Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super
Six cases with 355mm to 392mm of GPU room, compared for RTX 4080 and 4080 Super builds.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The RTX 4080 Founders Edition is 310mm long, and partner cards are often a little longer. That fits most mid-towers, and even some small cases.
We compared the GPU length, cooler height and radiator limits the case makers list; we did not build in these cases ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Fit for an RTX 4080
Fractal Design North (Mesh)355mm of GPU room with a wood front and mesh sides.
Best for: Living-room-friendly builds.
Check price for Fractal Design North (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Airflow Pick
Lian Li LANCOOL 216392mm of GPU room with two 160mm front fans.
Best for: Hot-running cards.
Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget mATX
Cooler Master Q300L V3366mm of GPU room with a 178mm cooler limit.
Best for: Budget Micro-ATX builds.
Check price for Cooler Master Q300L V3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Portable Case
JONSBO Z20363mm of GPU room with a carry handle.
Best for: LAN parties.
Check price for JONSBO Z20 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Mini-ITX Pick
Cooler Master NR200P V2357mm of GPU room in 18.25 litres.
Best for: Small form factor builds.
Check price for Cooler Master NR200P V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Flexible PSU Layout
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood)415mm of GPU room with ATX, SFX or SFX-L support.
Best for: Compact builds with any PSU.
Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Fit for an RTX 40801 of 6
Fractal Design North (Mesh)
The North pairs a walnut front with mesh side panels, and it still takes a 355mm graphics card and a 360mm front radiator.
Best for
- Living-room-friendly builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if GPU clearance matters most to you; the A3-mATX offers 415mm.
Why we like it
Two 140mm Aspect fans come fitted, enough for a mid-range build. Seven expansion slots and support for ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards keep options open, but GPU room drops to 300mm with a 360mm front radiator. It includes two combined 3.5 and 2.5-inch drive mounts and two 2.5-inch mounts, and mesh side panels add airflow.
Its 355mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the A3-mATX leads at 415mm. On largest radiator size it ties with the Lancool 216 and the A3-mATX at 360mm. GPU limit in the North: 355mm, before front fans.
The North takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Z20 and the rest.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 355mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Motherboards
- ATX, mATX, ITX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Walnut wood front
- Mesh side panels
- Seven expansion slots
Cons
- GPU clearance trails the A3-mATX (415mm)
- No published volume
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is GPU clearance; for more, the A3-mATX comes in at 415mm.
Best Airflow Pick2 of 6
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
- Hot-running cards.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its volume before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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 A3-mATX comes in at 415mm, and the North comes in at 355mm. It matches the North and the A3-mATX on largest radiator size (360mm). It is the only pick here with ATX motherboards; the NR200P V2 has mini-ITX motherboards instead.
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 Z20 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
- No published volume
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed CPU cooler clearance, look to the Q300L V3 instead: it comes in at 178mm, while this one gives no figure.
Best Budget mATX3 of 6
Cooler Master Q300L V3
The Q300L V3 is a Micro-ATX case that still fits a 366mm graphics card and a 178mm tower cooler.
Best for
- Budget Micro-ATX builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: radiators top out at 240mm.
Why we like it
Its radiator support stops at 240mm, the trade for its size and price. Its 366mm GPU clearance ranks third of 6 here, behind the A3-mATX (415mm) and ahead of the North (355mm). On largest radiator size it ties with the Z20 at 240mm.
It shares micro-ATX motherboards with the Z20; the NR200P V2 goes with mini-ITX motherboards. It also comes with mounts for six 120mm or 140mm fans and a movable front I/O panel. GPU limit in the Q300L V3: 366mm, before front fans.
The Q300L V3 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. 200mm is the Q300L V3's PSU length cap. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the NR200P V2 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 366mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 178mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Max PSU length
- 200mm
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
- Glass
- Tempered glass side
Pros
- Takes tower air coolers up to 178mm tall
- Tempered glass side
- Mounts for six 120mm or 140mm fans
- Movable front I/O panel
Cons
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- No published volume
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed volume should compare it with the NR200P V2, which comes in at 18.25L.
Best Portable Case4 of 6
JONSBO Z20
The Z20 is a 20-litre Micro-ATX box with a detachable handle and 2mm steel panels.
Best for
- LAN parties.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: radiators top out at 240mm.
Why we like it
It takes a 363mm graphics card, a 163mm cooler and ATX, SFX or SFX-L power supplies. On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 363mm: the A3-mATX comes in at 415mm, and the North comes in at 355mm. It matches the Q300L V3 on largest radiator size (240mm).
On volume it sits mid-pack at 20L: the NR200P V2 comes in at 18.25L, and the A3-mATX comes in at 26.3L. Like the Q300L V3, it has micro-ATX motherboards, while the Lancool 216 uses ATX motherboards. It also offers a 240mm top AIO up to 60mm thick.
GPU limit in the Z20: 363mm, before front fans. The Z20 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. When we checked, only the Lancool 216 and cheaper picks cost less, and the North cost more.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 363mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 163mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Volume
- 20L
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
- PSU type
- ATX, SFX or SFX-L
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- A compact 20L footprint
- A front USB-C port
- Detachable carrying handle
- 2mm bent steel panels
Cons
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- Largest radiator size trails the North (360mm)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
Largest radiator size is its weakest area, and the North covers it better at 360mm.
Best Mini-ITX Pick5 of 6
Cooler Master NR200P V2
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
- Small form factor builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs an SFX power supply 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. Its 357mm GPU clearance ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the A3-mATX (415mm) and ahead of the North (355mm).
On largest radiator size it sits mid-pack at 280mm: the North comes in at 360mm, and the Z20 comes in at 240mm. On volume it leads this guide at 18.25L, ahead of the Z20 (20L). You get mini-ITX motherboards here, which sets it apart from the Z20 and its micro-ATX motherboards.
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. Its price falls between the Q300L V3 and the A3-mATX, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed CPU cooler clearance should compare it with the Q300L V3, which comes in at 178mm.
Best Flexible PSU Layout6 of 6
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
- Compact builds with any PSU.
Skip if
- Skip it if volume matters most to you; the NR200P V2 offers 18.25L.
Why we like it
ATX, SFX and SFX-L units are all listed. On GPU clearance it leads this guide at 415mm, ahead of the Lancool 216 (392mm). On largest radiator size it ties with the North and the Lancool 216 at 360mm.
Its 26.3L volume is the largest in this group; the NR200P V2 leads at 18.25L. 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. Its price falls between the NR200P V2 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
- Volume trails the NR200P V2 (18.25L)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed CPU cooler clearance should compare it with the Q300L V3, which comes in at 178mm.
How We Chose These Cases for RTX 4080
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 set side by side six cases on GPU clearance, CPU cooler clearance, largest radiator size and volume, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and CPU cooler clearance and volume are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the North to the A3-mATX, state GPU clearance, largest radiator size and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The North, the Lancool 216, the NR200P V2 and the A3-mATX give no CPU cooler clearance; the North, the Lancool 216 and the Q300L V3 give no volume.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Q300L V3 ($50 to $100) to the North ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Case for RTX 4080
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much GPU clearance you need
Across these 6 picks GPU clearance spans 355mm (the North) to 415mm (the A3-mATX). The A3-mATX is the pick for GPU clearance.
Largest radiator size
The North tops largest radiator size at 360mm and the Z20 sits lowest at 240mm; 3 picks share the top figure. For less, the Lancool 216 is the runner-up at 360mm ($50 to $100 tier).
A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk Volume
Here volume runs from 26.3L on the A3-mATX to 18.25L on the NR200P V2, a 31% spread. Start with the NR200P V2 if volume decides it. The North, the Lancool 216 and the Q300L V3 give no volume figure, so 3 of 6 picks are compared here.
What to check at home
GPU limit in the North: 355mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the Lancool 216: 392mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the Q300L V3: 366mm, before front fans.
Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case Extras that separate them
The Z20: 2mm bent steel panels. 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 Case for RTX 4080
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living-room-friendly builds | North | 355mm of GPU room with a wood front and mesh sides |
| Hot-running cards | Lancool 216 | 392mm of GPU room with two 160mm front fans |
| Budget Micro-ATX builds | Q300L V3 | 366mm of GPU room with a 178mm cooler limit |
| LAN parties | Z20 | 363mm of GPU room with a carry handle |
| Small form factor builds | NR200P V2 | 357mm of GPU room in 18.25 litres |
| Compact builds with any PSU | A3-mATX | 415mm of GPU room with ATX, SFX or SFX-L support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The A3-mATX leads on GPU clearance at 415mm, ahead of the Lancool 216 at 392mm. "Not listed" marks CPU cooler clearance where the North, the Lancool 216, the NR200P V2 and the A3-mATX leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North | 355mm | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| Lancool 216 | 392mm | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| Q300L V3 | 366mm | 178mm | 240mm | Not listed |
| Z20 | 363mm | 163mm | 240mm | 20L |
| NR200P V2 | 357mm | Not listed | 280mm | 18.25L |
| A3-mATX | 415mm | Not listed | 360mm | 26.3L |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Q300L V3 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the North the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Q300L V3, NR200P V2, A3-mATX, Lancool 216, Z20 |
| About $150 to $250 | North |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Lancool 216 compare with the A3-mATX on GPU clearance?
The A3-mATX leads at 415mm, with the Lancool 216 at 392mm. The North closes the ranking at 355mm.
Which has the smallest volume: the NR200P V2 or the Z20?
Between the top two, it is 18.25L on the NR200P V2 against 20L on the Z20, a 9% difference. The A3-mATX is at the other end of this group with 26.3L. The North, the Lancool 216 and the Q300L V3 don't state a volume figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the Q300L V3 ahead of the Z20 on CPU cooler clearance?
The Q300L V3 tops CPU cooler clearance at 178mm; the Z20 follows at 163mm, 9% apart. The North, the Lancool 216, the NR200P V2 and the A3-mATX are left out of this ranking because their CPU cooler clearance isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
What does the North add over the Q300L V3?
The spec sheets show largest radiator size (360mm against 240mm) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Q300L V3 still leads on GPU clearance (366mm). On our last price check the Q300L V3 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the North in the $150 to $250 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if largest radiator size decides your purchase.
Why is the A3-mATX our Best Flexible PSU Layout pick?
The label rests on 415mm of GPU room with ATX, SFX or SFX-L support. It makes sense for compact builds with any PSU.
Does the Z20 have front USB-C, and which others do?
The Z20 and the NR200P V2 have it. The North, the Lancool 216, the Q300L V3 and the A3-mATX have no front USB-C listed, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
Bottom Line
Fractal's North is the best-looking fit for an RTX 4080, and the Lancool 216 has more airflow. The Q300L V3 is the budget choice, and the NR200P V2 suits Mini-ITX builds.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best PC Cases
- Related guideThe Best Mini-ITX Cases
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget PC Cases Under $70
- Higher budgetThe Best PC Cases for High-End Builds
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Case
- ExplainerCase Front Panel USB-C and Motherboard Headers: What Connects to What
- Check compatibility: motherboardsWhat Is a Motherboard VRM and When Does It Matter?
- Similar guideThe Best PC Cases for the RTX 4090
- Topic hubAll pc cases guides
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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