Buying Guide
The Best Small Gaming Cases by Volume
From the NR200P V2 to the Meshroom S V2: three PC cases ranked on GPU clearance and radiator size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Case volume tells you how much desk space a small build takes. Every pick is a Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX case that lists its volume in litres, ordered from the smallest.
We sorted these picks by max GPU length, largest radiator and volume, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips max GPU length, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Smallest Volume
SSUPD Meshroom S V2
The smallest volume here (15L).
Best for: Buyers who put volume first.
Our take Check price for SSUPD Meshroom S V2 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Cooler Master NR200P V2
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting choice of tempered glass or vented steel side panel for the least money.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master NR200P V2 (opens in a new tab)
Largest Radiator Size
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood)
The largest radiator size here (360mm).
Best for: Buyers who put largest radiator size first.
Our take Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The smallest volume here (15L). | Buyers who put volume first. | Check price for SSUPD Meshroom S V2 (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting choice of tempered glass or vented steel side panel for the least money. | Check price for Cooler Master NR200P V2 (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest radiator size here (360mm). | Buyers who put largest radiator size first. | Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Smallest Volume1 of 3
SSUPD Meshroom S V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Meshroom S V2 is the smallest case here at 15 litres and ships with a PCIe 5.0 riser.
Best for
- Buyers who put volume first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if a 74mm cooler limit means a low-profile cooler or an AI rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The 353mm GPU figure needs its optional 30mm to 50mm feet, and air coolers must be 74mm tall or less. On largest radiator size it ties with the NR200P V2 at 280mm. Its 15L volume is the smallest here; the NR200P V2 comes next at 18.25L.
It also comes with 4-slot GPU support and a 20Gbps front USB-C port. Confirm GPU length for the Meshroom S V2 with its maker. The Meshroom S V2 takes 280mm radiators; mind RAM height.
170mm is the Meshroom S V2's PSU length cap. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the A3-mATX and the rest. The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the A3-mATX comes in at 415mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max CPU cooler height: 74mm
- Largest radiator: 280mm
- Max PSU length: 170mm
- Volume: 15L
- Motherboards: Mini-ITX; mATX and ATX with a longer riser
- PSU type: SFX, SFX-L or ATX
- Front USB-C: Yes
Pros
- A compact 15L footprint
- A front USB-C port
- PCIe 5.0 riser cable in the box
- GPUs up to 353mm with optional 30mm to 50mm feet
Cons
- A 74mm cooler limit means a low-profile cooler or an AIO
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the NR200P V2 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
Cooler Master NR200P V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NR200P V2 is the easiest way into small form factor: 18.25 litres, a 357mm GPU limit and a top 280mm radiator position.
Best for
- Getting choice of tempered glass or vented steel side panel for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs an SFX power suppl is a problem.
Why we like it
You choose glass or a vented steel side panel, but it needs an SFX power supply. It lists support for GPUs up to 357mm and top radiators of 240 or 280mm, and it accepts SFX power supplies only. It matches the Meshroom S V2 on largest radiator size (280mm).
On volume it sits mid-pack at 18.25L: the Meshroom S V2 comes in at 15L, and the A3-mATX comes in at 26.3L. You also get bottom-to-top airflow from a 120mm bottom fan. The NR200P V2 takes 280mm radiators; mind RAM height.
SFX power only in the NR200P V2. Boards: Mini-ITX. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the A3-mATX the next step up. It gives ground on largest radiator size, where the A3-mATX comes in at 360mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 357mm
- Largest radiator: 280mm
- Volume: 18.25L
- Motherboards: Mini-ITX
- PSU type: SFX only
- Front USB-C: Yes
Pros
- A compact 18.25L footprint
- A front USB-C port
- Choice of tempered glass or vented steel side panel
- Bottom-to-top airflow from a 120mm bottom fan
Cons
- Needs an SFX power supply
- Largest radiator size trails the A3-mATX (360mm)
Largest Radiator Size3 of 3
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 put largest radiator size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if volume matters most to you; the Meshroom S V2 offers 15L.
Why we like it
ATX, SFX and SFX-L units are all listed. Nothing else here matches its 360mm largest radiator size; the Meshroom S V2 comes closest at 280mm. On volume it trails the group at 26.3L, while the Meshroom S V2 comes in at 15L.
It also offers 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. It was priced above the NR200P V2 and below the Meshroom S V2 at the time of writing. It gives ground on volume, where the Meshroom S V2 comes in at 15L.
Key dimensions & 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
- Volume trails the Meshroom S V2 (15L)
- Costs more than the NR200P V2 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Small Gaming Cases by Volume
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, volume and motherboards, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Meshroom S V2 to the A3-mATX, state largest radiator size, volume and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Meshroom S V2 gives no GPU clearance; the A3-mATX gives no front USB-C.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NR200P V2 ($50 to $100) to the Meshroom S V2 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Small Gaming Case by Volume
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Largest radiator size across these picks
Here largest radiator size runs from 280mm on the NR200P V2 to 360mm on the A3-mATX. The A3-mATX is the pick for largest radiator size.
Volume
Here volume runs from 26.3L on the A3-mATX to 15L on the Meshroom S V2. The NR200P V2 comes second for less money.
GPU clearance
Here GPU clearance runs from 357mm on the NR200P V2 to 415mm on the A3-mATX. The A3-mATX is the pick for GPU clearance. No figure for the Meshroom S V2.
What to check at home
Confirm GPU length for the Meshroom S V2 with its maker. GPU limit in the NR200P V2: 357mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the A3-mATX: 415mm, before front fans.
Features beyond the spec table
The Meshroom S V2: GPUs up to 353mm with optional 30mm to 50mm feet. The NR200P V2: bottom-to-top airflow from a 120mm bottom fan. The A3-mATX: mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
How to Choose a Small Gaming Case by Volume
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put volume first | Meshroom S V2 | The smallest volume here (15L) |
| Getting choice of tempered glass or vented steel side panel for the least money | NR200P V2 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put largest radiator size first | A3-mATX | The largest radiator size here (360mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The A3-mATX leads on largest radiator size at 360mm, ahead of the Meshroom S V2 at 280mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Volume | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meshroom S V2 | Not listed | 280mm | 15L | Mini-ITX; mATX and ATX with a longer riser |
| NR200P V2 | 357mm | 280mm | 18.25L | Mini-ITX |
| A3-mATX | 415mm | 360mm | 26.3L | mATX, ITX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The NR200P V2 was the lowest-priced pick and the Meshroom S V2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | NR200P V2, A3-mATX |
| About $150 to $250 | Meshroom S V2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest largest radiator size: the A3-mATX or the Meshroom S V2?
The A3-mATX leads at 360mm, with the Meshroom S V2 at 280mm.
How does the NR200P V2 compare with the Meshroom S V2 on volume?
The Meshroom S V2 comes out best at 15L, with the NR200P V2 at 18.25L. The A3-mATX is at the other end of this group with 26.3L.
Is the A3-mATX ahead of the NR200P V2 on GPU clearance?
The A3-mATX leads at 415mm, with the NR200P V2 at 357mm. The Meshroom S V2 doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the Meshroom S V2 worth paying more than the NR200P V2?
On paper it adds volume (15L against 18.25L). The NR200P V2 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Meshroom S V2 the Smallest Volume?
It earns the label for the smallest volume here (15L). It suits anyone who put volume first.
Which of these cases have front USB-C?
The Meshroom S V2 and the NR200P V2 have it. The maker of the A3-mATX doesn't say.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Meshroom S V2, chosen for the smallest volume here (15L). Look at the NR200P V2 for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the A3-mATX for the largest radiator size here (360mm) if those matter more to you.
Check which AIO or cooler heights fit in the smaller case.