Building a small form factor gaming computer means you need a smaller form case to hold all of your components. One of the best reasons to opt for this type of gaming PC build is because it is more budget friendly. There are plenty of motherboards to choose from as well as small form factor cases.
One of the best affordable small form factor cases is the micro-ATX. These cases tend to be slightly smaller than most traditional ATX mid tower cases. They are also slightly larger than some of the more popular mini-ITX cases.
But the factor that makes micro-ATX cases and motherboards stand apart from these competitive cases is how they are much more affordable.
For most gamers trying to stick to a budget, mini-ITX cases and motherboards are out of their price bracket. So this makes micro-ATX cases and motherboards the better choice because of their lower price point.
However, there are still lots of micro-ATX cases to choose from. To help you find the best micro-ATX case for your needs, we’ve put together a helpful buyer’s guide. We’re going to show you 11 of the best micro-ATX PC cases that are suitable for use with building a new budget friendly high end gaming PC.
Best Micro-ATX cases
Short on time? We’ve highlighted all 11 of our products in the helpful graph below. We’ve highlighted our clear winners, as well as what the other micro-ATX cases on our list will be best for.
| Name | Specs | Price |
| Best overall: NZXT H400i | Suitable for GPUs up to 16.2” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.5” tall Can hold up to 5 fans max4 different colors to choose from | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best runner-up: Phanteks EVOLV mATX | Suitable for GPUs up to 12.5” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 7.6” tall Can hold up to 6 fans max3 different colors to choose from | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best cube style: Thermaltake Level 20 VT | Suitable for GPUs up to 13.8” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 7.3” tall Can hold up to 9 fans max2 different colors to choose from | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best value pick: Antec P6 | Suitable for GPUs up to 15.4” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.3” tall Can hold up to 6 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best budget pick: Thermaltake Versa H15 | Suitable for GPUs up to 12.4” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.1” tall Can hold up to 5 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best cube style runner-up: Fractal Design Node 804 | Suitable for GPUs up to 12.6” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.3” tall Can hold up to 9 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best color choice: BitFenix Prodigy M | Suitable for GPUs up to 12.6” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.3” tall Can hold up to 5 fans max 5 different colors to choose from | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best aesthetics: Corsair Crystal 280X | Suitable for GPUs up to 11.8” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 5.9” tall Can hold up to 6 fans max 4 different colors to choose from | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best cube style with interior space: Thermaltake Core X2 | Suitable for GPUs up to 18.9” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 9” tall Can hold up to 15 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best cheaper cube style: Thermaltake Core V21 | Suitable for GPUs up to 13.8” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 7.3” tall Can hold up to 11 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best for space management: MasterBox Lite 3.1 | Suitable for GPUs up to 14.9” long Can fit CPU coolers up to 6.2” tall Can hold up to 4 fans max Comes in all black | Check Price on Amazon |
NZXT H400i
The most recent H series from NZXT has been highly praised for its RGB control features, PSU shroud, unique design, and its tempered glass side panel.
The H400i in particular is one of the best choices as it gives you a fair amount of room for all of your components. This particular micro-ATX case is one of the most spacious on our list. It’s capable of holding graphics cards up to 6.5” in height and 16.2” in length.
What’s really great about this particular micro-ATX case is that it can hold up to 5 different fans. It can also hold a smaller AIO cooler on either the front or the rear case. As long as this AIO cooler is either 120mm or 140mm, it should be the perfect fit.
The H400i case also features an Adaptive Noise Reduction design. So no matter what components you pack into it, it should be capable of much quieter operation.
The H400i is pretty similar to the Phanteks EVOLV micro-ATX case we’ve reviewed in more detail below. However, this particular micro-ATX case gives you more internal room for your components. It’s also available in more color schemes.
On the whole the NZXT H400i micro-ATX case easily earns the top spot on our list. This is even one of the best small form factor cases on the whole market, and not just out of all the micro-ATX cases available! If you have the budget to accommodate it, we’d definitely recommend going for this particular case.
Phanteks EVOLV mATX
The Phanteks EVOLV micro-ATX case is just as impressive as our top pick, the NZXT H400i. What’s really interesting about this micro-ATX case in particular is that it comes with a PSU shroud and a tempered side glass panel.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the Phanteks EVOLV mATX doesn’t come with as much clearance for graphics cards as our top ranked model, which makes it our runner-up out of the two. The Phanteks EVOLV micro-ATX can only hold cards which are up to 12.5” long.
However, 12.5” gives you more than enough room to choose some of the best GPUs on the market. There are even models such as the RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti that come in at under 12.5” in length.
So even though it doesn’t have as much internal clearance as the H400i, you should still have plenty of room for your preferred components.
One of the benefits of the Phanteks EVOLV micro-ATX is that it comes in slightly cheaper than the H400i. So if you’re unsure which case to opt for out of the two, that may influence your decision. It can help you save more towards the other components of your gaming PC build!
Otherwise, the difference in features between the H400i and the EVOLV is pretty minimal. If you prefer the H400i’s style, then we’d suggest going with that model instead.
Thermaltake Level 20 VT
There are plenty of cube style micro-ATX cases to choose from. However, we think the Thermaltake Level 20 VT easily comes out on top.
This particular case is a newer release, and has received lots of praise for its innovative design. It features 4 tempered glass panels on its sides, top, and front. What’s really interesting about these is that 3 of them are removable.
The Thermaltake Level 20 VT gives you plenty of room to play with in terms of space for graphics cards and CPU coolers. It can accommodate components which are up to 13.8” long and 7.3” tall. This should give you more than enough clearance for all of your preferred models.
There’s also plenty of support for liquid cooling, and there’s even room for radiators up to 280mm in length. You could fit dual 240mm radiators on the top of the case if you wanted to as well.
Sounds too good to be true? The only catch with the Thermaltake Level 20 VT is that it comes with a hefty price tag compared to competitive cube styles on our list. This particular cube style also isn’t able to offer as much airflow as some of the other cube styles we’ve highlighted.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Thermaltake Level 20 VT can hold up to 9 fans. There is also plenty of support for liquid cooling to help you make up for this lower level of airflow.
Looking for better out-of-the-box cooling? Then the Corsair Carbide Air 240, Thermaltake Core V21, or the Thermaltake Core X2 is the way to go. We’ve reviewed these in more detail below.
Antec P6
Looking for the best value for your money? Then the Antec P6 should easily be your go-to pick. This is because the Antec P6 comes with a range of great features to suit a variety of gamers, no matter what they’re looking for in a micro-ATX case.
It comes with the much coveted PSU shroud as well as a tempered glass side panel. It features a sleek all black design which isn’t too plain or too ostentatious.
This particular micro-ATX case also comes with a generous amount of internal clearance so that it can fit graphics cards of up to 15.4” in length. This should be more than enough room for the vast majority of graphics cards on the market. It can accommodate CPU coolers of up to 6.3” in height.
The Antec P6 also gives you room for radiators up to 240mm in length, providing your fans and radiator aren’t more than 55mm thick. This means that liquid cooling is also an option with this particular case.
The best part of the Antec P6 is that it’s available at a competitive price. So if you’re searching for an attractive micro-ATX case which will still give you plenty of room for all of your favorite components, then the Antec P6 is definitely worth a look.
Thermaltake Versa H15
One of the cheapest options on our list is the Thermaltake Versa H15. This makes it a great budget choice for those who aren’t wanting to spend a small fortune.
The only thing to bear in mind is that only 1 fan comes pre-installed. However, you do also have the option of adding more of these over time should you wish to.
Another great feature of this micro-ATX case is how minimalistic the design is. There’s a fully perforated front panel to give you an impressive amount of dust-free airflow as well as air intake.
A vented top also gives you more room for air circulation. This will be great for those who are particularly worried about their components overheating while they’re gaming.
But what really sets this Thermaltake Versa H15 apart from competitive budget micro-ATX is its internal clearance for your components.
This particular micro-ATX can fit graphics cards that are up to 12.4” in length and CPU coolers which are up to 6.1” in height. This should allow you to fit some of the best components into your new Thermaltake Versa H15 micro-ATX case.
When you consider that this case comes in at a highly competitive price, this makes it the perfect choice for gamers working on a budget. It should mean that you won’t have to compromise on the more expensive parts that you’re after.
Fractal Design Node 804
If you have your heart set on a cube style case, then the Fractal Design Node 804 is another fantastic choice. This particular case gives you a sleek, all black design that makes it the ideal selection for those who don’t want a case that’s too flashy. The Fractal Design Node 804 will give you the minimalistic design that you’re after.
You’ll get plenty of clearance in the Node 804 for your preferred components. This particular micro-ATX case is capable of supporting graphics cards of up to 12.6” in length, and CPU coolers of up to 6.3” in height.
There’s also the option of fitting liquid coolers to the case, too. Providing that they are up to 280mm in length, you should be able to fit a high-end AIO cooler or custom liquid cooler in your new gaming PC build.
The only negative to the Fractal Design Node 804 is its price point. When you compare it to some of the other cube style micro-ATX cases that we’ve included on our list, it comes out on the more expensive end.
However, some gamers may feel that the price difference is worth the investment. If you’re on the more budget-sensitive side of the spectrum, then it may be best to opt for one of the other cube styles that we’ve reviewed in more detail.
BitFenix Prodigy M
Are you a fan of the signature BitFenix Prodigy design? Then the BitFenix Prodigy M is the best pick for you. This particular case features a slightly larger format than its smaller mini-ITX cousin.
It’s also available in a variety of colors so you can choose the best for your desired setup. The case itself features helpful handles which you can use to move the gaming PC around once you’ve put it all together.
The BitFenix Prodigy M is one of the more compact cases on our list. So this makes it a great fit for those who want to build a small form factor gaming PC.
In terms of clearance, you’ll be able to fit graphics cards up to 12.6” long and CPU coolers up to 6.3” in height. This particular case can also hold up to 5 fans. There’s even room for a 120mm or 140mm radiator should you wish to add one of these to your build.
Overall the BitFenix comes with the best range of color choices out of all the cases on our list. It’s also a great pick for those who like the BitFenix Prodigy design but want to opt for something at a more competitive price.
Corsair Crystal 280X
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cube styles. The Corsair Crystal 280X is another fantastic option for those of you who prefer the cube style micro-ATX case.
This particular micro-ATX case comes with three tempered glass panels as well as an all black color scheme. So it won’t be too flashy for those who would prefer a more minimalistic style.
The Corsair Crystal 280X comes with a reasonable amount of space for you to add all of your desired components. It has enough clearance to fit graphics cards up to 11.8” long as well as CPU coolers that are up to 5.9” in height.
If you’re particularly concerned about cooling, there’s space for liquid cooling radiators which are up to 240mm on the bottom, front, or top of the case.
This particular case also comes in a variety of styles. You can choose between the standard version or the RGB edition. The RGB edition comes with tempered glass. The standard edition also comes with tempered glass, but it is available in either black or white.
If you’re not that fussed about a case which has tempered glass, you can opt for the Corsair Carbide Air 240. This is basically the same case but without the tempered glass panels.
So if you prefer the cube style micro-ATX cases, the Corsair Crystal 280X is probably one of the better choices. While you’ll have to pay a bit more for the RGB style, the standard style is available for a fair price.
Thermaltake Core X2
Want to pass on the cube styles that we’ve reviewed so far? Then the Thermaltake Core X2 may be the cube style micro-ATX case for you.
This particular case gives you more internal room for your components than some of the other styles we’ve reviewed. It also gives you more support for fans if those are important to your preferred method of building.
You may be impressed to learn that the Thermaltake Core X2 can actually fit larger graphics cards, CPU coolers, as well as more fans and radiators than any of the micro-ATX cases we’ve reviewed on our list.
This particular case can hold up to a very impressive 15 fans. It can even hold radiators that are up to 360mm long as well as these! So you arguably could run up to 6 different radiators in the Thermaltake Core X2.
In terms of clearance, the Thermaltake Core X2 can hold graphics cards up to 18.9” in length and CPU coolers up to 9” in height.
The great news is that these measurements are larger than any existing CPU coolers and graphics cards, so you’ll have plenty of room for adding any of the components you want to without having to worry about space.
So if you’re wanting a cube style micro-ATX case that comes with the best amount of space for your needs, the Thermaltake Core X2 is the best choice for you.
Thermaltake Core V21
The range of Thermaltake cases is impressive. It’s worth mentioning another of their micro-ATX cases, the Thermaltake Core V21. This particular case won’t be as spacious as the Core X2 and can’t support as many different radiators. However, it’s available at a much more competitive price, making it worth a mention.
There’s also a generous amount of clearance in this particular case. It can support graphics cards up to 13.8” long as well as CPU coolers up to 7.3” tall.
It can also support radiators which are up to 280mm long and house up to 11 fans. So even though it can’t support as much as the Core X2, it still gives you a generous amount of room.
MasterBox Lite 3.1
Rounding off our list is the MasterBox Lite 3.1. This particular micro-ATX case makes use of a modular design so that you can fit more components into your case. Weighing in at 9 pounds, it’s also one of the lightest and most compact cases on the market.
The MasterBox Lite 3.1 case is able to hold graphics cards up to 14.9” in length and CPU coolers of up to 6.2” in height. So you’ll be able to build one of the best high-end machines but in a more budget friendly case!
You can even show off your new build thanks to the transparent side panel included with the micro-ATX case.
All in all, you get an impressive amount of space for the price. So if you’re looking to build a small form factor gaming PC but at a budget price, the MasterBox Lite 3.1 is the case for you. You can also grow into the space provided as you upgrade certain components in your new gaming PC build.
In Summary
No matter what you’re looking for in a micro-ATX case, our list should have you covered.
We’ve made sure to choose a good mix of micro-ATX cases so that you can find the perfect model for you.
Peruse our reviews in more detail above to find the best micro-ATX case for your gaming needs.