Best PC Cases for Airflow in 2024 [Top Thermal Solution]

You can buy a high-end motherboard, CPU, or GPU, but all of these components need a PC case to save them from dust & ensuring good airflow. Besides that, PC casing is the component anyone will notice at first.

So you must get a casing with an aesthetic design, good airflow, and well-sized to support all your components correctly.

As there are many PC cases, we have tested and handpicked some of the best airflow PC casing for you. We found that LIAN LI LANCOOL III is the sole winner among those right now. But if that does not meet your taste, you can also look at our other reviewed PC casing for the best airflow.

7 Best PC Cases for Airflow You Can Get Right Now

Nothing is disappointing after spending some hefty cash on some CPU cooler and a beefy GPU yet getting poor thermal performance for inadequate airflow for choosing the wrong casing.

As all PC cases are not optimized for airflow, we selected some best casings with unimpeded intake and exhaust airflow via mesh panel or with many fans to achieve peak performance. So, let’s dive in.

1. Editor’s Choice: LIAN LI LANCOOL III

Specifications

Form Factor: Mid-tower ATX | Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |  Maximum Radiator Support: Up to two 480 mm radiators | GPU Clearance: 435mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 187mm | PSU Clearance: 220mm

Why We Picked It

LIAN LI is famous for its high-quality PC cases with impressive looks, sturdy build, and optimized airflow that enhances overall performance. LANCOOL II was an excellent casing for airflow & with LANCOOL III, and they just got improved, which is why we picked this casing as an overall winner.

We picked this beauty with beasts for its excellent mesh design. Except for side panels, which are tempered glass, LIAN LI went all in with its mesh design in this chassis with bottom, top and front panels. This mesh provides outstanding ventilation from all directions. Magnetic dust filters will also cover your rig from dust.

This casing will allow up to 10 fans by which you can optimize PC airflow. And top of that, the chassis is already shipped with 3 x 140mm front intake fans and 1 x 140mm rear exhaust fan.

The front intake fans are ARGB for the RGB version with a speed of 300~1650 RPM. In addition, the 83.5 CFM airflow is also relatively high to push cool air to your GPU and CPU.

The exhaust fan has 200~1800 RPM speed capable of quickly pushing away hot air.

LANCOOL III can accommodate up to 3 x 360mm radiators or 2 x 420mm radiators which you can use on top, front, or bottom. The following image will help you to get a comprehensive understanding of the radiator combinations possible.

Besides cooling capabilities, LANCOOL III has impressive storage capacity, which can house a total of 12 x 2.5″ SSDs. You can combine up to 8 x 2.5″ SSDs and 4 x 3.5″ HDDs.

And you won’t have to worry about cable management, as this case includes numerous velcro straps, designated paths for cable routing, and more. You can easily open the side tempered glass via a hinge to route the cables.

Who It’s For

If you are looking for a PC case that is fully optimized for airflow and can accommodate many fans to ensure cooling capability, LANCOOL III is your best bet. Long clearance for PSU, GPU, and CPU coolers will allow you to pick some best components without a second thought.

What We Liked Most

A noteworthy feature of LANCOOL III is its reversible front I/O. Depending on whether you plan to place the case on a desk or the floor, you can switch the IO panel, which is really convenient. Besides that, we also loved the spectacular mesh design with the support of up to 10 fans.

What Could Be Improved

With the advantage of ample space, the casing got bulky. Besides that, it was kind of noisy when we installed all ten fans.

Verdict

Lian Li has earned a good reputation for its casing, and the LANCOOL III is another shining example. While the case is a bit heavy and has a chance of collecting fingerprints on the tempered glass, it’s still our top pick and one of the best PC case for airflow.

2. Runner-Up: Corsair 4000D Airflow

Specifications

Form Factor: Mid-tower ATX | Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to one 360 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: 360mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 170mm | PSU Clearance: 220mm

Why We Picked It

Like LIAN LI, Corsair is also famous for its various PC parts and casing, but not all have adequate airflow systems. We chose the Corsair 4000D Airflow for its minimalistic design, impressive ventilation, and sufficient cooling to cater to a high-end rig.

We were delighted by the effective airflow design during our testing, as the front panel has small triangular holes that allow unrestricted airflow. Not only that, but the large gaps on both sides of the perforated design also support enough ventilation.

But having holes without enough fan support would be useless. That’s not the issue for the Corsair 4000D Airflow.

The case supports up to 4 x 140mm or 6 x 120mm fans to make meaning of the triangular design. This casing includes two CORSAIR 120mm AirGuide fans to ensure a decent cooling experience out-of-the-box.

Moreover, if you want to install some best AIO coolers in your system, the case supports one 240mm radiator on the top and one 360mm radiator on the front. You can also use two 280mm radiators instead. For a better understanding, take a look at the following image.

On the front I/O, we found that the case has only one USB 3.0 port, which is disappointing. However, it has a USB 3.1 Type-C which can be helpful. The front in/out audio jack is also beneficial for quickly switching between headphones or speakers.

The chassis is roomy enough to support a large CPU cooler, long GPU, and PSU. About storage support, at the back, the case has 2 x 2.5″ trays for SSDs and 2 x 3.5″ trays at the front for HDDs.

Lastly, the stylish and sleek aesthetic with velcro straps for cable management makes the Corsair 4000D Airflow one of the best Corsair PC cases ever.

Who It’s For

If you want to build your rig with up to 360mm radiator and are looking for superior airflow to make the investment worthy, also with an appealing design, the Corsair 4000D Airflow is a top choice that delivers all your needs.

If you have one or two spare casing fans flying around, this casing is all you want to get the max cooling performance.

What We Liked Most

We loved the front panel’s streamlined layout and roomy interior for easy installation of products with sufficient airflow. The velcro straps also helped to keep our build tidy.

What Could Be Improved

The case has no RGB lighting. So it can bother some users. Also, only one USB 3.0 port is outdated in modern days.

Verdict

A simple minimalistic case with ample airflow and supports up to big 360 mm radiators compared to its size, Corsair 4000D Airflow is an outstanding pick at a suitable price range.

3. Best budget: Cooler Master MasterBox MB311L ARGB

Specifications

Form Factor: Micro-ATX | Motherboard Support: Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to one 280 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: 344mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 166mm | PSU Clearance: 140mm (HDD cage in backmost position), 325mm (w/o front radiator & HDD cage)

Why We Picked It

We selected this case for its small size with great airflow offerings. The CM MasterBox MB311L ARGB is a micro-ATX chassis catering to gamers and enthusiasts at an affordable price.

The PC case has two ARGB fans installed out of the box. This casing can accommodate up to six 120mm fans, ensuring optimized airflow.

You can mount a 240mm or a 280mm radiator on the front or one 240mm on the top of the casing. On the back of the chassis, you are limited to one 120mm option only. Take a glance at the following image for better understandability.

Though it has enough airflow options, the build quality is meh. The casing is made of plastic which we found not that durable.

However, it offers 344mm clearance for the graphics card and CPU cooler clearance of 166m, which lets you install some beefy cards & tower-sized air coolers. Moreover, the cable-management system was decent and tool-less HDD assembly gave us a satisfying building experience.

The side glass panels are mounted with four screws, which can be problematic for some, as most users prefer magnetic touch. But adding two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the I/O panel is satisfactory.

One ARGB 2-to-3 splitter and one mini-sized ARGB Controller allow the ARGB fans to be powered and controlled with a motherboard that doesn’t feature ARGB. Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile purchase.

Who It’s For

If you are willing to make a build with mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboards, this inexpensive chassis can be an ideal pick for the excellent cooling capability as well as some flashing and lighting with ARGB support.

What We Liked Most

The casing is covered with a fine front mesh panel and we loved the design. Two additional case fans at such an affordable price is a great plus point. Another thing we liked was that you could adjust the storage drive cage to make room for a larger-sized PSU.

What Could Be Improved

Though the case offers two USB 3.2 ports on the front I/O, supporting a USB Type-C port would be great. Also, the build quality could have been better.

Verdict

Overall, MasterBox MB311L ARGB is an excellent compact PC casing suitable for a small build. The case offers versatile cooling options with optimized airflow, and all of this without breaking the bank.

4. Best Full-Tower: Corsair 7000D Airflow

Specifications

Form Factor: Full Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to 480 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: 450mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 190mm | PSU Clearance: 225mm

Why We Picked It

Many users like to build a high-end system with multiple GPUs and custom water cooling. In that case, the chassis should have enough space to support all the components and also ensure adequate airflow to cool down all the top-tier PC parts. With that in mind, we picked the Corsair 7000D Airflow.

This casing is designed with a professional look over RGB lighting and prioritized to improve thermals. That being said, this case also possesses triangular cutouts on the front side, like the Corsair 4000D Airflow.

Behind that panel, Corsair pre-installed 2 x 140mm fans. You can also add another 140mm fan on the front side. If you go with 120mm fans, you can add four of those 120mm fans on the front side. And that leaves you opting to install up to a 480mm radiator.

And for exhausting the hot air to maintain proper airflow, on the top of the casing, you can mount three 140 mm fans, and at the rear, one 140mm fan is already pre-installed. The top side also supports up to 420mm radiator.

In a word, the chassis offers enormous options to make the casing properly cool down and give you various choices without worrying about installation options. Below is an image that can help you to understand more clearly.

On the front I/O, the chassis has four yellow colored USB 3.0 Type A and one USB 3.1 Type C port. You will also get one audio combo jack and a reset button.

For the immense size of the casing, Corsair 7000D Airflow features eight expansion slots & you have the option to mount two vertical graphics cards.

The 190mm CPU clearance lets you install a tall air cooler if you choose any. There is plenty of space for cable management and hiding unwanted cables. Overall, exceptional build quality and ease of maintenance make this full tower casing an excellent choice for high-end builds & indeed, a worthwhile investment.

Who It’s For

If you want a dual vertical GPU mount option or want to install a larger radiator or custom liquid cooler, Corsair 7000D Airflow will be your best investment.

What We Liked Most

Supporting up to a 480mm radiator is a significant advantage for high-end PC parts. Besides that, this casing can house up to 12 fans for maximum airflow, which we really liked. Moreover, you will not see the option to mount two vertical GPUs in a case frequently.

What Could Be Improved

However, the case is more spacious and supports a large number of fans, which can be overkill for many builders. The high price is another issue, what could be improved.

Verdict

Overall, this big tower casing can be the best choice if users have the intention of custom liquid cooling or large-sized radiators for massive space inside the casing. Additional support for a vertical mount bracket with the case makes Corsair 7000D Airflow different from the other cases.

5. Best mini-ITX: Cooler Master NR200

Specifications

Form Factor: mini-ITX | Motherboard Support: Mini DTX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to 280 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: Length: 330mm (including power connector), Height: 156mm (including power connector), Width: 60mm (triple slot) | CPU Cooler Clearance: 155mm | PSU Clearance: 130mm

Why We Picked It

When some users are looking for a big tower like Corsair 7000D Airflow, other guys seek a small chassis for their mini-ITX build. Hence, we picked the Cooler Master NR200, the best mini-ITX case in our test.

Having dimensions of L:376mm x W:185mm x H:292mm is a smaller case suitable for Mini DTX and Mini-ITX motherboards yet spacious enough to accommodate various PC parts for its versatility.

Also, out of the box, NR200 has two liquid cooling pump locations alongside side and bottom radiator mounting locations. The casing just nailed the design and the feature set at a great price point.

NR200 comes in at 18 liters, about a third of the size of a regular mid-tower. The whole steel body makes this chassis’s build quality sturdy enough. Besides that, Cooler Master provides 3D printing templates to change the stock feet if anyone wishes.

The front I/O features two USB 3.0 ports and a combo audio jack at the top. The casing also has dust filters wrapped up the entire case on top, the sides, and the bottom. However, these are magnetic & we feel that these are low-density for high performance.

Now, about the interior. Despite being a mini-ITX case, the chassis supports a longer GFX of up to 330mm.

You can also install up to a 280mm radiator to cool the CPU. However, we were surprised about the CPU cooler clearance. For NR200, it is 155mm, but we installed a 158mm Hyper 212 without any issues. Nice for us, though.

About fan support, the casing can house six 120m fans, and two fans are already included with the casing. Note that, only SFX or SFX-L power supplies are supported for 130mm PSU clearance. The cable routing was also relatively easy in this case.

Who It’s For

If you wish to have a compact mini-ITX build yet want enough airflow options and radiator support with dual vertical GPU mounting ability, NR200 will be your perfect choice.

What We Liked Most

We loved the versatility of the casing, which can be configured in various ways. You can either mount the PSU on the top or bottom. Additionally, the graphics card can also be installed horizontally or vertically.

What Could Be Improved

Integrating USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C on the front panel would be an excellent addition to this case. Also, the side panels were a bit thin, which can bend if mishandled.

Verdict

Overall, Cooler Master NR200 is one of the best mini-ITX PC cases for airflow we have tested. Portability options for small-sized with great design and superior airflow make this casing a unique choice.

6. Best Stylish: be quiet! Pure Base 500DX

Specifications

Form Factor: Mid-Tower ATX | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to 360 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: Length: 369mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 190mm | PSU Clearance: 258mm

Why We Picked It

We chose the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX, as it looks beautiful with excellent airflow. The front panel has a mesh intake & at the center, two RGB strips with 14 individually addressable LEDs enhance the aesthetic look of the casing. It also has an internal strip above the tempered glass panel.

The chassis size can support up to an ATX motherboard. While the left panel is tempered glass that can showcase your build, the right side panel includes a sheet. Like the front mesh, the top part also has a magnetic fine mesh.

We found that the front I/O includes only 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A port and 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port. However, it separated the audio port for the mic and headphone jacks.

About the interior, let’s talk about the cooling solution. Pure Base 500DX comes with three Pure Wings 2 fans with low noise levels and PWM, which is really lovely at this price.

The casing has options to add up to five 140mm fans in this casing for maintain enough airflow to prevent thermal throttling of PC components. While opening up the front panel during our testing, we faced a tug-war, as it was too tight.

About AIO support, you can install up to a 360mm radiator on the front and 240mm on the top, which is enough for most builds. Moreover, up to five SSD slots and two HDD slots cover your storage support.

Who It’s For

If you seek a different-looking stylish casing with built-in RGB support and don’t want to spend too much time on assembly, be quiet! Pure Base 500DX is what you need. The good materials and manufacturing will deliver a result to give you a premium feel.

What We Liked Most

We loved that at this budget, be quiet! included three quality fans with this casing. Also, the RGB lighting was a blessing to the eyes.

What Could Be Improved

We tried to mount a 280mm radiator on the top. But it was too congested as there was only a 31mm gap between the motherboard and the top of the chassis. You will have to struggle to mount the AIO if your motherboard has a bigger VRM.

Verdict

Overall, Pure Base 500DX is a great mid-tower casing with an aesthetic look that can hold all of your components & also ensure peak performance with the proper thermal solution. For beginners building their first rig, this can be a great choice.

7. Best White: NZXT H5 Flow

Specifications

Form Factor: Mid-Tower ATX | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Maximum Radiator Support: Up to 280 mm radiator | GPU Clearance: Length: 365mm | CPU Cooler Clearance: 165mm | PSU Clearance: 160mm

Why We Picked It

We have selected some of the best airflow chassis and categorized them. We chose this beautiful white NZXT H5 Flow for the stunning look & excellent airflow.

The case is compact in size and designed for superior ventilation, but it comes at an affordable price. The white mesh panels enhance both visual appeal and promote efficient air circulation.

The magnetic dust filters ensure the case remains dust free, while it is also easy to remove & clean the filters for the magnets. The casing has a uniquely styled angle fan inside the bottom front, intending to cool down the GPU.

Two additional filters at the bottom ensure a dust-free environment for the PSU and this angled GPU fan. Though, we found that this GPU fan works fundamentally the same if you installed a third fan at the front panel. However, the angled fan indeed enhances the overall visual appeal.

But the chassis comes with a drawback. NZXT H5 Flow offers only two SSD support. So, you must go for the chassis mentioned above for a more extensive storage option.

Regarding fans, NZXT H5 Flow comes equipped with 2x F120Q 120mm fans with an airflow of 62.18 CFM. You can fit a total of six fans in the casing.

And about the radiator, you can install a 240mm radiator at the top and a 280mm radiator at the front.

We found that the chassis has only one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port on the front I/O, which is a drawback for many. But one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port covers a little.

Despite being compact, it can house a longer GPU and taller air CPU cooler. Overall, the white look & feature-rich made us include the casing in our list.

Who It’s For

H5 Flow’s white edition can be your best bet if you plan to build a snow-themed rig. Its unique GPU fan design and optimized airflow without breaking the bank can be your best investment.

What We Liked Most

Besides the airflow, we really liked the beautiful white looks. Also, additional velcro straps helped us manage cable to keep the casing tidy.

What Could Be Improved

Having more than one USB-A port on the I/O could be better for this chassis. Also, the lack of additional storage space makes it a second thought about whether to go for it.

Verdict

Overall, NZXT H5 Flow strikes with a gorgeous look and innovative features which can appeal to users who are looking for the best airflow PC case for visually pleasing.

Additionally, good airflow makes this case an absolute pick. However, taking the other choices from the above casings is recommended if storage capacity concerns you.

How We Chose the Best Airflow PC Cases

When you pick a PC case, you must ensure it provides all the functionality & support you require. Our goal was to provide the best PC cases for the users like you who are looking for aesthetically pleasing PC cases with excellent cooling capabilities and simple installation.

We have tested and considered some factors to pick the cases. Some of those are,

• Airflow.
• Fan support.
• Radiator support.
• Build quality.
• Price.
• CPU cooler, GPU, and PSU clearance.
• Features.
• Cable management facility.

So, if you want to buy casing, look at these factors and verify which features you require most, along with airflow. Then go for it.

FAQs

Does PC case airflow matter?

Adequate airflow inside the PC case is crucial. When all the hardware is up and running and disperses heat in a small area, it starts to circulate inside the casing if not having a proper air flow system. The ambient temp will quickly rise & all the components will start thermal throttling resulting in performance loss. This is why cooler air needs to be intake and hot air should be taken away from the casing quickly. A PC case with good airflow does the job efficiently.

Which type of PC case has good airflow?

Usually, PC cases with mesh panels and a large number of fan supports offer good airflow. The mesh panels allow air in & out freely, while sheets or glass panels hinder airflow.

Should I use the rear fan as an intake to cool the CPU?

The rear fan should be used as an exhaust fan to force out the hot air. Using the rear fan as an intake won’t benefit the cooling system; instead, it worsens things. The bottom and front fans should be intake and the rear and top fans should be exhaust for optimized airflow.