Buying Guide
The Best RGB PC Cases
Six cases that ship with ARGB fans or lighting, from a $60 four-fan case to a six-fan dual-chamber model.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
RGB cases ship with lit fans or strips so the build glows without extra purchases. Check the connection: most use a 5V ARGB header, and some include a controller for boards without one.
We compared clearances, fans and layout from each maker's listing; we did not build in these cases.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Most ARGB Fans
Montech King 95 PRO WhiteSix ARGB fans with a 10-port controller.
Best for: Full lighting out of the box.
Check price for Montech King 95 PRO White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Modular
Corsair 4000D RS ARGB FRAMEThe FRAME panel system with three ARGB fans.
Best for: Upgrading the case later.
Check price for Corsair 4000D RS ARGB FRAME on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wraparound Glass
Corsair 3500X RS ARGB WhiteWraparound glass with three ARGB fans.
Best for: Showing off the build.
Check price for Corsair 3500X RS ARGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Lighting Strip
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX WhiteA large ARGB strip with front and side windows.
Best for: Lighting beyond the fans.
Check price for be quiet! Light Base 600 DX White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact ATX
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 WhiteAn ATX layout in a compact frame with ARGB fans.
Best for: Smaller desks.
Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGBThe lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: RGB on a budget.
Check price for GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Most ARGB Fans1 of 6
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
- Full lighting out of the box.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the AURA GC1 ELITE, which cost less when we checked.
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. It also offers quick-release glass panels. Confirm GPU length for the King 95 PRO White with its maker.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Light Base 600 DX White the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the Lancool 207 White instead: it comes in at 410mm, while this one gives no figure.
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
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Best Modular2 of 6
Corsair 4000D RS ARGB FRAME
Corsair's 4000D RS ARGB FRAME ships with three ARGB PWM fans that stop at low load.
Best for
- Upgrading the case later.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the AURA GC1 ELITE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its FRAME system lets you swap panels and I/O later, and it supports back-connect motherboards. InfiniRail mounts slide fans to any height on the front and roof, and FRAME panels can be swapped or upgraded. The side panel doubles as a cable cover or fan mount.
It also comes with support for back-connect boards from ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte. Confirm GPU length for the 4000D RS ARGB with its maker. Its price falls between the AURA GC1 ELITE and the Lancool 207 White, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed GPU clearance should compare it with the Lancool 207 White, which comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Three RS ARGB PWM fans with Zero RPM mode
- The FRAME modular panel system
- Support for back-connect boards from ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Best Wraparound Glass3 of 6
Corsair 3500X RS ARGB White
The 3500X RS ARGB White adds three RS120-R ARGB fans to Corsair's wraparound-glass 3500X.
Best for
- Showing off the build.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the AURA GC1 ELITE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The fans run from a standard +5V ARGB header, so no extra controller is needed. No other pick in this guide offers wraparound glass; compare the Light Base 600 DX White, which has windowed front and side glass. You also get mounts for up to ten 120mm fans.
Confirm GPU length for the 3500X RS ARGB with its maker. Boards: Mini-ITX to E-ATX. Its price falls between the Lancool 207 White and the Light Base 600 DX White, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed GPU clearance should compare it with the Lancool 207 White, which comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- Mini-ITX to E-ATX
- Glass
- Wraparound glass
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Wraparound glass
- Three RS120-R ARGB fans on a +5V ARGB header
- Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Best Lighting Strip4 of 6
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX White
be quiet!'s Light Base 600 DX White is windowed on the front and side with a long ARGB strip synced to the motherboard.
Best for
- Lighting beyond the fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AURA GC1 ELITE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Removable feet let you invert the layout. It ships without fans but takes up to 10, and it fits three radiators at once, including a 240mm on the side. Windowed front and side glass is unique to it among these picks, while the AURA GC1 ELITE uses a tempered glass side.
Confirm GPU length for the Light Base 600 DX White with its maker. It was priced above the 3500X RS ARGB and below the King 95 PRO White at the time of writing. There is no published GPU clearance figure, whereas the Lancool 207 White comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Glass
- Windowed front and side
Pros
- Windowed front and side
- Large ARGB LED strip synced to the motherboard
- Invertible layout with removable feet
- White finish
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Best Compact ATX5 of 6
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White
The Lancool 207 White fits an ATX board in a compact frame by recessing the motherboard tray.
Best for
- Smaller desks.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the AURA GC1 ELITE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It includes four fans, two of them 140mm ARGB fans with infinity mirrors, and takes 410mm cards. The PSU sits at the front with its ports facing out, and a pre-installed anti-sag bracket supports heavy GPUs. Two bottom fans feed the graphics card directly.
It is Micro-ATX sized but takes ATX boards and a 360mm radiator on top. GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans. The Lancool 207 White takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. The nearest alternative on GPU clearance is the AURA GC1 ELITE at 340mm, against 410mm here.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 410mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Motherboards
- ATX
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- White finish
Cons
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Lowest Price6 of 6
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
- RGB on a budget.
Skip if
- Pass on it if gPU clearance of 340mm, behind the Lancool 207 White (410mm) rules it out for your setup.
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.
No other pick in this guide offers a tempered glass side; compare the 3500X RS ARGB, which has wraparound glass. You also get 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the 4000D RS ARGB was the next step up. The main gap: GPU clearance of 340mm, behind the Lancool 207 White (410mm). If that matters, the Lancool 207 White comes in at 410mm.
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 of 340mm, behind the Lancool 207 White (410mm)
How We Chose These RGB PC Cases
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 six cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, fans included and motherboards from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 0 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while GPU clearance and largest radiator size have gaps.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the 3500X RS ARGB and the Light Base 600 DX White give no GPU clearance; the King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the 3500X RS ARGB and the Light Base 600 DX White give no largest radiator size.
- 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 an RGB PC Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance
Here GPU clearance runs from 340mm on the AURA GC1 ELITE to 410mm on the Lancool 207 White, a 21% spread. The Lancool 207 White is the pick for GPU clearance. The King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the 3500X RS ARGB and the Light Base 600 DX White give no GPU clearance figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
Confirm GPU length for the King 95 PRO White with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the 4000D RS ARGB with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the Light Base 600 DX White with its maker.
A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk Extras that separate them
The Light Base 600 DX White: an invertible layout with removable feet. The Lancool 207 White: two 140mm ARGB front fans with infinity mirrors. The AURA GC1 ELITE: a tool-free glass side panel.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the AURA GC1 ELITE, the 4000D RS ARGB, the Lancool 207 White and the 3500X RS ARGB; $100 to $150 buys the Light Base 600 DX White; $150 to $250 buys the King 95 PRO White at our last check.
Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case Start from what matters most
Full lighting out of the box: the King 95 PRO White. Upgrading the case later: the 4000D RS ARGB. Showing off the build: the 3500X RS ARGB.
How to Choose an RGB PC Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full lighting out of the box | King 95 PRO White | Six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller |
| Upgrading the case later | 4000D RS ARGB | The FRAME panel system with three ARGB fans |
| Showing off the build | 3500X RS ARGB | Wraparound glass with three ARGB fans |
| Lighting beyond the fans | Light Base 600 DX White | A large ARGB strip with front and side windows |
| Smaller desks | Lancool 207 White | An ATX layout in a compact frame with ARGB fans |
| RGB on a budget | AURA GC1 ELITE | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Lancool 207 White leads on GPU clearance at 410mm, ahead of the AURA GC1 ELITE at 340mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the 3500X RS ARGB and the Light Base 600 DX White leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King 95 PRO White | Not listed | Not listed | 6 | Not listed |
| 4000D RS ARGB | Not listed | Not listed | 3 | Not listed |
| 3500X RS ARGB | Not listed | Not listed | 3 | Mini-ITX to E-ATX |
| Light Base 600 DX White | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Lancool 207 White | 410mm | 360mm | 4 | ATX |
| AURA GC1 ELITE | 340mm | 360mm | 4 | Not listed |
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, 4000D RS ARGB, Lancool 207 White, 3500X RS ARGB |
| About $100 to $150 | Light Base 600 DX White |
| About $150 to $250 | King 95 PRO White |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the AURA GC1 ELITE compare with the Lancool 207 White on GPU clearance?
The Lancool 207 White leads at 410mm, with the AURA GC1 ELITE at 340mm. The King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the 3500X RS ARGB and the Light Base 600 DX White are left out of this ranking because their GPU clearance isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Why is the 3500X RS ARGB our Best Wraparound Glass pick?
It carries the badge for wraparound glass with three ARGB fans. It suits showing off the build.
Do the 3500X RS ARGB and the Lancool 207 White differ on motherboards?
The 3500X RS ARGB uses Mini-ITX to E-ATX; the Lancool 207 White uses ATX. The King 95 PRO White, the 4000D RS ARGB, the Light Base 600 DX White and the AURA GC1 ELITE have no motherboards listed, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
Will the Lancool 207 White work with my setup?
GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans. The Lancool 207 White takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fifth of 6, as our Best Compact ATX pick, and first of 2 on GPU clearance (410mm).
What extras do the King 95 PRO White and the 4000D RS ARGB include?
The King 95 PRO White: six ARGB fans with a 10-port controller. The 4000D RS ARGB: three RS ARGB PWM fans with Zero RPM mode. The 3500X RS ARGB: three RS120-R ARGB fans on a +5V ARGB header.
Bottom Line
Montech's King 95 PRO White includes the most ARGB fans, and Corsair's 4000D RS ARGB is the modular pick. The 3500X RS ARGB suits glass showcases, and GAMDIAS's AURA GC1 ELITE keeps costs down.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Tempered Glass PC Cases
- Related guideThe Best White PC Cases
- Related guideThe Best PC Cases
- 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 RGB Builds
- 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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