Picking the right case is crucial to any build, especially if you are building a gaming PC. Before you commit to a full size case, you will want to make sure you have plenty of room for your PC. If you are worried about space, you may be better off with a Mid size ATX case. There are a number of benefits of going with a full size case.
Benefits of a Full ATX Case
The first and most obvious benefit is that a full size ATX case gives you plenty of room for all the hardware you could possibly want. If you want an array of hard drives, you will have room. If you want to run multiple GPUs, you will also have room. With a full size case, you won’t be limited by the case on being able to run the setup of your choice.
In general, a full ATX case will provide better cooling. This isn’t always true as you need to go case by case. However, the larger size of the full case allows for larger fans, more fans, and more open space for airflow. Better cooling will allow you to run your hardware at top speeds safely.
One last benefit of a full size case is that the added space makes it easier to manage cables and troubleshoot in general. With a smaller case, cables are likely to be smashed in and be all over the place. You can definitely manage cables in a smaller case, it just takes a bit more effort. With a full size case, making changes to your setup is usually a bit easier.
Best Full ATX Cases Under $200
Thermaltake View 51 Full Tower Case
This case from industry leader Thermaltake currently sits just under $200. It has cool lighting with seven different lighting modes and multiple colors. It comes with 2x200mm front fans and a 120mm rear fan. It also allows you to add up to 23 total fans depending on how much cooling you need. Last, the View 51 has a neat feature that allows you to rotate your PCI-E slots between horizontal and vertical. This case has a 4.6/5 star rating with over 2,100 reviews on Amazon.
Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Case
The Phanteks Enthoo Pro case is a great value as it is just under $150. This is a simple, yet solid all around case. It comes with a 140mm and a 200mm fan and allows you to add a number of additional fans if needed. This case also comes with extensive water cooling support if you decide to go the water cooling route. One thing I will say is that if you are into LED lighting on your case, this case is likely not the case for you as it doesn’t have much in the way of lighting. However, other than that, it is a rock solid case. This case has an impressive 4.8/5 star rating with close to 2K reviews.
Thermaltake Core X71 Tempered Glass Edition Full ATX Case
The Core X71 is another case that is a great value as it is currently priced at $158. It comes standard with 3x140mm fans for great cooling and like the other cases on this list it has the ability to add more fans. The tempered glass window offers a beautiful view at your components and is super durable. The Core X71 offers a ton of features like a GPU support bracket, modular drive bays, and drive cages to make it easy to install or remove parts. This case has a 4.6/5 rating with close to 400 reviews.
If you aren’t impressed by any of the above full towers, you can check out the Cougar Panzer Max-G Full Tower Gaming Case as our honorable mention pick. It is solid all-around. However, we didn’t want to mention in our above results as the price sometimes goes above $200.
Know of another great case under $200? Let me know in the comments!