Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases Under $80
We weighed five PC cases on GPU clearance and radiator size; the QUBE 540 has the longest GPU clearance, and the B4-mATX costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $70 to $80 you find tempered-glass mid towers with better front airflow. Every pick cost 70 to 80 when we checked and lists its motherboard support.
We ranked these PC cases on max GPU length, largest radiator and max PSU length using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these PC cases ourselves, and where a maker leaves out max GPU length, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
JONSBO D31 MESH
GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout.
Best for: Buyers who want GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout.
Our take Check price for JONSBO D31 MESH (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
NZXT H6 Flow White
A white dual-chamber layout.
Best for: Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Our take Check price for NZXT H6 Flow White (opens in a new tab)
Longest GPU Clearance
Cooler Master QUBE 540
The longest GPU clearance here (415mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 540 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Lian Li B4-mATX
Two slim fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two slim fans.
Our take Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh)
The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Our take Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout. | Buyers who want GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout. | Check price for JONSBO D31 MESH (opens in a new tab) |
| A white dual-chamber layout. | Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout. | Check price for NZXT H6 Flow White (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest GPU clearance here (415mm). | Buyers who put GPU clearance first. | Check price for Cooler Master QUBE 540 (opens in a new tab) |
| Two slim fans. | Buyers who want two slim fans. | Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing. | Keeping the cost under $100. | Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
JONSBO D31 MESH on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The D31 Mesh takes ATX or SFX power supplies up to 220mm long and a 168mm tower cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its GPU clearance before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Its GPU limit runs from 330mm to 400mm depending on how you lay out the case. You also get outer dimensions of 205 x 363 x 452mm. Confirm GPU length for the D31 Mesh with its maker.
220mm is the D31 Mesh's PSU length cap. Boards: mATX, ITX. When we checked, only the QUBE 540 and cheaper picks cost less, and the H6 Flow White cost more. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the QUBE 540 instead: it comes in at 415mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max CPU cooler height: 168mm
- Max PSU length: 220mm
- Motherboards: mATX, ITX
- PSU type: ATX or SFX
Pros
- Takes tower air coolers up to 168mm tall
- GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout
- Mesh front
- Outer dimensions of 205 x 363 x 452mm
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the B4-mATX at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
NZXT H6 Flow White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
NZXT's H6 Flow White is a compact dual-chamber case with wraparound glass and three angled 120mm fans aimed at the graphics card.
Best for
- Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its GPU clearance before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The perforated top and side panels keep airflow up despite the glass. Wide cable channels and straps simplify routing, and perforated top and side panels improve airflow while filtering dust. The compact dual-chamber layout keeps the main chamber clear.
Confirm GPU length for the H6 Flow White with its maker. Another plus: 3 fans included. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the QUBE 540 instead: it comes in at 415mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fans included: 3
- Glass: Wraparound glass panels
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Wraparound glass panels
- White dual-chamber layout
- Three angled 120mm fans
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the B4-mATX at the time of writing
Longest GPU Clearance3 of 5
Cooler Master QUBE 540 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Cooler Master's QUBE 540 stands upright or lies flat, with a reversible I/O panel and movable handles.
Best for
- Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: only 1 fan in the box.
Why we like it
It takes E-ATX boards up to 11 inches wide and graphics cards up to 415mm without the front fan. Nothing else here matches its 415mm GPU clearance; the Lian Li B4-mATX comes closest at 358mm. GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans.
Worth noting: tempered glass side. Worth noting: horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Lian Li B4-mATX and the pricier D31 Mesh, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its largest radiator size; if that figure matters, the Lian Li B4-mATX comes in at 360mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 415mm
- Fans included: 1
- Motherboards: ITX, ATX, E-ATX up to 11 inches
- Glass: Tempered glass side
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 415mm long
- Tempered glass side
- Horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel
- Full mesh front panel
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- Costs more than the B4-mATX at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Lian Li B4-mATX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Lian Li B4-mATX is built around two slim fans, with a 21.3L body on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want two slim fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the B4-mATX was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 358mm GPU clearance and offers a 360mm largest radiator size. It matches the B4-mATX on GPU clearance (358mm). GPU limit in the Lian Li B4-mATX: 358mm, before front fans.
The Lian Li B4-mATX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. Boards: mATX. You also get this: fits a 360mm radiator.
Another plus: A compact 21.3L footprint. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper B4-mATX and the pricier QUBE 540, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its PSU length limit; if that figure matters, the D31 Mesh comes in at 220mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 358mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Volume: 21.3L
- Fans included: 2
- Motherboards: mATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- A compact 21.3L footprint
- Two slim fans
- 21.3L body
Cons
- Costs more than the B4-mATX at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 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
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Pass on it if power supplies are limited to 140mm long rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Choosing an SFX power supply frees room for a 360mm AIO; an ATX unit must be 140mm or shorter. On GPU clearance it ties with the Lian Li B4-mATX at 358mm. 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Lian Li B4-mATX was closest. GPU clearance is its weakest area, and the QUBE 540 covers it better at 415mm.
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 QUBE 540 (415mm)
How We Chose These PC Cases Under $80
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, PSU length limit and volume from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 0 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while GPU clearance and largest radiator size have gaps.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The D31 Mesh and the H6 Flow White give no GPU clearance; the D31 Mesh, the H6 Flow White and the QUBE 540 give no largest radiator size.
- Price range
- From the B4-mATX to the H6 Flow White, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PC Case Under $80
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance across these picks
Across these 3 picks GPU clearance spans 358mm (the B4-mATX) to 415mm (the QUBE 540). The QUBE 540 is the pick for GPU clearance. The D31 Mesh and the H6 Flow White give no GPU clearance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much PSU length limit you need
The D31 Mesh tops PSU length limit at 220mm and the B4-mATX sits lowest at 140mm. Start with the D31 Mesh if PSU length limit decides it. The H6 Flow White, the QUBE 540 and the Lian Li B4-mATX give no PSU length limit figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
What to check at home
Confirm GPU length for the D31 Mesh with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the H6 Flow White with its maker. GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans.
Extras that separate them
The QUBE 540: a full mesh front panel. The Lian Li B4-mATX: a 21.3L body. The B4-mATX: a 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU.
Budget
All 5 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the B4-mATX at the low end to the H6 Flow White at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a PC Case Under $80
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout | D31 Mesh | GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout |
| Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout | H6 Flow White | A white dual-chamber layout |
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | QUBE 540 | The longest GPU clearance here (415mm) |
| Buyers who want two slim fans | Lian Li B4-mATX | Two slim fans |
| Keeping the cost under $100 | B4-mATX | The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing |
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Key specs side by side
The QUBE 540 leads on GPU clearance at 415mm, ahead of the Lian Li B4-mATX at 358mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the D31 Mesh and the H6 Flow White leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Max PSU length | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D31 Mesh | Not listed | Not listed | 220mm | Not listed |
| H6 Flow White | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| QUBE 540 | 415mm | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Lian Li B4-mATX | 358mm | 360mm | Not listed | 21.3L |
| B4-mATX | 358mm | 360mm | 140mm | 21.3L |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the QUBE 540 ahead of the Lian Li B4-mATX on GPU clearance?
The QUBE 540 leads at 415mm, with the Lian Li B4-mATX at 358mm. No GPU clearance figure is published for the D31 Mesh and the H6 Flow White, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
How does the B4-mATX compare with the D31 Mesh on PSU length limit?
Between the top two, it is 220mm on the D31 Mesh against 140mm on the B4-mATX, a 57% difference. The H6 Flow White, the QUBE 540 and the Lian Li B4-mATX don't state a PSU length limit figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the QUBE 540 our Longest GPU Clearance pick?
The label rests on the longest GPU clearance here (415mm). On GPU clearance it leads the Lian Li B4-mATX, 415mm against 358mm, a 16% margin. It is aimed at anyone who puts GPU clearance first.
Do the H6 Flow White and the QUBE 540 differ on glass?
The H6 Flow White uses Wraparound glass panels; the QUBE 540 uses Tempered glass side. The D31 Mesh, the Lian Li B4-mATX and the B4-mATX have no glass listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the QUBE 540 work with my setup?
GPU limit in the QUBE 540: 415mm, before front fans. In this guide it ranks third of 5, as our Longest GPU Clearance pick, and first of 3 on GPU clearance (415mm).
What extras do the D31 Mesh and the H6 Flow White include?
The D31 Mesh: GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout. The H6 Flow White: a white dual-chamber layout. The QUBE 540: horizontal or vertical orientation with a reversible I/O panel.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the D31 Mesh, chosen for GPU room of 330mm to 400mm depending on layout. Look at the H6 Flow White for a white dual-chamber layout, the QUBE 540 for the longest GPU clearance here (415mm) and the Lian Li B4-mATX for two slim fans if those matter more to you.
Look at the included fan count; extra fans cost more than they appear.