quality of all 3 cases are close to identical. The layout and cooling potential are also all great respective to their form factors (i.e. you’ll of course get more space in ATX, but the ITX/mATX layout is still good for their size).

It really comes down to a few things:

Price: the smaller cases will be cheaper due to lesser materials
Space: check your desired build fits inside the size you’re eying
Aesthetic: purely subjective – I personally like the compact look of ITX/mATX, but many like the large imposing feeling of an ATX tower
Cooling: ITX & mATX are capable, but if this is a huge deal for you, a larger case will give you more room and airflow to play with.

If you are looking at ATX, the only other consideration is that I would rate the Enthoo 719 a superior case to the EVOLV. It isn’t a significant difference though, so if you happen to prefer the look of the EVOLV ATX, then go for it.

Finding an mITX combination that gives enough length for most modern graphics cards, decent storage, and very good cooling availability is close to impossible.

But Phanteks manage it here. And what’s more, they include a high-quality 200mm fan in a case that’s already cheap for the quality you’re getting.

Whether you’re looking for portability, compactness, or just plain style, know that this is the best Phanteks mITX case available (and one of the best of the form factor from any brand).

Our Rating: 9/10

Quick-Fire Picks – Best of the Rest

While we’d steer you towards our top 5 picks above for the best Phanteks towers in most cases, we appreciate some of you will have some specific requirements so we’ve included some more cases worth considering.

Best Alternative ATX Case: Phanteks Pro M

At a slightly higher price-point to the P400, the Pro M is a similarly great offering with a slightly more minimalist, aluminum-finish look and (arguably) a sleeker glass panel.

If you like the aesthetic and have a slightly higher budget to buy over the P400, it’s a great choice.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Runner-Up Best ATX Case Alternative: Eclipse P400A

A popular, beautiful case, the P400A was designed with many of the similar philosophies as our top pick, with some beautiful design changes and the inclusion of 3 RGB fans.

The main reason this case missed out top picks is due to some quality-control issues the model has; if you’re happy with that small risk during delivery it’s still a great choice and we appreciate any case with a decent amount of fans included.

Our Rating: 9/10

Best Premium Case Alternative: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ATX

The original EVOLV case is still a fantastic offering, the fact that it doesn’t get the top spot is more a testament to how good the 719 is.

If you prefer the design/build of the EVOLV, rest assured; it’s still an excellent case for the premium gamer/enthusiast builds.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Best Full Tower Alternative: Phanteks Enthoo Pro

The Enthoo Pro is a classic case and has been a fantastic chassis choice for over half a decade.

Large, sturdy, and at a higher price point than the P400, this is a good “middle-ground” pick between our top overall pick and premium choice or someone after even more airflow with its mesh front.

Our Rating: 9.25/10

Best Budget EATX Case: Eclipse P350X

Usually, we would push you towards something a little pricier for an EATX build, as these tend to demand better build-quality and feature-set.

That said, if your heart is set on it but your wallet is tight, the P350X is a respectable entry case to the world of E-ATX.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

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