Mini - ITX cases are compact information processing system enclosure design to accommodate mini - ITX motherboards , ideal for ramp up small - form - factor ( SFF ) personal computer . The basal benefit of a mini - ITX case is its compact size , which occupies far less room compare to thebest PC casesin mid - tower or full - tower storage locker sizes . This results in increased desk space for accommodating extra peripherals and other accessories . Moreover , this tightness heighten its portability , making it convenient for transportation to LAN parties or a friend ’s mansion .
The compact size of mini - ITX display case think they ask careful planning when choosing components . They typically support low power supplies , such as SFX whole , and often have circumscribed room for great graphics cards or cooling systems . Many users choose forlow - visibility GPUsor all - in - one liquid cooling solutions to handle the thermal and spatial constraints .
Despite their sizing , these case can host brawny computer hardware conformation , constitute them a favourite for enthusiasts who require gamy performance in a small footprint . If you want to build a great ITX PC , then you really need one of the good mini - ITX cases .
Best mini-ITX case for beginners
Cooler Master Masterbox NR200
The Cooler Master Masterbox NR200 is one of the highest - rated mini - ITX cases on the market . With a starting price of under $ 100 , the NR200 is an 18.25 - liter slip that is available in received black or whitened color options . It is also usable in cyan blue , orangish , pinkish , and purple colour for a slimly higher cost . Then there is the NR200P , which total with a anneal glass side board along with the stock interlocking dialog box .
The case can oblige mini - ITX or mini - DTX motherboards with an SFX or SFX - L power supply and up to a triple - time slot GPU . you could even fit an ATX power supplying using a especial bracket which is sell separately . Fan support includes two 120 mm lover on the top and bottom , a 92 mm on the rear , and two 120 mm or 140 millimeter on the side panel angle bracket . It can fit air coolers up to 155 mm grandiloquent , and it supports water - cooling radiators up to 280 millimeter on the side or 240 millimetre on the bottom .
memory climb up is actually somewhat comme il faut for a mini - ITX case as you could install a total of three 2.5 - inch drives or two 2.5 - column inch and one 3.5 - column inch drive . The type also issue forth bunch with two 120 millimeter sports fan to hop on on top and a rearward 92 mm devotee bet on the model you buy .
If you may push your budget , there is also the NR200P Max that comes with a pre - installed 280 mm AIO tank at the top , an 850W SFX Gold PSU , and a PCIe Gen 4 riser pipeline cable television . to boot , the unexampled NR200P V2 is also out in the securities industry , but it prioritizes liquid cooling as the GPU is mounted vertically , depart less place to mount a traditional atmosphere cooler .
Best mini-ITX case with premium aluminum design
Fractal Design Terra
Fractal has doubled down on its microcomputer cases and one of its most distinctive oblation in the mini - ITX space is the Terra . It looks very refined with its aluminum finish and the tiny Natalie Wood accent at the front , which is unique on every single unit . Like many heavyset subject , this one come with a sandwich layout , but comes with an adjustable spikelet . Thus , one can aline the internals to offer more space either for the GPU or the CPU tank .
verbalize of which , cooling choice are limited as there is only a single 120 mm fan mount at the bottom . For central processing unit cool you may install an aura ice chest with up to 77 mm height when configure for max CPU - cooler and 48 millimetre when configured for max GPU clearance . There are no options for liquid state cooling system , which does cut back you to CPUs that are less power hungry . you could , however , install GPUs with up to 322 mm duration , 72 mm width , and 145 millimeter height count on the spine configuration .
The caseful can only accommodate mini - ITX motherboards and is limit to SFX and SFX - L power supplying . useable in graphite ( black ) and ash grey color options , the Terra is also put up in a jade green chromaticity which makes it one of the most alone display case out there . It is a tad flake expensive at $ 180 , and is presently quite modified in terms of availability .
Premium full-mesh mini-ITX case
SSUPD Meshlicious
The Meshlicious comes from SSUPD ( Sunny Side Up Designs ) , a sub - brand of popular case maker Lian Li . It have mellow - quality powder - coat brand mesh instrument panel all around , include the sides , front , and top . useable in white or black gloss options , you could purchase the case in full mesh or a single tempered glass side panel to show off your components . sport a sandwich - stylus layout , the motherboard and tycoon provision are mounted on one side and the GPU on the other . The most unique lineament of this type is that it can suit up to a 280 mm AIO liquid state cooler on the front , which is impressive for a sub-15 - litre case .
It also offers a special wall bracket to climb three 2.5 - inch drives or two 3.5 - inch drives , provide you are using a small - form - factor GPU . usable with a PCIe Gen 3 or Gen 4 riser cable ( for an extra cost ) , the Meshlicious can accommodate up to a 336 mm four - time slot GPU in a stand orientation and up to 211 mm in a perpendicular orientation ( without a radiator ) . The case supports SFX or SFX - L power supply and , if you are audacious enough , an ATX PSU with very little wiggle room for cable television service direction .
Offering excellent thermal performance , the Meshlicious is one of the top mini - ITX cases that can amazingly accommodate a pile of part . However , the material body process can be tricky , and the fact that the GPU I / O is at the bottom may be an payoff for some users .
Best vertical mini-ITX case
Corsair 2000D Airflow
Corsair finally launched a novel mini - ITX event this year . The 2000D Airflow is moderately telling for a small form factor vertical chassis . Apart from offering a fairly enceinte clearance for an air tank for the CPU , it also has the option to install up to a 360 mm AiO tank on the side . The front can accommodate three 120 millimetre fan , and you’re able to also put in two slender fans at the back for extra cooling for the GPU .
It support expectant GPUs with up to 365 millimetre length and unspoiled of all , it does not involve any riser pipe cables as the GPU can straight slot into the motherboard at the rear . For depot there is the option of up to three 2.5 - inch SSDs , but sadly no planning for larger hard cause .
PSU backup is limited to SFX or SFX - L and you do require to be aware of cable direction , especially the ones coming out of the great power provision . Another point of fear is the motherboard fanny I / type O which is placed at the bottom due to the internal orientation , which can be annoying in everyday use . Thankfully the front I / type O is nice include a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type - 100 port , two USB 3.2 Gen 1 type - A ports and an audio jack . Available in livid or black semblance alternative , the case has engagement panel all around for optimal air flow , and if you go for the more expensive RGB model , you get three pre - installed fans at the front . Pricing starts at $ 139 , which is a little unconscionable , although it is currently sell for $ 119 on Amazon .
Best mini-ITX case for tight spaces
Fractal Design Ridge
The Fractal Design Ridge is a slim , compact PC case aimed at users building silken and minimalist setup . It accommodates mini - ITX motherboards and is peculiarly suitable for media shopping mall PCs or small - form - factor gambling systems . The typeface ’s vertical or horizontal orientation options make it various for placement in various environments , such as living rooms or tight desk spaces . esthetically , the Ridge features a unclouded , modern design with a fabric front panel that balances flow of air and elan . However , its svelte visibility introduces some challenge , particularly with component compatibility .
Inside , the Ridge supports GPUs up to 335 mm in length , though users must deliberate width and cooling requirements carefully . The face admit two 140 millimeter PWM fans for airflow but can feel constrained for chill high-pitched - public presentation components . While its cable management system is well - plan , builder may confront difficulties accommodate larger components particularly when it amount to central processor cool down . to boot , substance abuser should be prepared for intricate assembly , as the tight space demands careful planning , particularly for cable television service routing and cooling configuration .
Despite these limit , the Ridge stands out as a agiotage choice for succinct shape , declare oneself a processed esthetic and functional design for those prioritise space - bring through solutions . It caters well to users seeking a balance between performance and expressive style , especially for systems focused on restrained gambling or medium playback . However , its eminent monetary value point and special internal space might discourage builders with more ambitious performance goals or budget constraints .
Best mini-ITX case to showcase your components
Thermaltake Tower 200
The Thermaltake Tower 200 is a highly recommended mini - ITX case if you love showcasing your components . It feature a unique " fridge - like " vertical design with a tempered glass front panel and punch sides , secure both aesthetic appeal and optimized airflow . The case supports high - functioning components , such as large GPUs up to 380 mm in distance ( including an RTX 4090 ) and CPU coolers up to 200 mm in height . It can also hold ATX power supplies up to 220 millimetre long , gain it a versatile selection for eminent - death builds in a small-scale shape divisor .
chill performance is a highlight , with two pre - put in 140 mm fans and the alternative for additional cooling setups , including support for a 280 millimetre radiator . Its airflow design intakes cold air from the bottom and sides , discharge live air through the top and rearward , effectively managing thermals even with powerful hardware . The Tower 200 also include a GPU stabilizer to ensure the graphics card remains secure during shipping or use .
The Tower 200 offers commodious front I / type O option , including a USB - C 3.2 porthole , two USB 3.0 ports , and freestanding headphone and microphone tar . Thermaltake also offer an optional LCD board that can be attached at the bottom to showcase GIFs , system stats , and more . useable in a variety show of colour , it strikes a Libra the Balance between tightness , premium feature film , and hardware compatibility , making it a solid contender for partisan seeking a small yet up to chassis.
What to consider
What is mini-ITX?
Mini - ITX is a minuscule form gene ( SFF ) standard for motherboards and information processing system cases . It was developed back in 2001 and has since become widely adopted by various ironware manufacturers . The goal of the mini - ITX standard is to cater a summary , yet to the full functional , platform for building small and outer space - efficient calculator .
Mini - ITX case are compact and cut to adapt the modest sizing of mini - ITX motherboards and other hardware components while offer effective cooling system and sometimes modified elaboration alternative . These cases are popular among user who are looking to build small and distance - efficient systems for various purposes , such as habitation theater microcomputer , gaming rigging , compact workstations , and more . build a mini - ITX microcomputer can be unmanageable due to the uttermost size limitations , but the issue can be a tiny personal computer that ’s double-dyed for a living room or even just to create an aesthetically pleasing , clean desk .
What’s the advantage of using mini-ITX?
Mini - ITX systems are thickset , energy - effective , and well - suited for small blank space or aesthetically pleasing soma . They ’re used for tasks ranging from gaming to home theater and industrial applications .
Can I fit a full-sized graphics card in a mini-ITX case?
Some mini - ITX cases can suit full - sized graphics visiting card , but many have limitations on the posting ’s distance and width . You might need a riser cable and adapters or opt forsmaller GPUsdesigned for summary cases .
