Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for Video Editing
Five PC cases compared, from the Q300L V3 to the A3-mATX, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A video editing build needs a full ATX board for storage and a long GPU. Every pick takes ATX boards and GPUs of 350mm or more.
We sorted these picks by max GPU length, max CPU cooler height and largest radiator, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips max CPU cooler height, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Cooler Master Q300L V3
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master Q300L V3 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Cooler Master QUBE 340
Room for six 120mm or 140mm fans.
Best for: Buyers who want room for six 120mm or 140mm fans.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 340 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Lian Li O11 Vision-M
A pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber.
Best for: Buyers who want pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber.
Our take Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh)
Two slim 120mm fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two slim 120mm fans.
Our take Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) (opens in a new tab)
Longest GPU Clearance
Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood)
The longest GPU clearance here (415mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance 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 lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Cooler Master Q300L V3 (opens in a new tab) |
| Room for six 120mm or 140mm fans. | Buyers who want room for six 120mm or 140mm fans. | Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 340 (opens in a new tab) |
| A pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber. | Buyers who want pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber. | Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M (opens in a new tab) |
| Two slim 120mm fans. | Buyers who want two slim 120mm fans. | Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest GPU clearance here (415mm). | Buyers who put GPU clearance first. | Check price for Lian Li A3-mATX (Wood) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Cooler Master Q300L V3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Q300L V3 is a Micro-ATX case that still fits a 366mm graphics card and a 178mm tower cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: radiators top out at 240mm.
Why we like it
Its radiator support stops at 240mm, the trade for its size and price. On GPU clearance it ties with the QUBE 340 at 366mm. On CPU cooler clearance it ties with the QUBE 340 at 178mm.
It matches the QUBE 340 on largest radiator size (240mm). It matches the QUBE 340 on PSU length limit (200mm). Like the QUBE 340, it has micro-ATX motherboards, while the B4-mATX uses mATX motherboards.
You also get 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the QUBE 340 the next step up. There is no published volume figure, whereas the B4-mATX comes in at 21.3L.
Key dimensions & 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
- GPU clearance of 366mm, behind the A3-mATX (415mm)
Also Consider2 of 5
Cooler Master QUBE 340 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The QUBE 340 is a Micro-ATX version of the same idea: a mesh front, magnetic filters, carry handles and room for six 120mm or 140mm fans.
Best for
- Buyers who want room for six 120mm or 140mm fans.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when radiators top out at 240m is a problem.
Why we like it
It fits 366mm cards and 178mm tower coolers. It matches the Q300L V3 on GPU clearance (366mm). It matches the Q300L V3 on CPU cooler clearance (178mm).
On largest radiator size it ties with the Q300L V3 at 240mm. On PSU length limit it ties with the Q300L V3 at 200mm. It shares micro-ATX motherboards with the Q300L V3; the B4-mATX goes with mATX motherboards.
You also get a movable I/O panel. GPU limit in the QUBE 340: 366mm, before front fans. The QUBE 340 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height.
200mm is the QUBE 340's PSU length cap. Its price falls between the Q300L V3 and the O11 Vision-M, based on our last check. If largest radiator size is your priority, the O11 Vision-M (360mm) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & 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
- Room for six 120mm or 140mm fans
- Magnetic dust filters and carry handles
Cons
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- Largest radiator size trails the O11 Vision-M (360mm)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Lian Li O11 Vision-M on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The O11 Vision-M brings Lian Li's dual-chamber layout to Micro-ATX, with 410mm of GPU room and a 360mm top radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: only 1 fan in the box.
Why we like it
It does not take ATX or back-connect boards, and only one fan comes fitted. On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 410mm: the A3-mATX comes in at 415mm, and the B4-mATX comes in at 358mm. On CPU cooler clearance it trails the group at 162mm, while the Q300L V3 comes in at 178mm.
It matches the B4-mATX and the A3-mATX on largest radiator size (360mm). Its 182mm PSU length limit ranks third of 4 here, behind the Q300L V3 (200mm) and ahead of the B4-mATX (140mm). It also offers a pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber.
GPU limit in the O11 Vision-M: 410mm, before front fans. The O11 Vision-M takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 182mm is the O11 Vision-M's PSU length cap. When we checked, only the QUBE 340 and cheaper picks cost less, and the B4-mATX cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 410mm
- Max CPU cooler height: 162mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Max PSU length: 182mm
- Fans included: 1
- Motherboards: mATX, Mini-ITX (no ATX or back-connect)
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber
- Dual-chamber layout
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- CPU cooler clearance trails the Q300L V3 (178mm)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B4-mATX is the smallest case here at 21.3 litres and still takes a 358mm graphics card.
Best for
- Buyers who want two slim 120mm fans.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: power supplies are limited to 140mm long.
Why we like it
Choosing an SFX power supply frees room for a 360mm AIO; an ATX unit must be 140mm or shorter. Its 358mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the A3-mATX leads at 415mm. On largest radiator size it ties with the O11 Vision-M and the A3-mATX at 360mm.
On PSU length limit it trails the group at 140mm, while the Q300L V3 comes in at 200mm. You get mATX motherboards here, which sets it apart from the QUBE 340 and its micro-ATX motherboards. It also offers two slim 120mm fans and a 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU.
GPU limit in the B4-mATX: 358mm, before front fans. The B4-mATX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 140mm is the B4-mATX's PSU length cap.
Boards: mATX. Its price falls between the O11 Vision-M and the A3-mATX, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 358mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Max PSU length: 140mm
- Volume: 21.3L
- Fans included: 2
- Motherboards: mATX
- PSU type: SFX, or ATX up to 140mm
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- A compact 21.3L footprint
- Two slim 120mm fans
- 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU
Cons
- Power supplies are limited to 140mm long
- GPU clearance trails the A3-mATX (415mm)
- No published CPU cooler clearance
Longest GPU Clearance5 of 5
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 GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- Pass if a published CPU cooler clearance matters; this one has none.
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 O11 Vision-M (410mm). It matches the O11 Vision-M and the B4-mATX on largest radiator size (360mm).
It also comes with 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. Only the B4-mATX came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published CPU cooler clearance figure, whereas the Q300L V3 comes in at 178mm.
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
- No published CPU cooler clearance
- No published PSU length limit
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These PC Cases for Video Editing
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Hardware fit
- We compared listed GPU length, CPU cooler height and power supply limits.
- Build features
- We recorded front USB-C, glass panels and layout features such as dual chambers.
- Size
- We noted motherboard support and, where the maker states it, the case volume.
- Cooling layout
- We checked radiator sizes and positions, fan mounts and how many fans come in the box.
What to Look for in a PC Case for Video Editing
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much GPU clearance you need
Among these picks, GPU clearance runs from 358mm on the B4-mATX to 415mm on the A3-mATX. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
Check GPU length and thickness
Large graphics cards run past 330mm and take three or four slots. Compare your card with the case's GPU length figure, and note that front fans or a front radiator often cut it.
Vertical mounts need a riser cable and more width.
Plan radiator positions early
A case may list a 360mm radiator only at the front or only on top. Top mounts must clear the motherboard heatsinks and tall RAM, and front mounts can shorten the GPU limit.
Confirm the power supply format
Most mid-towers take ATX power supplies, often with a length limit. Small cases may need SFX or SFX-L units, which cost more at the same wattage.
Check motherboard size and connector layout
Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX and ATX boards need matching cases. Back-connect boards, which put their connectors on the rear, need a case with cutouts for them.
How to Choose a PC Case for Video Editing
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Q300L V3 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want room for six 120mm or 140mm fans | QUBE 340 | Room for six 120mm or 140mm fans |
| Buyers who want pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber | O11 Vision-M | A pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber |
| Buyers who want two slim 120mm fans | B4-mATX | Two slim 120mm fans |
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | A3-mATX | The longest GPU clearance here (415mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Max PSU length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q300L V3 | 366mm | 178mm | 240mm | 200mm |
| QUBE 340 | 366mm | 178mm | 240mm | 200mm |
| O11 Vision-M | 410mm | 162mm | 360mm | 182mm |
| B4-mATX | 358mm | Not listed | 360mm | 140mm |
| A3-mATX | 415mm | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these PC cases compare on radiator size?
The O11 Vision-M leads at 360mm, ahead of the B4-mATX at 360mm; the QUBE 340 sits at the other end with 240mm.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The Q300L V3. It undercut the QUBE 340 when we checked, while the A3-mATX cost the most of the group.
Do I need a full tower?
Only for very large radiators, E-ATX boards, custom loops or many drives. A good mid-tower fits most gaming builds, including large graphics cards.
What is a back-connect case?
One with cutouts for motherboards that put their power and data connectors on the rear. It hides cables but needs a compatible board.
Will the front USB-C port work with any motherboard?
It needs a USB-C front-panel header on the motherboard. Most current mid-range boards have one; older or budget boards may not.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Q300L V3, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the QUBE 340 for room for six 120mm or 140mm fans, the O11 Vision-M for a pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber and the B4-mATX for two slim 120mm fans if those matter more to you.
Plan drive mounting: 3.5-inch bays are disappearing from new cases.