I'm on the hunt for a budget-friendly Micro-ATX case, ideally under $80. I'd love it to have a window, preferably made of tempered glass. I'm also looking for something compact but still offers decent airflow. I've noticed a lot of smaller cases that fit the budget, but they often compromise on airflow, which I'm trying to avoid. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
I really like the Fractal Design Pop Air Mini. It’s compact, although the size difference from its ATX model isn’t massive—it’s just slightly shorter and less deep, but it should fit your needs nicely. Plus, it's currently on sale at B&H if you want to check that out.
Check out the ASUS Prime AP 201; it has a window and fits your budget, though it doesn’t come with fans. Another solid option is the Deepcool CH160 PLUS, which I’ve heard good things about. If you're into a more stylish finish, the Lian Li A3 looks great, but just keep in mind that you'll need to buy the window separately, which can up the cost a bit.
Very small cases often have the PSU placed in the front and work best with bottom-to-top airflow, which generally isn’t an issue. Cases like the Cooler Master Elite 301 or 302, and the SilverStone Fara H1M are decent basic options if you’re looking for larger mATX towers.
The Lian Li A3 is a bit over budget at $90, but it gets rave reviews for airflow. I’m planning to use it for a build for my wife, just in case she wants to switch from her steam machine. The side of the case has tinted glass, which looks nice too.
I found the MONTECH Heritage on Amazon for a good price compared to other ITX options. It’s a bit larger than most SFF cases but can accommodate a GPU up to 400mm, which is why I ended up choosing it.
I second the Fractal! It’s got a surprisingly spacious interior for a mini case, and the airflow is pretty solid even for a compact build.