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6 Best Mini-ITX Cases for SFF Builds
- by Goran Damnjanovic
- Updated July 7, 2020
- 9 min read
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Mini-ITX cases are small form factor cases made for compact builds. Builds for people who don’t have lots of space under their desk or for tiny HTPC builds sitting under a TV. For portable rigs that are always moved. Or for console-like gaming PC builds that need to take as little space as possible next to a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
No matter the reason why you want to get a Mini-ITX case, finding a perfect Mini-ITX case for your needs can prove difficult. As with most other components, manufacturers flooded the market with different models, many of which are pretty good choices. But which models are the best ones? Well, if you want to find the answer to that question, scroll below and check out our six best Mini-ITX cases.
You’ll find ultra-compact cases, cases with great airflow, a couple of excellent budget options, a few chunky cases, and one high-end case made for building eye-catching gaming rigs.
Best Mini-ITX Cases – Our Picks
| Award | Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Mini-ITX Case for Low Profile Builds | SilverStone SG13 | 
|
| Best Budget Mini-ITX Case | Thermaltake Core V1 | 
|
| Best Mini-ITX Case with Console-Like Design | Fractal Design Node 202 | 
|
| Best Mini-ITX Case for Water Cooling Builds | NZXT H210 | 
|
| Best Mini-ITX Case for Airflow | Lian Li Tu 150 | 
|
| Best Mini-ITX Case for RGB Builds | Thermaltake Core P1 | 
|
Best Mini-ITX Case for Low Profile Builds
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-DTX, Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 285 × 222 × 181 mm (11.22 × 8.74 × 7.13 inches) |
| Drive Bays | 1 × 3.5″ or 2 × 2.5″, 1 × 2.5″ |
| Supported PSU | ATX (up to 140 mm) |
| GPU Clearance | 270 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 1 × 120/140 mm fan or radiator on the front |
| Front I/O Ports | 2 × USB 3.0 1 × Audio 1 × Mic |
The SilverStone SG13 is an amazing little case for those on a budget. Mesh front panel and lots of vents on all sides allow excellent airflow for such a small case. The design is pretty good. There aren’t lots of details but that mesh on the front does look attractive.
The case supports only one 120mm/140mm fan or AIO radiator. But, the aforementioned vents and side intakes allow the CPU and GPU to remain relatively cool. There’s room for two 2.5” SSDs or one SSD and one 3.5” HDD. Maximum PSU lenght is 150mm but the manufacturer strongly advises using 140mm PSUs. Also, be sure to use a modular power supply.
The GPU can be up to 270mm in length and you can use either Mini-ITX or DTX motherboard. With a capacity of just 11.5L, the SG13 offers a lot. Just don’t forget that the installation will be complicated because of the limited amount of space inside the case. The alternative would be the Cooler Master Elite 110.
Best Budget Mini-ITX Case
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 276 × 260 × 316 mm (10.9 × 10.2 × 12.4 inch) |
| Drive Bays | 2 × 3.5″, 2 × 2.5″ |
| Supported PSU | ATX (up to 200 mm) |
| GPU Clearance | 285 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 1 × 120/140/200 mm front or 1×120/140 mm radiator 2 × 80 mm rear |
| Front I/O Ports | 2 × USB 3.0 1 × HD Audio |
The Core V1 from Thermaltake is much larger than the SG13 but it offers more room and better airflow. The design is excellent. Front mesh looks superb and the top see-through panel allows for RGB effects to shine. And it has a low price making it the best budget case around.
The case supports up to three fans with one 200mm fan coming with the V1. You can also install a 120mm/140mm AIO radiator instead of the pre-installed fan. The case offers 4 storage bays, two for HDDs, and two for SSDs. Max GPU length is 285mm.
You can use a regular ATX PSU with the case along with Mini-ITX boards. Other features include an optional transparent side window and 2 expansion slots. The V1 is another budget Mini-ITX case that offers lots for the money. Great design, excellent airflow (for a Mini-ITX case), and lots of space for cable management. Downsides include a bit disappointing quality of HDD trays, which look fragile.
Best Mini-ITX Case with Console-Like Design
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 332 × 377 × 88 mm (13.1 × 14.8 × 3.5 inch) |
| Drive Bays | 2 × 2.5” |
| Supported PSU | SFX (up to 130 mm) |
| GPU Clearance | 310 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 2 × 120 mm (graphics card chamber) |
| Front I/O Ports | 2 × USB 3.0 1 × HD Audio |
The Fractal Design Node 202 is a perfect case for those who want a console-like small form factor gaming PC to use in their living room. The case is very thin and you can place it horizontally or vertically.
The limited size also limits the space available inside. You have to forget about using HDDs since the case offers only two 2.5” bays. Next, there’s room for two 120mm fans in the graphics card chamber. This chamber is physically divided from the rest of the case in order to increase airflow around the GPU.
The case supports SFX (small form factor) PSUs with length no longer than 130mm. the GPU can be up to 310mm long and you can use dual slot models. Installation will be tough and you have to watch about stuff like cable length and CPU cooler (the cooler clearance is just 56mm) but if you want the best console-like PC case on the market, this one’s it.
If you want a compact, console-like case that looks like the upcoming Xbox Series X get the NZXT H1. It’s larger than the Node 202 but looks amazing and comes with preinstalled PSU and AIO radiator. The case has excellent airflow and much more space than the Node 202. The Loque Ghost S1 is another amazing low profile Mini-ITX case that is a great alternative to the Node 202.
Best Mini-ITX Case for Water Cooling Builds
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 372 × 210 × 349 mm 14.6 × 8.3 × 13.7 inch |
| Drive Bays | 3 × 2.5″, 1 × 2.5″ (Optional), 1 × 3.5″ |
| Supported PSU | ATX (up to 311 mm) |
| GPU Clearance | 325 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 2 × 120/140 mm front or 1 × 240 mm radiator or 2 × 120 mm radiator 1 × 120 mm top 1 × 120 mm back or 1 × 120 mm radiator |
| Front I/O Ports | 1 × USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 1 × USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1 × Headset Audio Jack |
If you’re looking for a Mini-ITX case but aren’t limited to small for factor cases the H210 from NZXT is the best budget case around. Yes, it’s fairly large for a Mini-ITX case but that means more space, easier component installation, and lots of room for cable management. The larger size also brings better airflow with support for up to 4 fans with two 120mm fans included (one on the back and one on the topside).
This case is the best Mini-ITX case for water cooling builds. You have room for two 120mm or one 240mm radiator on the front and one 120mm radiator on the back. There’s plenty of drive bays. Three 2.5” and one 3.5” bay which you can use for another SSD.
The H210 can host graphics cards up to 325mm in length and CPU coolers up to 165mm in height. When it comes to design, this case looks extremely attractive. Signature NZXT design with two-tone color choices, tempered glass side panel, and subtle yet striking side vents makes for a perfect combination. If you need preinstalled RGB strips and digital fan controller, get the NZXT H210i, which sports noticeably higher price.
Best Mini-ITX Case for Airflow
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-DTX, Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 375 × 202 × 312 mm (14.8 × 8 × 12.3 inches) |
| Drive Bays | 2 × 2.5″ or 1 × 2.5″ SSD, 1 × 3.5” HDD |
| Supported PSU | SFX, SFX L |
| GPU Clearance | 320 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 1 × 120 mm front 1 × 120 mm rear or 1 × 120 mm radiator 2 × 120 mm base |
| Front I/O Ports | 1 × USB 3.1 Type-C 2 × USB 3.0 1 × Audio 1 × Mic |
The Lian Li Tu 150 is another Mini-ITX case that’s on the chunkier side. It isn’t as large as the H210 but it offers great airflow and lots of room for cable management. The design is beautiful. The front is minimalistic, like on NZXT cases with side vents giving it more character. The see-through side panel is there for RGB show off and the top includes a retractable handle for easy transport. If you’re looking for a Mini-ITX case with a handle, this is the one to buy.
Pretty looks and lots of room inside aren’t the only perks of this case. First of all, the case supports up to four 120mm fans allowing for excellent airflow. Next, there’s room for large air coolers (max CPU cooler height is 165mm) and long graphics cards (max GPU length is 320mm). Finally, the case supports even the thickest GPUs since it comes with space for three expansion slots.
Downsides are small but might greatly matter for some users. First of all, there’s room only for one 120mm radiator on the back so this isn’t the case for water-cooled builds. Secondly, you’ll find just two 2.5” bays with one being able to host a 3.5″ HDD. Finally, the case comes without preinstalled coolers, which is a shame for a case that’s not on the cheaper side. But even with its downsides the Tu 150 is still one of the best Mini-ITX cases on the market.
Best Mini-ITX Case for RGB Builds
| Motherboard Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 422 × 332 × 380 mm (16.6 × 13.1 × 15 inch) |
| Drive Bays | 4 × 2.5”, 1 × 3.5” (optional) |
| Supported PSU | ATX (up to 180 mm) |
| GPU Clearance | 380 mm |
| Max Number of Fans and Radiators | 2 × 120 mm left side or 1 × 240 mm radiator |
| Front I/O Ports | 2 × USB 3.0 1 × HD Audio |
Last but not least, we have the Core P1 from Thermaltake. This is a case made to show off. The design is its greatest strength. Open design with two side panels out of which one’s made of tempered glass is striking. If you like open builds with lots of RGB effects and unique custom loops, this is the best case you can find.
Open design allows for maximum airflow and the right panel is quite thick, including lots of space for cable management. But this case isn’t all about looks. It supports up to two 120mm fans or one 240mm radiator, for even better airflow and great AIO support. Next, you can mount three SSDs and one HDD, another excellent feature.
The case’s pretty large so it can host regular ATX PSUs (max length is 180mm), long graphics cards (up to 380mm), and tall CPU coolers (up to 170mm). The Core P1 comes with a PCIe riser for mounting the GPU horizontally, for even better aesthetics. Overall, this is an amazing case for those who want something like this. Yes it’s quite large for a Mini-ITX case and it’s very heavy but the look of a full RGB rig with colored liquid cooling is worth the price and chunky size. If you want a similar see-through case but you prefer the closed design, check out the LD03 from Silverstone.
What to look for in a Mini-ITX case
There is a selection of features that are quite important when picking a Mini-ITX case. These cases are extra small so you have to watch about GPU length, supported PSUs, number of storage devices you can fit inside the case, and more.
GPU length and CPU fan clearance
In most cases you cannot fit a full length graphics card inside a Mini-ITX case. Most cases have max GPU length listed in official specifications. If you don’t want a nasty surprise when trying to fit your graphics card inside your new Mini-ITX case, double check the maximum GPU length supported by the case. Luckily, even the most powerful graphics cards on the market have models with shorter length.
The same goes for the GPU width. Most Mini-ITX cases can fit dual-slot graphics cards without issues but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Again, check whether the case can fit thick GPUs if you have one. Finally, if you have a tall CPU fan, check the maximum CPU fan clearance on the case you’re eyeing. Some of them don’t have lots of clearance, especially low-profile ones.
PSU compatibility
Most Mini-ITX cases cannot host a full-fledged ATX power supply. Most can fit SFX (small form factor) PSUs but some low-profile models can only fit nano power supplies. Look out for that when searching for your next Mini-ITX case.
Cable Management
As you’d expect, smaller Mini-ITX cases don’t have great cable management. Larger models can have excellent cable management, in line with mid-tower cases. But most cases, especially low-profile ones, can have problematic cable management that can make assembling your next build extra complicated.
It’s best to scourge through professional and user reviews as well as through forum posts in order to see whether the case you want to get has decent cable management.
SSD/HDD trays
The small size means less space for storage devices. If you’re a data hoarder well, don’t get a Mini-ITX case. If you’re a regular user who needs a large HDD and one or two SSDs most cases can fulfill your needs.
Most Mini-ITX cases have three storage bays but there are models with more trays out there. If you want a low-profile case with console-like design, be ready to live with only 1 or two storage bays. Luckily, many high-end Mini-ITX motherboards have two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs.
DTX motherboard compatibility
DTX is a motherboard form factor that’s between mATX and Mini-ITX in size. There aren’t many DTX motherboards on the market. But if you’re into getting one check whether your next Mini-ITX case supports such board.
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