The Best Big Cases for Big Builds
It's no secret that computer parts are getting big. Up until very recently, if your motherboard fit your case and everything was compatible, you were good to start building. Now, you have to make sure your GPU has clearance as well, so you don't accidentally make an open-air PC because you had to leave a side panel off!
Thankfully, there are plenty of cases with more than enough room to fit the latest and greatest GPUs. Our champions have picked out four of their favorites - check them out below!
Noctus Night OWL by Jarred B
NZXT H7 Flow Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case by @Vaganza
NZXT has constantly been improving their cases, generation over generation. Airflow has been reworked regularly in new ways to maximize the cooling potential of your components. Even in its infancy, however, I knew there was something special about NZXT cases with their aesthetic simplicity and great cable management options. Now, however, we have the best of both worlds.
The H7 Flow is the meeting of form and functionality. This is a sleek and very, very airy case with room for push/pull 360mm radiator in the front, a 360mm radiator on the top, and a 140mm fan in the rear. All of this with a nice, handsome mesh on the front and top, hiding filters for any fans you place. They say that the H7 Flow gets 62.18 CFM, compared to the 50.42 CFM the H510 would get. That's a pretty massive step up!
The cable management is so simple it is beautiful. There are two pairs of channels running through the back, perfectly lined up for easy connections. With holdbacks and tie-downs all over the case and a nice large opening at the top of the case to pull through all of the cables from the radiator on top, it's remarkably easy to keep this case looking absolutely clean. The rear channel for the CPU power cables is ample and has great holdbacks as well, with straps strategically located so that zip ties are an option. The bottom of the case is open and unobstructed for the power supply with only a removable 2 bay 3.5 inch HDD cage to cable manage around. It even has a nice opening at the bottom to sneak up the video card PCI-E power cables neatly.
But can it fit the biggest of GPUs comfortably? Absolutely! The motherboard bay is ample and deep, making it incredibly easy to maneuver components, with 400mm x 185mm of GPU clearance. Whether you opt for a standard GPU mount or spice it up with a vertical mount, you don't have to worry about anything bumping against the glass. And there is still plenty of room for great airflow!
NZXT has always had a minimalistic design, but it never sacrificed aesthetic for that minimalism. The H7 Flow is the perfect meeting of NZXT's visual design and airflow, making it a must-have for anyone building a big rig.
Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case by @tbarggs
If you’re in the market for a case to accommodate your new graphics card - large or small! - I recommend the Corsair iCUE 4000X RGB Tempered Glass Computer case. This case is an ATX mid-tower, which means it will have more than enough room for any components you may need to fit inside. I'm partial to the white version of the case, as it makes for a great match with the RGB components you’re inevitably going to put inside, but its also available in a clean black!
This case has a nice clear side panel, so you have a great visual of all your components and custom RGB. While specifically for ATX mid-towers, The Corsair iCUE 4000x does support ATX, eATX, microATX and Mini-ITX motherboards. Out of the box, this case will come with three 120mm RGB LED Fans as well. Whether you already have a power supply or need a new one, the standard ATX power supply fits perfectly. This case can also accommodate a radiator to liquid cool your processor, and supports up to a massive 360mm radiator. With clearance like that, this is a perfect case to accommodate your new graphics card while still being a cost-effective option!
Lian Li LANCOOL III RGB Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case by @w8deywins
It's always a good idea to double-check that your components will fit in your case, and I'm frequently checking with customers buying a new GPU to make sure that it'll fit in their current case. If they say no, I'm quick to recommend the new Lian Li Lancool III. This is an incredible case and features an entirely toolless design, making it incredibly easy to set up. It even comes with four 140mm fans! It may seem giant on paper, stretching a length of almost 2 feet, but in person, it’s the perfect size to fit everything you need for a cutting-edge PC. It's got more than enough space for all your components, including an XL power supply basement for those beefy builds and plenty of cable management space! With what feels like unlimited SSD slots, this case supports up to eight 2.5” SSDs - never reach for external storage again! Jokes aside, this has been one of my favorite cases to recommend to anyone upgrading because of its practical, easy-to-build-in approach. Although it’s certainly a bigger case, I think you’re going to love the Lancool III for any and all builds!
ASUS ROG Strix Helios GX601 RGB Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case by @TreBouncee
As more, larger GPUs hit the shelves, we're seeing more focus on case types and sizes. And we're seeing more folks rethink their case setup to accommodate their new GPU. There are a few options that are popular and make sense - from the MSI MPG GUNGNIR to the Corsair 4000D - but only one is my go-to recommendation. The ASUS ROG Strix Helios GX601 is a mid-tower case that offers plenty of room for modern graphics cards in addition to several expansion slots. It has room for two 3.5” Bays and four 2.5” Bays for storage and can accommodate nearly any motherboard. Part of the appeal is, of course, its inclusion as an ASUS ROG product so those invested in the ASUS line will likely feel right at home. But even newcomers will find a case with plenty of room, ports, and great thermals. I've been heartily recommending the GX601 and do believe that this case is a fantastic fit for anyone looking to upgrade their cases to fit the latest and greatest!