Buying Guide
The Best Mid-Tower Gaming Cases
We weighed five PC cases on GPU clearance and radiator size, and the King 45 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A mid tower is the size most gaming builds use, because it takes a full ATX motherboard and a long graphics card without the bulk of a full tower. Every pick lists ATX motherboard support, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects max GPU length, largest radiator and fans included from maker specifications; we did not test these PC cases ourselves, and a missing max GPU length is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MONTECH King 45
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for MONTECH King 45 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower
A 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Best for: Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Our take Check price for Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White
A white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white finish.
Our take Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Lian Li LANCOOL 216
Two 160mm front fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two 160mm front fans.
Our take Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case
The top of this price range, adding a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for MONTECH King 45 (opens in a new tab) |
| A 600-LED matrix display on the front. | Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front. | Check price for Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower (opens in a new tab) |
| A white finish. | Buyers who want white finish. | Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White (opens in a new tab) |
| Two 160mm front fans. | Buyers who want two 160mm front fans. | Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
MONTECH King 45 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The King 45 brings Montech's curved panoramic glass and dual-chamber layout to a lower price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Its roof takes a 360mm radiator up to 84mm thick; the maker doesn't state a fan count. Its chimney airflow pushes air bottom to top, and it fits 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick in the roof. A curved tempered glass panel shows the build, and the case lists ATX motherboard support.
Confirm GPU length for the King 45 with its maker. The King 45 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the XT View Matrix was closest. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the Lancool 207 White instead: it comes in at 410mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Motherboards: ATX
- Glass: Curved panoramic glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Curved panoramic glass
- Dual-chamber layout
- Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick
Also Consider2 of 5
Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XT View Matrix is built around a 600-LED matrix display on the front, with support for rear-connector motherboards on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its largest radiator size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
A 600-LED fabric matrix screen shows system stats and animations on the front. It supports rear-connector motherboards, and glass on the front and side shows off the build. It ships with three D-RGB fans and has room for nine 120mm fans.
The top takes a 360mm radiator without restrictions. Confirm GPU length for the XT View Matrix with its maker. When we checked, only the King 45 cost less, and the Lancool 207 White cost more. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the Lancool 207 White instead: it comes in at 410mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Motherboards: ATX, rear-connector ATX
- Glass: Tempered glass front and side
- Front USB-C: Yes
Pros
- Tempered glass front and side
- A front USB-C port
- 600-LED matrix display on the front
- Support for rear-connector motherboards
Cons
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Lancool 207 White fits an ATX board in a compact frame by recessing the motherboard tray.
Best for
- Buyers who want white finish.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the King 45 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It includes four fans, two of them 140mm ARGB fans with infinity mirrors, and takes 410mm cards. The PSU sits at the front with its ports facing out, and a pre-installed anti-sag bracket supports heavy GPUs. Two bottom fans feed the graphics card directly.
It is Micro-ATX sized but takes ATX boards and a 360mm radiator on top. GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans. The Lancool 207 White takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want white finish, since it offers a white finish. Its price falls between the XT View Matrix and the Lancool 216, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 410mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 4
- Motherboards: ATX
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- White finish
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Lian Li LANCOOL 216 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- If budget leads, the King 45 was cheaper at our last price check.
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.
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. Worth noting too: 3 fans included.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing. When we checked, only the Lancool 207 White and cheaper picks cost less, and the EX5 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 King 45 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the EX5 brings to the table is a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air, plus one S25-120 fan included.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: only 1 fan in the box.
Why we like it
It also offers a 360mm largest radiator size and offers a 1 fans included. Its front USB-C port runs at 20Gbps, and it clears GPUs up to 4.6 slots thick depending on the board. It also comes with support for 360mm AIO coolers.
Confirm GPU length for the EX5 with its maker. The EX5 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Lancool 216 the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the Lancool 207 White instead: it comes in at 410mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 1
- Motherboards: ATX, Micro-ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air
- One S25-120 fan included
- Support for 360mm AIO coolers
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Mid-Tower Gaming Cases
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, fans included and motherboards from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the King 45 to the EX5, state motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The King 45, the XT View Matrix and the EX5 give no GPU clearance; the XT View Matrix gives no largest radiator size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the King 45 ($50 to $100) to the EX5 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Mid-Tower Gaming Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much GPU clearance you need
Here GPU clearance runs from 392mm on the Lancool 216 to 410mm on the Lancool 207 White. Start with the Lancool 207 White if GPU clearance decides it. No figure for the King 45, the XT View Matrix and the EX5.
What to check at home
Confirm GPU length for the King 45 with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the XT View Matrix with its maker. GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans.
Extras that separate them
The Lancool 207 White: two 140mm ARGB front fans with infinity mirrors. The Lancool 216: 360mm radiator mounts on top and bottom. The EX5: one S25-120 fan included.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the King 45, the XT View Matrix, the Lancool 207 White and the Lancool 216; $100 to $150 buys the EX5 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the King 45. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the EX5.
How to Choose a Mid-Tower Gaming Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | King 45 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front | XT View Matrix | A 600-LED matrix display on the front |
| Buyers who want white finish | Lancool 207 White | A white finish |
| Buyers who want two 160mm front fans | Lancool 216 | Two 160mm front fans |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | EX5 | The top of this price range, adding a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Lancool 207 White leads on GPU clearance at 410mm, ahead of the Lancool 216 at 392mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King 45 | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed | ATX |
| XT View Matrix | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | ATX, rear-connector ATX |
| Lancool 207 White | 410mm | 360mm | 4 | ATX |
| Lancool 216 | 392mm | 360mm | 3 | ATX |
| EX5 | Not listed | 360mm | 1 | ATX, Micro-ATX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The King 45 was the lowest-priced pick and the EX5 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | King 45, XT View Matrix, Lancool 207 White, Lancool 216 |
| About $100 to $150 | EX5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lancool 207 White ahead of the Lancool 216 on GPU clearance?
The Lancool 207 White leads at 410mm, with the Lancool 216 at 392mm. The King 45, the XT View Matrix and the EX5 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the EX5 our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air. It suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Will the Lancool 207 White work with my setup?
GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans. The Lancool 207 White takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks third of 5.
What extras do the King 45 and the XT View Matrix include?
The King 45: a dual-chamber layout. The XT View Matrix: a 600-LED matrix display on the front. The Lancool 207 White: a white finish.
Who should choose the King 45?
The King 45 carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It ranks first of 5 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the King 45, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the XT View Matrix for a 600-LED matrix display on the front, the Lancool 207 White for a white finish and the Lancool 216 for two 160mm front fans if those matter more to you.
Measure the space under your desk first; mid towers still run about 45cm deep.