The trend of building PCs with smaller chassis’ and more compact form factors are quickly growing in
Micro-ATX builds are typically considered the middle-point between a small form factor PC build (SFFPC) – often with mini-ITX form factor cases – where the volume of the PC case must be below 20 litres, and a regular mid-tower ATX PC build. Small ATX cases do exist (covered here) but they aren’t easy to come by. Micro-ATX PC cases typically are about 25-50 litres in internal capacity, which is not small enough that it can become tricky to fit in a full-length GPU or perhaps install a water cooling loop, but not big enough where there is a lot of empty wasted space and not taking up too much precious room on or below your desk. It is surprising just how much PC you can fit in a Micro ATX case, and this is perhaps why they continue to grow and grow in popularity.
In this guide, we’ll go over the top micro-ATX options to consider for your next 2021 mATX build. We will explore cases ranging from low-end and budget-friendly choices to premium, high-end chassises.
Best mATX Cases – Our Recommendations
| Design | Model |
|---|---|
 | Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX 'Tempered Glass' Edition |
 | Corsair Crystal 280x |
 | Corsair Obsidian 350D |
 | Cooler Master Silencio S400 |
 | Thermaltake Core V21 |
 | In Win 301 |
1. Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX ‘Tempered Glass’ Edition
Hands down the Enthoo Evolv mATX TG edition is our favourite Micro ATX case on the market, and without hesitation would be my case of choice if I were to do a Micro ATX build. The aesthetics of the Enthoo Evolv are heads and shoulders above the competition, with a sleek design and solid build quality, and beautiful tempered glass side window to show off your build.
This micro ATX case also comes in at under 42 litres of capacity, supporting video cards of up to 319mm (slightly less than the Obsidian Series 350D), and CPU coolers of up to 192mm in height, so it means you won’t be limited to opting for just a low profile CPU cooler. Water cooling is also supported, and 360mm radiators will fit – meaning this micro ATX case is perfect for those wishing to water cool their build.
The case is certainly on the heavy side at weighing in at 9 kg, and that is the price to pay when picking a case built with aluminum and tempered glass! In addition, the Enthoo Evolv TG doesn’t have soundproofing or USB type C, but apart from that it’s difficult to flaw this superb Micro ATX case.
2. Corsair Crystal 280x
Corsair’s first mention on this list, the Crystal 280x is a modern follow-up to the incredibly popular Carbide Air 240. Featuring a unique and largely glass design, the case is strikingly sharp and showcases the interior beautifully. Released in 2018, this case features a dual-chamber layout for easier building and organization. One half is entirely glass, while the other is sleek black to hide away wires and wraps. The Crystal 280x delivers great airflow and satisfying thermals to support even the most demanding and extreme micro-ATX builds.
The Crystal 280x is 389mm x 276mm x 351mm and can support ATX format PSUs up to 180mm. CPU coolers up to 150mm are supported, and GPUs up to 300mm fit in the case. Some of the larger video cards available will not fit in this case, but most users should not have a problem. Still, it’s best to double-check to be sure. These numbers are direct, if slight, upgrades over the Carbide Air 240 that the Crystal 280x replaces.
Water cooling is fully supported in the Crystal 280x. It can fit up to three 240mm radiators for an AIO CPU or GPU liquid cooled system. In addition, there’s plenty of room for expansion and cooling potential, with up to 4 full height expansion slots available and six 120mm cooling fans. Included in the case are two 120mm fans. The Crystal 280x is also available in an RGB form for slightly more money, replacing the two fans with RGB ones that feature customizable LEDs. Overall, the Crystal 280x is a great case to consider for your next Micro-ATX build if you enjoy the glass look. It is missing some modern I/O – a lack of USB Type-C support is disappointing. Still, with its impressive build quality, design, and internal capacity, it’s hard to go wrong with this case.
3. Corsair Obsidian 350D
The Obsidian 350D is a great option for those wanting to get a rock-solid, capable PC case for their next Micro ATX build. Coming in at just under 42 litres of internal capacity, the Obsidian 350D supports up to video card lengths of 380mm, so more than capable for supporting even the larger cards out there. Water cooling is supported out of the box, with a max radiator length of 280mm able to fit within the frame, as well as 5 fan spaces in total – meaning this case can drive plenty of airflow to keep your micro ATX rig as cool as possible. In terms of design, the Obsidian Series 350D doesn’t try to do anything fancy or stand out, it was built to be a solid, straight-to-the-point PC case that prioritizes function over form.
Features that this PC case lack include sound-proofing and USB type-C on the front I/O. Apart from that, it is really hard to fault the Corsair Obsidian Series 350D, it really is one of the best Micro ATX cases on the market in 2018/19.
4. Cooler Master Silencio S400
Cooler Master’s PC cases are popular choices across the board, and for good reason. The Silencio S400 represents a unique set of priorities in comparison to other micro-ATX cases on the market, making it a great option for a few types of builders. As the name implies, Cooler Master has focused heavily on making this case silent. Featuring a combination of sound dampening materials across almost the entire interior of the case, sounds gets trapped and absorbed easily. Ventilation is another focus, as various sound-dampeners can be replaced with ventilation covers for better thermal performance.
The Silencio S400 features a slick, modern, and glassless look. Cooler Master has made the I/O on the case expansive with the addition of an SD card reader, single headset jack, and two USB 3.2 ports. While there is no USB Type-C connectivity, the other additions are a welcome feature. It is an understated, sleek PC that fits almost anywhere and supports most hardware on the market.
This micro ATX case measures 8.27 x 16.4 x 16.06 inches in size and supports some versatile build options. It features storage support for 4x 3.5” HDDs as well as 4x 2.5” SSDs. CPU coolers up to 167mm are supported, and GPUs up to 319mm in size fit in the case. While some of the larger graphics cards on the market will fit, thermal performance may become an issue – you may have to choose between silence and optimal performance for top of the line rigs. Luckily, radiator support is standard, fitting up to a 240mm on top, 280mm in front, or a 120mm radiator on the rear.
For those builders interested in improved I/O, great looks, and perfect sound dampening, the Silencio S400 is one of the best micro-ATX cases available.
5. Thermaltake Core V21
Of all of the micro-ATX cases we have recommended today, this Thermaltake Core V21 is one of the largest options, with a staggering 45.6L of internal capacity for a micro-ATX case, this option will provide plenty of internal space whilst being smaller than a typical ATX mid tower build. This cubic and modular design looks great in person, and its side window is great for showing off internal components. It’s even possible to stack two of these cases together!
With its large internal capacity, unsurprisingly this means the Core V21 supports practically any size CPU cooler or graphics card available today, with maximum CPU coolers of up to 185mm being able to fit comfortably, as well as graphics cards of up to 350 mm in length. This chassis also makes a great candidate for those looking to watercool their Micro-ATX build, as it is super easy to add AIO systems into the chassis, with radiators of up to 280mm being supported with ease. The modular design even extends to the mounting of radiators, which makes this case a perfect candidate for a micro ATX liquid cooled build in 2020.
With this case being released in 2014, the Core V21 doesn’t support recent standards such as USB Type C, as well as not having a full toolless design, which is something we would like to see in the next iteration of this case.
Many PC builders have mentioned that mounting the PSU in this system is rather awkward, as well as the lack of access to the rear of the motherboard. With that in mind, we still think the Thermaltake Core V21 is one of the best micro-ATX cases you could pick for your next build. This mATX case surely is a must have.
Useful resources about the V21:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/505onq/thermaltake_core_v21/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/48pasi/any_experience_with_thermaltake_core_v21/
6. In Win 301
If you’ve already done research on Micro-ATX cases, you would have probably heard about the In Win 301. This is a fantastic case that is arguably underpriced for what you get. With an impressive build quality, making this case feel like a tank, as well as neat ergonomic features that make this mATX case a pleasure to build with (side panels like oven doors), the In Win 301 impresses us at every level.
Coming in at 25.38L internal capacity, the In Win 301 is definitely on the smaller size of Micro ATX cases, for example the Thermaltake Core V21 mentioned earlier is almost double the size at 45L in volume – yet still supports the same motherboard form factor. Max CPU cooler height and video card length don’t appear to be compromised by this small internal capacity, however, supporting coolers of up to 158mm and video cards of up to 330mm in length – as well as water cooling support with radiators of up to 240mm in length. Quite impressive what can be fitted in this micro-ATX case for the size.
Dust filters are included which is a bonus, although there is no fan control or any soundproofing, as well as USB type C connectivity on the front I/O. This is something we would hope In Win to provide in their next iteration of this m-ATX case (for futureproofing the builds). The In Win 301 is a PC builders dream to assemble and really is difficult to criticize, especially at its price level.
When paired with the right fans in the correct position, this micro ATX case is fantastic for keeping temperatures cool and frame rates high. 3 PWM fans on the bottom acting as the intake and 3 fans on the front and back as the exhaust is recommended for the In Win 301 for extremely impressive performance for a Micro ATX case. With a impressive 96% review rating from TweakTown, this is certainly a micro-ATX case worth considering for your next build.
Examples of InWin 301 Buiilds:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/6ai4e8/in_win_301_build_stoked/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/7kmcfc/in_win_301_ryzen_7_build_xpost_from_pcmasterrace/
Micro ATX Case Buyers Guide
What to take into consideration
1. Internal Capacity
Internal capacity is one of the most important considerations to take when picking a Micro ATX case, since ones with a larger internal volume (measured in Litres (L)) will be able to house larger components such as longer graphics cards and taller CPU coolers – which often correlate with greater cooling performance due to greater fan sizes and heat exhausts/fins.
2. Number of fan spaces
Knowing the total number of fan spaces and the fan sizes that can be accomodated in a mATX case is important to know since the more fan spaces you can fit in the build – given they are setup and orientated correctly to manage heat flow effectively – will result in better airflow and cooler components when under load.
3. Accessibility
A PC case with good accessibility is important in making the PC build as easy and stress free as possible. For example, mATXs with easy access to the rear or the motherboard, or even just screwless design panels will make life far simpler when it comes to building the m-ATX PC.
4. I/O ports and connectivity
Front I/O connectivity is important for those who use plenty of peripherals and need convenient access to them, for example charging or connecting to an external hard drive. Newer PC cases are being equipped with USB 3.1 that has up to 10GB/s of bandwidth, and some cases even feature the newest USB Type-C standard on the front I/O. Having this would be great for a future-proof micro ATX build for years to come.
Summary
| Design | Model |
|---|---|
| Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX 'Tempered Glass' Edition |
| Corsair Crystal 280x |
| Corsair Obsidian 350D |
| Cooler Master Silencio S400 |
| Thermaltake Core V21 |
| In Win 301 |