Now, a case is a crucial part of any build, and without it, your PC is more or less incomplete. No matter what sort of PC you are building, it is important that you are picking a case that has good airflow because you do not want your components to choke for proper air just because you don’t have access to it. Choosing the best airflow PC case is not as difficult mainly because the companies that are making these cases explicitly state how these cases are more optimized for airflow. So the users don’t have any problems coming in the way of how they are going to perform. Still, we are going to do our job and look at the best ones available for you to buy.
Best Airflow PC Case: Specs & Comparison Chart
Best Airflow PC Case
Honestly, I believe that the PC case market has evolved to the point that there is very little room for more change. Granted, you are getting newer and better designs, but in simpler terms, most of the cases we see are rehashes of older cases, and that is not a bad thing, either. You are getting access to a whole lot of options now, and the same freedom also restricts you because you end up getting confused in the process a lot.
#1 – Be quiet! Pure Base 500DX
When you are talking about great computer cases, be quiet! Is one of the companies that have always prided themselves for being excellent in every single way, and the best thing is that the cases they are known for delivering are just as good.
High airflow intake front panel. Three Pure Wings 2 140mm fans included. ARGB LED on the front and inside the case. USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port on the front. Optimized for both air and water cooling. Available in black and white.
The included Pure Wings 2 fans are great to have. Thermal performance remains one of the best. Lots of RGB lighting. Easy to work in. Front USB Type-C Gen 2 port.
Gets loud when fans crank up. A single USB Type-A port on the front. The front air filter is a bit tricky to access.
The case that we are looking at today is one of the new entries from the company, and while it does move away from the traditional, be quiet! DNA, it looks fantastic and has a great value for money. We are indeed talking about the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX and just how good it is. Right out of the box, the case impresses you with ease because you are getting access to three included Pure Wings 2 fans. The thermal performance on this case is one of the best that you could hope for, and be quiet! Has decided to shift things up a bit as well because this case actually brings a lot of RGB that is tastefully done and does not look out of place, either. In addition to that, the one thing that I always love about be quiet! Cases are just how easy they are to build in, and that does not change here either, as this is one of the most user-friendly cases that I have had the pleasure to use. You are also getting a front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, so if you do have a USB device that you use a lot, having a front panel connector is always good to have. On the flip side, considering how this case is built for airflow, it can get loud when the fans crank up. Another thing that made very little sense to me was how you are only getting a single USB Type-A port on the front panel. Last but not the least, accessing the front panel is a bit difficult.
#2 – Cooler Master MasterCase H500
There is no denying that CoolerMaster is not new when it comes to excellent cases. They have been a huge part of the market for some time now, and their cases are known throughout the history of PC gaming, so generally, I was not surprised when they decided to refresh their lineup. If you are looking for a great case that is going to serve most of your needs, spending money on the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX makes a lot of sense due to how good it performs for the price you are paying for it.
Comes with a mesh and transparent front panel. Dual 200mm ARGB fans on the front. ARGB lighting inside the case. Tempered glass side panel. Optimized for airflow. Tool-less installation.
Solid build quality. Comes with an extra front panel. Great thermals on water and air. ARGB fans out of the box. Built-in handle for carrying easily.
The RGB controller is a bit awkward to reach.
Now, the Cooler Master MasterCase H500 has based largely on the HAF (high airflow) cases that Cooler Master was once popular for, however, with a lot of modern touches here and there, which is always a nice thing. So, what has changed? Well, a lot. To start with, Cooler Master has done a great job with the overall build quality of this case. You are also getting an extra solid front-panel if you wish to switch things up, and the case gives you excellent support for both air and water-cooling. The case is also great when you are talking about cable management. You are getting 200mm ARGB fans on the front, and the dust filters are removable, as well. The in-line RGB controller is good to have, and you are getting a built-in handle, which can sustain up to 20 KGs. My only issue here is the RGB controller, which is hard to reach on its own. However, if you are not concerned about your reset switch, you can always connect the RGB controls to that switch, and you are good to go.
#3 – Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG
Lian Li cases have managed to make a name for themselves in the market, and they are excellent because of how good they listen to the community feedback and implement the feedback in the form of changes in their products throughout the lineup. It is safe to say that the Cooler Master MasterCase H500 is a case for airflow, but at the same time, it delivers great performance on liquid cooling as well.
ATX full-tower form factor. Tempered glass and aluminium construction. ARGB lighting outside the case. Supports up to EATX motherboards. Dual-chamber design for easy accessibility. Lighting syncs with the rest of the Asus components.
One of the best-built cases in the market. Great features all around. Stylish RGB implementation. Plenty of support for water-cooling and air-cooling. Supports almost all motherboard sizes. A joy to build in.
None at the given price.
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG is one of the best cases made even better in the form of more features, larger size, and a distinct color scheme. The case is excellent for custom water-cooling but also has excellent airflow for air cooling as well. With that said, the case is one of the best examples of engineering or case designs done right. IN addition to that, you are getting a solid build quality largely constructed out of aluminium and glass panels. The I/O is modern and top-notch, not to forget, the RGB is one of the more stylish elements of this case, and you are getting support for up to three 360mm radiators at the same time. The case also has plenty of storage space, and you can install up to an E-ATX sized motherboards. There are ample dust filters on all the places needed, and you are getting a solid overall case that is not going to let you down. Honestly, after using this case for some time now, I can tell you that no downsides are coming in the way, and the entirety of the case has an excellent performance that will make you want to spend money on it. You cannot go wrong with this case at all.
#4 – Phanteks Eclipse P300A
If you are looking for great cases, one of the companies that are always there is going to be Phanteks. I’m not just talking from the perspective of budget-oriented cases but also the higher end cases that are available for you to buy. If you are searching for a good case in the market, you are going to realise that there are plenty of options available that you can opt for. But the Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL ROG is something that should be on the top of the list if you want an enthusiast-grade case with very little compromises.
Ultra-fine mesh on the front. Optimized for airflow. Supports ATX motherboards. 280mm radiator on the front. 2x USB 3.0 and a microphone/headphone jack. Front-loading HDD trays.
Affordable. Excellent airflow. Easy to build in. Looks goods.
Gets loud. Ships with a single fan. It cannot accommodate larger PSUs.
For now, we are looking at the Phanteks Eclipse P300A, which is one of the more affordable cases, but don’t get me wrong here, but the thing is that you can easily get a great performance out of it. The case is optimized for airflow, but at the same time, it has other features that you can use and make your experience even better. Starting with perhaps the biggest selling point for this case, it is going to be the price factor. For a lot of people, having a cheaper case always makes up for a great experience as they are not looking to spend a lot of money. Just because the case is cheap does not make it any less capable. With that out of the way, if you are looking for a case that has excellent airflow, this one easily takes the cake and performs well as far as passing air through your case is concerned. Phanteks has always been a step ahead in terms of how you can build a PC without worrying too much, and the same is the case here. The Eclipse P300A is a joy to build in. Last but not the least, if you want a case that looks good enough, this should get the job done without any issues thanks to the muted looks with no RGB. Sadly, the case does get louder once the hardware is under load, and it only ships with one fan, which means you’ll need to install a few more to get the best experience. You are also being limited to using standard-sized PSUs since the larger ones won’t fit.
#5 – Cooler Master MasterBox NR600
Cooler Master is one of the finest case makers, and we can all agree to that. Whether you are looking for something super high-end or something affordable, they have got you covered. Overall, the Phanteks Eclipse P300A is an excellent case that is affordable and offers great airflow, and comes at a great price, as well.
Minimalistic mesh on the front. Optimized for great thermal and acoustic performance. Flush tempered glass with the frame. Supports up to 410mm graphics card. Ships with or without support for optical drives. Rubber grommets for easier cable routing.
The thermal performance is excellent. The case remains quiet even under load. The stylish design is something to love. You are getting a tempered glass side panel. The price is excellent.
There is very little space behind the motherboard tray.
You can look at the Cooler Master MasterBox NR600, as it is one of the cases that will deliver excellent airflow, but at the same time, it is excellent in terms of how the case performs, and not just that, you are also getting a great overall value. For starters, the thermal performance is excellent, which came as a surprise to me. Not just that, the acoustic performance is another excellent factor. So, everything will remain as quiet as possible. Not just that, you are also getting something that is stylish, so if you want something that looks good, this is the one. In addition to that, the tempered glass side panel paired with an excellent price makes everything a lot better for those who are looking to not spend a lot of money. The only downside here is that on the back of the motherboard, you are not getting a lot of space, so cable management is something that needs a bit of work and effort.
#6 – Phanteks Eclipse P400A
Phanteks has an impressive portfolio of some of the greatest cases available, and that is not something that should be hidden. The company is known to refresh its older lineup because of the fan demand, and honestly, it is the right thing to do, as well. If you are looking for a case that not only looks great but is also extremely functional, getting the Cooler Master MasterBox NR600 makes a lot of sense as it fulfills both of those qualities and does so without any issues. You will not have any problems using this case as it is convenient, simple, and straightforward. The only part that is a bit difficult is the cable management, but it is nothing impossible here.
Optimal cooling performance. 280/360mm radiator support on the front. Up to E-ATX motherboard support. Integrated dual RGB controller. Supports up to 6x HDDs and 8x SSDs. I/O with 2x USB 3.0 ports and mic/headphone jack.
The airflow is amongst the strongest. RGB fans look great. The internal layout is excellent. The case is super-easy to build in.
No way to mount a 240mm radiator on the top. The internal frame remains the same as in 2016.
The Phanteks Eclipse P400A is built on the famous P300A but comes with some new additions to make the case appeal more to anyone who is looking for a modern touch. The case, although it is built on the same frame, it still has some changes that make it look apart and well, deliver excellent performance. To start with great things, you are still getting access to a great airflow performance because you no longer have to stress over your components not getting enough airflow. The RGB fans that ship with the case look excellent, and they are really good for airflow as well. In addition to that, the internal layout is excellent, so you are getting access to all the modern features that you would need to get your hands on in a case. Last but not the least, the case is also excellent to build in, making the whole deal a lot better. Sadly, while the case is relatively new, it is based on the same frame as the older case, and the front I/O is a bit dated. Not to mention, you cannot mount a 240mm radiator on top.
#7 – Fractal Design Meshify C
There is no way to overlook the fact that Fractal Design has done a lot for the PC building community ever since it came into being. By introducing new and better features every year and having one of the most impressive portfolios of cases as far as we remember. So, it is only fair that the company is getting credit for a job well done. If you are looking for a case that looks and feels familiar but has newer features and better overall value, then going for the Phanteks Eclipse P400A makes a lot of sense as you can get access to a lot of features at a fair price. The Eclipse P400A is going to deliver great experience through and through, and it also is not a case that will cause any hindrances in the way you build your PC.
High airflow design. Optimal for both air and water cooling. Large interior in a smaller case. Angular mesh front panel for better airflow. Can house 2 radiators at the same time. Flexible storage options.
Supports a 360mm radiator on the front and a 280mm on the top at the same time. Properly filtered across the board. Great looks, especially with the tempered glass and front panel. Great performance on both air and water.
No support for larger than average motherboards. The triple fan radiator will require you to remove the drive cage.
Now, the new case that we are looking at today is the Fractal Design Meshify C. Although the case has been in the market for some time, it is still performing as one of the finest, and you will not have anything to worry about as far as the performance is concerned. The good thing is that you are getting simultaneous support for a triple fan radiator on the front and a dual-fan radiator on the top without any major compromises. All the fan installation areas are properly filtered, and the front mesh panel looks excellent with geometric design. As far as the performance itself is concerned, this is one of the best performing cases available in the market which excels in not only delivering fantastic performance on air but also excellent on water. Sadly, the case does not have support for the larger than average motherboards that are 10.6-inch deep, and the triple fan radiator installation will require you to remove the drive cage altogether.
#8 – Thermaltake Core P1
Thermaltake as a brand has evolved a lot. Gone are the days when they used to make cases that would be average at best, but the modern-day cases have changed a lot. However, we are not looking at something modern. The case that we are looking at is a bit older, but it manages to turn heads and performs great. The Fractal Design Meshify C is the case that you should be getting if you are looking for something that is not only stylish but works well in terms of both looks and cooling. You are getting a complete package here, something that is not going to let you down in terms of how it performs.
Mini-ITX support. Has both air and water-cooling support. 5mm thick tempered glass. Vertical mounting for GPU. 3-way placement layout including horizontal or vertical, or wall-mounting. 120/240mm radiator support.
One of the best-looking cases in the market. Great price. A tempered glass window is excellent. Lots of flexibility and customization when building.
On the heavier side. You will need to plan your build. Dust is going to be a constant issue.
The Thermaltake Core P1 is the new one that we are looking at with added features such as a tempered glass panel, but that is not all. The case, in general, is built for those who are looking to build a PC that is deserving to be on a show floor. However, is it any good? That is what we are going to find out. Now, the good thing about this case is that you are getting an amazing case that looks even better with the choice of components. If the components you are picking up are visually impressive, you are going to get a build that looks excellent in general. One of the best prices as well, which is both competitive and fits just right in. The case also ships with a tempered glass panel, and there is plenty of flexibility in terms of how you can build in this case. Sadly, while the building process is super streamlined, you still have to go through the process of planning things out beforehand. The case is also on the heavier side, and due to its open design, it is likely to gather dust a lot faster and will require regular cleanups, as well.
Honourable Mention #1 – NZXT H510
The last case is an honourable mention and is coming from NZXT. Now, it should not be a surprise that their NZXT cases are excellent for a lot many reasons, and this one is no exception. If you are looking for something that is solid and delivers great performance, this is the way that you should be going. There is no way to overlook the fact that Thermaltake has done an excellent job with the Core P1 as it is one of the most unique cases that we have had the chance to look at. The case is designed in such a way that it is excellent for high airflow builds as well as liquid-cooled builds.
Front USB Type-C. Patented cable routing kit. Streamlined cooling. Optimized for both air and water cooling. Supports motherboards up to micro, mini, and ATX sized motherboards. Comes with two AER fans.
The case offers incredible value for money. The design is clean and modern. You have excellent support for water and air-cooling. The vertical GPU mounting option is great to have. Cable management brackets make the experience a lot better. Excellent construction.
Front I/O is limited.
The NZXT H510 is a great case that is available in two configurations, but we are looking at the standard one as it fits the idea that we have better than the Elite version does but is it any good? Well, we are about to find out in this review. To start with the things that I love about this case, you are getting an excellent value for money, the thermal and acoustic performance is excellent, too. You are also getting a clean and modern design, so, if you want something that does not look out of place, this is the case to get. There is also ample water-cooling support, and the fact that you are getting access to the vertical GPU mounting option is a great addition. NZXT has done a fantastic job at keeping their cable management methods alive and only evolving them. The case comes with proper channels and brackets to help you route the cables with ease. The overall construction of the case is another thing that you should be loving here as it is built like a tank. At the time of writing, my only concern here is that you are getting access to a limited I/O. But if you are like me, who does not use a lot of the front I/O, there should not be any issue coming your way.
Best PC Case For Airflow – Quick Shopping Tips
Now that we are done looking at all the cases, the next step is to look at some tips that are eventually going to help you choose the right case without any issues coming your way. The process is easy but can be overwhelming for a lot of people. If you are looking for a case that is solid through and through, then the NZXT H510 is something that should solve your issues as it delivers excellent performance on all fronts without any issues that may come your way.
Commonly Sized Cases
The first thing that you should be looking at whenever you are getting a new case is the size of the case. This might be something that can easily be overlooked, and if that is the case, you might end up choosing something that is not right. Look for something that will fit all your components without any issues that might come in your way. Ask yourself if you want a micro-ATX case, a mini-ITX case, or a standard-sized ATX case with support for larger sized motherboards. As long as you are caring about these things, you should not have any problems coming your way as far as the building process is concerned.
Motherboard Support
Whenever you are buying a new case, you will have to keep the motherboard support in mind. You don’t want to buy a case that is either too small for the motherboard you have, or too big for the motherboard you are trying to fit. I know it might sound like something simple and common, but in reality, you will end up having a build that looks out of place, to say the least. That is why, if you are looking to be sure that all your components in the build look good and fit well, always check for the sizes and compare them with everything else. That will be suitable for you and will be easy.
Included Fans, Radiator Mounts, & Design
The next step involves looking at several factors when you are getting a new case for your next build. For starters, you will have to check if the case ships with any fans from the factor. If it does, you do not have to worry about getting new fans later down the road, but if it doesn’t, you can buy new fans later down the road. Another thing that you should look at is the radiator mounting option. If you are planning on water-cooling your PC, you will have to be sure that you have access to the radiator mounting position. Last but not the least, you will also need to check if the design of the case is something that you are going to like or not. A lot of the time, some cases simply do not look good enough or do not adhere to the design that most people prefer.
RGB LEDs, Top-Mounted USB ports
I know it might sound almost rudimentary, but if you are looking for a good case, you are going to want to have modern features such as RGB LEDs as well as top-mounted USB ports. I understand that these features are not what everyone else looks for but having access to these features is always a good thing. It is important to understand that not all the cases that are available in the market are going to ship with RGB LEDs, but all the cases that we have listed do ship with top-mounted USB ports. Therefore, there is nothing much to worry about.
Why It’s Important To Get Better Cooling?
Last but not the least, if you are looking to get your hands on a good case, you will need something that offers good cooling. I understand that a lot of the time, people might not have a better understanding as to what you should be getting. Now, the thing that you must understand here is that it is important to have better cooling because you would generally want your case to perform properly, and not just that. You would want your components to remain cool and not heat up. The cooler your components are, the more optimal they are going to be, which is what most people need to understand when getting a new case. But at the same time, we do understand that for a lot of people, choosing the right case can be a difficult process for many. Especially if this is the first time, you are looking to get your hands on a new case. With that said, in this roundup, we have looked at all the great cases that are excellent for airflow. But that is not all. Some of the cases are excellent in water-cooling as well. We have made sure that we are testing the cases the way they should be tested and listed the best possible cases that you can get from the market this very instance.
#1 – Which is the Best Airflow PC Case?
Finding the best airflow PC case is not going to be difficult. You just have to find a case that is optimal for you.
#2 – What PC case should I get in 2023?
This is something that is entirely based on your preference. If you are looking for water-cooling, look for a case that is optimized in that way. Otherwise, you can look for a case that is built for air-cooling.
#3 – How to set up fans in a pc case for best airflow?
To get good airflow in your case, you should have a positive pressure of the air inside your case, which means that there should be more fans pulling the air inside the case than there are fans that are pushing the air. So, for starters, if you have 5 case fans in total, 3 of them should be intake, and 2 of them should be exhaust.
#4 – Does NZXT H510 have good airflow?
The NZXT H510 has an excellent airflow in almost all configurations as the case is optimized for both air and liquid cooling.
#5 – Does the NZXT H510 support ATX?
Of course, NZXT H510 has full support for ATX motherboards, and that too, without any complications coming in the way.
#6 – Does NZXT H510 need extra fans?
It depends on what sort of configuration you are going with. Are you looking for a more liquid-cooled build, or are you looking for something that focuses more on air-cooling? These things need to be determined before you go ahead and buy a case.
