BCG Staff 
There are lots of mini-ITX cases that are customized for different purposes and needs. For example, some cases are designed to be as compact as possible while other cases might prioritize silent operation. There are also cases that are designed to maximize gaming performance. To make your choice easier, we've reviewed 6 of the best cases on the market today. We've also listed their pros and cons.
Top 6 Best Mini ITX Computer Cases Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
Cooler Master RC-130-KKN1 Elite 130 - Mini-ITX Computer Case with Mesh Front Panel and Water Cooling Support
The Cooler Master RC-130-KKN1 features a meshed front panel that provides adequate cooling for the case. Another key feature is that you can fit a 13.5’’ graphics card in this case which is considered a big size for this segment. Not only that, the HDD/SSD mounting style allows you to install a 120mm water cooling kit at the front of the case. It comes with 2 pre-installed fans; a 120mm fan at the front and 80mm fan on the side. At only 7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest mini ITX cases around. There are no limitations on your power supply options as this case supports all types of standard full-sized power supplies. It supports a 120mm or 140mm single fan all-in-one liquid cooler.
The low price point makes it a great choice for those on a budget. The bad news is that the maximum CPU Cooler Height is only 65 mm. You can easily fit a 120mm radiator though.
Weight: 7 pounds
Dimensions: 15.7 x 9.4 x 8.2 inches
Pros
Cons
The SilverStone RVZ02B features a very stylish and modern slim design. It can be placed in a horizontal or vertical orientation. Even though it’s really thin, that doesn’t mean it’s not practical. In fact, this case can fit a 13’’ graphics card. The Tool-less drive cage design makes it easy to open the case when you need to clean it. Another good feature is the Independent expansion slot design which makes assembly much easier.
However, the slim design does add a few limitations to the case, mostly in the cooling compartment. There’s not enough space to fit in a radiator. You can still use a low-profile CPU cooler. Due to the fact that this case isn’t equipped with fans, it’s designed in such a way that the location of the processor and the graphics card is near the vents which makes up for the lack of fans. Another problem with this case that is also related to its extra thin form factor is that you’re limited to only certain types of power supplies(SFX-L).
Weight: 10 pounds
Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 7 inches
Pros
Cons
This case might not be the most compact out there but you can be sure that it’s well ventilated. It comes with 2 dynamic series fans - 1 GP-12 and 1 GP-14 - for adequate cooling. It also comes with an adapter for motherboards with limited fan heads. The open interior allows for enhanced airflow from the front of the case to the rear exhaust. One notable feature is that this case is silent while also being properly cooled. Another good feature is that there’s room for 4 storage drives so you can never run out of storage. There are filters on the top and bottom that are quite easy to clean. The bottom filter ejects from the front for ease of access. The cable management system of this case is quite impressive and user-friendly. You can fit inside radiators of different sizes and there are brackets for reservoir and pump mounting. The great features of this case coupled with the low price point make it a very attractive option.
Weight: 10.15 pounds
Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 19 inches
Pros
Cons
Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case Chassis, Interchangeable Side Panels, Small Form Factor Builds, Black Edition, CA-1B8-00S1WN-00
If you’re on a budget, the Thermaltake Core V1 has a lot to offer at a very reasonable price. It has a compact cubic form factor that won’t take up a lot of space on your desk. It’s quite sturdy while also being lightweight. You can fit inside up to 2 data storage devices, a 10’’ graphics card, CPU cooler with height up to 5’, and a high wattage PSU of length up to 7.9’’. There are 2 USB 3.0 slots and an HD audio connector on the side of the front panel. We really appreciate the easy access to these ports. It’s equipped with 7.9’’ fan running at 800 RPM with very little noise emission.
Not only that, there’s additional space for you to fit 2 extra fans if you need to. There’s a wide glass opening on the top so you can view your components without having to loosen the screws located in the back and side panels. The side panels of this case feature a honeycomb pattern that provides extra cooling for the graphics card.
Weight: 10 pounds
Dimensions: 10.9 x 10.2 x 12.4 inches
Pros
Cons
This case comes in 2 setups. The 1st setup features a mesh front panel that provides maximum airflow which makes it a better option for those who want to build a gaming system. The 2nd setup features a solid front panel which ensures quieter operation making it suitable for offices and home theater systems. It also comes in 2 color options. You can fit in a 10.5’’ graphics card in this case. At only 6 pounds, it’s one of the lightest mini ITX cases out there thanks to its compact form factor.
Weight: 6 pounds
Dimensions: 7.13 x 11.22 x 8.74 inches
Pros
Cons
NZXT H200i - Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case - RGB Lighting and Fan Control - CAM-Powered Smart Device - Tempered Glass Panel - Enhanced Cable Management System – Water-Cooling Ready - Black/Red
This case is designed for bigger builds making it an attractive option for the serious gamers out there. It features an all-steel construction and it’s available in 4 colors. The full tempered glass on the side lets you showcase and admire your build. It’s equipped with 2 LL120 fans that produce minimal noise. There are 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, and 1 audio/mic connector. You can fit inside 2 280mm radiators so you can play games all day with peace of mind. There are magnetic dust covers on the vents that can be easily removed. The HUE+ and GRID+ V3 digital controllers allow you to easily control and personalize the RGB lightning through CAM software. You can also control the fan speeds.
Weight: 12.27 kg
Dimensions: 230 x 516 x 494 mm
Pros
Cons
What’s Mini ITX?
Even though they’ve been around since 2001, Mini ITX computers have gained a lot of popularity only recently, and there are many logical reasons why.
Think about it; if you can fit all your computer parts in a small and compact case while getting even better performance than that of a bulkier build, why wouldn’t you? That’s the key selling point of mini ITX PCs. They take up much less space than other types of PCs without sacrificing performance capabilities.
ITX (Information Technology eXtended) is simply a type of modern motherboards that is very small in size compared to conventional motherboards. At only 17 cm x 17 cm in size, The Mini ITX motherboard is quite compact. Mini ITX motherboards usually have a couple of USB ports, a network port, 2 memory slots, and 1 PCI slot. They also have HDMI and VGA ports.
Mini ITX can only fit in computer cases that are specially designed to fit a mini ITX motherboard. Just like the motherboard, these cases have a small footprint. They come in various shapes and sizes. They also differ in the offered features.
Things to Consider Before Buying
There are several things to keep in mind when looking for a mini ITX case. Each case targets different user types and different preferences. Some cases focus on providing the best cooling system while other cases emphasize noise reduction. There are also cases that aim to provide good all-around performance.
Noise
When you’re looking for a mini ITX computer case, make sure that it doesn’t produce much noise. You don’t want to buy a computer case that sounds like an aircraft engine during its operation. However, noise reduction usually requires compromising in the cooling compartment. Noise is reduced using absorption foam padding, vents covers, and rubber mounts that are attached to the fans.
What Case Size Do I Need?
A more compact case will save space on your desk and it can allow you to use multiple monitors more conveniently. Mini ITX cases are considered compact compared to other bulkier cases but that doesn't mean they all come in one size.
Make sure you select your computer parts before considering a case to ensure that there's enough room in the case to fit everything you got. The case manufacturer specifies the maximum size you can fit of each component—like the motherboard, HSF (CPU Cooler), and the graphics processing unit(GPU).
Price
From budget cases to high-end ones, There's a wide range of mini ITX cases to suit any budget. Higher priced cases are usually suited for gaming computers.
Are Mini ITX Cases Heavy?
Weight might not be much of an issue if you're going to put the case in one place most of the time. However, if you think you might have to move the case around frequently, you may want to consider getting a case that is as lightweight as possible. However, most mini ITX cases are quite compact anyways so no case out there can be too heavy.
Cooling
You need to make sure that the case you're buying has sufficient cooling, especially if you do tasks that require intensive computing power like gaming and video editing. Overheating can lead to decreased performance, unexpected shutdowns, and decreased components lifetime. Most mini ITX cases come with pre-installed fan(s) and some of them have enough interior space to fit in a radiator.
Wrap Up
We've reviewed some pretty cool cases and they all promise to deliver you a great experience. It was quite tricky for us to pick a winner. We really like the Fractal Design Nano-S Case. With its smart cable management system, excellent cooling, and minimal noise emission, It’s probably the best all-around mini ITX case out there. However, as we mentioned earlier, each case is designed differently according to the features the manufacturer want to emphasize. The choice also depends on the dimensions of your components and what you’ll mostly use the computer for. For example, if you are building a gaming computer, the NZXT H200i would be a suitable option for you with its huge interior space and RGB lighting but it might not be the best option for someone who needs an office PC for doing simple tasks like document writing and spreadsheets. Just remember that you must buy your components first before buying the case to make sure they will fit.
