Best Slim, Compact & Small ATX Cases 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

Cooler master HAF box is a LAN box that supports full sized ATX motherboard. It might not seem very appealing visually but it features great airflow and it's is quite spacious for water cooled builds. Also featured in our list of portable cases, It’s is one of the smallest ATX cases. The case is mainly constructed of plastic and steel and has an industrial look. Looks can be a straight turn off if you are looking to build a computer for living room while it can be a great utility for a portable built. This model of the case currently comes with closed side panels but cooler masters does sell custom panels with glass windows if you like to show off the interiors.

The front of the case has an integrated I/O panel which consists of 2 x USB 3.0 ports, Power/reset buttons and audio jacks. It comes equipped with 2 x 120mm case fans. The case might seem to lack at aesthetics, but when it comes to efficiency, It’s one of the bests out there. Ventilation ports are available and reachable almost everywhere on the case. Since the case has great ventilation, it will surely save you a few bucks on cooling solution. Though it has options for liquid cooling or even a custom water loop, It should be good with an Air Cooler and a few airflow fans to rotate the air.

This case is not necessarily small, but due to low profile design, It can save you a lot of space. Another great reason to consider this case is the unique looks; There are not many cases in the market that come with an industrial look. It also features great cable management; Cable tie hosts and cutouts for cables are located almost everywhere.

Unlike most other cases, The HAF XB II has a horizontal motherboard mount. It gives you an option to use better cooling solutions but also makes it hard to work in it; It can be hard to reach places if you have large hands. In conclusion, It is a utilitarian computer case that comes at a very affordable price.

Moving on, We have a case from Corsair. The Carbide 400C is one of the best selling computer cases from Corsair; It is small, has great cable management and elegant looks. Unlike the Cooler Master HAF XB, this case is oriented more towards casual consumers looking to build a computer. It has full-sized glass side panel is very easy to open, This makes hardware in the case very accessible.

Corsair has done a great job with the case front, unlike most cases, it is a little extended from the case, This makes enough space for better airflow intake from the front. The case comes pre-equipped with a 140mm case fan located at the front, It is a great intake fan, but you could add another 120mm to make sure of better airflow. The front panel comes completely covered with a dust filter, Which is a necessity for all PC cases, You should always use dust filters with intake fans.

As for compatibility, In front, you can install dual 140mm or triple 120mm fans. I/O buttons are integrated on the top; These buttons are laid out well and thoroughly blend in with the looks of the case. The top is also comes covered with a magnetic filter; It is the optimal placement of your radiators. Another dust filter is present at the bottom; This prevents any dust that could be inhaled through the bottom if your case has a negative case pressure.

In conclusion, It is not the smallest ATX case featured on this list but still a great competitor. If you are looking for a good looking case for your living room, It looks elegant; It is an optimal choice for a high-end and compact build.

Riotoro CR1080 is another low profile case which supports a full sized ATX motherboard. It is quite small for an ATX case but offers great efficiency if you are looking to build a high-end gaming rig. It has a see-through side panel, Which is something most of us consider while building a PC. The windowed side panel is easy to can be completely recovered with a little tweak. Working on the case is very simple, and it offers decent cable management. Simplistic exterior is what makes it unique and earns it a spot on this list.

The front panel offers great ventilation, and it’s equipped with dust filters; It is designed to be used for air intake. Another magnetic dust filter is located on the side panel.

The windowed side panel has a bulge, This makes it hard to carry around the case and doesn’t look that great either. On the contrary, it also allows you to install much thicker CPU coolers. So, This can be considered a downside or a feature depending on your needs. From my perspective, It is a downside; There are already enough options in the market that allow for a large CPU cooler, If I am looking for a small ATX case, I don’t need a big bulge on it no matter what how much utility it offers.

In conclusion, It supports high-end hardware and has enough space for liquid cooling, but the bulge on the side panel adds a really weird look. It lacks cable management cutouts and might give you a hard time dealing with it. It is a great case but quite thick compared to other cases on this list. It is a great fit for non-portable high-end gaming builds.

Next up, we have yet another case from Corsair. The Air 540 is a cube style case which comes in a variety of color variations. The case is not very small but shares a very high-end look. It is an expensive case explicitly designed for enthusiasts. Corsair Air540 features almost everything you could ask for in the case. For starters, It has a see-through window, a Front panel of the case blends in very well with the case athletics, It has options for optical drives, I/O ports have great placement and are very accessible.

The Air 540 provides great space efficiency and cable management. A case has a very premium look and builds from high quality and durable material. Equipped with rubberized feed, It prevents any accidental contracts under the case or on the placement medium. Ventilation holes are located throughout the case.

In conclusion, The case is likely the best-looking case on this list and features high-quality aesthetics, Though it comes with a hefty price tag. It is an excellent choice for high-end gaming builds or workstations.

Thermaltake makes great quality produces, and Core G3 is one of their best selling creations. It is a slim ATX case which is very space efficient. It has a very high-end look to it, Featuring enough space for a custom liquid cooling loops and high-end GPUs’, Is is a beast. A chassis like this makes a great choice for wall mounted builds for the living room. You can build a high-end HTPC or a portable VR build; With a case as slim and small as this, Possibilities are unimaginable.

The case is optimized for optimal airflow and easy cable management. I/O ports are located in front of the case; They blend in quite well. In conclusion, It is a great case for high-end wall mounted of desktop builds. This case also supports horizontal alignment; You can build an impeccable 4k or VR PC in this case for your living room.