Thinking about upgrading the looks of your PC? A new case is a great way to give new life from your old, outdated tower. Today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the most stylish cases available. Not only will your PC look newer, but it will have better cable management, reduce noise, and keep hardware cool around the clock. Best of all, each entry we reviewed is budget-friendly and affordable. That’s right, these are the best PC cases under 100 dollars USD! So come along and let us show you how to upgrade your computer on the cheap.
Best PC Cases Under 100 Comparison
What to Look for When Shopping for a PC Case for Less Than $100
Before you throw your hard-earned money at the first PC case you see under 100, it’s important to consider a few factors. I want you to make the most informed decision on your purchase. To ensure you do just that, we need to cover a few aspects of PC cases.
Let’s look at them one at a time so you have a better understanding of what goes into a new PC case. This will allow you to gain better insight on what makes the best PC case. Soon, you’ll be enjoying all the perks that a PC case has to offer.
Check Your Components
The first thing you need to take into consideration when shopping for the best PC cases under 100 is the type of motherboard you’re using. As you probably already know, components come in all shapes and sizes.
Check the size of the following components to see what exactly you'll be transferring in your new case:
Will the best computer case under the $100 budget accommdate all your parts? You don’t want to wind up with something that is too small (or possibly even too big) for your current setup.
A list of all your parts will go a long way because it's going to determine how well your PC case can properly cool your setup. You'll have an easier time finding a case that will fit all your specific needs!
Cooling System
A good cooling system is needed to ensure that your new setup runs smoothly. This is especially true if you have a lot of internal components and cables. Cable management is key in not only organization, but the performance of your PC. Your PC case should have enough space where you can tie your cables together to achieve optimal airflow.
Optimal airflow should flow from the front to the back, and bottom to top direction. This ensures that if you plan on doing heavy-duty work on your PC, your components will be properly cooled.
If you prefer getting a case with tempered glass, just remember that they often need more fans for the best performance. By design, tempered glass cases don't have good airflow, therefore the components in the PC can quickly heat up. Most of these cases already have pre-installed fans that allow for basic air-flow.
If you want to further upgrade your ability to keep your PC cool, PC cases should offer an ability to allow for liquid cooling. Liquid cooling reduces the temperature, of specifically your CPU and GPU. It may be more efficient as it uses less energy than having an air-cooled system.
A hot PC can lead to shutdowns, ruined hardware, or even fires. Make sure you take the time to research each case to ensure that is the right fit for your needs. That being said, even if it isn’t, a little extra work can transform it into the case of your dreams. Now let's look at each of these cases we recommend in an in-depth manner.
Cost
Are you on a tight budget? No worries, as I have included affordable options that are well under the 100 dollar benchmark. By knowing your monetary limits, you’ll have an easier time narrowing down which of the best PC cases under 100 are within your means.
And as a reminder, you can get some really great PC cases for highly-affordable prices.
But I think you’ll find that the budget-friendly choices I am about to review are more than enough to fit your needs for a PC case.
Best PC Cases under 100 USD Reviews
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5
Features:
- Extra space for better cable management
- High-quality materials for increased longevity
- Friendly interface for easy access
- Included fans for basic cooling
- All-in-one integrated liquid cooling system
With an amazing price and stellar build-quality, the Phanteks P400 is an excellent buy. Made of a combination of metal, steel, and tempered glass, you’re getting supreme durability that’s affordable and manageable.
The outside of the case is simple as all the sides are flat, even the front panel is flat. There's a vent at the bottom of the front panel that you can see as well. Under the side, front panels, and top covers, there is some sound dampening material that can be seen! Upon opening the Phanteks P400, you’re introduced to a wide-open interior. There’s plenty of room for components, although it is missing an optical bay drive. The bottom of the case is equipped with the power supply cover.
With additions of adding an ultra-fine mesh to the case, it brings the best performance for your PC as it acts as a dust filter to continuously improve the airflow.
With the glass side panel removed, the power supply shroud can be seen at the rear of the case. You may have to cover up your power supply, but it does offer more storage space to organize your power cables and keep unattractive cables out of view. This cable management is important as it keeps your PC organized and clean.
There's also room for easy SSD installation. It’s a well-thought-out setup that deserves praise for its effectiveness.
The casing itself is quite attractive. The top is adorned with a simple user interface that includes the power button, the two USB 3.0 inputs, a headphone jack, and mic, lead, and reset. The tempered glass is perfect for displaying your own RGB lighting system, and it even comes with its own strip that you can show off your rig at no extra cost. If not, the LEDs are still an added nice touch to give it a modern feel.
Phanteks P400 | |
|---|---|
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18.5" x 8.3" x 18.3" |
Cooling System | 1x 120mm fan (front/rear) |
Body | Metal/steel/tempered glass |
Ports | 2x USB 3.0/mic/lead/reset/headphones |
Lighting | 10 RGB LEDs |
Weight | 15.4 pounds |
To say that I am pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The Phanteks Eclipse P350X knocked my socks off with its compact design and sleek aesthetics. But what was most amazing to me was learning of its incredibly affordable price.
You’re investing in a solid and sturdy PC case that looks like a premium build. From its steel body to its awesome RGB lighting, the P350X is one heck of a great buy. The power supply shroud is one piece and it's not removeable as it's built into the PC case. With having the shroud built in, know that this does bring the size of the tempered glass panel down which accounts for the cheaper price.
A tempered glass panel makes up the left side of the case. As you have likely already gathered, you will probably need to invest in an additional cooling system because of this. The build quality is superb with this tempered glases, as there is the ability to make your setup visibly seen for aesthetic pleasure. You also have the ability to cycle through the RGB lighting pressing the button on top of the case, and it's good to mention that this case is comptabile with third-party RGB systems. That being said, its aesthetics are stunning, to say the least.
Pros
Cons
Editor's Rating: 4.5/5
Features:
- Digital RGB lighting on the exterior and PSU cover
- Equipped with velcro cable ties
- Has dedicated cable management space (36mm), and addtional cable compartment (58mm)
- Optimal air flow design for optimal cooling
- Premium materials for durability
Phanteks Eclipse P350X | Header |
|---|---|
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17.91" x 7.87" x 17.72" |
Cooling system | 1x 120mm fan |
Body | Metal/plastic/tempered glass |
Ports/features | 2x USB 3.0/mic/headphones/RGB control |
Lighting | Digital RGB LEDs |
Weight | 14.1 pounds |
To say that I am pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The Phanteks Eclipse P350X knocked my socks off with its compact design and sleek aesthetics. But what was most amazing to me was learning of its incredibly affordable price.
You’re investing in a solid and sturdy PC case that looks like a premium build. From its steel body to its awesome RGB lighting, the P350X is one heck of a great buy. The power supply shroud is one piece and it's not removable as it's built into the PC case. With having the shroud built-in, know that this does bring the size of the tempered glass panel down which accounts for the cheaper price.
A tempered glass panel makes up the left side of the case. As you have likely already gathered, you will probably need to invest in an additional cooling system because of this. The build quality is superb with this tempered glasses, as there is the ability to make your setup visibly seen for aesthetic pleasure. You also have the ability to cycle through the RGB lighting pressing the button on top of the case, and it's good to mention that this case is compatible with third-party RGB systems. That being said, its aesthetics are stunning, to say the least.
"The P350X is one of the most complete cases we've seen in awhile.." - "The Case We've Been WAITING For! - Phanteks Eclipse P350X" - Youtube Video, 7:50. Posted by Hardware Canucks.
To say the most, the P350X delivers many of the same attributes that you would find in a high-end model – but at a fraction of the cost. Sure, the size is a bit on the smaller side but it's perfect for adding support to a pair of 120mm or 140mm fans on top of the case. This top part of the case also holds a magnetic dust filter which allows for easy filtration. I like that it is compatible with ATX, mITX, and uATX motherboards. There is a good amount of storage space, as well. The front has a hidden drive cage that can be loaded with two 3.5-inch HDDs, along with 3 SSDs. But for those who aren’t concerned with rapidly expanding their setup anytime soon, this case is the perfect companion.
You’ll find that there are two integrated USB 3.0 ports, as well as headphone and mic jacks. What is even more impressive is the built-in control that adjusts the RGB lighting to your liking.
This RGB lighting system encompasses the front of the case, as well as below the tempered glass. It adds a whole new level of attraction that is often found only in high-end cases. The plastic front panel has RGB strips, as well as the bottom edge of the side panel to frame the set-up perfectly. This lighting makes the P350X one of the best gaming cases under 100.
The only potential drawback is that of a single fan. But it compensates with a compact EATX mid-tower which allows for proper airflow. There are a litany of vents to allow for optimal cooling throughout the case.
With these features, it makes all the difference when trying to install all of your hardware into this rather compact unit.
Pros
Cons
Editor's Rating: 4.2/5
Features:
Incredible noise-dampening for quiet performance
Large design leaves plenty of room for expansion
SD card reader delivers greater convenience
Good ventilation ensures optimal airflow
Steel construction for added durability
Cooler Master Silencio S400 | Header |
|---|---|
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.27" x 16.46" x 16.06" |
Cooling system | Top/Front/Rear 120mm fans |
Body | Foam/vinyl/steel/tempered glass |
Ports/features | SD card reader/mic/headset |
Lighting | 1x 5.25 ODD/4x 3.5 HDD/4x 2.5 SSD |
Weight | 15.5 pounds |
As the most expensive case among our reviews (but still under $100), Cooler Master’s Silencio S400 is quite the enigma. It isn’t the prettiest PC case you’ll ever come across, but it delivers stellar performance with its ability to incredibly dampen the sound of your hardware.
Upon opening the top panel, there are two fans measuring at 120mm and 140mm. This top panel is paired with a vent cover that dampens sounds, and also acts as a fan filter to allow airflow. With the front panel, there are two 3.0 USB ports, headphone and microphone jack, with a cool feature of an SD card reader. The SD Card Reader is a feature that usually doesn't come with a majority of the PC cases.
Another notable feature is that there is a 5.25" drive pay for the optical drive. This variant is much larger than your typical 3.5" and 2.5" bay. This can act as a DVD burner, or a Blu-ray disk driver. Under the mesh filter of the front panel, there's space for 120mm or 140mm.
"To wrap things up, the S400 is a minimalist and to my eyes, a very good looking case that is well-built" - "Cooler Master Silencio S400 - Minimalist mATX Case" - Youtube Video, 6:24. Posted by techless.
The all-steel construction ensures that you are getting a long-lasting case that provides exceptional protection. I’m rather fond of the ventilation. Cooler Master positioned it in all the right places, while still maintaining its noiseless operation.
The difference this case makes in the sound department is phenomenal. A big part of that goes to the inclusion of a whisper-quiet fan system. There is rubber padding has even been installed to reduce vibration.
With the PSU intake, there is a removable plastic mesh filter that covers and is located at the bottom of the case. With additional height at the bottom of the case, due to the 4 feet, this ensures that your PC isn't standing on the floor.
The Silencio S400 is a solid investment for those who are more concerned with performance than looks. And perform, it does. The S400 is the best PC case under 100 USD for quieting noisy computer components.
Pros
Cons
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Tower Size
Tower size is an important factor that you need to know prior to purchasing your PC case under 100 dollars. Tower sizes can vary, and alot differ in the amount of bays available, and how well it will fit your motherboard. The cases we mentioned prior, are all mid-tower cases which is the common case for many PC builds.
Other sizes that PC cases can come by are full tower and mini-cases. Full tower cases are for instances where you want to install a liquid cooling system, want a multi-GPU setup, or a dual system build. So this case size is perfect if you're planning to expand your build in the long run, that way you will have extra space to accommodate for cable management and airflow.
Mini-cases are good if you don't have alot of space for a full PC setup, or if you're not performing heavy tasks that could result in overclocking. But keep in mind, this case size type is not very user-friendly, as with limited space, the builder must understand their hardware very well to properly fit their components. Also with mini-cases, there will be issues of a cooling problem due to limited airflow as well as tight cable management.
PC builds can vary in component size and the number of parts required, so that's why you should know what components you have to properly build and fit everything in your PC case.
The other side of tower size is how it will make your PC setup look. You might have to invest in a bigger case to properly show off your build, and this goes for those who want that tempered glass side. So let’s move on to the next section and discuss the style of your potential new case.
Aesthetics
You’re probably investing in a new PC case because you’re bored with it or hate the look of your current system. Totally understandable, and aesthetics is a big reason most people decide to switch their PC case.
If your new PC case is going to be out of sight anyway, your options are pretty wide open. But if you want to show off your build and perhaps pair it with some RGB lighting, you will need to consider the type of your PC case as it can affect the aesthetics immensely.
Many new cases come equipped with attractive RGB lighting and tempered glass, these two aspects combined will make your build quite aesthetically pleasing. With RGB lighting, you have the option to toggle between the different color schemes you wish to choose. Let's face it, various RGB lighting is just pleasing to look at!
Additional Features/Ports
Aside from RGB lighting, you may need your new case to come equipped with features like convenient cable management, USB ports, headphone jack, microphone jack, fans, and so on.
Features like these are important to understand and know because not all PC cases come with the same setup. There is an influx of different products that are available for you to purchase, so narrowing down on priorities like aesthetics, or performance can help you choose what type of case you need!
Compatibility Is Key
You now should have a good idea as to what you require out of the best PC case for under 100 dollars. Now it’s time to make sure that it is compatible with all of your components. Knowing your components fits is one thing, but the case also needs to be able to accept what components you are putting in there.
The main component to keep an eye out for compatibility issues is the motherboard. More often than not, it is the reason for compatibility issues. Secondary components include CPU and RAM. As long as your motherboard fits well, everything else should, too.
This is why it is so important to make sure that the size of the PC case can adequately house your hardware. Once you know you’re good to go, you can start planning on making your purchase.
What Are the Benefits of a New PC Case?
PC cases are important for several factors. With PC cases, you are not only protecting your hardware, but you are also shielding them from any external factors. Case material is important because if you have a case mostly built from plastic, it will increase in temp and will not be able to hold up and sort of GPU for that matter. If your steel PC case is bent, then there's a chance for hardware malfunctions as components will not fit properly.
Another benefit of adding a new PC case is upgraded airflow, as your components will be housed in a new space, it propagates better airflow. If you are using a PC build that requires high power usage, older fans may not be able to sustain the build that well.
And of course, having a new PC case can increase the aesthetic pleasure as most PC builds are now mounted on top of a desk not just for optimal airflow, but for showing off the build. So you may just want to pay the extra money for a good looking case.
Buying the best PC case is a great investment that can cool your components better allowing for better performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a good computer case?
There are several compatibility factors that need to be accounted for when choosing a computer case. Factors like the motherboard, CPU cooler, graphics card, power supply type, and fan cooling system all need to be accounted for when choosing the perfect case!
Should I get a full tower or mid tower case?
Full tower cases generally have more space, and therefore provide better cooling than mid-tower cases, but these cases tend to run more expensive than mid-tower cases. These case types are only needed if you plan on upgrading or adding parts to your PC.
What is the difference between a mid tower and a full tower?
Mid-tower cases are smaller than full tower cases because the motherboard is smaller, there are less fans, and less expansion slots. Generally speaking, mid-tower cases are 18 inches in height, whereas full tower cases measure at 22 inches.
Is a bigger PC case better?
A larger PC case is only better if you plan on adding more PC component parts to it as it has the space and air flow capabilities to do so. But without the right part placements or sufficient fans inside, there can be "dead air" build up which can heat up the case, this is something smaller cases wouldn't have to deal with.
Does a PC need a case?
You need a PC case because without it, the fan components of your PC case will blow air in random directions, and therefore reduce the cooling efficiency of the running components. A PC case will help keep your PC components organized and properly cooled.
Are full tower cases worth it?
Full tower cases are worth it if you are planning on upgrading or adding PC components, as you will have additional space to work with.
Are PC cases universal?
Not all PC cases are universal as it will depend on your PC components. Motherboards are generally the determining factor as they can come in different types like ITX, mATX, ATX or E-ATX. PC cases sizes will correspond to the size of the motherboards.
What size is my PC case?
You can check the size form of your PC case by referring to the type of motherboard it's hosting. PC case sizes are determined by the size measurements of the motherboard it's housing.
Read also our other buying guides for ATX cases and Micro-ATX cases.
This case is astonishingly brilliant. The features presented herein are those probably seen in many over-priced cases. Many of the details demonstrated are astoundingly well thought out. I’d expect to pay a great deal more, yet this case is under the $100 price range. At present (mid 2021), the cost is still around $90, which is a real bargain, if you are, as I am, looking to keep costs at a minimum, while attaining the very best features possible. No doubt, I’ll be ordering one of these for my build. And, thank you, Chris, for an excellent presentation of a quality product.
Good article