Do you want to benefit from a powerful and portable PC everywhere? The mini-ITX is made for you! Also called mini-tower , this computer case format saves floor space while having a PC with high-performance components. Overview of mini-ITX cases offering the best possible configuration with a compact size.
The 3 best Mini ITX cases in our ranking!
What to know before buying a Mini ITX case!
Here are 3 key points to know before making your choice of mini-ITX case. They are important to take into account otherwise you risk having an incompatible mini-tower.
- Mini-towers are certainly more compact and therefore more practical for saving space on your desk, but they are also more difficult to design . Indeed, the components being closer to each other, having experience in assembly is preferable. Additionally, it is generally advisable to install a watercooling system to cool your machine since the airflow may not be optimal.
- Component compatibility is a very important point in choosing your mini-ITX case . While some mini-towers accept graphics card sizes up to 315 mm, the majority allow you to install up to 210 mm. Also take into account the compatibility of the motherboard as well as the power supply of your PC. It may vary depending on the model.
- Mini-ITXs are not suitable for all needs . If optimal Ultra HD performance with tons of storage is what you're looking for, mini-ITXs probably aren't for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a PC that takes up little space while having a configuration to run modern games, the mini-ITX format will suit you!
Comparison of the best mini-ITX cases
It is difficult to navigate when you want to buy a case for your new PC and even more so when it is an atypical format. This is why our editorial team has prepared a ranking of the best mini-ITX cases for you! To help you in your choice, you will find at the end of this comparison a buying guide and an FAQ to answer the questions you are probably asking yourself.
1. NZXT H210i – Mini-ITX Tempered Glass Case and Integrated RGB Lighting
Features and Reviews
The H210i case from NZXT is our first choice for an ITX mini-tower. Assembling your box is as simple as ever thanks to the ultra-optimized cable management system patented by the manufacturer. Removable fans/heatsinks and easy-to-use hard drive racks are arranged to simplify assembly. A tempered glass window on the side allows you to admire your configuration while having very good aircooling thanks to two pre-installed fans (rear and top). If that's not enough, you can further improve the cooling of your PC case with an easily installable watercooling system.
The Smart Device V2, for its part, has been updated with an even faster processor to control two RGB LEDs as well as 3 fans regulated by voltage or PWM. Finally, a USB Type-C port on the front will give you the possibility of connecting your smartphone, high-speed external drives or the latest new generation peripherals.
2. Sharkoon Mini ITX Case
Features and Reviews
The Sharkoon QB One is aimed at those looking for a portable, discreet case with excellent quality/price ratio for a mid-range. Its compact format and the possibility of placing it horizontally or vertically allows it to be stored in the vast majority of setups. This does not mean that the QB One ignores installable components: dual-slot graphics card up to 315 mm, ATX power supply and 2 3.5'' HDD hard drives or 2 SSDs of 2 .5''.
Its aircooling system is optimal thanks to an included 120mm fan located on the upper panel (with the possibility of installing an additional one) and the choice inside between a watercooling system or a 240mm fan. The case also has very good front connectivity thanks to 2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front, accessible in both horizontal and vertical configurations.
3. GOLDEN FIELD M3S Mini ITX PC Case
Features and Reviews
The Golden Field M3S is an aluminum mini-tower with a sleek and discreet design that can accommodate both a Mini-ITX and a Micro-ATX. Its tempered glass window allows you to admire the installed components and is easily removed using lifting handles. The M3S can accommodate up to 8 fans or radiators but unfortunately none are supplied with the case. A watercooling system of up to 130 mm to cool your PC can be integrated into your configuration. Its storage capacity remains limited to 2 hard drives maximum while a large 275 mm graphics card can be installed.
4. Cooler Master – Elite 110
Features and Reviews
The Cooler Master Elite 110 looks like a HiFi system from the front but it is indeed a mini-ITX. Its large front mesh, supplemented by a 120 mm fan (convertible to 140 mm), allows the entire case to be ventilated from side to side. The particularity of this box lies in its integration into a setup. Indeed, as a desktop, the Elite 110 is horizontally mounted, which allows a screen to be placed above it.
With its multiple combos of 3.5'' HDD / 2.5'' SSD hard drives (3/0; 2/2; 1/3; 0/4) you can adapt your storage to your liking. As for the aircooling, although basic with a front – rear flow, it can be supplemented by two 80×25 mm fans on the left side.
5. Cooler Master MasterBox
Features and Reviews
The MasterBox NR200P from Cooler Master is a box that will satisfy all your desires. Thanks to a large interior volume (18 liters), an optimized layout, redesigned thermal efficiency and ease of assembly (360° assembly), the NR200P is a very good choice for a Mini-ITX or Mini-DTX configuration. top of the line. A highly ventilated panel and a tempered glass panel are provided to give you the choice in the style you give to your case.
Concerning the cooling of your PC, 7 fans can be installed (including 2 upper ones of 120 mm included) and a watercooling system up to 280×140 mm can be integrated, to make your configuration work in the best possible way. Finally, thanks to its large size, the NR200P can accommodate GFX cards up to 330 mm in both horizontal and vertical mounting.
6. SilverStone Compact Mini ITX Cube PC Case
Features and Reviews
Just like the Elite 110 from Cooler Master, the SST-SG13B from SilverStone looks at first glance like a Hifi system due to its mesh front panel, but it is indeed a Mini-ITX case. It is therefore a good choice for a living room PC that will be visible to all. Its ventilation system only includes room for a 120mm front fan, but air outlets are located on both sides, the top and the back of the case. You will still have the option of installing a 140mm all-in-one watercooling system in place of the fan.
7. Fractal Design
Features and Reviews
This Mini-ITX case from Fractal Design is a desktop of our selection but which has many advantages. Extremely thin for a case (82 mm) it can be positioned in a horizontal or vertical position to adapt to your setup. Concerning the interior, its available space is 10.2 L to accommodate, among other things, a graphics card up to 310 mm long, two SSDs, two 120 mm fans and an SFX power supply . Air filters have been strategically positioned to prevent dust accumulation, while separate chambers for the motherboard and graphics card provide thermal insulation of the two components.
8. Quiet SilverStone Mini ITX!
Features and Reviews
The SST-LD03B from SilverStone is a mini-ITX case with two black tinted windows. Its particularity is that it is mounted vertically to use the natural air flow (cold air at the bottom, hot air at the top) to cool the components as efficiently as possible. Those with the tendency to heat up the most (GPU, CPU) should be placed at the top to dissipate heat more quickly. Two included 120mm fans (bottom and top) help circulate air quickly. With two hard drives and the ability to install a graphics card up to 309mm long, the LD03B is perfect for a gaming PC.
9. Thermaltake
Features and Reviews
The Level 20T is an anniversary case from Thermaltake to celebrate their 20 years in the PC industry. The side and front panels are made of 4 mm thick tempered glass for effective sound insulation while allowing you to admire its configuration. Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX compatible and accommodating a graphics card of up to 350 mm, it is a very good choice for a high-performance PC. A division of rooms between GPU/CPU and hard drive/ power supply bays makes it possible to thermally isolate the components.
For ultra-efficient ventilation, the 20T has multiple possible configurations for its fans: (2x 120 / 140 mm) OR (1x 200 mm) at the front, (2x 140 + 2x 120 mm) OR (4x 120 mm) at the -top, (1x 120 mm) OR (1x 140 mm) at the rear and finally (2x 120 mm) below. A liquid cooling system can be installed at the front to help cool your case.
10. MTALLICGAR
Features and Reviews
Finally, the Neo Mini V2 from MetallicGear is a compact and elegant Mini-ITX with a tempered glass window. In addition to being equipped with efficient space layout as well as cable management facilitated by Velcro cable ties, the interior is spacious and illuminated by RGB lighting from MSI. Dust filters are installed at the rear and below the case to prevent any harmful accumulation. The possibility of adding up to 5 radiators allows the Neo Mini V2 to be efficiently ventilated. A 120mm fan is included and a watercooling system up to 240mm is installable.
The buying guide for buying your Mini-ITX case!
Check the compatibility of your components
The main (and worst) problem you'll encounter when assembling your mini-ITX case is ending up with an overly large graphics card or motherboard that won't fit. This is why it is essential to check the compatibility of these components before purchasing.
In the majority of cases, manufacturers specify the maximum size of the GPU and CPU that can be installed in their mini-ITX.
What size for the graphics card?
For the most part, 310mm graphics cards are compatible, but some will accept larger ones ( up to 350mm in our ranking) or smaller ones.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a well-optimized configuration to run large games, we invite you to choose an ATX case for gaming which will allow you to have a larger graphics card.
What size for the motherboard?
Concerning the motherboard, this is a more limited choice because as their names indicate, they only accommodate mini-ITX , but the largest or best optimized cases can have micro-DTX installed see Micro-ATX .
What size for the power supply ?
The power supply of your PC is also dependent on the space that can be allocated to it, but most Mini-ITX cases only accept SFX . nevertheless accommodate ATX power supply .
Think about your configuration in advance
Since your case will determine the compatible size of all your components, it is essential to think about what your PC will be used for, with what components and how it will be mounted .
For what use?
First of all, knowing its future use will allow you to choose a case adapted to your expectations: a desktop PC for the family and a computer for gaming do not have the same needs. While the first will promote design and better use of space, the second will focus on the possibility of installing high-performance components with a good cooling and ventilation system.
Speaking of cooling, if you have a laptop that gets very hot, we recommend purchasing a laptop cooler .
Choose the components to install in your MINI ITX case
Once you have chosen the box, determine the components you will want to install based on its capacity. As seen in the previous point, it is the size that will sort out the ideal motherboard, graphics card and power supply . As for the other components, your choice will depend on your expectations and desires.
For a gaming configuration, promote the optimization of your components , in particular storage capacity and RAM, which do not depend on size since they are regulated and the same for everyone. On the other hand, their efficiency varies depending on the model, so if you want significant storage space but your case can only accommodate 2 hard drives, choose 2 TB models instead of 500 GB.
Evaluate the assembly of your case
Depending on the boxes, assembly will take more or less time because it depends on several factors: the number of components to install, the accessibility of the box, the cable management and finally your experience.
By preparing the necessary tools and having analyzed your case during purchase with a visualization of its final configuration, you will not find yourself faced with all the elements to be assembled without knowing where to start.
Determine a plan of action and use customer feedback, which generally provides feedback in assembly, to help you.
Think about a solution to cool your PC
Cooling your PC is an essential point to take into account in its configuration, and even more so when it is a mini-ITX because the reduced space does not promote ventilation . The components of a computer heat up when they are used and 3 of them are particularly affected: the graphics card, the motherboard and the HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
To compensate for this increase in heat, different solutions exist grouped into two categories: air cooling and watercooling.
Air cooling
The first is to use air to cool the components. Fans, radiators or coolers (fusion of the two) must be installed strategically to create an air flow in your case in order to evacuate hot air and bring in cold air . The overwhelming majority of cases have at least one fan slot to create this airflow, called airflow . The more premium the case, the more slots are available.
Typically one fan is installed at the front and another at the rear to create a horizontal flow. In some PC cases vertical airflow is also possible thanks to fans below and above
For a mini-ITX case, it is important to create an efficient and optimized airflow to cool your components by reducing the temperature inside. Unlike a mid-tower or large tower, the internal space is not large enough to promote optimal ventilation, so consider installing an efficient air-cooling system which will overcome this drawback.
Some cases do not have enough fan slots, but you can still install dedicated heatsinks on the components most likely to heat up.
Watercooling (liquid cooling)
The second solution is to install liquid cooling, which can be oil-based but current systems mainly use water, called watercooling. This is a more complex system than aircooling because the installation requires elements to be taken into account in the organization of your configuration.
Indeed, pipes, a pump, a tank and sometimes a cooler are necessary for water cooling.
Despite a more complex and expensive installation, it is a very effective system for targeting components to be cooled. If the cable management and setup are correctly carried out, water cooling will allow you to have a high-performance configuration with a reduced temperature.
It is also a recommended system for a gaming PC where the motherboard and graphics card are very necessary, provided of course that your case can accommodate one.
Maximize your components
With an ITX case you are limited in space and sometimes even in component models, which is why we advise you to seek to optimize your variable components such as RAM or the internal storage of your computer.
The choice of RAM
There are 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB RAM strips, sold in pairs to clip into their dedicated slots. Generally two places are available for mini-ITXs, so it is up to you to determine the number of Gigabytes you want to have. As an indication, 4 GB is sufficient for office automation, 2x 4 GB for a large majority of video games and 2x 8 GB for heavier video games or for future ones to be released.
If you want to have a war machine, we advise you to choose 16 GB DDR4 RAM
Internal storage: HDD or SSD
It is perhaps the internal storage of your computer which could be the most interesting to optimize, particularly on certain ITX cases where the number of slots is reduced to 2. In this case, we advise you to take a hard drive first. a 500 GB internal 2.5'' SATA SSD to run your Windows or Linux operating system and programs that you use regularly.
To store data or other heavier programs, a 1 TB or 2 TB HDD hard drive will be the best quantity/price ratio, to be estimated according to your needs.
By maximizing the capabilities of your PC, you will be able to benefit from the best possible configuration but be careful not to exceed your budget!
Integrate wifi via USB to your motherboard
In order to use the Internet on your computer you will need a WiFi device in your setup which can be either a USB adapter or a PCI adapter. They each have their advantages and depend on your expectations. In the case of a mini-ITX, it is advisable to use a USB adapter because it is easy to install , takes up minimal space and is sufficient most of the time. Even though they are small, they are efficient and give you very good flow.
If you are looking for maximum potential, choosing a PCI wifi card will be more efficient than USB but it is more complicated to install and is not necessarily recommended or useful for an ITX case.
Think about cable management!
Cable management is the organization of cables in your box to meet 3 principles: organization, ventilation and aesthetics . In the case of a mini-ITX PC, it is the first two which have priority because they must be the most optimized to compensate for the small size of the case.
Organize your cables
The organization is part of the thinking you need to have about the configuration your PC will have. It is strongly recommended to spend a little time and think about how your configuration will be designed efficiently, intelligently and, if possible, easily. You will gain clarity during editing .
Help ventilate your case correctly
Ventilation is also an essential point because as said above in the point dedicated to cooling your PC, it is important that the components are cooled. Cables obstructing airflow will disrupt the evacuation of hot air or the entry of cold air, which could endanger your components . In addition, good ventilation with well-managed cable management will promote the discretion of your computer.
Think about aesthetics if you have a tempered glass case
Finally, aesthetics is more dedicated to tempered glass side window cases or to the meticulous. Admiring its well-organized layout is satisfying, even more so when it is visible. Remember to group the cables together and bring them closer to the walls without hiding the ventilation outlets or hindering your airflow.
Take extra care with the connections of your motherboard, a central component of your configuration. Prefer SATA connections with connectors on the front and USB sockets on the right to prevent cables from crossing it.
FAQ—Find out all the details about the Mini ITX case!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a mini-ITX case?
Choosing a mini-ITX case for its transportability and the advantages it offers also means making compromises. We have brought together for you the advantages and disadvantages of building your PC with a mini-ITX case.
| BENEFITS | DISADVANTAGES |
| Mostly all-purpose designCompact and take up little space...More easily transportable than a mid-tower and large towerAdapted for living room PCsCheaper (on average) | Generally limited compatibility... but can heat up more if poorly cooled Not suitable for a large gamer configuration More difficult to assemble than the largest formats |
For what uses?
➡️ Office automation
If you plan to use your PC for word processing, checking emails, surfing the internet, watching movies and other activities that don't require a lot of power, the mini-ITX is perfect for you. In addition to being compact and most of the time sober and elegant, this type of case is suitable for daily use. Plus, you'll save on the price of the case and components. You will gain mobility in order to move it more easily but also space where your setup will be located.
➡️ Assembly
If used for video or photo editing, the mini-ITX format could also suit you. However, you will need to carefully choose 3 components:
- The processor : 4 cores minimum like an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, but 8 cores are preferable such as an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
- RAM : a minimum of 8 GB is highly recommended for Full HD, even mandatory because you risk seeing lags when viewing your video in the timeline. We recommend 16 GB for 4K or 32 GB to be comfortable. With 64 GB you will have no problems, it will be more than enough to support editing and a little multitasking simultaneously.
- The graphics card : no need for a high-end one, settle for a good graphics card with at least 2 GB of memory in Full HD and 4 GB for editing in UHD.
➡️ Gaming
When it comes to gaming, everything will depend on the video games you want to play and with what graphic qualities. The limit of mini-ITX cases is in the maximum size of the installable graphics cards, which do not exceed 310 mm on average and 350 mm at most.
Mini-ITX motherboards can also limit configurations due to a lack of power to synchronize all the components of the PC. However, it is still possible to run video games with a mini-ITX box , some of which are in HD without any problems. Consider choosing a good graphics card and motherboard while optimizing RAM. In addition, with a compact and lightweight configuration, mini-towers are perfect for going to LANs with friends.
What are the differences between a mini-ITX and micro-ATX case?
Motherboards have standardized sizes regardless of their manufacturers. There are 4 different motherboard formats used today: ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended), ITX (Information Technology eXtended), BTX (Balanced Technology eXtended) and DTX. Only mini-ITX and micro-ATX formats are compatible with a mini-tower.
Their differences come down to size and connectivity . The first measures 170 x 170 mm with a single PCI port while the second has several for a dimension of 244 x 244 mm.
In addition, mini-ITX by design is quieter than micro-ATX while offering performance comparable to similar architectures with lower energy consumption.
If you are looking for a model that does not make noise, we invite you to read our comparison of the best silent PC cases .
Create your own PC with a mini-ITX case or buy a mini-PC already assembled?
It's always nice to build your own configuration and admire the result once finished to feel a certain pride. However, building your own PC can sometimes be long and complicated or even impossible for novices, especially on less accessible cases such as mini-PCs.
This is why there are already assembled mini-ITX PCs to immediately benefit from its configuration. To find out more, discover the best mini PCs in our comparison.
The advantages are obviously to avoid putting it together yourself to save time or because you don't know how to go about it. Experts will have put together a good configuration for you and you will not have to worry about compatibility issues.
Buying a mini-ITX already made, however, will cost you more than if you assembled it yourself (around €80 extra). It is also possible that the PCs offered do not suit you, because of the case or the components installed.
