Beauty is usually in the eye of the beholder. It’s just that some electronics are too unanimously considered elegant, that their landslide appeal has made them objectively beautiful. And these computers wouldn’t be as stylish as they are without these beautiful PC cases.
Suffice it to say, there’s no better time to build a computer than now, especially since the components are more aesthetically pleasing than ever before.
Gone are the days when PC cases were just ugly monolithic blocks that hummed and zapped anyone with static whenever they touch them. These days, desktop PCs might as well be terrariums (or terraria?) with how much they make a room or office space glow.
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So if you’re in the market for a desktop computer and want the best and most stylish part, then these options will surely make your PC look more expensive than it should be.
They might be a tad expensive, but the good thing about beautiful PC cases is that you can reuse them whenever you upgrade. So consider the beautiful PC cases as investments.
Fractal Torrent Compact
PROS
- Massive volumes of air ensures cooler components
- Unique design (that will likely get imitated)
- Top PSU compartment for a cleaner look
- Comes in white
- Sturdy metal
- Free 180mm fans
CONS
- Expensive
- Top PSU compartment might present problems for cable management
- Not the best case for liquid cooling
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 450 x 222 x 467 mm
- Total fan mounts: 2x 180 mm, 4x 140 mm, or 6x 120 mm (with included brackets)
- Motherboard compatibility: E-ATX (up to 274 mm) / ATX / mATX / Mini-ITX / SSI-CEB
- Dust filters: Front, Bottom
- Cable routing space: 20 mm
When it comes to combining both air flow/cooling and aesthetics, the current king of the hill is Fractal’s Torrent series. Now, the Fractal Compact isn’t exactly the best in the lineup; that would be the regular Fractal Torrent, but that’s too big and cumbersome for the regular consumer. Hence, the Fractal Torrent Compact is the more ideal option– cheaper too.
This chassis or case features a one-of-a-kind and innovative design which is an almost open front panel to allow copious amounts of air to cool the components. Expect cheaper brands and clones to imitate this in the coming months or years.
It also comes with included with two huge 180 mm fans so you usually don’t have to purchase more of them (unless you want to maximize its cooling potential). The Torrent lineup also goes back to the old PC case designs where the power supply unit is located at the top for a cleaner look.
Regardless, if you buy this case, you’ll find it hard to go back to anything else.
Fractal Torrent Compact
Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact
PROS
- Beautiful, functional front panel design
- Lots of dust filters
- Comes in white and other design options
- Comes with free fans
- Sturdy metal
CONS
- Still somewhat pricey
- Looks plain in certain angles
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 424 x 210 x 475 mm
- Total fan mounts: 7x 120 or 4x 140 mm and 2x 120 mm
- Motherboard compatibility: ATX / mATX / Mini-ITX
- Dust filters: Top, front, and bottom
- Cable routing space: 17-28 mm
They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. In that case, the Fractal Design Meshify is probably the most glorified PC case out there right now. Because for several years, it has become the standard template for derivatives and clones from cheaper brands to imitate.
Because it was released back in a time when the trend was a smooth front panel with virtually zero air flow since a lot of PC users back then considered front panel meshes as un-aesthetic. Then, Fractal Meshify came along and proved to everyone that mesh can be married with style.
Now, with the Meshify 2, Fractal continues its winning streak. Not much has changed here except it’s better updated for more contemporary hardware. The Meshify 2 still sports the iconic angular mesh design in the front panel that looks better than a closed and dysfunctional plastic or metal sheet.
Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact
Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini (Snow White)
PROS
- Beautiful design with accessible windows
- Somewhat compact
- Hides the PSU and other unsightly components well
- Lots of fan slots
- Unique layout
- Generous dust filters
- Comes in different colors and designs
- Modular expansion slots and I/O
CONS
- A bit thick
- PSU size needs to be small
- No included fans
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 420mm X 269.5mm X 380mm
- Total fan mounts: Top: 3x 120mm or 2x 140mm, Side: 2x 120mm or 2x 140mm, Bottom: 3x 120mm or 2x 140mm, Rear: 1x 120mm
- Motherboard compatibility: E-ATX (Max 280 mm wide)/ATX/ Micro-ATX/ Mini-ITX
- Dust filters: 1 x Top, 1 x Bottom, 2 x Side
- Cable routing space: Unspecified
The latest craze among PC enthusiasts these days is turning their desktop computers into aquariums or terrariums with all that tempered glass on the side and front. After all, they spent quite a lot on the components, so why not show it off?
That’s how the Lian Li O11 Dynamic series took the computer industry by storm. It understood customer behavior well enough, and the company knows that enthusiasts love to show their bling in all its RGB glory.
Granted, this design doesn’t offer the best airflow, so there are Air variants of the O11 Dynamic, but come on! Sacrifice a bit of cooling for style, will you?
Apart from looks, the O11 Dynamic Mini is also unique in its design since the bulky and unsightly PSU is shoved all the way to the back. Moreover, you can change the I/O port and GPU expansion slot setup to fit whatever motherboard size you prefer, lending to a feeling of modularity for this pretty case.
Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini (Snow White)
NZXT H510
PROS
- Elegant, minimalist design
- Easy to build in
- Plenty of wire management options
- Comes with free fans
- Lots of variants
- NZXT product compatibility
CONS
- Airflow is suboptimal for the default version
- Only one exhaust fan slot at the top
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 428mm x 210mm x 460mm
- Total fan mounts: Front: 2 x 120mm / 2 x 140mmm, Top: 1 x 120mm / 1 x 140mm, Rear: 1 x 120mm
- Motherboard compatibility: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX
- Dust filters: All air intakes
- Cable routing space: 19 – 23mm
Like the Fractal Meshify, NZXT’s H510 has also enjoyed its relatively long status as one of the best and most premium-looking cases on the planet. The difference is that it doesn’t offer the best airflow. Heck, it probably doesn’t even offer optimal airflow.
Still, that design scheme and the way it hides the cables is nothing short of elegant. This case is a masterpiece in minimalist design for desktop PCs that a lot of enthusiasts would gladly ignore the sub-optimal airflow for its looks.
NZXT did rectify the H510’s shortcoming by releasing an H510 Flow version which turns the front panel into a metal mesh, but you can’t deny that it loses its style points because of that. In any case, the features are pretty standard as far as PC cases go.
NZXT H510
Corsair 4000D Airflow
PROS
- Accessible front fan filter
- Fans included
- Clean design with distinct front panel
- Front panel shows off fan RGB
- Perforated PSU shroud top for better GPU cooling
- Easy to build in
- Good wire management cables
- Corsair product compatibility
CONS
- A bit too plain
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 453mm x 230mm x 466mm
- Total fan mounts: Unspecified
- Motherboard compatibility: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX
- Dust filters: Front, Top
- Cable routing space: Unspecified
It’s not the prettiest case here, but it’s simple and offers no complex layouts or features. For that matter, the price is also good. A lot of enthusiasts will still find Corsair’s allure interesting enough. After all, they made a pretty expressive front panel here with their own mesh and filter design.
You can even take off the filter with ease for cleaning, something the other cases don’t offer since you will have to remove the front panel completely to clean the filter with the others. The 4000D Airflow’s focus on cooling also makes it somewhat on par with Fractal Meshify or Torrent assuming you fill in all the fan slots.
Corsair 4000D Airflow
What to Look for in a PC Case?
You’ll want a good balance between aesthetics and airflow. Since aesthetics are subjective, it’s easier to quantify what counts as good airflow.
For good airflow, you want something with an open or at least a mesh front panel to allow air in. Anything less (like slits at the side of the front panel or a closed and solid panel) will result in bad cooling. There should also be an exhaust mesh which ought to be located at the rear or the top of the case.
Fan inclusions are not necessary at all since you can purchase better fans (unless it’s Fractal Torrent’s 180mm fans). Dust filters are also only mandatory if you have pets that shed a lot of hair and fur inside the house or if you live in a dry and dusty area.
Everything else is up to your personal taste and component compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are bigger PC cases better?
They generally are since bigger cases allow for better airflow via more space and more fans. Smaller cases do save desk space but at the compromise of cooling. -
How much does a PC case help in cooling?
A lot. A case's design can dictate whether your components will overheat or not. -
Can you opt to not use a PC case?
Yes, you can. But cleaning and keeping the components dust-free will be difficult. And they will also lack protection from static electricity and other hazards.