Case
Physically houses every component and constrains what fits together.
What is it?
The case is the enclosure that holds the motherboard, PSU, storage, cooling, and GPU, while managing airflow and protecting components.
What does it do?
Beyond housing components, its internal layout and included fans directly influence how well heat is removed from the system.
Airflow
Cases are designed around intake and exhaust fan positions to create consistent airflow across hot components — good airflow can meaningfully lower temperatures versus a restrictive design.
Clearance
Maximum GPU length, cooler height, and radiator size are all set by the case's internal dimensions.
Form Factor Support
Determines which motherboard sizes physically fit.
Max GPU Length
Must exceed your GPU's physical length.
Max Cooler Height / Radiator Support
Must accommodate your chosen cooling solution.
The case is the final compatibility check in a build — even perfectly compatible components can fail to physically fit together in the wrong case.
A well-ventilated case can lower CPU and GPU temperatures by several degrees compared to a restrictive one, indirectly helping sustained performance.
- Motherboard — Must support the board's form factor.
- GPU — Must have enough length clearance.
- CPU Cooler — Must accommodate cooler height or radiator size.
- Case Fans — Fan mount count and size determine airflow potential.
Common mistakes
- Buying a compact case before confirming GPU and cooler clearance.
- Prioritizing looks over airflow, resulting in higher sustained temperatures.
- Forgetting to check motherboard form factor support.
How to choose
- Check GPU length and cooler/radiator clearance against your specific components first.
- Prioritize mesh front panels and clear airflow paths for sustained performance builds.
- Confirm motherboard form factor support.
See Case products and pricing, or get a build recommended.