The Best Mini-ITX PC Cases

Are you looking for a small computer case? You’re not alone. As processors and other components have become more power efficient the desire for a small computer case within which to fit these cooler, less demanding parts has sky-rocketed. Let’s face it – slim is in. Big, bulky computer cases look almost medieval next to a sexy mini-ITX case.

The thing about mini-ITX cases, however, is that the quality of the case shines through much brighter than with other cases. If a case is larger it doesn’t matter quite as much if the manufacturer is great at laying out a case. There is still going to be plenty of room. But with a mini-ITX case every inch counts. This guide will help you pick out the best mini-ITX for your newer, smaller computer.

Antec ISK 300 – $70-90 dollars

Antec is the George Clooney of computer cases. Just say the name in a room of computer enthusiasts and everyone knows what you’re talking about – and most people have something good to say.

Antec is best known for its mid-range desktop cases, but the Antec ISK 300 attempts to extend the magic to the mini-ITX sector. And completely, utterly succeeds. The Antec ISK 300 is handsomely constructed and also incredibly tiny. It is less than four tall, 9 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. It in fact looks more like an oversized external DVD-ROM case than a computer.

Given its size it should come as no surprise that any ISK 300 build is going to be cramped. There is room, however, for a mini-ITX motherboard, a 2.5 inch hard drive,  a 5.25 inch external drive and even a slim PCI or PCI Express card. Note that I said nothing about the power supply – that’s because the ISK 300 uses an included 65 watt external power supply. The result is a tiny but capable system small enough to fit in a desk drawer. If size is your number one priority the Antec ISK 300 is a good choice.

Silverstone SG06- $120-130 dollars

I own this case. Or rather, I own a slightly larger variant called the SG02. It is a beautifully built case which serves well as my HTPC case, but I now wish I had waited for the Silverstone SG06, because this thing is awesome.

First, let’s talk size. At 11 x 8.5 x 7 inches the Silverstone SG06 is not the smallest mini-ITX case, but it can hardly be accused of being large – and the space is put to very good use. The case has a 120mm fan which provides excellent airflow without much noise. It also has enough room to mount a large CPU cooler, a video card of up to 9 inches in length, and it comes with a 300 watt power supply.

What this all means is that you can actually build a powerful mini-ITX system in this case. Add a Radeon 5770 with a Core i5 750 and suddenly you have a gaming computer which is small enough to take to LAN parties.

Lian-Li PC-Q07 – $60-90 dollars

The Lian-Li PC-Q07 looks like the world’s smallest and coolest mini-fridge. All Lian-Li cases are made of brushed aluminum which makes them lighter and sexier than the cases from other manufacturers. The Lian-Li PC-Q07 is 8 inches wide, 8 inches deep, and 11 inches high, making its height it’s largest dimension.

Inside the Lian-Li is somewhat less spacious than the SG06 but more spacious than the ISK 300. It can potentially fit a PCI card with an appropriate mini-ITX motherboard but larger cards may interfere with the hard drive locations. The Lian-Li PC-Q07 does not come with a power supply but can fit any standard sized product.

Surprisingly, the Lian-Li’s greatest trait is probably its value. The SG06 is probably a better case overall than this, but it costs about $50 to 70 dollars more depending on where you buy. Even if you factor in an expensive $20 dollar power supply the difference is still substantial. If you’re not looking to cram maximum power into your case the Lian-Li is a nice alternative.

Tagged as: antec, buying guides, Enclosures, HTPC, lian-li, mini-itx, silverstone