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Windows 11 adoption has been way slower than Microsoft would like, no doubt, and part of the reason for that is that some PCs (particularly older models) can’t upgrade due to system requirements – and if you fall into that boat, the software giant has some simple advice for you: buy a new PC.

Neowin noticed that Microsoft has updated a help document about what it means if you’re using an unsupported version of Windows (spoiler alert: if you’re online at all, it’s a huge security risk), which currently means PCs running Windows 8.1 (or 8) and Windows 7, or earlier.

It’s worth noting, however, that this will also be the case for Windows 10 devices in a year’s time if their owners don’t take any action, as the end of support rolls around for that OS in October 2025.

Microsoft’s article takes the form of a short discussion followed by a FAQ, and the main update applied to the document pertains to the options for staying supported with Windows, with a new choice added here: ‘Recommended: New PC with Windows 11.’

So, this is Microsoft’s primary recommendation if your unsupported PC isn’t up to scratch, hardware-wise, for Windows 11 – get a new computer.

Microsoft elaborates: “Windows 11 is the most current version of Windows. If you have an older PC, we recommend you move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC. Hardware and software have improved a lot, and today’s computers are faster, more powerful, and more secure.”

Then there’s a link to ‘view Windows 11 PCs’ which takes you to Microsoft’s hub which showcases new devices from itself and partners.

Analysis: That enormous landfill blot looming on the horizon

That first (‘recommended’) choice of buying a new PC is not the only option covered in the FAQ, of course. Microsoft also lists a couple of other possibilities, including upgrading your old computer to Windows 11 – maybe via Windows 10 first – but this may not be possible with older PCs. Indeed, a PC running Windows 8 (from pre-2015, when Windows 10 started arriving on new hardware) will very likely not meet the needed system specs for Windows 11 (the CPU will probably be too old, and TPM security requirement may not be met either).

And, in fairness to Microsoft, an upgrade of such an ailing PC to Windows 11 may indeed be relatively impractical (as you’ll likely have to replace a bunch of components – the CPU, the motherboard to get a socket that fits the new CPU, and probably memory too, and maybe more besides). By the time you reach the end of the component shopping list, you may as well be buying a new PC (with a new warranty to boot), and of course some PC owners won’t want to take on such an upgrade, or have the technical knowhow to do so.

So, in this case, Microsoft’s foremost recommendation to get a new PC makes at least some sense – to those with rapidly aging PCs, as frankly, in some scenarios they might not have much choice, particularly if they’re not tech-savvy, or they have a laptop (or all-in-one PC) which can’t be got inside and upgraded anyway.

However, it’s equally true that some folks (perhaps quite a few) could upgrade to Windows 10 (with its lighter system requirements) if not Windows 11, a possibility Microsoft touches on – while simultaneously observing that support runs out in a year for Windows 10, a fairly sizeable caveat. And indeed, therein lies the rub – we must bear in mind that this article’s advice will apply to Windows 10 PC owners next year, when they find themselves in the unsupported boat.

Given that, it’d be nice to see Microsoft working towards a solution in respect of somewhat newer PCs, which goes somewhere down the path of tackling some of the alarming stats we’ve heard about the number of Windows 10 machines heading to landfill in the future. This is a potential environmental disaster that could see hundreds of millions of PCs lumped unceremoniously on the scrapheap.

And ever since those concerns have been raised, we haven’t heard anything from Microsoft as to how they might be mitigated. What Windows 10 users (who can’t, or won’t, upgrade) can do is pay for extended support beyond October 2025 – but that could turn out to be an expensive way to go, particularly beyond the first year if Microsoft’s previous pricing in these schemes is anything to go by.

Logically, then, Microsoft needs to be looking at a way of keeping Windows 10 alive – for those totally blocked by Windows 11’s more demanding requirements on the security front and elsewhere – which works out to be way more cost-friendly for users, in an effort to save what might be a much heavier price to pay for the planet. In short, ‘buy a new PC’ will soon not be the answer we need frontloaded here, and pushing folks to make a purchase of a new computer is already a very dubious first port of call given what we’re facing down the road.

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Many PC builders don’t give enough thought to PC case options, or push the case decision off until the end of the component-choosing process. But you should think about your case options early on when considering your next build.

The best PC case for your build will dictate the system’s size, shape, and identity, dictating its finished looks and what fits inside. And the PC case is a major factor in how noisy your system will get (or how quiet it stays) under load, thanks to included fans and things like mesh or glass panels. These aspects also massively impact the cooling potential of your rig.

If you like your PCs small, you may want to consider one of the best Mini-ITX cases to minimize your PC’s footprint on your desk. Or you can get a chassis like Corsair’s Obsidian 9000D or Be Quiet’s Dark Base Pro 901 to house a massive workstation or gaming rig with acres of expansion possibilities. 

Below, we’ve selected the best PC cases we’ve tested, from the dozens of models we’ve reviewed in recent years. So long as you check whether the parts you want to use will fit in it and you like its looks, one of the cases below should keep you and your PC parts happy for  years to come.

New Cases Shown at Computex 2024

We saw a slew of new cases at Computex, from Phanteks, Fractal, Thermaltake, and several other companies. So expect reviews of some of those and many others as the year progresses. Some of them will undoubtedly wind up on this page.

Best PC Cases

The Best PC Cases You Can Buy Today

Best-Looking PC Case

We aren’t sure who asked for a PC case that mixed mid-century modern design (wooden slats and all) and high airflow, but we sure are glad that Fractal Design answered with the excellent North mid-tower. Available with either a mesh side (as we tested) or tempered glass, and in white with chrome accents on the IO and feet, or black with some seriously pretty brass, this is arguably the prettiest PC case ever produced, period.

And thanks to its pair of 140mm fans and an included side bracket (for the mesh model) that can hold another pair of 140mm fans (not included), the North has excellent thermals as well. Just note that it can get noisy when delivering those temps. The glass side panel may help a bit on the noise front, but likely at the cost of at least some thermal performance.

If you don’t like the case’s looks, then the company’s Meshify 2 Compact (below), is probably a better option for you. But if you’re after a case that matches the pretty furniture in your living room, has lots of room for storage, and won’t break the bank at $130, nothing else comes close to the North. We hope Fractal’s bold move inspires other case makers to try something different.

Read: Fractal Design North Review 

Best Budget ATX Gaming Case

Lian Li’s Lancool 207 ATX PC case delivers a lot, including some unique features, for just $80 – or $85 if you want the white model. It ships with four fans (two RGB and two uniquely blowing directly on your GPU) and a whole lot of mesh, so airflow shouldn’t be a concern. There’s also space for large graphics cards and a pair of  SATA drives, which should be enough for most of us in this modern M.2 world. Cable routing is also well-designed, making building and cleaning up the interior easier.

The sideways-mounted power supply setup is a unique design choice that mostly works well, but does limit your ability to use large power supplies (160mm in length or less). Aside from that, the only thing I don’t like about this case is it’s one of the few new models we have tested in 2024 that doesn’t support rear-connector motherboards. If that’s a feature you need, check out the also-excellent Phanteks XT Pro Ultra.

Read: Hands-on with Lian Li’s Lancool 207 PC case: Rethinking ATX on a budget 

Best Budget Back-Connect ATX Case

 Not long ago, a PC case with four 140mm RGB fans and a tempered glass side panel would have cost well north of $100. But Phanteks manages to deliver that, plus support for high-end components and emerging rear-connector motherboards, in a choice of black or white, for just $80. It’s a great case for builders looking to put together a gaming rig with great cooling, who want to spend most of their money on core components like the graphics card and CPU.

The four included RGB fans deliver lots of airflow, and with some tweaking of settings in your BIOS or software, they can also run reasonably quietly. And when I installed an MSI Project Zero motherboard in the case, all the holes lined up perfectly and there was enough room for cable slack. SATA drive support is also good for a mainstream case, with a 3.5-inch drive cage and up to five 2.5-inch drives supported.  

It’s clear that Phanteks had to cut some corners to keep the costs down (there’s a even a stepped-down XP Pro model with a single fan that has an MSRP of just $50). There are no grommets around the cable holes, and only two top USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A). But for just $80, the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra delivers great airflow, lots of RGB, and support for modern features and high-end hardware. There are better cases out there if you’re willing to spend significantly more than $100. But in its price range, Phanteks XT Pro Ultra is hands-down the best option for most gamers and system builders.

Read: Phanteks XT Pro Ultra PC case: Modern budget case delivers lots of airflow and RGB

Best Premium RGB ATX Gaming Case

Corsair’s 4000X RGB is a sleek gaming tower that comes with two glass panels and three RGB spinners. Priced at about $135 now, it’s not cheap, but its design is thoroughly considered and as you build with it, it’s clear where Corsair’s gaming and PC building pedigree comes from. Indeed, the 4000X RGB (as well as the similar 4000D airflow), is an extremely easy and convenient chassis to build a system in, and everything just makes sense. 

While it won’t blow you away with premium materials such as aluminum, the dark tinted glass ensures that you only see RGB lighting inside the case, allowing you to be a little sloppy with cable management because you won’t see it anyway. Add to that Corsair’s class-leading RGB ecosystem, and you’ve got a very pretty case that’s convenient in use and always looks good, no matter what you install inside it.

Read: Corsair Obsidian Series 4000X RGB Review 

Alternatively, if you’re after something with a bit more flexibility, the Lian Li Lancool III RBG is an impressive option with movable front IO, excellent cable management and lots of internal space. But priced about $30 more than the Corsair case, with somewhat noisy fans and CPU thermals that weren’t quite as good as we’d expect from a mesh front case with three 140mm spinners, it’s not as easy to recommend as Corsair’s 4000X RGB.

Best Mainstream Airflow-Focused Case

With just two of the company’s F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels. It’s also a pleasure to build in, with good cable management and a $130 MSRP that’s quite reasonable in this era of seemingly ever-increasing prices.

The primary missing feature here, which will feel refreshing for many builders, is the lack of any RGB to light up your system. That, combined with the boxy look and perforated front means this case isn’t the prettiest on our list, but it can certainly look good with some tasteful lighting delivered via your components, extra fans or a light strip. And if you don’t like the look of the fully vented front and you aren’t that concerned about keeping your temps a low as they can go, the non-Flow H7 model has a solid front, but with everything else we loved about the H7 Flow.

Read: NZXT H7 Flow review 

Best Performance-Focused ATX Case

Be Quiet’s Shadow Base 800 FX case may not turn heads based on its looks alone, but it’s one of the best-performing thermal and acoustic cases we have tested. At $220, it’s far from the most affordable, especially for a mid-tower. But its stellar performance and inclusion of four aRGB fans make it worth the investment.

If you don’t care about RBG, a non-FX, non-lit model drops the included fan count from four to three, and sells for $170. Neither is particularly affordable. But in our testing, both the thermal and acoustic performance of the Shadow Base 800 FX approached the best PC cases we’ve tested.

Read: be quiet! Shadow Base 800 FX Review

Best Compact ATX Case

Lian Li’s PC-O11 Dynamic has been a staple, go-to PC case for pretty builds in recent years, but its days might be numbered. The O11D Mini was inspired by  the Dynamic’s design, but had a few issues. Now though, the O11 Air Mini is a brilliant alternative. 

Priced at around $120, you get a lot for your money with this case, including three PWM fans, bits of pretty aluminum, a glass panel, handsome looks, plentiful IO, a brilliant internal design, and full ATX compatibility. 

The O11 Air Mini features an unusual side-by-side chambered design, but building in it is a breeze and its performance is well up to snuff by modern standards. With this many features, great handsome styling, and such value for money, it’s a case that easily earns its place on this list.

Read: Lian Li O11 Air Mini Review 

Best Case for Rear-Connector Motherboards

Corsair’s 2500D airflow doesn’t stand out much as a general Micro ATX case. But as a case specifically for rear-connector motherboards, it’s the best I’ve tested so far. And if you’re after a case for a full-size ATX build, the company also sells a 6500D Airflow for $199. These cases get the basics right, like cutout placement (although a PSU support strip right above the bottom cutout is annoying). But more importantly, due to their dual-chamber design, they provide enough room for the large amount of cable slack that results from plugging nearly everything in behind the motherboard, instead of up front. The other cases I’ve tested with these rear-connector boards don’t have nearly enough space behind the motherboard. For even more room for cables on the 2500D, you can opt for a smaller SFX power supply. But of course, that generally costs extra.

I do find the basic presentation of the 2500D a bit drab, but adding the $69 wood accent panels morphs the 2500D from a plain bulky box to something I enjoy looing at. That’s not going to be worth the extra expense for everyone,  but because the panels are accessories, you don’t have to decide whether you want them or not until after you own the case. And you are spoiled for choice, as the company offers panels in silver aluminum and four wood varieties. Other accessories include a vertical GPU mounting kit and a front panel to turn the 2500D into the 2500X.

Read: Hands-on with Corsair’s 2500D Airflow case 

Best Design-Focused Mini-ITX Case

The substantial size and substantial cooling needs of today’s components – particularly graphics cards like Nvidia’s RTX 4090 – have made several compact cases from the past few years effectively obsolete. But at just 10.4 liters of volume, the Mini-ITX Fractal Design Terra case has enough room for most big GPUs, while delivering attractively thanks to an aluminum exterior with some attractive wood on the front.

It doesn’t have as wide of an appeal as its ATX North cousin, since you’ll be far more limited in your component and airflow options with the Terra. But if you don’t need to pack in the absolute most powerful CPU (cooling clearance is particularly cramped) and you don’t need several storage drives, the Terra is compact, practical, and stunning – especially if you want a respite from PC gaming’s typical RGB and aggressive designs. The Terra’s flip-up doors and adjustable spine also make this case surprisingly easy to build considering it’s so compact. Just know you’ll need to bring a modular SFX PSU, because you’ll need all the spare interanal space you can get with this case.

Read: Fractal Design Terra Hands On 

Best High-End XL/EATX Case

Cooler Master’s HAF 700 Evo packs in loads of unique features, like an edge-lit RGB glass grille front with a circular LCD display, an infinity mirror to hide ugly bits of the interior while showing off your pretty components and five front USB ports. There’s also room for up to 12 drives and EATX server-class motherboards, plus clearance for the largest graphics cards and coolers. 

But Cooler Master didn’t forget about performance with its HAF 700 Evo. It lands at or near the top of our testing charts, thanks to two huge 200 mm intake fans and a trio of smaller 120 mm spinners. Plus, with 18 fan mounts, airflow can get even better. 

The only downsides of the HAF 700 Evo are its $500-plus price, the fact that it weighs over 50 pounds empty, and the dust filter is behind the front panel, which is difficult to remove. If you’re after great looks and great performance with loads of room for high-end parts, Cooler Master’s flagship HAF is hard to beat.

Read: Cooler Master HAF 700 Evo review 

Best Case for High-End Rigs and Workstations

Fractal’s Meshify 2 is well-thought-out and versatile,  delivering an enjoyable building experience. Whether you use this case as a system where you just want to deliver copious amounts of airflow and expansion space, a workstation with a cadre of hard drives, a server, or high-end custom liquid cooling, the Meshify 2 can accommodate your build. Its thermal and acoustic performance is also in line with what we’d expect from a mesh front. All this cobined earns this case a rare five-star rating.

The only thing to consider before hitting the buy button is whether you really need the space for storage or cooling parts, or should you buy a smaller chassis and save some money and sapce?

Read: Fractal Design Meshify 2 Review

Quick PC Case Shopping Tips

• Figure out what parts you have/want first. Before prioritizing looks, you’ll want to know what motherboard, graphics card, and cooler you’ll be using, plus how many drives you’ll want to install. This will dictate the size of the cases to consider.
• Cooling is key, especially in small cases. Airflow is important in choosing the best PC case, especially when it comes to high-end components in tight spaces. Check our cooler reviews for our cooling test results before buying, and remember that cases with glass fronts and tops restrict airflow and may need extra fans.
• Choose a chassis that you like to look at. Your case of choice is likely to spend lots of time in your peripheral vision. Don’t forget to check airflow and that your parts will fit. But after that, find something that appeals to you visually. Take the time to find a case that appeals to you visually. If you want to show off your case’s internals, a case like Hyte’s Y60 with its panoramic glass is certainly appealing. But know that generally speaking, the more glass found on a case, particularly in the front, the warmer your system is likely to run.

Discounts on the Best PC Cases

Whether you’re buying one of the best PC cases on our list above or a different product, you may find some savings by checking out the latest Corsair coupon codes,  Newegg promo codes or Micro Center coupon codes.

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