Smallest ATX Cases for Best Compact PC Builds in 2023

So you have decided on the main components that will go into your PC. And it’s now time to grab the best case that will house your system. Yet, you don’t seem to find your ideal fit because you want the smallest ATX case you can get.

We’ve compiled the best compact cases that fit ATX components without compromising on performance. We have also added bonus tips on the key aspects you need to consider before settling on your ideal small form factor ATX case.

With PC parts getting even smaller, going small on the case makes a lot of sense. You will build a PC that can fit even in the tightest of places, but still powerful enough to give you some 4K VR gaming. Or serve as your productivity powerhouse without taking up all the space on your office desk.

Best Smallest ATX Cases

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1. Corsair Carbide Air 540 – Best overall compact ATX Case

Corsair is reputed for designing superior PC products. The Carbide Air 540 compact PC case is one of their best PC cases designed for smaller, neat builds.

It employs a dual-chamber in a cube design. With the drives and PSU on the back chamber, and the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and memory on the main chamber.

The result is a system that runs cool due to the direct airflow hitting the main chamber components. It suits anyone looking to overclock their system and push them to the limits.

This case offers tons of room to expand your build with high-performance coolers. You can slot in a 360mm liquid cooler on the front panel or a 280mm top radiator.

Pros:

• Runs quiet.
• A steel-made cube design that is spacious.
• Outstanding cooling capabilities.
• Tool-free PCI-E and storage drive installation.
• Easy cable management with routing channels.

Cons:

• A little bit pricey for budget PC builders.
• Only comes pre-equipped with the front dust filter.

2. Cooler Master Q500L – Best High Airflow

The Cooler Master Q500L is the successor to last year’s Q300L, which is a stellar Micro ATX case. The Q500L is only slightly larger, but adds ATX motherboard compatibility! Combined with the airflow-optimized front and top panels, the huge side panel window, and plenty of fan mounts, this is easily one of our top picks for smallest ATX case.

The case comes with two pre-installed durable XtraFlo fans in the front. It can also support a 240mm radiator for powerful airflow to keep your system running cool.

Pros:

• Fairly cheap
• ATX motherboard support on what used to be an mATX case
• Detachable dust filters
• Strong airflow
• Adjustable side panel I/O.

Cons:

• Only one fan included.

3. Lian Li O11-Dynamic-Mini – Latest Small ATX Case

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini is a beautiful small form factor chassis that is a smaller version of the original PC-O11 Dynamic. And Lian Li hasn’t cut corners in making the O11-Dynamic Mini more compact. In fact, you could actually fit an ATX board in the O11-D Mini.

Also for a small case, the O11-D Mini has excellent cable management and thermal regulation. You can install up to nine 120mm fans or six 140mm fans and even customize the case a little to support water cooling.

There are very few things that might draw builders away from the O11-D Mini. One such thing is the lack of support for a typical ATX PSU. This is understandable given the SFF of the chassis. The O11-Dynamic Mini supports SFX or SFX-L PSUs.

Pros:

• A small form factor Computer Case that is perfect for ITX, but also supports ATX
• Gives the builder plenty of room to play around creatively
• Shows an overall good thermal performance
• Supports water cooling
• Cable management is great
• Price is reasonable

Cons:

• Front I/O panel is a bit slow
• Does not come with any built-in fans
• Bottom air filter is ugly
• For something with ‘Mini’ in its name, it isn’t exactly petite

4. Cooler Master HAF XB EVO – Best for LAN Party

Like its name suggests, the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is excellent at regulating the thermal levels of any high-end PC.

With support for plenty of fans, a 240mm radiator at the front and a 120mm radiator in the rear, the HAF XB offers excellent air flow capability. It even comes with two pre-installed 120mm XtraFlo fans. You can remove the side panels to further improve the ventilation.

There are four dust panels that help prevent the accumulation of dust. This makes maintenance much easier.  

One of the coolest features of the HAF XB EVO is the removable motherboard tray. This is ideal for enthusiasts who want to test their rigs on the bench. The hard drive trays are also tool-less and removable. This gives the HAF XB more flexibility. It also comes with rigid side handles that make it a very portable pc case.

With this case, builders will be paying for a top-class case. Thermal regulation is suitable for any high-end PC and there’s plenty of room for customization. But assembling it can be a bit tiresome and it isn’t the most compact PC case.

Pros:

• Extraordinary airflow with ventilation from all sides
• Has a removable motherboard tray
• Sturdy design that promises durability
• Has plenty of room for creative customization and large hardware
• Drive trays are tool-less and easy to insert

Cons:

• Can be difficult to assemble
• Top only supports a 200mm fan (and does not support standard 120/140mm fans)
• Can take quite a bit of space
• Is a bit on expensive side

5. NZXT H510 – Best for quick and easy pc builds

The NZXT H510 (and its i-series counterpart) is the successor to the last-gen NZXT H500 chassis. Like before, it has utterly stellar build quality, cable management, and minimalist aesthetics.

Pros:

• Compact size for a full ATX chassis
• Support for custom loop liquid cooling
• Updated I/O ports with USB Type-C
• PSU basement for cable management

Cons:

• High price- especially if you opt for the -i Series version

6. SilverStone Grandia GD09 – Best for ATX HTPC Builds

The SilverStone Grandia GD09 is built for the ultimate Home Theater PC (HTPC) experience, and its form factor shows it.

As long as you can keep your CPU cooler in check, you have plenty of room for expansion with this one.

Pros:

• Compact, intelligent form factor
• Rack mounting and Kensington support
• Adaptable drive cages, no external adapters needed

Cons:

• High price
• Only one included fan

7. Corsair Carbide Series 175R – Best RGB ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Case

The Corsair Carbide 175R is the latest addition in the Corsair Carbide Series that offers a decent minimalist design for a low price.

Sure, there is plenty we could discuss the limitations of the 175R or where it could have been better. But the truth is, this is a budget chassis. And for this price, you won’t find anything better.

The case comes with a tinted tempered glass side panel and a 120mm rear fan with programmable RGB lighting.

Airflow is excellent, as this case supports upto six 120mm or four 140mm fans. There is even room for a 350mm cooling radiator, giving the 175R a decent thermal performance for the price range.   

There is also enough space to support a full sized ATX board and enough additional clearance for excellent cable management.

If you’re looking for a minimalist budget computer case, the 175R is the right choice for you. If you’re looking for something sturdy to support a heavy build, you might want to opt for something else. The Corsair Carbide 275R is a great alternative in the Carbide series offering slightly better features for more money.

Pros:

• Comes with cool RGB lighting
• Cable management is great
• Comes with good water cooling support
• Has tempered glass side panel to show-case your build
• Is very affordable

Cons:

• Pre-installed RGB fan isn’t very good
• Side panel isn’t very sturdy

8. Thermaltake Core G3 – Best for Slim ATX builds

Thermaltake Core G3 is one of the high-quality small pc cases that embrace a slim design. It is designed to fit on your desk or a tight living room. The spacious compartment allows you to build a powerful rig for 4K VR gaming.

Core G3 features a nice transparent acrylic side window panel to show-off your build. It has been equipped with a custom GPU mount for a floating GPU design.

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Lightweight design.
• Can orient vertically or horizontally.
• Comes with 2 pre-installed 120mm fans.
• Very compact ATX case made of high-quality SPCC.

Cons:

• Doesn’t support the standard PSU.
• Cable management can get tough.

9. Fractal Design Meshify C – Compact Case With Water-Cooling Support

At a glance, the Fractal Design Meshify C looks no different from its more expensive sibling, the Define C. It is however different both in terms of price and features.

The Meshify C is a great mid-range computer case that has a price tag that justifies its features. It is slightly noisier than most cases, since the front panel does not reflect the noise from the internal components back into the case.

This Meshify C offers optimal airflow, with support for up to seven 120mm fans. It even comes with two pre-installed retail grade Dynamic X2 GP-12 fans. This case however wasn’t designed with liquid cooling in mind.

If you’re in the market for a mid-range chassis with a sturdy build, the Meshify C is the right choice for you. If you’re not a fan of noisy cases or plan on installing a liquid-cooler, you might want to consider some other options.

Pros:

Supports multiple water-cooling radiators

Airflow is good

Cable management is excellent

Comes with two excellent 120mm fans

Is easy to assemble

Has plenty of dust filters

Build is sturdy

Cons:

Can be slightly noisy

Front I/O panel isn’t that great

Spacing is quite compact and does not support oversized ATX boards or longer PSUs

10. Rosewill Challenger S – Best Budget Small ATX Case

The Rosewill Challenger S is our budget pick, but it’s still packed with features.

The included dual blue LED intake fans are a pleasant extra, as is the 120 mm intake fan. If you’re a budget user, this case is especially appealing, since it has a fully-functional airflow setup out-of-the-box, without any extra tweaking needed from you.

Pros:

• The 3 included fans
• The low price
• Decent support for GPUs and air coolers, despite its size

Cons:

• Only 1 USB 3.0 port

11. Corsair iCue 220T – Best Tempered Class Smart ATX Case

The Corsair iCue 220T is part of Corsair’s new iCue case series, focused on providing the best experience with their RGB product lineup.

The included RGB fans, great intake design, and not-too-small design make this a great choice for any user.

Pros:

• 3 included RGB fans
• Fairly solid build quality and building experience
• All-around great support for CPU coolers, GPUs, and PSUs

Cons:

• Fairly high price
• No included exhaust fan- though this can be fixed by moving one of the three included fans to the back

Helpful Buying Tips!

Just because it is a small form factor ATX case doesn’t mean it won’t house the standard ATX components. When buying compact cases, you want to focus on the following:

1. Build’s Components – If you already have the main parts of your build, you want to go for a case that is roomy enough to house them. Not a snug fit that will give you a tough building experience. Check the CPU height, GPU length, and PSU length.
2. Case Build-Quality – Don’t be carried away with good looking cases that have been constructed with cheap materials. All-steel or aluminum cases offer the best chassis for durability.
3. Expandability – Consider how easy it is to expand your system in the future. More drive bays and PCIe slots ensure that you can add some extra components to improve the performance of your system.
4. Air Flow – Apart from going for a case with a roomy design, focus on the cooling options. Most compact ATX cases come with poorly designed fan/radiator locations. Some only pack less than two 120mm fan options. Ensure that your ideal case offers the best airflow to keep your system running cool.
5. Cable Management – Just like airflow and interior space, also consider cable management. Go for the options that have cut-out spaces and cable routing channels.

Final Remarks

Buying your ideal small computer case doesn’t have to be an overwhelming undertaking. With the above cases, you should be able to find your ideal pick that will make a compact yet powerful PC build.