Mini and compact cases are small PC enclosures for Mini-ITX and micro ATX builds, covering mini tower, cube and small form factor designs. They suit anyone building a desktop for a small desk, a living room or a tight office. Our range of over 250 models includes Jonsbo, Chieftec, Lian Li, Aerocool and Thermaltake.
How to choose a mini or compact case
Motherboard size. The case must list the board size it supports. In our range most models accept micro ATX and Mini-ITX, some take Mini-ITX only, and a few larger ones also list ATX or even EATX. Mini-ITX boards usually offer a single expansion slot, so plan your add-in cards first.
Graphics card and cooler clearance. Small cases limit the length and thickness of the graphics card and the height of the CPU cooler. Check both maximum figures in the specification. Listed expansion slot counts range from 2 to 10 in our range, with 4 the most frequent.
Power supply type. Many small cases need an SFX or SFX-L power supply, while larger mini towers often take a standard ATX unit. An ATX supply will not fit a case built only for SFX, so confirm the supported type before buying.
Storage bays. The number of 3.5" bays in our range runs from none to three, and one or two is the most frequent. Most listed models support both 2.5" and 3.5" drives. If you are building a small NAS, count the bays carefully. For an SSD-only build, bays matter far less.
Cooling and front ports. A 120 mm rear fan is the most commonly listed size, and some cases take 140 mm or 80 and 90 mm fans instead. Mesh panels and extra fan mounts help in a small space. Most listed cases offer one or two front USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, so check this if you connect many devices.
Mini and compact case brands we carry
- Jonsbo: the largest brand in this category in our range, known for small aluminium cases, including Mini-ITX and NAS-style designs.
- Chieftec: a long-established Taiwanese maker of PC cases and power supplies.
- Lian Li: known for aluminium construction and small Mini-ITX cases.
- Thermaltake: known for its Core series, including cube-style cases with glass or open panels.
- Phanteks: a Dutch brand known for airflow-focused cases, including the Evolv Shift Mini-ITX line.
- Fractal Design: a Swedish brand known for minimalist Scandinavian styling and noise-dampened cases.
- ASUS: a motherboard maker whose ROG and TUF Gaming cases are styled to match its own components.
- Antec: a long-standing name in PC cases and power supplies.
- Deepcool: best known for CPU coolers, and also makes cases.
Also in our range: Aerocool, Inter-Tech and Tacens.
Mini and compact case FAQ
Can I fit an ATX motherboard in a mini case?
Usually not. Most mini and compact cases support Mini-ITX and micro ATX boards only. A few larger models in our range list ATX support, so check the supported motherboard sizes in the specification.
What is the difference between Mini-ITX and micro ATX?
Mini-ITX boards measure 170 x 170 mm and micro ATX boards 244 x 244 mm. Micro ATX boards typically have more RAM slots and expansion slots, while Mini-ITX boards usually have two RAM slots and one expansion slot. Mini-ITX fits the smallest cases.
Can a small case hold a gaming graphics card?
Yes, many can, but the limit is card length and thickness. Compare the case's maximum graphics card length and expansion slot count with the card's dimensions. Dual-slot cards fit far more easily than thicker three-slot models.
Do compact cases run hotter than full-size towers?
They can, because there is less air volume inside. Cases with mesh panels, a 120 mm rear fan and room for extra fans cope better. Pairing a small case with lower-power components also keeps temperatures and noise down.
