Buying Guide
The Best Tempered Glass PC Cases
Six panoramic glass cases compared on how they breathe, GPU room, radiator support and included fans, so a showcase build still stays cool.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Tempered glass cases put the build on show, but a glass front blocks the usual intake. The better designs pull air from the side or bottom instead, and some ship with enough fans to do it.
We compared six glass cases on listed airflow paths, clearances, radiator support and included fans. We based this research-based comparison on maker specifications, not on builds of our own.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Glass Case
MONTECH King 95 PRO420mm GPU room with six fans and a 10-port controller.
Best for: A panoramic build that should run cool out of the box.
Check price for MONTECH King 95 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Back-Connect Boards
CORSAIR 3500XReverse-connection board support with 360mm roof and side radiators.
Best for: Cable-free showcase builds.
Check price for CORSAIR 3500X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Two Radiators
be quiet! Light Base 600 DXDual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Best for: Liquid-cooled showcase builds.
Check price for be quiet! Light Base 600 DX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Showcase
NZXT H6 FlowThree angled intake fans in a compact dual-chamber case.
Best for: Smaller desks that still want wraparound glass.
Check price for NZXT H6 Flow on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Vertical GPU Showcase
HYTE Y40A vertical GPU layout with the riser included.
Best for: Builds that show the graphics card face-on.
Check price for HYTE Y40 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Budget Glass Pick
MONTECH King 45Curved panoramic glass on a dual-chamber layout.
Best for: A glass build on a tighter budget.
Check price for MONTECH King 45 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Glass Case1 of 6
MONTECH King 95 PRO
The King 95 PRO curves 4mm glass around the front and side and ships with six fans on a 10-port controller, drawing air in from the side and bottom.
Best for
- A panoramic build that should run cool out of the box.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the King 45 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has 420mm for the GPU and 175mm for the cooler. It matches the 3500X, the Light Base 600 DX and the King 45 on largest radiator size (360mm). You also get quick-release glass panels and a dual-chamber layout.
GPU limit in the King 95 PRO: 420mm, before front fans. The King 95 PRO takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 185mm is the King 95 PRO's PSU length cap.
Another plus: room for graphics cards up to 420mm long. Only the Y40 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 420mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 175mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 185mm
- Fans included
- 6
- Glass
- Curved 4mm glass front and side
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 420mm long
- Takes tower air coolers up to 175mm tall
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 6 fans included
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Best for Back-Connect Boards2 of 6
CORSAIR 3500X
The 3500X wraps its front and side in glass and supports reverse-connection motherboards that hide their cables.
Best for
- Cable-free showcase builds.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the King 45 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm fit in the roof and on the side, and it takes boards from Mini-ITX to E-ATX. It takes Mini-ITX to E-ATX boards, supports ASUS BTF and MSI Project Zero, and its glass panels lift off easily. On largest radiator size it ties with the King 95 PRO, the Light Base 600 DX and the King 45 at 360mm.
Mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards is unique to it among these picks, while the King 45 uses ATX motherboards. It also offers mounts for up to ten 120mm fans. Confirm GPU length for the 3500X with its maker.
The 3500X takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper H6 Flow and the pricier Light Base 600 DX, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- Mini-ITX to E-ATX
- Glass
- Wraparound front and side glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Wraparound front and side glass
- Mounts for up to ten 120mm fans
- 360mm radiators in the roof and side
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the King 95 PRO comes in at 420mm.
Best for Two Radiators3 of 6
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX
The Light Base 600 DX pairs a full glass front and side with dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Best for
- Liquid-cooled showcase builds.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the King 45 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It fits a 400mm graphics card and a 170mm tower cooler, with an anti-sag bracket included. The dual radiator support means a 360mm CPU cooler and a 240mm GPU loop can run side by side, though the maker doesn't state a fan count. It matches the King 95 PRO, the 3500X and the King 45 on largest radiator size (360mm).
Like the King 45, it has ATX motherboards, while the 3500X uses mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards. A full glass front and side is unique to it among these picks, while the King 45 uses curved panoramic glass. GPU limit in the Light Base 600 DX: 400mm, before front fans.
The Light Base 600 DX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the 3500X and below the Y40 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 400mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 170mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- ATX
- Glass
- Full glass front and side
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 400mm long
- Takes tower air coolers up to 170mm tall
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Full glass front and side
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Best Compact Showcase4 of 6
NZXT H6 Flow
The H6 Flow is a compact dual-chamber case whose three included 120mm fans sit at an angle to push air at the GPU.
Best for
- Smaller desks that still want wraparound glass.
Skip if
- Its largest radiator size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its top and side panels are patterned for airflow alongside the glass. Moving the power supply into the rear chamber keeps the main compartment clear, which suits a tidy build on a smaller desk than the H9 Flow needs. Wraparound glass with seamless edges shows the build, and wide channels and straps make cabling simpler.
Three pre-installed 120mm fans sit at an angle for intake, and the perforated top and side panels filter dust. Confirm GPU length for the H6 Flow with its maker. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper King 45 and the pricier 3500X, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the King 95 PRO comes in at 420mm.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
- Glass
- Wraparound glass front and side
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Wraparound glass front and side
- Three angled 120mm intake fans
- Compact dual-chamber layout
Cons
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Best Vertical GPU Showcase5 of 6
HYTE Y40
The Y40 turns the graphics card to face the glass using an included riser, and a side 280mm radiator can sit beside it.
Best for
- Builds that show the graphics card face-on.
Skip if
- Skip it if largest radiator size matters most to you; the King 95 PRO offers 360mm.
Why we like it
Two fans come fitted, one under the PSU shroud and one at the rear. A PCIe 4.0 riser cable comes in the box, so the graphics card sits vertically behind the front glass. Two 120mm fans are included.
Its colour-matched canopy hides the riser cable for a clean finish. On largest radiator size it trails the group at 280mm, while the King 95 PRO comes in at 360mm. It is the only pick here with panoramic tempered glass; the Light Base 600 DX has a full glass front and side instead.
Confirm GPU length for the Y40 with its maker. The Y40 takes 280mm radiators; mind RAM height. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper Light Base 600 DX and the pricier King 95 PRO, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 280mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Glass
- Panoramic tempered glass
Pros
- Panoramic tempered glass
- Vertical GPU layout with a riser cable included
- Side 280mm radiator mount with up to 120mm combined thickness
Cons
- Largest radiator size trails the King 95 PRO (360mm)
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the King 95 PRO comes in at 420mm.
Budget Glass Pick6 of 6
MONTECH King 45
The King 45 brings Montech's curved panoramic glass and dual-chamber layout to a lower price.
Best for
- A glass build on a tighter budget.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Its roof takes a 360mm radiator up to 84mm thick; the maker doesn't state a fan count. Its chimney airflow pushes air bottom to top, and it fits 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick in the roof. A curved tempered glass panel shows the build, and the case lists ATX motherboard support.
It matches the King 95 PRO, the 3500X and the Light Base 600 DX on largest radiator size (360mm). Like the Light Base 600 DX, it has ATX motherboards, while the 3500X uses mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards. Curved panoramic glass is unique to it among these picks, while the Y40 uses panoramic tempered glass.
Confirm GPU length for the King 45 with its maker. The King 45 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the H6 Flow the next step up.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- ATX
- Glass
- Curved panoramic glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Curved panoramic glass
- Dual-chamber layout
- Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick
The catch
There is no published GPU clearance figure, whereas the King 95 PRO comes in at 420mm.
How We Chose These Tempered Glass 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared six 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: 4 of 6 picks leave out GPU clearance.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the King 95 PRO to the King 45, state glass.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 give no GPU clearance; the 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 give no CPU cooler clearance.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the King 45 ($50 to $100) to the King 95 PRO ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Tempered Glass Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much largest radiator size you need
The King 95 PRO tops largest radiator size at 360mm and the Y40 sits lowest at 280mm; 4 picks share the top figure. The 3500X comes second at 360mm, in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 for the King 95 PRO. The H6 Flow gives no largest radiator size figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
GPU clearance
Here GPU clearance runs from 400mm on the Light Base 600 DX to 420mm on the King 95 PRO, a 5% spread. The King 95 PRO is the pick for GPU clearance. The 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 give no GPU clearance figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
A case interior with a tower cooler and a graphics card installed CPU cooler clearance across these picks
Here CPU cooler clearance runs from 170mm on the Light Base 600 DX to 175mm on the King 95 PRO, a 3% spread. Start with the King 95 PRO if CPU cooler clearance decides it. The 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 give no CPU cooler clearance figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
GPU limit in the King 95 PRO: 420mm, before front fans. Confirm GPU length for the 3500X with its maker. GPU limit in the Light Base 600 DX: 400mm, before front fans.
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off Extras that separate them
The H6 Flow: a compact dual-chamber layout. The Y40: a side 280mm radiator mount with up to 120mm combined thickness. The King 45: top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick.
How to Choose a Tempered Glass Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A panoramic build that should run cool out of the box | King 95 PRO | 420mm GPU room with six fans and a 10-port controller |
| Cable-free showcase builds | 3500X | Reverse-connection board support with 360mm roof and side radiators |
| Liquid-cooled showcase builds | Light Base 600 DX | Dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support |
| Smaller desks that still want wraparound glass | H6 Flow | Three angled intake fans in a compact dual-chamber case |
| Builds that show the graphics card face-on | Y40 | A vertical GPU layout with the riser included |
| A glass build on a tighter budget | King 45 | Curved panoramic glass on a dual-chamber layout |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The King 95 PRO leads on largest radiator size at 360mm, ahead of the 3500X at 360mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King 95 PRO | 420mm | 175mm | 360mm | 6 |
| 3500X | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| Light Base 600 DX | 400mm | 170mm | 360mm | Not listed |
| H6 Flow | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 3 |
| Y40 | Not listed | Not listed | 280mm | 2 |
| King 45 | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The King 45 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the King 95 PRO the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | King 45, H6 Flow, 3500X |
| About $100 to $150 | Light Base 600 DX, Y40 |
| About $150 to $250 | King 95 PRO |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest GPU clearance: the King 95 PRO or the Light Base 600 DX?
The King 95 PRO tops GPU clearance at 420mm; the Light Base 600 DX follows at 400mm, 5% apart. No GPU clearance figure is published for the 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45, which leaves 2 of 6 picks ranked here.
Is the King 95 PRO ahead of the Light Base 600 DX on CPU cooler clearance?
The King 95 PRO leads at 175mm, with the Light Base 600 DX at 170mm. The 3500X, the H6 Flow, the Y40 and the King 45 don't state a CPU cooler clearance figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Why is the King 45 our Budget Glass Pick?
It earns the label for curved panoramic glass on a dual-chamber layout. It suits A glass build on a tighter budget.
Do the 3500X and the Light Base 600 DX differ on motherboards?
The 3500X uses Mini-ITX to E-ATX; the Light Base 600 DX and the King 45 use ATX. The King 95 PRO, the H6 Flow and the Y40 have no motherboards listed, so 3 of 6 picks are covered here.
Will the King 95 PRO work with my setup?
GPU limit in the King 95 PRO: 420mm, before front fans. The King 95 PRO takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks first of 6, as our Best Glass Case pick, and first of 5 on largest radiator size (360mm).
What extras do the King 95 PRO and the 3500X include?
The King 95 PRO: a 10-port fan controller. The 3500X: mounts for up to ten 120mm fans. The Light Base 600 DX: dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Bottom Line
The Montech King 95 PRO is the most complete glass case, the Corsair 3500X suits back-connect builds, and the be quiet! Light Base 600 DX takes two radiators.
The NZXT H6 Flow is the compact choice, the HYTE Y40 shows off a vertical graphics card, and the Montech King 45 is the budget glass option.
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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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