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Disclosure: We may earn money from the products mentioned in this post.
So you've got all of your components bought and ready to be installed. But what about that vital PC case? Have no fear, as we've compiled a list of the best and cheapest pc gaming case that money can buy.
We have a range that consists of mid tower and mini tower cases to suit all tastes and preferences. So without further ado, let's get in to it!
Best PC Case Under $100
1. Phanteks Eclipse P400S
| Technical Specification | |
| Chassis | Steel |
| Dimensions | 18.5 x 8.3 x 18.3 inches (47 x 21 x 46.4 cm) |
| Size | Mid Tower |
| Form Factor | ATX, Micro ATX and Mini ITX |
| Weight | 19.69 lbs (8.93 kg) |
Kicking off, at the very top of our list, is the Phanteks Eclipse P400S. This is what we believe to be the very best PC case for under $100.
If you're a gaming enthusiast and require a solid and budget friendly mid tower PC gaming case then look no further.
Starting off by looking at the build quality and material used. We notice that Phanteks have actually lined the inside of the case with a sound dampening material. If you're looking to optimise your build for that super low-noise output then this might be your ideal purchase.
To give it an expensive look, Phanteks have also placed a tempered glass panel on the side of the case to let you have a peek inside. Not only does this case tick all of the technical boxes but it's pretty good to look at too!
The air flow is probably the only issue that we could raise with this case for the price point. Whilst the case does make use of 2 120 mm fans, one in front and one in the rear. We thought it might do well with some additional cooling, but that's about the only negative point we could make.
Other minor features like magnetic dust filters, adjustable fans, and a removable HDD cage simply sweeten the deal. Who could also forget about the RGB lighting, as if there isn't enough around already, that's pre-installed for all of you enthusiasts.
Wrapping it up, this is hands down the best case you can currently get for sub-$100 and you'll often find it sub-$75 which is a bargain! One final point, this also comes with Phanteks Hoop-N-Loop cable ties for clean and tidy cable management.
2. NZXT H500
| Technical Specification | |
| Chassis | Steel |
| Dimensions | 18.1 x 8.3 x 16.9 inches (46 x 21 x 43 cm) |
| Size | Mid Tower |
| Form Factor | ATX, Micro ATX and Mini ITX |
| Weight | 17.85 lbs (8.09 kg) |
NZXT has always had a reputation for producing eye-catching PC cases, and the NZXT H500 is no different. One of the more stylish cases on our list, this mid-tower gem has a few tricks up its sleeve to win your heart over.
The first thing that might catch your attention is the stunning tempered glass slide panel which lets you peek inside your PC internals. Whilst there isn't anything mind blowing in terms of features, the minimalist approach taken is simply stunning.
But enough of that, down to the tech specs and what actually makes this a great purchase for any gaming PC. Included with the case are two Aer F120 mm fans that provide some serious airflow, these are located at the top and at the rear of the case. This case also has support for liquid cooling, if that's the sort of build you are going for.
Cable management can be done with a breeze thanks for the ample room left by NZXT. There's even a cable-shroud that makes the process that little bit smoother. We do have a couple of complaints though, and interestingly it revolves around the noise.
Whilst this case is great for low-noise builds, we did notice that the top fan and hard drive cage sometimes produced a louder than expected noise. The top fan would sound like it was vibrating against something and whenever our hard drive was under heavy load we could start to hear the discs whirling.
In summary, another strong entry in our top 5 PC cases for under $100 list and rightly so. The NZXT H500 hosts some impressive features all for a reasonably low price that won't break the bank.
3. Thermaltake Core P1
| Technical Specification | |
| Chassis | Mix |
| Dimensions | 16.6 x 15 x 13.1 inches (42.1 x 38.1 x 33.2 cm) |
| Size | Mid Tower |
| Form Factor | Mini ITX |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.48 kg) |
Quite an interesting entry that we have, somewhat on the end of our sub-$100 scale but a worthy case none the less. The Thermaltake Core P1 is here to take breaths away with its ‘open-plan' design that will have you bringing out the dust cloth every 5 minutes.
Before we get too far into the review, we want to just let everyone know that if you are thinking of getting this case please plan ahead! You will need to take careful consideration about what components you buy and how you will protect them from the impending dirt and dust.
You should also be aware that this only accepts mini ITX motherboards. To make it really stand out we recommend colourful liquid cooling and RGB lighting where appropriate.
Versatility is the keyword here, no matter your setup this case can be placed in 3 different ways:
– Wall-mounted (If you're into some serious interior design, please note wall-mounting parts are NOT included)
– Vertical (For your bread and butter layout)
– Horizontal (For those who like to take a slight risk)
Without going on much more about the gimmicks, there is just one more. You can download 3D printing accessory files and use them to print out special mods to take your case one step further.
The cooling is arguably better than most other cases due to its design, noise levels can be a bit of an issue at times due to the ‘open-plan' layout. However, cable management is an absolute dream and will make you breathe a sigh of relief.
Wrapping up, it's nothing short of stunning and a case that we thoroughly enjoyed using and setting up. Just be wary of the amount of dust and dirt that's about to get in your PC.
4. Phanteks Pro M
| Technical Specification | |
| Chassis | Mix |
| Dimensions | 19.7 x 9.2 x 18.9 inches (50 x 23.3 x 48 cm) |
| Size | Mid Tower |
| Form Factor | Micro ATX |
| Weight | 24.8 lbs (11.2 kg) |
Moving on to something that isn't quite as unique, we have the Phanteks Pro M. This is a large mid-tower PC case that aims to provide a very traditional PC building experience.
You have a case which resembles what you would typically expect, a tempered glass panel on the side as a nice feature and an all-round good case.
You have exceptional cable management potential tagged in with great airflow and a low-noise system, I mean what more could you want? Unfortunately, with all of this tech, the price of the case is at the upper end of the sub-$100 range.
Airflow is managed by the 198 mm high tower cooler and two Phanteks 140 mm fans. There is also easy accessibility to the fans and dust filters in case things get a bit messy.
In short, a very well all-rounded gaming PC case that comes in a stylish brushed aluminium look. Whilst it might not be for anyone who wants to stand out, it's certainly a solid no-complaints entry in our top 5 PC case list.
5. In Win 301 Mini Tower Case
| Technical Specification | |
| Chassis | Mix |
| Dimensions | 14.6 x 7.4 x 14.3 inches (37 x 18.7 x 36.3 cm) |
| Size | Mini Tower |
| Form Factor | Mini ITX and Micro ATX |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.48 kg) |
Finishing off our top 5 gaming PC case list is the In Win 301 mini tower case. This case is bringing portability to the table like no other case on our list. It weighs a measly 16.5 lbs (7.48 kg) and is noticeably smaller than the rest.
It's a great pickup for any enthusiast who wants to make use of a mini ITX or micro ATX motherboard. If I'm honest, we were sold by the uniqueness of the design when we got ours through.
As standard, the case does come with the usual HDD cages and magnetic dust filters. Whilst it's by far the lightest case on our list, it still manages to incorporate a tempered glass side panel that adds class to any build.
One thing to note, which is something you might have assumed, is that the airflow and cooling capabilities aren't quite up to the standard of the larger cases. You also don't get a case fan included so be sure to budget that in.
However, looking to the positives you do get exceptional cable management potential and a portable PC. If you ever need to take your PC on the go for a LAN party then this is the choice for you.
Summing up, the In Win 301 is a unique entry in its own right and deserves a place on our top 5 list. It packs solid features and specifications along with a unique and portable design.
That about wraps it up for this post on our top gaming PC case for 2019 under $100. If you are looking for ideas on other components then why not check out our other budget articles on the following:
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