Tempered glass cases are mid tower PC cases with a glass side panel, and sometimes a glass front, so the components inside stay on show. They suit gamers and builders putting together ATX, micro ATX or Mini-ITX systems. Our range includes models from Thermaltake, Deepcool, Aerocool and HYTE, among others.
How to choose a tempered glass case
Motherboard size. Check the supported motherboard form factors first. Many cases in our range take ATX, micro ATX and Mini-ITX boards, while a few are limited to smaller boards, and some also accept EATX.
Airflow behind the glass. A glass panel blocks the air that a mesh panel would let through, so the front intake and top vents matter more. Look at how many fans the case supports and what sizes. Top mounts in our range commonly take 120 mm and 140 mm fans, some cases take up to three at the top, and a few also accept 200 mm or larger fans. Several models come with a 120 mm rear fan already fitted.
Graphics card and expansion slots. Seven expansion slots is common in our range and suits most standard builds. Cases with ten slots are made for larger boards, and the four and five slot variants belong to compact builds. Check the maximum graphics card length and CPU cooler height against your parts before ordering.
Storage bays. Most current builds rely on M.2 drives and a few 2.5-inch SSDs, but 3.5-inch bays still matter if you want hard drives for bulk storage. Many cases here offer two 3.5-inch bays and three 2.5-inch bays, and a few go up to six 3.5-inch bays.
Panel design and cable room. Hinged or hanging glass panels are easier to remove during a build than panels held by four thumbscrews. Space behind the motherboard tray decides how tidy the cabling looks through the glass.
Tempered glass case brands we carry
- Thermaltake: the largest brand in this category in our range, known for the Tower series of showcase cases with large glass panels and open layouts.
- Deepcool: better known for CPU coolers, so its cases tend to be designed around good airflow and cooler clearance.
- HYTE: known for the Y-series cases with panoramic glass and a layout built for showing off the graphics card.
- Fractal Design: a Swedish brand known for restrained Scandinavian styling and cases built with low noise in mind.
- Corsair: its cases are built to work with its iCUE RGB lighting and fan control software.
- Cooler Master: a long-established case maker whose designs, from the HAF to the Cosmos, helped shape the enthusiast case market.
- MSI: the cases are designed to match its own motherboards and graphics cards, including its RGB lighting.
Also in our range: Aerocool, Montech, Chieftec, FSP Group and Gigabyte.
Tempered glass cases: frequently asked questions
Is a tempered glass case worth it?
It is worth it if you want to see your components, especially a graphics card, RAM or lighting. The glass does not improve performance, and it can restrict airflow compared with a mesh panel. A model with a ventilated front and top panel keeps temperatures in check.
Do tempered glass cases run hotter?
They can run slightly hotter if the design relies on glass panels and offers few air paths. Airflow depends mostly on the fans and vents, not on the glass itself. Look for a case with a vented front or top and enough fan mounts for intake and exhaust.
What is the difference between tempered glass and acrylic?
Tempered glass is heavier and more scratch resistant than acrylic, and it stays clear over time. Acrylic is lighter, but it scratches more easily and can yellow or warp. Glass panels need careful handling, since a hard knock to the edge can shatter them.
Which motherboards fit a mid tower tempered glass case?
Most mid tower cases fit ATX, micro ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards. Some models also take EATX boards, while a few smaller ones accept only micro ATX or Mini-ITX. The specification list for each case shows the supported form factors.
