Best airflow PC case in 2023 from Lian Li to Corsair & more

If you're gathering the necessary hardware pieces to make your own gaming setup, finding the best airflow PC case is of vital importance.  After all, there's nothing worse than settling into a gaming session and suddenly hearing your PC whirl and overheat - it's both worrying and distracting.

You may have already found the perfect gaming monitor and budget CPU, but you'll need a PC case to bring it all together.

We've gathered a list of both budget-friendly options and more high-end releases. This also includes options for water-cooling and air, so there's surely something to cater for any of your PC case needs.

• Looking for an affordable mouse to game with? See our list of the best mouse for Claw Grip in 2023 and get the optimal mouse for comfort and precision

How we choose the best airflow PC cases

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Putting together a PC can be a daunting task, especially if it's your first foray into PC builds. Picking a PC case that has good airflow is of vital importance to prevent overheating and disruption to game time.

We've compiled a list that covers a multitude of price ranges, from starter cases to more luxury, high-end cases. In this way, we've strived to cater to a broader audience and provide something for each price point and gaming need.

Whether you need an advanced water cooling unit to meet the requirements of Starfield, or you need something a little simpler to handle the latest The Sims 4 expansion, see our list below for the best airflow PC case for you.

Best mid-range airflow PC case

Corsair 4000D RGB

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Image via Corsair

The Corsair 4000D has become a popular mid-level case due to its high airflow capabilities, allowing users to cool their components and optimise performance massively, as well as the following features:

• The top, bottom, and rear of the case feature extensive exhaust grates
• Space for a 360mm radiator in the front and 280mm in the roof, allowing for liquid cooling
• Two 120mm fan mounts for both the back and front
• Space for three intake fans at the front

• Check out our guide to the best budget mechanical keyboards here and complete your gaming space

Best water cooler system PC case

Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL

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Image via Lian Li

If you're happy to spend a little extra cash to get an airflow PC with added water-cooling features, this is the one for you.

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL comes with the following features:

• Space for three options for water-cooling by providing more space for thicker radiators as well as taller GPU water blocks
• Space for up to three 360mm fans on three sides
• Space for an additional 360mm fan on the back
• The space can be utilised for larger components such as a large motherboard and 446mm graphics card

• Check out our guide to the best Steam Deck accessories in 2023 to kit out your game time further

Best high-end airflow PC case

Cooler Master MasterCase H500M

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Image via Cooler Master

This is more of a high-end option for those with a bigger budget to ensure a quieter fan performance. The Cooler Master MasterCase H500M features the following:

• Four panels of tempered glass
• Dual 200mm ARGB fans
• You can choose between glass or mesh panels to either maximise the function of the unit or compromise for better visuals
• You can further enhance the cooling system by adding dual optional 200mm fans or a 360mm radiator to the top panel of the unit
• The ARGB LED Fans complement the case's flashier design and can be controlled via the controller or with software if integrated into the motherboard

• Complete your gaming set-up by picking up one of the best Razer gaming headsets here

Best budget and beginner-friendly PC case

Zalman S2 ATX

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Image via Zalman

For those looking for a cheaper and entry-level airflow case, the Zalman S2 ATX is a great choice that doesn't sacrifice quality despite the price. The Zalman S2 ATX has the following features:

• Front ventilation - the front panel features full mesh with small perforations to maximise airflow and cool air intake
• Three 120mm fans with two front intakes, and an exhaust toward the back
• The top and bottom feature magnetic dust panels which make cleaning much easier
• Two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port
• Two pre-installed 120mm fans in the front with one 120mm rear fan
• Tempered glass side panel
• Room for up to eight additional fans
• Seven PCI Expansion slots

Best RGB PC case

Phanteks Eclipse P400A

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Image via Phanteks

The Phanteks Eclipse is a great tower option for gamers looking for an RGB set-up on a budget. The tower does not have top radiator support, but it does boast the following features:

• Mesh front panel with a tempered glass side panel
• Supports up to E-ATX motherboard.
• Space for a 280/360mm radiator in the front
• Mounting support for a vertical GPU
• Three RGB fans with a controller to set custom lighting options
• Space for storage (up to six HDD and eight SDD positions)
• 470 x 465mm case
• 420mm clearance for GPU
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Two USB 3.0 ports
  
  Buy for $122.79 (Amazon)

What is the best airflow PC case in 2023?

Corsair Obsidian 1000D

 

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Image via Corsair

The Corsair Obsidian 1000D is available in two sizes, a mid-tower and a super tower case capable of housing two systems at once. The case is fully compatible with liquid cooling features and simply offers more of everything you could possibly need within a PC tower.

The super tower contains the following key features:

• Motherboard tray compatible with up to eight expansion slots (some of which can be rotated for a vertical GPU position)
• Space for four radiators, two 480ml in the front, one 420ml at the top and an additional 240ml at the back
• Has sliding trays so you can slot in radiators and fans with ease
• It comes with a Corsair Commander Pro controller meaning you can control and customise your RGB setup as well as the functionality of your fans
• Compartment for cable management, hidden away to keep your build looking sleek
• Space for five 3.5” HDDs and six 2.5” SSDs
• Sleek design with a tempered glass front panel and slide-out glass doors
• Four USB 3.0 slots
• Two USB 3.1 Gen-2 Type-C slots
• 18 fan mounts

That's our full coverage of the best airflow PC cases in 2023. Stick around at GGRecon, where we cover a plethora of guides for all your tech needs, whether that be a list of the best Logitech gaming keyboards, best PS5 controllers, best headsets for working from home and more.

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