Buying Guide
The Best E-ATX Gaming Cases
Four PC cases compared, from the QUBE 540 to the Define 7, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
E-ATX gaming cases combine big-board support with glass and fans. Every pick supports E-ATX, ordered by GPU clearance.
Our comparison rests on published figures for max GPU length, largest radiator and fans included; where a maker leaves out max GPU length, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
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
Fractal Design North XLThree 140mm Aspect PWM fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three 140mm Aspect PWM fans.
Check price for Fractal Design North XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
CORSAIR 3500XMounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Best for: Buyers who want mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Check price for CORSAIR 3500X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Fractal Design Define 7The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping.
Best for: Spending more than the North XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Fractal Design Define 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Three 140mm Aspect PWM fans. | Buyers who want three 140mm Aspect PWM fans. | Check price for Fractal Design North XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans. | Buyers who want mounts for up to ten 120mm fans. | Check price for CORSAIR 3500X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping. | Spending more than the North XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Fractal Design Define 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. A tempered glass side is unique to it among these picks, while the Define 7 uses a dark tempered glass side. GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans.
You also get this: room for graphics cards up to 415mm long. Worth noting: horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the 3500X the next step up. There is no published largest radiator size figure, whereas the North XL comes in at 420mm.
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 Consider2 of 4
Fractal Design North XL
The North XL scales Fractal's wood-fronted design up to E-ATX boards, 413mm graphics cards and a 420mm front radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want three 140mm Aspect PWM fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the QUBE 540, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Three 140mm Aspect fans come fitted, and a 360mm radiator can go on top at the same time as the front one. With that 420mm front radiator installed, GPU room drops to 380mm. It takes E-ATX, ATX, mATX and mITX boards, with wood and alloy details on the front.
GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans. The North XL takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. Worth noting: 3 fans included.
The nearest alternative on GPU clearance is the QUBE 540 at 415mm, against 413mm here. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper 3500X and the pricier Define 7, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 413mm
- Largest radiator
- 420mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 413mm long
- Fits a 420mm radiator
- 3 fans included
- Three 140mm Aspect PWM fans
Cons
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
CORSAIR 3500X
The 3500X wraps its front and side in glass and supports reverse-connection motherboards that hide their cables.
Best for
- Buyers who want mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Skip if
- Pass if a published GPU clearance matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm fit in the roof and on the side, and it takes boards from Mini-ITX to E-ATX. It takes Mini-ITX to E-ATX boards, supports ASUS BTF and MSI Project Zero, and its glass panels lift off easily. It also comes with mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Confirm GPU length for the 3500X with its maker. The 3500X takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the QUBE 540 and below the North XL at the time of writing. There is no published GPU clearance figure, whereas the QUBE 540 comes in at 415mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- Mini-ITX to E-ATX
- Glass
- Wraparound front and side glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Wraparound front and side glass
- Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans
- 360mm radiators in the roof and side
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Fractal Design Define 7
The Define 7 lines its solid panels with high-density sound damping and ships with three 140mm fans.
Best for
- Spending more than the North XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Its GPU clearance is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It converts to a storage layout for up to 14 hard drives, which suits a studio or archive PC. A multi-bracket turns any unused fan position into a drive or pump mount. It converts to a storage layout for up to 14 HDDs and four SSDs, and three GP-14 fans come installed with room for nine.
It is the only pick here with a dark tempered glass side; the QUBE 540 has a tempered glass side instead. Confirm GPU length for the Define 7 with its maker. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the North XL and the rest.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Glass
- Dark tempered glass side
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Dark tempered glass side
- Industrial high-density sound damping
- Room for up to 14 HDDs in its storage layout
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the QUBE 540 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the QUBE 540 comes in at 415mm.
How We Chose These E-ATX Gaming 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.
- What we compared
- We compared four cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, fans included and motherboards, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out GPU clearance.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the QUBE 540 to the Define 7, state motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 3500X and the Define 7 give no GPU clearance; the QUBE 540 and the Define 7 give no largest radiator size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the QUBE 540 ($50 to $100) to the Define 7 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an E-ATX Gaming Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance across these picks
Here GPU clearance runs from 413mm on the North XL to 415mm on the QUBE 540. Start with the QUBE 540 if GPU clearance decides it. The 3500X and the Define 7 give no GPU clearance figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Largest radiator size
The North XL tops largest radiator size at 420mm and the 3500X sits lowest at 360mm. The North XL is the pick for largest radiator size. The QUBE 540 and the Define 7 give no largest radiator size figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off Fit and compatibility
GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans. Confirm GPU length for the 3500X with its maker.
Features beyond the spec table
The North XL: a 360mm top radiator alongside a 420mm front one. The 3500X: 360mm radiators in the roof and side. The Define 7: room for up to 14 HDDs in its storage layout.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the QUBE 540 and the 3500X; $150 to $250 buys the North XL and the Define 7 at our last check.
How to Choose an E-ATX Gaming Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 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 three 140mm Aspect PWM fans | North XL | Three 140mm Aspect PWM fans |
| Buyers who want mounts for up to ten 120mm fans | 3500X | Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans |
| Spending more than the North XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Define 7 | The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The QUBE 540 leads on GPU clearance at 415mm, ahead of the North XL at 413mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the 3500X and the Define 7 leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QUBE 540 | 415mm | Not listed | 1 | ITX, ATX, E-ATX up to 11 inches |
| North XL | 413mm | 420mm | 3 | E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX |
| 3500X | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed | Mini-ITX to E-ATX |
| Define 7 | Not listed | Not listed | 3 | E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the QUBE 540, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Define 7 at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | QUBE 540, 3500X |
| About $150 to $250 | North XL, Define 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest GPU clearance: the QUBE 540 or the North XL?
The QUBE 540 tops GPU clearance at 415mm; the North XL follows at 413mm. No GPU clearance figure is published for the 3500X and the Define 7, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
How does the 3500X compare with the North XL on largest radiator size?
Between the top two, it is 420mm on the North XL against 360mm on the 3500X, a 17% difference. The QUBE 540 and the Define 7 are left out of this ranking because their largest radiator size isn't stated; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
What makes the QUBE 540 the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits getting horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel for the least money.
What should I check before buying the North XL?
GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans. The North XL takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks second of 4, and second of 2 on GPU clearance (413mm).
Beyond the specs, what sets the QUBE 540 and the North XL apart?
The QUBE 540: horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel. The North XL: three 140mm Aspect PWM fans. The 3500X: mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the QUBE 540, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the North XL for three 140mm Aspect PWM fans, the 3500X for mounts for up to ten 120mm fans and the Define 7 for the top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping if those matter more to you.
E-ATX boards may cover grommets; check routing.
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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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