Building a PC from scratch is an exciting process to undertake, particularly when it’s your first time. One of the big red flags that might arise as you begin accumulating parts is space, both inside the case and around your desk. To solve this problem, many people have started flocking towards horizontal PC cases rather than the traditional vertical tower case.
A major benefit to having a horizontal PC case is the flexibility you have on the interior; with more space, you can arrange your components closer to how you’d like them, and it makes upgrading a far easier process. With more space, you can also increase airflow, which will help your build in the long run.
In addition to that, some gaming desk setups offer little space below the desk to comfortably place your tower, but with a horizontal PC case, you can place the PC on the surface of your desk and place your monitor on top of it to maximize the space available.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through a comprehensive list of the best horizontal PC cases on the market today, and we’ll discuss what to look for when searching for horizontal PC cases.
Let’s get into it.
| Award | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Horizontal PC Case |
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
|
Check Price Read Customer Reviews |
| Best Premium Horizontal PC Case |
Thermaltake Core P5 V2
|
Check Price Read Customer Reviews |
| Best Horizontal PC Case to Use as a Monitor Stand |
Cryorig Taku
|
Check Price Read Customer Reviews |
| Best Mini ITX Horizontal PC Case |
Fractal Design Node 202
|
Check Price Read Customer Reviews |
Shopping for a horizontal PC case can be overwhelming at first, but if you know what to look for, you can sift through the poor options and find a case that suits your needs easily.
Here’s what to look for during your search:
Before even considering a horizontal PC case, make sure that it can support the form factor of your motherboard. Similar to vertical chassis, the size of your case must be able to fit the size of your motherboard, and you need to be sure that there is enough space for the components you’ll be connecting to the motherboard during your build.
In order of largest to smallest, the current mainstream form factors for motherboards are ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX. If this is your first time building a PC, check out this helpful guide that describes what a motherboard is.
Similar to the form factor, you want to be certain that the horizontal case you intend to use has the proper clearance for your CPU, GPU, and PSU. You can find the dimensions and specifications for these components on the manufacturers’ websites; the same goes for the dimensions of the chassis.
You want to be sure that there isn’t just enough space to squeeze everything in, but room enough to facilitate proper airflow and not restrict future upgrade possibilities. To reduce the need for space further, consider purchasing a CPU with integrated graphics.
Front panel features are always upgrading with new USB ports, headphone jacks, and power buttons, so if this is important to you then you want to check before purchasing a horizontal PC case. You can most often find the information for the front panel on the manufacturer’s website with the specifications.
Depending on your floor/desk space, the orientation of the chassis might affect your comfort when using your PC. Some horizontal cases work fine oriented multiple ways (vertical, horizontal facing left, horizontal facing right, etc.), while others only work while oriented one way.
Determine what will work best for your space and how versatile you want your case to be before purchasing anything.
Many of the latest-gen horizontal cases on the market offer special features, such as RGB lighting or built-in cooling systems. Compare the case(s) you want with the rest of the components you aim to buy; sometimes, you can cut costs by purchasing a chassis with the features you like already included.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s go over some of the best horizontal PC cases on the market right now, so you can apply what you’ve learned and start building that PC!
This high-quality horizontal chassis has ample space for total flexibility, making it the perfect choice for serious gaming or other stress-heavy purposes.
Check Latest PriceMotherboard Capability: ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Expansion Slots: 7
GPU/CPU/PSU Clearance: 334mm/180mm/180mm
Dimensions: 16.7 x 17.4 x 13 inches
Weight: 18.1 pounds
Review
The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is a spacious, highly-upgradeable horizontal chassis that supports all sizes of motherboards. It has ample clearance inside for total upgrade flexibility, but the compact nature of the case makes cable management a concern.
One of the main drawbacks to this case is that it does not include an RGB lighting setup or an air filter, which means that if you want those features, you may need to sacrifice something else or spend some time arranging everything properly.
Beyond that, this case is great for supporting the newest GPUs on the market, and it supports overclocking, which will appeal to AAA-title gamers. It comes with two built-in fans specifically for the purpose of overclocking, and there is clearance inside to support another fan. If you aren’t sure what overclocking is, or how to check for it, visit this helpful guide on how to check if your CPU is overclocking.
Another benefit to this case is its robustness, which helps to eliminate GPU sagging and PCIe card sagging.
This is our choice for the best premium case, but don’t let that title fool you; this horizontal case from Thermaltake is only a bit more expensive than our best overall pick, and the gorgeous aesthetics and upgradeability are definitely worth it.
Check Latest PriceMotherboard Capability: ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Expansion Slots: 8
GPU/CPU/PSU Clearance: 320mm/180mm/200mm
Dimensions: 23.9 x 13.1 x 22.4 inches
Weight: 39.9 pounds
Review
This beautiful horizontal case comes equipped with a 5mm pane of tempered glass for the top surface, and no sides. So, if you aren’t afraid of having your computer components exposed to the environment you live in, this case is a great way to increase the aesthetic appeal of your rig while simultaneously allowing for future upgrades.
I want to be clear: if you have nosy children, meddling pets, or poor ventilation, DO NOT BUY THIS CASE. It looks amazing on a desk, but the visual is not worth the financial repercussions of needing to replace your components because a drink spilled onto it or someone (or something) tampers with the glamorous temptation of your rig.
If that doesn’t apply to you, then this could be a great horizontal chassis for you. It disregards orientation limits by functioning as both a horizontal and vertical case, and you can even mount it to the wall!
It has enough space to fill with the newest generations of GPUs, with a GPU clearance of 320mm, as well as a CPU clearance of 180mm, and a PSU clearance of 200mm. This case will support all sizes of motherboard, and the open sides increase airflow tenfold.
Cryorig’s Taku is an extension of their high-performing CPU coolers and fans, in that it looks amazing and provides high-end capabilities at the same time.
Check Latest PriceMotherboard Capability: Mini ITX
Expansion Slots: 2
GPU/CPU/PSU Clearance: 134mm/48mm/SFX-L
Dimensions: 5.6 x 22.4 x 12.2 inches
Weight: 11.7 pounds
Review
The Taku is small; it can only fit a Mini ITX motherboard, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the space for gaming-grade components. The aluminum chassis has a sliding tray that contains all of your components, which makes arranging and upgrading a breeze. This also allows for those with an excess of PC components to try different things out before settling on a final setup.
There are also cutouts in the top plate of the case, so you can easily manage cables to suit the needs of your desk. The solid wooden feet on the case are set at a good height for putting a monitor on top of, and they are sturdy enough to not worry about the size of your monitor having an adverse effect on the case.
The pricing for this horizontal chassis is towards the higher end, but the value outweighs the price if you are in need of a compact case that will fit on top of your desk, without sacrificing gaming capabilities or other stress-heavy tasks.
This horizontal PC case from Fractal Design is small, sleek, and capable of supporting a mid-range gaming build, though its aesthetic capabilities are limited.
Check Latest PriceMotherboard Capability: Mini ITX
Expansion Slots: 2
GPU/CPU/PSU Clearance: 310mm/56mm/130mm
Dimensions: 5.6 x 22.4 x 12.2 inches
Weight: 11.7 pounds
Review
This horizontal chassis is very similar to the Cryorig Taku in size and capability, but with much less pizzazz than the Taku. It has a sleek black exterior that sits flat on your desk, but we would not recommend using it as a monitor stand.
The relatively closed-off nature of the case makes airflow a challenge, but it comes equipped with strategically placed dust filters to mitigate that concern. This case can be placed vertically, but to maximize airflow you will want to have it resting horizontally to avoid blocking off some of those ventilation points.
Though small, this case can still fit the components necessary for a mid-range gaming build, and with the case being on the cheaper side, it makes for a nice medium-quality choice for PC enthusiasts that want an affordable case with some flexibility.
This horizontal PC case does not come with RGB lighting included, and with no windows to the interior, RGB would be a waste of money. If you’re working on a tight budget, go for the cheaper, non-RGB components; you won’t be able to see them anyway!
There are so many case options to choose from when you’re building a PC such as open air PC case, quiet PC cases, and PC case for watercooling, but the choice is easy to make for budget-minded people with limited space: a horizontal chassis is the way to go. From small, sleek designs to larger, more elegant masterpieces, there are plenty of options to satisfy both your needs and the needs of your build.
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