Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for RGB Builds
We weighed five PC cases on GPU clearance and CPU cooler clearance; the XR has the longest GPU clearance, and the AURA GC1 ELITE costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
For an RGB build, included lit fans save money and cable clutter compared with buying them separately. Every pick has RGB or ARGB lighting, ordered by how many fans come in the box.
The order reflects max GPU length, max CPU cooler height and largest radiator from maker specifications; we did not test these PC cases ourselves, and a missing max GPU length is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
Montech King 95 PRO WhiteThe top of this price range, adding six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller.
Best for: Spending more than the Montech King 45 Pro costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Montech King 95 PRO White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGBThe lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money.
Check price for GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Fractal Design Pop 2 Vision White RGBFour RGB reverse-blade fans.
Best for: Buyers who want four RGB reverse-blade fans.
Check price for Fractal Design Pop 2 Vision White RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Montech King 45 ProFour ARGB PWM fans.
Best for: Buyers who want four ARGB PWM fans.
Check price for Montech King 45 Pro on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest GPU Clearance
MONTECH XRThe longest GPU clearance here (420mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Check price for MONTECH XR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Montech King 95 PRO White
The King 95 PRO White includes six ARGB fans and a 10-port controller, behind curved 4mm glass.
Best for
- Spending more than the Montech King 45 Pro costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Pass if a published GPU clearance matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Its dual-chamber layout hides the power supply and cables. It ships with six fans and a 10-port fan hub, and the dual-chamber layout hides the power supply and cables. Curved 4mm glass wraps the front and side.
The 10-port fan controller means the six fans need only one motherboard header. You also get quick-release glass panels. Confirm GPU length for the King 95 PRO White with its maker.
Only the Montech King 45 Pro came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published GPU clearance figure, whereas the XR comes in at 420mm.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 6
- Glass
- Curved 4mm glass front and side
Pros
- 6 fans included
- Curved 4mm glass front and side
- Six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller
- White dual-chamber layout
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB
GAMDIAS's AURA GC1 ELITE puts four ARGB fans behind a mesh front for under $60 at the time of writing.
Best for
- Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if GPU clearance matters most to you; the XR offers 420mm.
Why we like it
It fits 340mm cards and a 360mm radiator. Its mesh front holds four ARGB fans out of the box, and a full tempered glass side shows the build. It is a budget airflow case.
Its 340mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the XR leads at 420mm. It is the only pick here with a tempered glass side; the Montech King 45 Pro has panoramic glass instead. It also offers a tool-free glass side panel.
GPU limit in the AURA GC1 ELITE: 340mm, before front fans. Coolers: 160mm maximum. The AURA GC1 ELITE takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It undercut the XR and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 340mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 160mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Glass
- Tempered glass side
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Tempered glass side
- Four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front
Cons
- GPU clearance trails the XR (420mm)
The catch
The trade-off is GPU clearance; for more, the XR comes in at 420mm.
Also Consider3 of 5
Fractal Design Pop 2 Vision White RGB
Fractal's Pop 2 Vision White RGB is a dual-chamber case with four RGB reverse-blade fans and panoramic glass.
Best for
- Buyers who want four RGB reverse-blade fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the AURA GC1 ELITE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It supports back-connect motherboards and 412mm graphics cards. Four reverse-blade fans come pre-installed in a dual-chamber layout, and it fits 360mm radiators on top. Tool-free panels, including the glass side and front, lift off easily.
Its 412mm GPU clearance ranks second of 3 here, behind the XR (420mm) and ahead of the AURA GC1 ELITE (340mm). GPU limit in the Pop 2 Vision RGB: 412mm, before front fans. The Pop 2 Vision RGB takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XR and the pricier Montech King 45 Pro, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its CPU cooler clearance; if that figure matters, the XR comes in at 175mm.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 412mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Glass
- Panoramic glass side and front
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 412mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Panoramic glass side and front
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Montech King 45 Pro
The Montech King 45 Pro stands out for four ARGB PWM fans, and it adds a top radiator up to 84mm thick.
Best for
- Buyers who want four ARGB PWM fans.
Skip if
- Pass if a published GPU clearance matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It also offers a 360mm largest radiator size and offers a 4 fans included. Panoramic glass is unique to it among these picks, while the AURA GC1 ELITE uses a tempered glass side. Confirm GPU length for the Montech King 45 Pro with its maker.
The Montech King 45 Pro takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. You also get this: fits a 360mm radiator. It was priced above the Pop 2 Vision RGB and below the King 95 PRO White at the time of writing. There is no published GPU clearance figure, whereas the XR comes in at 420mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Motherboards
- ATX
- Glass
- Panoramic glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Panoramic glass
- Four ARGB PWM fans
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Longest GPU Clearance5 of 5
MONTECH XR
The Montech XR lists the most complete set of figures in this price range: 420mm for the GPU, 175mm for the cooler and 230mm for the power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AURA GC1 ELITE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Three ARGB fans come fitted, and the glass front and side show off the build. Its 420mm GPU clearance is the longest here; the Pop 2 Vision RGB comes next at 412mm. It also comes with mounting for up to nine fans.
GPU limit in the XR: 420mm, before front fans. The XR takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 230mm is the XR's PSU length cap.
It was priced above the AURA GC1 ELITE and below the Pop 2 Vision RGB at the time of writing. It gives ground on largest radiator size, where the AURA GC1 ELITE comes in at 360mm.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 420mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 175mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 230mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Glass
- Panoramic front and side glass
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 420mm long
- Takes tower air coolers up to 175mm tall
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 3 fans included
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
How We Chose These PC Cases for RGB Builds
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 as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out GPU clearance.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the King 95 PRO White to the XR, state fans included and glass.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The King 95 PRO White and the Montech King 45 Pro give no GPU clearance; the King 95 PRO White, the Pop 2 Vision RGB and the Montech King 45 Pro give no CPU cooler clearance.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AURA GC1 ELITE ($50 to $100) to the King 95 PRO White ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a PC Case for RGB Builds
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much GPU clearance you need
Here GPU clearance runs from 340mm on the AURA GC1 ELITE to 420mm on the XR, a 24% spread. The XR is the pick for GPU clearance. The King 95 PRO White and the Montech King 45 Pro give no GPU clearance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
CPU cooler clearance
Across these 2 picks CPU cooler clearance spans 160mm (the AURA GC1 ELITE) to 175mm (the XR). Start with the XR if CPU cooler clearance decides it. The King 95 PRO White, the Pop 2 Vision RGB and the Montech King 45 Pro give no CPU cooler clearance figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk Setup checks
Confirm GPU length for the King 95 PRO White with its maker. GPU limit in the AURA GC1 ELITE: 340mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the Pop 2 Vision RGB: 412mm, before front fans.
Extras that separate them
The AURA GC1 ELITE: a tool-free glass side panel. The Montech King 45 Pro: a top radiator up to 84mm thick. The XR: mounting for up to nine fans.
Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case Budget
$50 to $100 buys the AURA GC1 ELITE, the XR and the Pop 2 Vision RGB; $100 to $150 buys the Montech King 45 Pro; $150 to $250 buys the King 95 PRO White at our last check.
How to Choose a PC Case for RGB Builds
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending more than the Montech King 45 Pro costs for the fullest feature set in this group | King 95 PRO White | The top of this price range, adding six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller |
| Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money | AURA GC1 ELITE | The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want four RGB reverse-blade fans | Pop 2 Vision RGB | Four RGB reverse-blade fans |
| Buyers who want four ARGB PWM fans | Montech King 45 Pro | Four ARGB PWM fans |
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | XR | The longest GPU clearance here (420mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XR leads on GPU clearance at 420mm, ahead of the Pop 2 Vision RGB at 412mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the King 95 PRO White and the Montech King 45 Pro leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King 95 PRO White | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 6 |
| AURA GC1 ELITE | 340mm | 160mm | 360mm | 4 |
| Pop 2 Vision RGB | 412mm | Not listed | 360mm | 4 |
| Montech King 45 Pro | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | 4 |
| XR | 420mm | 175mm | 360mm | 3 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The AURA GC1 ELITE was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the King 95 PRO White the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | AURA GC1 ELITE, XR, Pop 2 Vision RGB |
| About $100 to $150 | Montech King 45 Pro |
| About $150 to $250 | King 95 PRO White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest GPU clearance: the XR or the Pop 2 Vision RGB?
Between the top two, it is 420mm on the XR against 412mm on the Pop 2 Vision RGB, a 2% difference. The AURA GC1 ELITE closes the ranking at 340mm. No GPU clearance figure is published for the King 95 PRO White and the Montech King 45 Pro, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the XR ahead of the AURA GC1 ELITE on CPU cooler clearance?
The XR tops CPU cooler clearance at 175mm; the AURA GC1 ELITE follows at 160mm, 9% apart. The King 95 PRO White, the Pop 2 Vision RGB and the Montech King 45 Pro don't state a CPU cooler clearance figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the XR our Longest GPU Clearance pick?
It earns the label for the longest GPU clearance here (420mm). On GPU clearance it leads the Pop 2 Vision RGB, 420mm against 412mm, a 2% margin. It suits anyone who puts GPU clearance first.
Will the Montech King 45 Pro work with my setup?
Confirm GPU length for the Montech King 45 Pro with its maker. The Montech King 45 Pro takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
What extras do the King 95 PRO White and the AURA GC1 ELITE include?
The King 95 PRO White: six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller. The AURA GC1 ELITE: four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front. The Pop 2 Vision RGB: four RGB reverse-blade fans.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the King 95 PRO White, chosen for the top of this price range, adding six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller. Look at the AURA GC1 ELITE for the lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing, the Pop 2 Vision RGB for four RGB reverse-blade fans and the Montech King 45 Pro for four ARGB PWM fans if those matter more to you.
Check whether the included fans use a hub or motherboard ARGB headers.
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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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