Buying Guide
The Best ATX PC Cases
We weighed five PC cases on GPU clearance and CPU cooler clearance; the D33 has the longest GPU clearance, and the QUBE 540 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
ATX cases fit full-size boards with room for large GPUs. Every pick takes ATX and cost $150 or less, ordered by GPU clearance.
Rankings weigh max GPU length, max CPU cooler height and largest radiator as the makers state them; we did not test these PC cases ourselves, and if a maker skips max CPU cooler height, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Longest GPU Clearance
JONSBO D33The longest GPU clearance here (435mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Check price for JONSBO D33 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Cooler Master QUBE 540The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel for the least money.
Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 540 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood)Front or side PSU mounting.
Best for: Buyers who want front or side PSU mounting.
Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Lian Li LANCOOL 216Two 160mm front fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two 160mm front fans.
Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
JONSBO TK-1The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an aluminium alloy shell.
Best for: Buyers who want an aluminium alloy shell and can spend more than the D33 costs.
Check price for JONSBO TK-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The longest GPU clearance here (435mm). | Buyers who put GPU clearance first. | Check price for JONSBO D33 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel for the least money. | Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 540 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Front or side PSU mounting. | Buyers who want front or side PSU mounting. | Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Two 160mm front fans. | Buyers who want two 160mm front fans. | Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an aluminium alloy shell. | Buyers who want an aluminium alloy shell and can spend more than the D33 costs. | Check price for JONSBO TK-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Longest GPU Clearance1 of 5
JONSBO D33
The D33 offers 435mm of GPU room and a 172mm cooler limit, the most generous figures in this Micro-ATX group.
Best for
- Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the QUBE 540 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also takes back-connect mATX BTF boards and has a front USB-C port. Nothing else here matches its 435mm GPU clearance; the QUBE 540 comes closest at 415mm. On largest radiator size it ties with the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 at 360mm.
It also offers nine fan positions, a magnetic front grille and two 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch drive bays. GPU limit in the D33: 435mm, before front fans. The D33 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
Boards: Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, mATX BTF. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Lancool 216 and the pricier TK-1, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 435mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 172mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, mATX BTF
- PSU type
- ATX or SFX
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 435mm long
- Takes tower air coolers up to 172mm tall
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- A front USB-C port
Cons
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
Cooler Master QUBE 540
Cooler Master's QUBE 540 stands upright or lies flat, with a reversible I/O panel and movable handles.
Best for
- Getting horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: only 1 fan in the box.
Why we like it
It takes E-ATX boards up to 11 inches wide and graphics cards up to 415mm without the front fan. It matches the A3-mATX on GPU clearance (415mm). GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans.
You also get this: tempered glass side. Another plus: horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel. Before buying, weigh one limit: no published largest radiator size.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the A3-mATX was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed CPU cooler clearance should compare it with the D33, which comes in at 172mm.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 415mm
- Fans included
- 1
- Motherboards
- ITX, ATX, E-ATX up to 11 inches
- Glass
- Tempered glass side
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 415mm long
- Tempered glass side
- Horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel
- Full mesh front panel
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- No published largest radiator size
Also Consider3 of 5
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood)
The A3-mATX fits a 415mm graphics card and a 360mm radiator into 26.3 litres, and the power supply can sit at the front or the side.
Best for
- Buyers who want front or side PSU mounting.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the QUBE 540 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
ATX, SFX and SFX-L units are all listed. It matches the QUBE 540 on GPU clearance (415mm). On largest radiator size it ties with the D33 and the Lancool 216 at 360mm.
It also comes with mounts for up to ten 120mm fans, a wood front with steel mesh panels and four expansion slots. GPU limit in the A3-mATX: 415mm, before front fans. The A3-mATX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
Boards: mATX, ITX. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the QUBE 540 and the Lancool 216, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 415mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Volume
- 26.3L
- Motherboards
- mATX, ITX
- PSU type
- ATX, SFX or SFX-L
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 415mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Front or side PSU mounting
- Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans
Cons
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed CPU cooler clearance should compare it with the D33, which comes in at 172mm.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Lian Li LANCOOL 216
The Lancool 216 is built around two large 160mm front fans and a clear path to the graphics card, with 392mm of GPU room.
Best for
- Buyers who want two 160mm front fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the QUBE 540 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm mount on top or at the bottom, which leaves the front free for intake. The motherboard tray switches between air-cooling and water-cooling layouts, and three Velcro straps behind the tray bundle cables. Fine mesh front and top panels feed airflow.
On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 392mm: the D33 comes in at 435mm, and the TK-1 comes in at 280mm. It matches the D33 and the A3-mATX on largest radiator size (360mm). It also offers a removable top radiator bracket and mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
The Lancool 216 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. When we checked, only the A3-mATX and cheaper picks cost less, and the D33 cost more.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 392mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 3 fans included
- Two 160mm front fans
- 360mm radiator mounts on top and bottom
Cons
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed CPU cooler clearance, look to the D33 instead: it comes in at 172mm, while this one gives no figure.
Premium Pick5 of 5
JONSBO TK-1
The TK-1 is the most sculpted case here, with double-curved glass over an aluminium shell.
Best for
- Buyers who want an aluminium alloy shell and can spend more than the D33 costs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a 280mm GPU limit rules out many triple-fan cards.
Why we like it
Its 280mm GPU limit suits shorter cards, but it takes a 165mm tower cooler and a 220mm ATX power supply. Its 280mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the D33 leads at 435mm. On largest radiator size it trails the group at 240mm, while the D33 comes in at 360mm.
You also get a separated-chamber layout and outer dimensions of 299 x 310 x 345mm. GPU limit in the TK-1: 280mm, before front fans. The TK-1 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height.
220mm is the TK-1's PSU length cap. Boards: mATX, Mini-ITX. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the D33 and the rest.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 280mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 165mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Max PSU length
- 220mm
- Motherboards
- mATX, Mini-ITX
- Glass
- Double-curved 4mm glass
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Takes tower air coolers up to 165mm tall
- Double-curved 4mm glass
- A front USB-C port
- Aluminium alloy shell
Cons
- A 280mm GPU limit rules out many triple-fan cards
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- GPU clearance trails the D33 (435mm)
The catch
The trade-off is GPU clearance; for more, the D33 comes in at 435mm.
How We Chose These ATX PC Cases
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five cases on GPU clearance, CPU cooler clearance, largest radiator size and fans included from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while CPU cooler clearance and largest radiator size have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the D33 to the TK-1, state GPU clearance and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The QUBE 540, the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 give no CPU cooler clearance; the QUBE 540 gives no largest radiator size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the QUBE 540 ($50 to $100) to the TK-1 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in an ATX PC Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance across these picks
Across these 5 picks GPU clearance spans 280mm (the TK-1) to 435mm (the D33). The QUBE 540 comes second at 415mm, in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 for the D33.
How much largest radiator size you need
The D33 tops largest radiator size at 360mm and the TK-1 sits lowest at 240mm; 3 picks share the top figure. For less, the A3-mATX is the runner-up at 360mm ($50 to $100 tier). The QUBE 540 gives no largest radiator size figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk How much CPU cooler clearance you need
Here CPU cooler clearance runs from 165mm on the TK-1 to 172mm on the D33, a 4% spread. Start with the D33 if CPU cooler clearance decides it. The QUBE 540, the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 give no CPU cooler clearance figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Front USB-C
The D33 and the TK-1 have it. Settling front USB-C first narrows 2 picks to 2.
A PC case with red-lit glass panels next to a monitor Setup checks
GPU limit in the D33: 435mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the A3-mATX: 415mm, before front fans.
How to Choose an ATX PC Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | D33 | The longest GPU clearance here (435mm) |
| Getting horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel for the least money | QUBE 540 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want front or side PSU mounting | A3-mATX | Front or side PSU mounting |
| Buyers who want two 160mm front fans | Lancool 216 | Two 160mm front fans |
| Buyers who want an aluminium alloy shell and can spend more than the D33 costs | TK-1 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an aluminium alloy shell |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The D33 leads on GPU clearance at 435mm, ahead of the QUBE 540 at 415mm. "Not listed" marks CPU cooler clearance where the QUBE 540, the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D33 | 435mm | 172mm | 360mm | Not listed |
| QUBE 540 | 415mm | Not listed | Not listed | 1 |
| A3-mATX | 415mm | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| Lancool 216 | 392mm | Not listed | 360mm | 3 |
| TK-1 | 280mm | 165mm | 240mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The QUBE 540 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the TK-1 the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | QUBE 540, A3-mATX, Lancool 216 |
| About $100 to $150 | D33, TK-1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest GPU clearance: the D33 or the QUBE 540?
Between the top two, it is 435mm on the D33 against 415mm on the QUBE 540, a 5% difference. The TK-1 is at the other end of this group with 280mm.
Is the D33 ahead of the TK-1 on CPU cooler clearance?
The D33 tops CPU cooler clearance at 172mm; the TK-1 follows at 165mm, 4% apart. The QUBE 540, the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 are left out of this ranking because their CPU cooler clearance isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the TK-1 add over the QUBE 540?
The TK-1 matches or trails the QUBE 540 on GPU clearance, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The QUBE 540 leads on GPU clearance (415mm). On our last price check the QUBE 540 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the TK-1 in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the D33 our Longest GPU Clearance pick?
It earns the label for the longest GPU clearance here (435mm). On GPU clearance it leads the QUBE 540, 435mm against 415mm, a 5% margin. The QUBE 540, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts GPU clearance first.
Do the QUBE 540 and the TK-1 differ on glass?
The QUBE 540 uses Tempered glass side; the TK-1 uses Double-curved 4mm glass. The D33, the A3-mATX and the Lancool 216 have no glass listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the A3-mATX work with my setup?
GPU limit in the A3-mATX: 415mm, before front fans. The A3-mATX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and third of 5 on GPU clearance (415mm).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the D33, chosen for the longest GPU clearance here (435mm). Look at the QUBE 540 for the lowest price of the group at our last check, the A3-mATX for front or side PSU mounting and the Lancool 216 for two 160mm front fans if those matter more to you.
Check front I/O includes USB-C.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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