This principle applies to every gaming configuration, no matter its size and regardless of whether we are talking about the best mini ITX motherboard or the best full-size motherboard. Gamers usually know what they want.

However, what if you desperately need a solid PC with a mini ITX motherboard inside but have no predefined ideas and basically have no clue what to look for. You are only aware that your space is too small for a full-grown ATX case and that the micro ATX just isn’t your thing.

In other words, you need somebody else’s advice and this guide is made for that purpose in the first place. We’re here to help you find the best mini ITX motherboard and make you as satisfied with it as possible.

If you have decided that this is exactly what you need, pay closer attention to the following criteria, and find the best mini ITX motherboard fast.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming, X570 Mini-ITX Gaming Motherboard, AMD Ryzen 3000 with PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6...	Check at Amazon
	GIGABYTE X570 I AORUS Pro Wi-Fi (AMD Ryzen 3000/X570/Mini-Itx/PCIe4.0/DDR4/USB 3.1/Realtek...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2...	Check at Amazon
	Gigabyte A520I AC (AMD Ryzen AM4/Mini-ITX/Direct 6 Phases Digital PWM with 55A DrMOS/Gaming GbE...	Check at Amazon
	) Mini-ITX SFF Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, DDR4 5100+ (O.C.), Front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Addressable Gen 2 RGB and Aura Sync)" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored" target="_blank">ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) Mini-ITX SFF Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix B450-I Gaming Motherboard (Mini ITX) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 DDR4 HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 B450	Check at Amazon
	GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS Ultra (Intel LGA1200/Z490/Mini-ITX/Dual M.2/Realtek ALC1220-VB/SATA 6Gb/s/USB...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-21 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to choose the best mini ITX motherboard

AMD or Intel

The First thing you have to decide when buying a new motherboard is to which clan you will join. Both manufacturers have their advantages and disadvantage and there is no clear winner between them.

In other words, decide based on arguments and don’t let yourself be drawn by brands. Discover which of the two will give more to your cause and make your choice in accordance with that.

Networking

In modern days, the internet and networking are becoming essential more and more. Therefore, do yourself a favor and don’t accept mediocrity in this field.

Features

Plenty of features might not be essential top performance; however, they will certainly help you achieve it. For that reason, always go for as many options as possible, or at least as much as your wallet allows.

Best Mini ITX Motherboards

ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming

One of the Best AMD Mini ITX Motherboards

If you are looking for a high-quality, gaming, 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen mini-ITX motherboard, with a ton of features, ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming is the device for you. With this motherboard, you are getting great connectivity that involves Intel Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, fitted with MU-MIMO functionality, as well as multiple connectors, such as DisplayPort, HDMI2.0 port, and multiple USB ports that include three USB 3.1 G2, one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, and four USB 3.1 G1 ports.

Moreover, this motherboard has eight SATA ports, as well as two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots that should satisfy even the more storage-demanding users. ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming also comes equipped with the Aura Sync RGB lighting, as well as RGB LED lighting integrated into the heatsink. In the cooling department, there are actively-cooled VRM, multiple fan headers, as well as a chipset heatsink, and a heat pipe system, responsible for rapid heat dissipation.

In addition, there is also the Supreme S1220A audio, with the DTS Sound Unbound and Sonic Studio III, while the build and the parts used for it are of the highest quality, creating an excellent product worth every person’s attention.

Gigabyte X570 I AORUS Pro WiFi

An Excellent Mid-Range Mini ITX Motherboard

A good balance of features, efficiency, and price are essential in order to establish a motherboard as the best mini ITX motherboard available on the market, and in the case of Gigabyte X570 I AORUS Pro WiFi, all these aspects are more than satisfied.

With this motherboard, you are getting excellent latency and consistency, and more importantly, one of the best power deliveries among the mid-range mini ITX motherboards. Along with that, there is a good USB connectivity with plenty of options, including Type C connection, a solid networking with BT5.0, Wi-Fi and Gigabit LAN, as well as respectable storage capacities that involve two M.2 PCIe 4.0 compatible slots and four SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, and 10.

Gigabyte X570 I AORUS Pro WiFi supports third- and second-generation Ryzen CPUs and is fitted with eight-phase VRM. Also, due to its excellent value for the money, this Gigabyte motherboard has positioned itself at the sheer top of offerings in its market segment and proved that, although it is a cut-down version of the full-size motherboard, its potential and qualities allow it to successfully compete even with its big brothers.

MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi

A Decent AMD Gaming Motherboard

MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi is a solid, decent-performing gaming motherboard that offers a good overall package. This motherboard supports 4600 MHz memory speed, it offers good overclocking characteristics, and has everything that a mainstream user may need.

There is an excellent 2.5 Gigabit LAN, Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6, with MU-MIMO, as well as the very good Realtek ALC1200 audio that guarantees a pleasant user experience. When it comes to performance, MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi is somewhere at the top of the offerings, among the B550 motherboards, while the 10-phase VRM, with MP2855GUT power controller, offers very impressive power delivery, making this motherboard an excellent choice.

When talking about connectivity and storage capabilities, MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi offers a pretty decent package and comes with 1x PCIe x16 port, four SATA ports, two M.2 slots, with RAID0 and RAID1 support, as well as HDMI 2.1 output and multiple USB connectors, six of which are located on the rear of the motherboard.

All in all, if you want a solid-performing gaming motherboard that will fulfill most of your needs, MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WiFi is more than a solid option.

Gigabyte A520I AC

An Affordable, yet Fairly Good Mini ITX Gaming Motherboard

Gigabyte A520I AC is an entry-level gaming motherboard, with an AM4 socket and a solid A520 chipset, which all results in a very good overall product. To be exact, this motherboard offers just the right amount of features to deliver a very good user experience; however, there isn’t anything that will truly amaze you.

There is the six-phase VRM, ALC887 Audio Codec, Intel Wi-Fi AC3168 wireless card, with both 5GHz and 2.4GHz band, and Bluetooth 4.2 function, as well as the Gigabit LAN connection. The number of connectors is very good for the size and involves two HDMI and one DP port, six USB ports, as well as multiple 3.5mm jacks.

Gigabyte A520I AC is fitted with four SATA ports, four PCIe3.0 slots, and one PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot, capable of ultra-high speeds. For cooling purposes, there is the Smart Fan 5 feature, with a variety of sensors and fan headers, as well as an optimized VRM Heatsink that provides more than enough cooling capabilities, even for the more demanding gamers.

All in all, if you are looking for a good-value-for-the-money mini ITX motherboard that provides solid and reliable performance, without any major flaws, Gigabyte A520I AC is more than a good choice and a great deal for most people.

MSI MEG Z490I Unify Gaming Motherboard

A Perfect Base for a Powerful Gaming Machine

MSI MEG Z490I Unify Gaming Motherboard is a well-built, high-performing motherboard, with the LGA 1200 socket, and more importantly, a ton of features that make it one of the best mini ITX motherboards available on the market.

With this motherboard, you are getting nothing but the best. That includes Realtek RTL8125B Ethernet controller with the 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi module, with MU-MIMO functionality, BT 5.1 functionality, and 2.4Gbps speeds, as well as the Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec and the Audio Boost 4 that provide an exceptional audio experience.

On top of that, there is also the 8-phase VRM, Intel JHL7540 Thunderbolt 3 controller, and the decent set of connectors that involve multiple versions of USB ports, as well as the already mentioned Thunderbolt 3 port, Display Port, and HDMI port. MSI MEG Z490I Unify Gaming Motherboard is fitted with one 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, and four SATA ports, with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10.

In other words, everything needed for a positive user experience is there. Therefore, if the best mini ITX motherboard is what you are after, MSI MEG Z490I Unify Gaming Motherboard is more than a reasonable choice.

ASUS ROG Strix B450-I

A Bit Older, but Still “Deadly” Mini ITX Motherboard

If you are not attracted by the latest gadgets and you respect genuine quality when you see it, ASUS ROG Strix B450-I is a motherboard for you.

When it showed up on the market, this board was high-end, and now, after a few years, it still has plenty to offer and is pretty much a winning deal if you are looking for a feature-rich AM4 motherboard.

The list of its great features includes two M.2 slots; Auto-Tuning and Fan Xpert 4 that will help you find your perfect overclocking and cooling configuration in no time, as well as Aura Sync RGB lighting that is well known for its great lighting performance.

Moreover, there is excellent HD audio, solid networking that includes both Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, and more than decent USB connectivity.

All in all, ASUS ROG Strix B450-I is a great machine and faithful companion, of course, if you don’t mind its age.

GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS Ultra

A Very Good, Feature-Rich Mini ITX Gaming Motherboard

GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS Ultra is another very good LGA 1200 mini ITX motherboard that brings great practicality, good overclocking characteristics, and an overall solid performance to the market.

This is a well-built, cool-looking motherboard, with good connectivity options and very good VRM hardware, as it should be the case with one of the best mini ITX motherboards out there. To be exact, there is one DP and one HDMI port, 2.5Gbps LAN, as well as a handful of USB ports on the rear end, including one USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-C port, four USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports, one USB 3.2 (Gen2) Type-A port, as well as two USB 2.0 ports.

GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS Ultra also comes equipped with the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 controller, with BT5.0, as well as good storage options that include four SATA ports and 2x M.2 Slots.

In addition, there is also the Direct 8 Phases Digital VRM, Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, and the Q Flash Plus that should make the whole user experience even better.

In other words, there is everything needed for a good gaming experience. Therefore, if a well-performing, feature-rich mini ITX motherboard is what you are looking for, you will be more than happy with this choice.

Summary

If you are ready to buy a new (or not really new) ITX motherboard, we hope this list was helpful. Now all you have to do is pick your companion and you are good to go! Good luck!

Nevertheless, a little bit of guidance, combined with our advice, should make everything much easier and help you find the best fit.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	ASUS PCE-AC88 Dual-Band 4x4 AC3100 WiFi PCIe adapter with Heat Sink and External magnetic antenna...	Check at Amazon
	TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 PCIe WiFi Card for PC with Heat Sink (Archer TX50E), Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11AX...	Check at Amazon
	Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV Bluetooth 4.2/Wireless AC/B/G/N Band Dual Frequency 2.4Ghz/5.8Ghz Expansion...	Check at Amazon
	fenvi WiFi 6 AX200NGW PCI-E WiFi Adapter Card PCIe Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax Card PC Internet Network...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS PCE-AC56 Dual-Band 2x2 AC1300 WiFi PCIe Adapter with Heat Sink, Detachable Antennas and Antenna...	Check at Amazon
	Rosewill RNX-AC1900PCEv2, Dual Band Wireless AC1900 Wi-Fi Adapter for Desktop, Up to 1300 Mbps (5.0...	Check at Amazon
	FebSmart Wireless AC 1200Mbps Dual Band PCIE WiFi Card with WiFi Stereo Adapter for Windows XP, 7,...	Check at Amazon
	TP-Link AC1200 PCIe WiFi Card for PC (Archer T5E) - Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band Wireless Network Card...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best PCIe Wi-Fi Card

When talking about Wi-Fi cards, there are a few distinctive characteristics you should pay your attention to and they include:

Data transfer speed and bandwidth

The most important aspects of any Wi-Fi card are its supported data transfer speed and bandwidth. Some cards support mediocre speeds of around 300Mbps in only 2.4GHz band, while others support for both 2100Mbps in 5GHz band and 1000Mbps on 2.4GHz band, or in total 3100Mbps.

Of course, for the majority of users, dual-band card with a combined speed of up to 1300Mbps is more than enough, while 3000Mbps rate is an overkill unless you are a die-hard gamer or streamer.

Number of Antennas

Although it might seem unimportant, the number of antennas is actually pretty important for the proper signal reception. More antennas provide better wireless connection because they can be positioned in more directions, and as a result, offer better signal coverage.

Cooling

The last thing you need with your PC or any of its components is that it heats up too much. Therefore, be sure that the Wi-Fi cards heatsink provides good heat management before the purchase.

Supported OS

Fact is that the majority of Wi-Fi cards support multiple operating systems. Nevertheless, they never support every version of a certain OS. For instance, maybe they do support Windows 7 and 10, but not the Vista or XP.

For that reason, do your homework and don’t end up with a card that just can’t work in your ecosystem.

Best Wi-Fi Cards

ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100

One of the Fastest Wi-Fi Cards Available

If you are looking for the super-fast Wi-Fi card, with amazing reception, ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100 is the card for you. Although it is expensive, its excellent 2100Mbps speed in 5GHz band and 1000Mbps on 2.4GHz band surpasses all the competition. In other words, you are not only getting the best performance possible, but also a future-proof product, which partially explains its high price tag.

ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100 comes with a one-year warranty, it supports Windows 7 and 10 (unfortunately, only their 64-bit versions) and more importantly, it is equipped with a custom heatsink that proves to be very efficient in heat dissipation.

Along with that, this card is fitted with four R-SMA antennas that have a magnetic base, which allows for their high-flexibility, and MU-MIMO functionality, which supports for up to four high bandwidth connections.

Overall, if you want the best PCIe Wi-Fi card available, ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100 should undoubtedly be your first option.

TP-Link Archer TX50E

A Solid Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Card in One

TP-Link Archer TX50E is a Wi-Fi6/Bluetooth5.0 card that is easy to use, and it offers great performance and plenty of features, which overall makes it a solid option for any desktop user lacking wireless connectivity.

This card is affordable and packed with the latest technologies such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO (responsible for lag reduction), new WPA3 security protocol, and support for modulation technologies, including DBPSK, DQPSK, QAM, and so on. Moreover, this device is CE, FCC, and RoHS-certified and has very responsive performance, suitable for real-time gaming.

When talking about performance, Archer TX50E delivers a highly reliable transmission due to two high-gain 5dBi Antennas, and it supports pretty solid data transfer speeds that can reach 2402Mbps in 5GHz band, and 574Mbps in 2.4GHz band, which is more than respectable for today’s standards.

TP-Link Archer TX50E comes in a package with both standard and low-profile brackets and allows for easy installation that altogether makes it suitable for a wide variety of users.

In other words, if you are after the best Wi-Fi card in the affordable segment, TP-Link Archer TX50E should be among your top picks.

Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I

A Good Performance and Practicality in One

If you are in a pursuit for a Wi-Fi PCIe card that will deliver both decent speeds and lag-free performance, which will allow for a good gaming experience, Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I should be high on your list.

This card comes fitted with two detachable antennas, that are attached by a cable that allows for their easier positioning, while the base of the antennas is made from a magnet and therefore, provides quick mounting.

Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I is a dual-band card with speeds of up to 875Mbps in 5GHz range and of up to 433Mbps in 2.4GHz range, which is more than enough for a trouble-free gaming or movie watching. Moreover, this card comes with Bluetooth 4.2 connection that allows for its easy pairing with the compatible devices. However, its usage demands for a USB connection between the card and the motherboard, which might be a problem for many.

Nevertheless, its long-range reception provides an opportunity for usage in various spaces and locations, while its solid performance undoubtedly makes it one of the best Wi-Fi cards on the market and an overall great purchase for a whole range of users.

Fenvi PCIe Wi-Fi Card AX200

A Super-fast Wi-Fi PCIe Card, Ideal for Gaming Fans

Fenvi PCIe Wi-Fi Card AX200 is a one-of-a-kind device, which offers amazingly fast speeds and allows for a trouble-free gaming spectacle in the comfort of your home. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Wi-Fi cards for gaming. It offers latency-free performance, with staggering speeds of up to 2400Mbps in 5GHz range and a bit more modest 574Mbps speeds in 2.4GHz range. In other words, everything you need is to connect it to a gaming router and the fun can begin.

However, although it offers great speeds, they are not always consistent, especially in the case of large downloads, which can present an issue for many. Nevertheless, these speed dropdowns are not regular and don’t drastically affect the overall performance, however, they do exist and should be acknowledged.

This card offers great compatibility and support for Chrome OS, Linux and Windows (even XP) and is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 that allows for its easy connecting with the compatible devices, such as headsets, keyboards, or mobile devices. Also, it supports MU-MIMO technology and Beamforming, while, thanks to the OFDM modulation, it provides lag-free performance, as mentioned earlier.

Fenvi PCIe Wi-Fi Card AX200 comes with a one-year warranty, it is equipped with two detachable cable antennas and overall presents one of the best Wi-Fi cards available. This card isn’t perfect; however, if you are willing to accept its drawbacks, you can be sure it will repay you on a large scale.

ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter

A Decent-Performing Wi-Fi Card for Users Who Respect Great Reliability

ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter is a card that offers decent performance, but more importantly, a highly reliable one, which put it at top of the class in that department. This card offers dual-band operations and supports speeds of up to 876Mbps in 5GHz range and 400Mbps in 2.4GHz range. Also, it supports various modulation technologies such as OFDM, CCK, DQPSK, DBPSK, 64 QAM and 16 QAM that drastically improve its performance and allow for data transfer prioritization.

Thanks to its external antenna, discovering the perfect position where you can reach the strongest signal is easy and simple, which in a combination with its long-range reception makes it ideal for large spaces.

ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter allows for easy installation and is compatible with Windows (even XP), but unfortunately, it doesn’t support Linux. It is equipped with a quality heatsink that provides good heat management and overall represents a good wireless solution, with numerous features.

In other words, if you are into a reliable connection and decent FPS rates, ASUS PCE-AC56 is a great deal and among the best PCIe Wi-Fi cards available.

Rosewill RNX-AC1900PCEv2

A Very Fast Wi-Fi Card, Ideal for Highly Demanding Gamers and Streamers

If you are into fast-performing Wi-Fi cards but are not willing to spend a small fortune on one of them, the perfect solution for you is Rosewill RNX-AC1900PCEv2. This is a card that offers a reasonable price, solid reception range, and more importantly, great speeds (1300Mbps on 5GHz range and 600Mbps in 2.4GHz range), which makes it perfect for gaming or HD video streaming.

The device itself is fitted with four detachable, omnidirectional antennas that are responsible for its solid performance, while its good compatibility makes it highly suitable for any sort of Windows-based system. However, be aware that on Windows 10, there might be issues with the driver that can crash with larger operating system updates and can’t be fixed without a driver update, which on the other hand you might wait on for some time, because of the not-that-prompt Rosewill software department.

In other words, if you own a PC with a Windows 7, 8, or even XP, this card is a great deal, but if you are among the Windows 10 users, better skip this one and go for something else.

FebSmart (FS-AC85BT)

A Great Deal for the Money

FebSmart (FS-AC85BT) is a device that, before anything else, offers a great value for the user. It has dual-band Wi-Fi that supports speeds of 876Mbps in 5GHz range and 300Mbps in 2.4GHz range, supports Linux, Windows 7, 8 and 10 and offers numerous features for enhanced performance such as Beamforming, 2X2 MU-MIMO, etc.

Along with that, it is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 for easy pairing with compatible devices and custom heatsink, which does a great job of keeping the card cool.

The adapter itself is easy to install and generally represents a good option for multiple uses, such as internet surfing or audio transmission, but also more complex tasks such as online gaming or 4K streaming.

All in all, although its performance won’t amaze anyone, FebSmart (FS-AC85BT)’s affordability in combination with great features and compatibility make it one of the best Wi-Fi cards for PC and overall great value for the money.

TP-Link Archer T5E

A Solid Performing and Easy-to-Use Wi-Fi Card

If you are looking to upgrade your desktop connectivity and you want a decent Wi-Fi5 card that will also make the Bluetooth feature a part of your world, TP-Link Archer T5E is without a doubt the thing for you.

Fact is that this device won’t get you super-fast speeds; however, will get a solid value that should reach speeds of 867Mbps in the 5GHz band, and 300Mbps in 2.4GHz band, which should be more than enough even for 4K content.

When talking about other aspects of this card, you should know that it is only compatible with Windows machines and that it brings ease of installation and use, which makes it a good option for a wide group of users. Thanks to its two external high-gain antennas, it has a strong and reliable signal and, along with the rest of the features, such as the WPA/WPA2 encryption, it makes a solid overall solution for everyone seeking a good, but not too complicated or expensive card that will, on the other hand, do more than a fine job.

Conclusion

If you have decided to make your life better by using a PCIe Wi-Fi card, this guide should be enough for you to start searching for the right one. We are sure that you can find your new companion on this list, so just keep your needs in mind and you can’t go wrong! Happy shopping!

Luckily, you are in the right place. We will give you a short guide on how to choose the best low profile CPU cooler, and afterward point out some of the coolers we found to be quite useful and of great performance.

Let’s get straight to the point!

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	Scythe Big Shuriken 3 CPU Air Cooler, 120mm Low Profile (69mm Tall), Intel LGA1151, AMD AM4/Ryzen	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NH-L9x65, Disipador de CPU de Bajo Perfil y Máxima Calidad (Marrón)	Check at Amazon
	ARCTIC Alpine 12 - CPU Cooler for Intel Sockets 115x and 1200, 92 mm PWM Fan, up to 95 W Cooling...	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition, Premium Low Profile CPU Cooler with Quiet 92mm PWM Fan For Desktop...	Check at Amazon
	MasterAir G200P ARGB Cooler	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master MasterAir G100M RGB Low Profile CPU Air Cooler Copper Heat Column Technology Ring and...	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NH-L9i chromax.black, Premium Low-Profile CPU Cooler for Intel LGA1200 & LGA115x (Black)	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake UX100 5V Motherboard ARGB Sync 16.8 Million Colors 15 Addressable LED Intel/AM5/AMD...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-20 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Low Profile CPU Cooler

It might sound simple, but actually, there are several things you should know and consider before buying a CPU cooler. If not done properly, it might damage your PC, or you won’t even be able to run it.

Can it fit?

When talking about fitting, we don’t necessarily mean that it should physically fit your PC, even though it’s, of course, highly important!

But the most problematic part is whether it will fit the CPU socket of your motherboard or not. Since the space around the CPU socket is limited, you need to think of size. In this case, size matters!

Should we point out what problems the improper size of the cooler might cause? Any kind of physical interference inside your PC box is highly unwanted and a shortcut to numerous problems.

Just because the cooler is low profile, doesn’t mean it’s compact and that can fit anywhere. You need to check the dimensions.

A nice thing to know is that the bigger coolers are much more efficient. They are much quieter as well. You’d like to use that free space as much as possible – the bigger the better.

3 Pin or 4 Pin connectors

4 pin connectors is your goal. Why is that? Well, mostly because their adjustability is far beyond the one that 3 pin connectors offer.

Namely, you can change the speed and volume of the fan with 4 pin connectors. Either you’ll be able to do it through the motherboards, or via some software.

When it comes to 3 pin connectors, you won’t be able to make those changes. The important thing is to pre-check whether your motherboard can support 4 pin connectors (and if there are 4 pin headers).

If yes, you are good to go, and you would be able to run even 3 pin connectors, but if your motherboard has 3 pin headers, you won’t be able to run 4 pin connectors, normally. To understand the importance of this, be sure to check the explained difference between 3 and 4 pin connectors!

Noise and aesthetics

Now, who would care about the cooler aesthetics? It will be buried deep inside your PC and no one will ever notice it.

However, for those that actually care about it, there are various shapes and interesting designs, rather than just 5-6 classic blades running in circles.

But, the more important thing is the noise. You don’t want something that will make your machine sound like it’s launching to the Moon.

Keep in mind that the smaller coolers will most likely be the loudest ones. There are two things you should consider: sometimes, a manufacturer includes the noise ratings, and when that isn’t the case, be sure to check consumer reviews.

Price

Obviously, one of the most important things is the price. Now, when talking about the coolers, we are basically talking about your PC’s insurance.

Because a good CPU cooler is practically insurance for a user that he will get an optimum performance throughout the next 7-8 years. So, yes, investing a bit more should be a smart thing to do, especially if you got a CPU for $500 or more.

Thermal design power

It’s called this way, but to simplify it, TDP represents the power. It’s the max power a device can dissipate when running real applications. So, if you have a PC that’s running a little hot, you might consider higher W TDP coolers to keep things cool. Let’s say that the average is around 100W TDP. Everything above will do the job just fine.

8 Best Low Profile CPU Coolers

SCYTHE Big Shuriken 3 (SCBSK-3000)

The Best Simple and Classic Cooler

If you are looking for a thing that perfectly suits small itx builds, then you are looking at your top choice. Therefore, it’s a great solution for small form factor systems. And with its height of only approximately 7cm, it will fit almost anywhere.

It has a smart cut-design, which ensures that the cooler won’t interfere physically into adjacent components on your motherboard. Now, what you can expect is nothing but a great airflow, and even ventilation – everything your PC needs.

H.P.M.S III system is there for you – it will ease the whole installation procedure enormously, by offering a perfect contact pressure on all platforms and sockets.

Noctua NH-L9x65

Ultra Quiet Option

Even though quietness is quite important, that’s not the only thing that beautifies this low profile CPU cooler. With the height of only 7.5 cm, this one is perfect for small form factor builds, HTPCs, and ITX.

Although it looks a bit bulky, fear not – it won’t overhang any adjacent slot, be it RAM or PCIe. What this one offers is a high-quality fan which has automatic speed control and the aforementioned ultra-quiet operation.

It’s quite easy to install it and includes multi-socket mounting system for both Intel and AMD. What’s more important, it has NT- H1 thermal compound and a warranty for quality that lasts for 6 years. Even though it offers outstanding performance in its class, it’s not suitable for overclocking and you should use it with care on PCs above 84W TDP.

ARCTIC ACALP00027A

The Best Low-profile CPU Cooler Under $15

It’s not just about the looks, but we must commend what Arctic did with this model. It looks modern and like it can cool 5 PCs at the time.

Now, what this one offers for its price is quite amazing. It offers improved cooling performance and an extended life span thanks to its top-notch bearing. It offers low power consumption and surely minimized vibration.

You won’t need any tools to install this little thingy. There is a push pin that will help you go through the whole process within minutes. There is a pre-applied thermal paste, which will affect performance and ensure longevity.

If you just need a cheap solution, and a cooler that will do the job without any sacrifices of the performance, search no more.

Noctua NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition

A CPU Cooler that Will Never Disappoint You

If you prefer more compact-sized computer configurations, such as ITX ones that save space, but deliver top-class performance at the same time, Noctua NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition low-profile CPU cooler is the thing for you.

Simply, this device delivers everything a high-end configuration might need. It is quiet, it offers great cooling performance, and it provides excellent compatibility that allows for its use with almost any modern Intel or AMD CPU.

Noctua NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition is fitted with a single, high-quality NF-B9 92mm fan that can be controlled through PWM connectors and can achieve speeds between 300 and 1600 RPM, as well a low-noise NA-RC7 adapter that is the key reason for this coolers super-quiet operations (along with the rubber strips on the bottom of the heatsink). Moreover, this CPU cooler comes with SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting feature, improved NT-H2 thermal paste, and altogether brings sheer quality to the customer.

Therefore, if you are after an excellent low-profile cooling solution for your CPU, Noctua NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition is a great choice.

Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB

The Ideal Mainstream, Low-Profile CPU Cooler

If you seek the ideal mainstream, a low-profile cooler that will do more than a decent work of cooling your CPU, Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB is the device for you. To be exact, with this cooler, you are getting nice RGB lighting and a built-in ARGB LED. Also, there is excellent compatibility that allows the cooler’s use with Intel’s LGA 1200, 115x, 2066, 2011 sockets, as well as AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, and FM2 socket, and many more.

Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB comes with a silent (28dB) 92mm fan and has a maximum speed of 2600RPM. Also, this cooler offers a compact build and has a TDP rating of 100W, which makes it a perfect option for any mainstream CPU.

In other words, if you are after a well-performing, yet not too expensive low-profile CPU cooler, Cooler Master MasterAir G200P RGB seems like more than a solid option.

Cooler Master MAM-G1CN-924PC-R1 MasterAir G100M RGB

The Best Among Them All

Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at our absolute favorite when it comes to low profile CPU coolers. It’s so powerful that we can even proclaim it as a cooler perfect for CPU for gaming.

We know it’s not about the looks, but this one is quite something. As said, appearance it’s not what puts it on top of our list, but its performance and amazing features. What makes the difference between this one and the other low profile coolers is a custom copper heat technology.

The direct contact enables the exceptional transfer of heat, and unseen cooling performance. Aluminum components are in charge of heat dissipation. Needless to say, as you can see, it has a RGB ring, which illuminates beautifully.

It offers dual fan (120 mm) design for improved performance and 4 direct contact heatpipes. Unlike generic metal bases, these heatpipes will ensure great thermal dissipation.

Moreover, with the help of a controller, you will be able to switch the colors and modes within the touch of a button.

Shortly, this one offers everything you’ll need, whether you are a gamer or just a person with 10000 tasks handling at once.

Noctua NH-L9i

One of the Best Low-Profile CPUs for SFF Cases

Noctua NH-L9i is another well-built, solid-performing, low-profile air cooler from the Noctua that continues the successful work of its predecessors and brings just what the best low-profile CPU coolers should. To begin with, there is the quiet performance that is rated at 23.6dB, as well as the pretty solid compatibility that allows its use with Intel’s 115x, 1200, and other sockets.

Noctua NH-L9i is a compact, 37mm low-profile CPU cooler that presents the ideal option for SFF and HTCP cases. Its speed is rated at 2500rpm, while the existence of a six-year warranty presents a nice bonus and a convincing argument about this cooler’s longevity.

For that reason, if you are looking for the best low-profile CPU cooler in the mainstream market, Noctua NH-L9i is the device to consider.

Thermaltake UX100

An Affordable Low-Profile CPU Cooler

Thermaltake UX100 is a reasonably priced, solid-performing low-profile CPU cooler that offers excellent RGB lighting and great compatibility in one. This is a pretty silent cooler, with a self-lubricating, nine-blade fan and the speed of 1800rpm that offers more than enough air cooling for lower speed and mainstream CPUs.

Moreover, Thermaltake UX100 is compatible with Intel’s LGA1200, 115x, and 775 sockets, as well as AMD’s AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2, and other sockets. In other words, it offers great universality.

Thermaltake UX100 comes with a two-year warranty and features 15 addressable LEDs that bring nice-looking lighting effects, while the cooler itself supports 5V RGB and has a built-in ARGB LED.

In short, there is everything needed for a solid cooling performance. Therefore, if you are after the best low-profile CPU cooler in the budget-friendly area, Thermaltake UX100 is more than a good option.

Conclusion

In the light of everything we mentioned above, these are some of the very best samples of low profile CPU coolers. It might sound like an easy job, but there are a lot of things you need to check on your list before rushing into decisions.

Hopefully, you are now step closer to picking the right low profile CPU cooler that will fit both your and your CPU’s needs.

Most people don’t use their gaming PCs strictly for gaming, but also for many other tasks, which is where the significance of CPU comes into the picture. This is the main reason why choosing the best CPU for gaming shouldn’t involve just a gaming component, but be observed from a broader perspective.

Maybe your gaming demands only for a Pentium processor, but what if you are also into casual rendering, or content creation, not to mention 4k video streaming or similar? Your CPU will simply be unable to complete all that.

Also, you must take into consideration the fact that the games’ system requirements are constantly rising. Therefore, when purchasing a new CPU, you should always be at least one step ahead and always get yourself something that will allow for decent gaming at least for a couple of years to come, without a need for hardware improvements.

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Last update on 2023-10-08 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best CPU for Gaming

If you are not familiar with the important aspects of a CPU, or just need a quick refresher, here are the most important characteristics of processors you should pay your attention to.

Clock Speed/Operating Frequency

Clock speed is probably the most important CPU characteristic. The higher it is, the quicker your tasks will be finished. Therefore, always go for higher numbers, which includes both high base and boost clock speeds.

Cores

Cores are necessary for multitasking, but more cores don’t guarantee for fast performance. If you have a dual core with a speed of 3.6 GHz and a quad-core processor with a speed of 2 GHz, the dual core will be faster, and it will completely outperform the quad-core.

Don’t be fooled and drawn by the high number of cores, six or eight cores are the maximum you will need, while the majority of the users are perfectly good with just four. Only the heavy users will demand 16 or so cores. For that reason, first of all, look at the processor’s speed and only after that check number of cores that should, as mentioned, be at least four.

Socket

If you are building a brand new rig, you should purchase a CPU with the same socket as your motherboard. Keep that in mind whenever you are building your own PC: all the components need to be compatible and the same socket of your motherboard and the CPU is a necessity.

CPU Cache

More CPU cache means that the CPU will have more space to store the copies of the most frequently used data. In other words, the more CPU cache MBs, the quicker the data access and overall faster computing. Because of that, just as in the case of a clock speed, always go for higher values.

9 Best Gaming CPUs

Intel Core i9-12900K

The Best Gaming Processor There Is

Intel Core i9-12900K is a fast, high-performing Alder Lake CPU, with great characteristics and equally importantly, amazing gaming capabilities. In other words, if you want the best gaming CPU, this one is pretty much it.

The reasons for that are numerous; however, the most prominent ones are its eight P-cores, with a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and boost speed of very nice 5.2GHz. In addition, there are also eight E-cores with base speed of 2.4GHz and boost speed of 3.9GHz, as well as a total of 24 threads (16 on P-cores and eight on E-cores) that make a true difference, especially if used in the workstation PC.

Intel Core i9-12900K comes unlocked and features 30 MB of L3 cache. Also, it has 20 PCIe lanes and supports both PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5. In addition, this CPU offers support for Thunderbolt 4 and Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6/6E and base power of 125W.

More importantly, Intel Core i9-12900K is superior to any Ryzen processor and surpasses them in almost any category, especially if used on the Windows 11 platform that unlocks its Intel Thread Director features.

All in all, if you are into high-end gaming and money isn’t an issue for you, Intel Core i9-12900K is certainly a great choice.

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X

The New King Has Come

A battle between AMD and Intel is like a Neverending Story and both sides turn in the lead. For a long time, the top spot was reserved for the Intel babies; however, with the arrival of the AMD’s new Zen 3 architecture, things are changing and the new generation of AMD CPUs, with their flagship Ryzen 9 5950X on top, is here to take the throne.

Simply, Ryzen 9 5950X, with its 16 cores and 32 processing threads, along with 3.4 GHz base clock, 4.9 GHz boost clock, and especially L3 cache that is impressive at 72MB, is more than capable of delivering an amazing gaming performance that is neck and neck with the Intel’s leading Core i9 10900K and even surpasses it when it is paired with the PCIe 4.0 compatible GPU that isn’t supported by Intel processors.

Considering the number of cores and threads, it is no wonder that AMD Ryzen 9 5950X’s multi-thread performance and overall multitasking are without real competition. At the same time, its excellent 105W TDP, along with the very good overclocking capabilities, makes this CPU the best AM4 processor available and one of the best gaming processors out there, although a bit costly.

Intel Core i7-12700K

The Ideal Gaming CPU

If you seek the best ratio between price and performance in the Intels CPU portfolio, Intel Core i7-12700K comes as one of the top picks, thanks to its performance which is close to i9-12900K, and a much smaller price tag. In other words, if you want a high-performing gaming CPU with the best value for the money, this one is pretty much it.

This processor comes with 12 cores (eight P-cores and four E-cores) and features 25MB of L3 cache. Also, it has 20 PCIe lanes and has support for DDR5 memory, Thunderbolt 4, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6/6E, as well as PCIe Gen 5. The processor itself is unlocked, offering plenty of space for tweaking, while the improved power efficiency presents a nice bonus.

When talking about performance, its P-cores have a base speed of 3.6GHz and can reach up to 5.0GHz in boost mode, while the E-cores come with 2.7GHz base clock and can be boosted up to 3.8GHz. In other words, a flawless performance is guaranteed, or at least the one that outperforms Ryzen rivals.

Intel Core i7-12700K comes with 20 threads (16 on P-cores and four on E-cores) and features great single and multithread performance. In short, this processor has everything needed for an excellent gaming performance. Therefore, if you are after one of these, you may be sure you won’t make a mistake.

Intel Core i5-12600K

The Ultimate Value-for-the-Money CPU

Finding the perfect budget-friendly gaming CPU is never easy; however, there are CPUs, such as the Intel Core i5-12600K, that are exactly that. This is an excellent-performing, yet affordable processor that offers a bit less than the premium i9-12900K, or i7-12700K, yet more than enough for an exceptional gaming performance. In other words, Intel Core i5-12600K is the ideal option, if you want a premium product, at a reasonable price.

This CPU comes with 10 cores (six P-cores and four E-cores) and features 16 threads (12 on P-cores and four on E-cores). Moreover, it has 16MB of L3 cache and offers support for PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 memory. Furthermore, there is support for Thunderbolt 4, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6/6E, as well as Intel Thread Director.

Intel Core i5-12600K also comes with built-in Intel UHD Graphics and a total of 20PCIe lanes. It is unlocked and has a base power of 125W. Its P-cores have a base clock of 3.7GHz that can be boosted up to 4.9GHz, while the E-cores offer a 2.8GHz base speed and can reach up to 3.6GHz in the boost mode. In other words, amazing gaming is guaranteed with this CPU.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

An Outstanding CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a high-performing CPU that offers excellent performance in both single and multi-thread work, which makes it a great overall option for workstations, as well as high-end gaming machines.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X comes with eight cores and 16 threads, as well as a base clock of 3.8 GHz that can boost to a very respectable 4.7 GHz. More importantly, it is fitted with 36 MB of L3 cache; it offers support for DDR-3200 and comes with a very good power efficiency and TDP of 105W, which makes it a pretty good deal.

What, on the other hand, isn’t that great, is its price, since Intel Core i7 10700K, which is neck and neck with the Ryzen 7 5800X in gaming performance, costs significantly less, which ultimately makes it a better gaming choice. However, if you are multitasking and are looking for productivity as well, Ryzen 7 5800X makes much more sense.

In other words, Ryzen 7 5800X is an excellent processor that offers quite a lot; however, it is a more all-in-one processor that delivers excellent gaming capability, among other things. Therefore, if you are after a processor that will give you a whole package and instead of only a strong gaming performance, AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is an excellent choice.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

A Perfect Budget-Friendly Gaming CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is an affordable, yet very efficient gaming processor that is neck and neck even with the flagship processors such as Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Core i9-10900K according to its performance. This processor offers excellent value for the money and presents a great choice for gamers that want to get top-class performance at more than a reasonable price.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is fitted with six cores and 12 processing threads and offers a respectable boost clock of 4.6 GHz that gives this processor enough firepower to fight the big guys. Moreover, there is also 35MB of L3 cache, support for DDR4-3200 high-performing gaming memory, as well as excellent power efficiency and TDP of 65W.

Also, this processor comes with a quiet and capable Wraith Stealth cooler, an unlocked multiplier that will allow for additional tweaking and even better overall performance.

To make a long story short, if the best budget-friendly gaming CPU is your main target, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is without a doubt an excellent choice.

Intel Core i3-10100

The Optimal Budget-Friendly Gaming Solution

Intel Core i3-10100 is an affordable, yet very good gaming CPU that won’t blast you with its performance, but it will do more than a fine job. Its four cores and eight threads, along with the maximum boost clock speed of 4.3GHz and Hyper-Threading support, are doing some serious work and if you are after the best cheap gaming processors, this one is a great choice.

There are numerous reasons for such a claim, such as Intel Optane Memory Support, included cooler, as well as integrated graphics that maybe aren’t the decisive factor for gamers, but they still present a decent bonus. Also, there is excellent power efficiency when compared to the more expensive Intel CPUs from the Comet Lake series, Turbo Boost Max 2.0, and Quick Sync video engine, as well as 6MB of L3 cache – not too much, but good enough for a fine gaming performance.

Moreover, Intel Core i3-10100 has a 65W TDP; it supports DDR4-2666 memory and provides up to 40 PCIe lanes. When talking about the competition, the biggest one is the Ryzen 3 3300X that offers slightly more for the price. Nevertheless, if you are in the Intel corner and are looking for an affordable gaming option, Intel Core i3-10100 should certainly be among your top picks.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (Socket TR4)

A Heavy Multitasker that Isn’t that Great When Gaming is on Table

If you want something that will amaze you, you should consider buying the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X. Its staggering 16 cores and 32 threads, 40MB of cache and 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes will do any job with ease. Content creation, 4K streaming, video editing, you name it – it can do it all without breaking a sweat.

This is simply a CPU that is made for extreme loads and multitasking and every other use is just a waste of its resources. Although it can also be used for gaming and its base clock of 4.0 GHz is above i9-9900K’s and i7-9700K’s 3.6 GHz, its boost clock of only 4.2 GHz is significantly below 9900K’s 5.0 GHz or 9700K’s 4.9 GHz, which results in a worse gaming performance.

In other words, if you are into gaming, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X isn’t that great option. Tests show that this CPU is outperformed by many older and much cheaper processors in GTA V, Civilization 6, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and many other mainstream games.

Therefore, if you are into heavy multitasking, this CPU can be a great option; if, on the other hand, gaming is your priority, better go for some other solution. At the same time, you will get better performance and save money.

Intel Core i9-10850K

The King, with a Slightly Lower Price Tag

If you seek top-notch gaming performance and are looking for a processor that will give you that at the best possible price, Intel Core i9-10850K CPU is the device for you.

This processor offers almost the same performance and specification as the flagship Intel Core i9-10900K, at a lower price, as well as better energy efficiency and thermal performance that. Ultimately, these features are delivering a better overall value for the customer.

When talking about the specs themselves, have in mind that Intel Core i9-10850K comes with 10 cores and 20 threads and that it offers a 5.2GHz boost and 3.6GHz base clock speed. Moreover, it provides support for Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, two-channel DDR4 2933MHz memory, and up to 40 PCIe lanes that are only PCIe 3.0 ones, unfortunately.

Intel Core i9-10850K CPU provides 125W TDP, 20MB of L3 cache, and allows for the Hyper-threading technology. In other words, it supports everything as its bigger brother; nevertheless, it costs significantly less. For that reason, if you are looking for one of the best gaming CPUs, with the optimal performance for the price, Intel Core i9-10850K is a sure thing.

Conclusion

If this guide has helped you with your CPU purchase, its goal has been fulfilled. On the other hand, if it didn’t, we hope it was at least beneficial enough to equip you with some knowledge and give you a slightly better perspective of what exactly it is that do you need. Good luck with your CPU shopping!

Even though they have been long gone from the spotlight, they can still produce some decent performance that will satisfy most gamers. Therefore, buying the best hard drive for gaming purposes is still a welcome move.

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Last update on 2023-10-01 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Hard Drive for Gaming

When choosing the perfect hard drive, you should keep a couple of things in mind. Think about what you need it for, what your budget is, how often you are going to use it, etc. Having those answers will help you a lot because it will give you the proper perspective of what you are really looking for and which of the following characteristics of a hard drive you should pay your close attention to.

Capacity

When talking about the important aspects of a hard drive, capacity is probably at the top of the list. No matter how large your storage space is, eventually it will be full. That’s a simple fact of a life.

Therefore, always buy the hard drive that offers more capacity than you think you need. If you think you need 500GB of storage, buy one with 1TB. If you need 2TB, buy one that has at least 3TB, etc. Always go for bigger numbers, you can’t go wrong with that.

Speed

Speed is the second most important characteristic of a hard drive. No one wants to spend half of his/her day waiting for a data to transfer. For that reason, choose the drives that have the fastest possible maximum sequential read/write speeds. They are more expensive, but every cent will pay off.

Transfer speed above 150MB/s is more than good for an internal hard drive, while for external drives, the acceptable speed is around 100MB/s.

Cache

In the past, this used to be a much bigger issue, but today, the difference between 32MB and, for instance, 64MB cache drive is represented in some 10% faster loads of 64MB cache drives. These differences are hardly noticeable by an ordinary user.

In other words, unless you are buying outdated second-hand drives with 8MB, or less cache, there is not that much to be worried about. If you can, purchase the drives with more cache, but on the other hand, you won’t notice for significant difference even if you take the ones with fewer MB.

Connectivity

Internal hard drives usually offer SATA connectivity. In the recent times, SATA3 is a standard, but you might also bump on slower SATA2 drives, that are left on the stock. If you can, always go for a faster SATA3 option.

When talking about external hard drives, they mostly offer USB connectivity. Although USB2.0 is still acceptable, it is better to go for the drives that have a USB3.0 standard, which ultimately leads to faster data transfer.

8 Best Hard Drives for Gaming

WD Black HDD

An Excellent PC Hard Drive Made for Serious Gamers

If you are into serious hard drives that will deliver a high-quality performance, 3.5” WD Black should be high on your list. Reliable, with a promising 5-year warranty and enhanced performance, all thanks to StableTrac and Dynamic Cache Technology, this hard drive will fulfill every task that gamers put in front of it.

The rotational speed of 7200 rpm, 64MB (500GB-2TB) or 256MB (4TB-6TB) of cache and the usual SATA3 connectivity, is nothing impressive when compared to the competition, but its average reading/writing speed of 180MB/s, that can rise to the staggering 281.9MB/s when reading large files, is more than a convincing argument that shows how good this drive is. Equipped with a dual-core processor and FIT tested, just like the data center HDD’s, this hard drive will never leave you in the most important moments.

WD Black is simply the best hard drive for gaming you can find. Its combination of great performance, reliability and good value for the money are a winning formula that will leave no one disappointed.

Seagate BarraCuda Compute Pro

Solid Choice for Gaming

The Seagate BarraCuda Compute Pro is part of the company’s Guardian series and it’s designed to bring affordable performance to everyday users, i.e. faster data transfer speeds at bargain prices. Specs-wise, the BarraCuda Pro 6TB HDD plays in the “uber-normie” category and it features 7200rpm and 256MB of cache via optimized read/write caching technology; in layman’s terms, this is a pretty quick HDD from an “ancient technology” standpoint.

We know, there are SSD drives out there which offer 6 TB of storage capacity and blazing fast access speeds compared to old school HDDs, but if you take a look at the price tag, you’ll understand why the BarraCuda Compute Pro is the definition of no-compromise capacity, performance and reliability for enterprise environments and, why not, even for hard-core home users: this HDD offers 250MB/s maximum sustained transfer rate and a 300TB/year workload rate limit reliability, which means you can use it for long-term storage whether we’re talking cloud, movies, games, music or whatever.

Here’s a hint for our readers: remember to download and install the Seagate Disc Wizard software from the company’s official website if you want the installation process to go smoothly and hassle-free.

Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSHD

A Quality Upgrade of a Traditional Hard Drive

If you want to enjoy the benefits of SSD technology, but are limited with budget resources, Seagate FireCuda may be the best fit for you. This drive presents a combination of 8GB NAND MLC flash and a traditional hard drive, which places this hybrid above regular hard drives, but slightly below SSDs according to performance. All this makes a Seagate FireCuda a great option for a primary drive or a very fast secondary drive.

When talking about sheer performance, mostly due to the flash drive component, this drive makes maximum sequential read speed of 216.9MB/s and write speed of 211.4MB/. The hard drive itself has SATA3 connectivity, the rotational speed of 7200 rpm and 64MB of cache that are basically today’s standards for a hard drive. Its capacity of 1TB or 2TB should be enough for most users, while its 5-year warranty guarantees for its longevity.

You should know that this is not an SSD for gaming, but a hybrid drive, with 8GB of flash that are enough for playing a game, or opening one or two apps. This drive just isn’t made for a simultaneous work on multiple applications and in that case, its performance may deteriorate even below regular hard drive performance. If you are fine with that, Seagate FireCuda may be a great companion and the best hard drive for gaming you can find for yourself.

WD Blue HDD

An Affordable Hard Drive that Will Keep Everyone Satisfied

WD Blue is a decent-performance hard drive which can be successfully used both as a secondary drive, and as a budget solution for a system drive. SATA3 connectivity, the rotational speed of 7200 rpm and 64MB of cache are its specifications, and they won’t impress anyone. That can also be said for its transfer data speed of around 150 MB/s that certainly isn’t among the best in the class, but on the other hand, high performance is not what makes this drive so attractive.

Its key advantage is a combination of different aspects that include its price, good reliability, variety of capacities and modest, but still good enough, performance – the features according to which it can be compared only to the Toshiba DT01ACA hard drives.

WD Blue is the drive that does the job without breaking the bank and that is its key advantage over the competition that makes it so attractive for numerous users and variety of purposes.

Toshiba X300 HDD

A Hard Drive Designed for Gamers

If you are into hard drives that deliver extreme performance and offer plenty of capacity at the same time, Toshiba X300 should be your choice. Its variety of capacities (4TB-10TB) will certainly allow for more than a handful of installed games, while its very recognizable maximum sequential read/write speeds of over 200MB/s (that can almost be compared with the Seagate FireCuda, which is a hybrid drive) will guarantee for the fluidity of games.

Toshiba X300 offers quiet performance even under full load, while its internal shock sensor and dual-stage actuator are ensuring the data integrity. Its SATA3 connectivity and the rotational speed of 7200 rpm are up to today’s standards, while its 128MB or 256MB (10TB) of cache help this drive stand out from the bunch, and help its high-quality performance.

You can’t expect much more than this from the best hard drive for gaming. Therefore, if you are a hardcore gamer, you won’t go wrong with this one.

Seagate Portable External Hard Drive

Gaming on the Go

If you’re looking for an affordable back-up solution on the go, this external hard drive from Seagate has your name on it. For something like $100, give or take, you’ll get 5 GB of storage, and this HDD works just as well on Windows and Mac in a “plug and play” fashion, i.e. all you have to do is to connect it to your computer via the 3.0 USB cable (18 inch USB cable included in the retail package) and the automatic recognition software will kick in.

As usual, when it comes to dirt cheap storage solutions, there are caveats, and the most annoying one, in this case, is the 5400 RPM writing speed, which means this Seagate drive is pretty slow for today’s standards; however, if you’re only looking for cheap storage solutions to complement your, let’s say PS4 gaming console, this portable external hard drive from Seagate would make for a nice addition to your gaming rig. The setup is super simple, as your PlayStation/Xbox One will recognize the drive instantly, and moving files around between the drive and the console is easy as pie.

Also, playing games off the drive presents no significant problems, like slowdowns or glitches, so, if you’re looking to expand your gaming console’s storage capacity, look no further than this cheap Seagate external HDD.

WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive

A Hard Drive that Offers Sheer Storage Space for Small Bucks

Similar to Seagate Expansion, WD Elements also offers plenty of space, but for even a lower price. The price difference lies in the fact that the WD Elements is a much slower drive since its sequential read/write speeds of around 95MB/s, are some 30% slower than those of its Seagate rival.

WD Elements is highly affordable and offers capacities from 1TB to 4TB of space, has USB3.0 connectivity, but similar to the Expansion, it lacks special features such as encryption or backup software. Therefore, if you want cheap storage space, devoid of extra features, this drive is a great option for you.

You won’t get super-fast speeds but will get a Windows- and Mac-compatible device, with a ton of space for your games and other data, and all that for a ridiculous price.

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox One

An External Hard Drive Destined for Xbox Gaming

If you are into Xbox gaming, this drive is made for you. Seagate Game Drive for Xbox One is the only external hard drive made solely for Xbox. That includes Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox 360 consoles.

This drive comes in 2TB or 4TB capacity that will certainly be enough for you to keep all your favorite titles in one place, has USB3.0 connectivity and offers a plug-and-play function for easy use. Its sequential read/write speeds are very fast (140MB/s), which is impressive for an external hard drive.

Highly compact, with a 2-year warranty and an overall great performance, Seagate Game Drive for Xbox One is without a doubt the best hard drive for Xbox one can find.

Conclusion

Hard drives have been with us for a long time and they are going to be with us for at least a couple more years to come, but that doesn’t change the fact that their days are numbered. Luckily, they can still deliver great performance for an acceptable. Therefore, enjoy them while you can.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp	Check at Amazon
	Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 Hi-Res Internal PCIe Sound Card, Quad-Core Processor, 127dB DNR ESS...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Channel 192kHz/24-bit Hi-Res 116dB SNR PCIe Gaming Sound Card with Windows 10...	Check at Amazon
	Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC, 24-bit / 192 kHz, 116 dB SNR,...	Check at Amazon
	Creative 70SB174000000 Sound BlasterX AE-5 Hi-Resolution PCIe Gaming Sound Card	Check at Amazon
	EVGA Nu Audio Card, 712-P1-AN01-KR, Lifelike Audio, PCIe, RGB LED, Designed with Audio Note	Check at Amazon
	AudioQuest - DragonFly Red USB DAC/Headphone Amplifier	Check at Amazon
	Audioengine D1 32-bit Portable Headphone Amp and USB DAC AMP, Preamp, Laptop Desktop Headphone...	Check at Amazon
	FiiO Headphone Amps Portable DAC USB Type-C coaxial 384kHz/32bit (E10K-TC black)	Check at Amazon
	Creative Sound Blaster X4 Hi-Res 24bit/192kHz External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card, Super X-Fi,...	Check at Amazon
	Creative Sound BlasterX G1 7.1 Portable HD Gaming USB DAC and Sound Card (70SB171000000)	Check at Amazon
	Sound BlasterX G6 Hi-Res 130dB 32bit/384kHz Gaming DAC, External USB Sound Card with Xamp Headphone...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-15 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

How to Choose the Best Sound Card

One of the first dilemmas that people usually have when deciding for the best sound card is definitely: Should I go for the external or internal sound card?

Both of these cards have their advantages and disadvantages. Internal cards generally offer lower latency, and therefore, better overall experience, while external ones come with more connectivity options and of course portability, which is an important convenience. In other words, there is no universal answer, and everything depends on your preferences.

However, there are also some important characteristics that apply to both sound card types:

Audio Quality

The most important thing for every audio device is, of course, its sound quality. Numerous features, affordable price and good connectivity are important. Nevertheless, if your device has poor audio quality, all of that is for nothing.

For that reason, pay special attention to this aspect of a sound card. Read on forums about other people’s experiences; consult users that already have the same card type that you want and of course, read our reviews and hopefully find the best sound card for you.

Connectivity

As already mentioned, better connectivity is reserved for external cards, simply because they offer more space. Therefore, more different connections should be found on external cards, at least in theory.

However, no matter if you have decided to go for the internal or external card, you should always go for as many different connections as possible. Pay attention to whether the card has MIDI connectors, headphone jack, RCA connection, and of course, what number of channels it supports.

Nowadays, the majority of budget-oriented cards support at least 5.1 audio. In other words, that should be your minimum. Nevertheless, don’t be satisfied with that and if your funds allow it, spend a few more bucks and get yourself at least a 7.1 or 7.2 channel sound card that will surely bring a significant improvement to your overall audio experience.

Software

In order for you to fully enjoy every benefit of a sound card, you will need proper software. These solutions usually enhance the overall user experience and provide numerous advanced features, such as customizable frequency response, or numerous equalizer settings.

For that reason, it is highly recommended to choose the devices with enough software solutions that would help you improve your audio experience and not turn it into a nightmare.

Best Internal Sound Cards

Best External Sound Cards

Summary

Of course, external cards are much easier to install and they are portable, but if you need higher audio quality then an internal sound card will be a better option. Still, it’s always up to you to choose the best item which will suit your requirements and needs.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	CORSAIR CRYSTAL 280X Micro-ATX Case, Tempered Glass - Black	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master MasterBox MB320L ARGB Micro-ATX with Dual ARGB Fans, DarkMirror Front Panel, Mesh...	Check at Amazon
	Nanoxia Micro ATX Case for Gaming/Desktop/Cube/Tower - Rexgear 1 Limited Edition, Onyx Black	Check at Amazon
	darkFlash DLM21 MESH Micro ATX Mini ITX Tower MicroATX White Computer Case with Door Opening...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake Versa H17 Black SPCC Micro ATX Mini Tower Gaming Computer Case CA-1J1-00S1NN-00	Check at Amazon
	Phanteks (PH-ES314ETG_BK) EVOLV mATX Tempered Glass Edition Aluminum Exterior RGB LED Illumination...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC Micro ATX, Mini ITX Cube Gaming Computer Case Chassis, Small Form Factor...	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Micro-ATX Tower with Magnetic Design Dust Filter, Transparent Acrylic...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake Level 20 VT Tempered Glass Interchangeable Panel DIY LCS Chamber Concept Micro ATX...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

First of all, you have to know what exactly you are looking for. Do you need an average computer chassis or are you going to build a powerful gaming PC?

Another factor which will affect your choice is your budget. Think how much money you are ready to spend on a new micro ATX case. Budget frames will narrow the range of cases you will have to consider and, consequently, this will save your precious time.

The next step is to learn some information about PC cases to know what characteristics you should always take into account. So here is a basic vernacular which will help you to accomplish the pre-cited task and will make your purchase much easier.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Micro-ATX Case

Form factors

Full-towers, mid-towers and mini-towers are those form factors which usually support micro ATX boards. This list can be also expanded by desktop and MOD-tower formats.

Drive bays

These are special areas in a case where you can install some additional computer hardware (temperature readouts, fan controllers, platter-style hard drives). Note that they don’t need any tools for installation. The size of drive bays can vary from 2.5 to 5.25 inches.

CPU cooler cutaways

Cooling plays a crucial part in the effective performance of any PC. So if you are going to equip your micro ATX case with the best CPU cooler then check whether it has a backing plate or other mounting hardware (usually installed from the board underneath).

Motherboard tray and standoffs

Placed at the bottom of a computer case, a motherboard tray (a place for a board in your PC case) has special holes for the motherboard standoffs, which help to fix a board and prevent an electrical short.

Fan mounts

These are special surfaces inside a PC case used for installation of additional ventilation. Their sizes can vary from 80mm up to 200mm.

Removable air filters

If fan mounts can be found in every PC case, removable air filters aren’t so widely spread. Still, the presence of such filter in your micro ATX case is a great bonus as it takes care of dust reduction inside the chassis.

GPU clearance

GPU clearance denotes space required by a graphics processing unit to fit in the case. In a nutshell, there must be enough room inside your micro ATX case to host a chosen GPU. What you should be aware of is that if a GPU clearance has 12 inches and more then it will be able to support almost any video card.

Optical drives

Here the point is that some high-end computer chassis, including micro ATX cases, require special kind of optical drive. This may be either a slim optical drive or a slot-load optical drive. The second type is more relevant for you as it is used in PC cases while the first one is typical for laptops with SFF form factor.

PC case ports

One of the main things about PC case ports is that your motherboard headers must match the ports of your new computer case. In case they don’t, you’ll need to get adapters or expansion cards.

Some other details which should be considered before a purchase include I/O shield, drive sleds and stealthing, expansion slots, cable management and PSU.

There is no doubt that if you want to find the best micro ATX case you should be aware of those pre-cited characteristics before you start searching for a computer chassis. Still, you can make your life easier and just look through our list of best micro ATX cases below.

Best Micro-ATX Cases

As you can see the range of micro ATX cases is really wide – there are cases for any taste. Try to find the best micro ATX case namely for you and enjoy working with it.

To help you out a bit, we’ve put together this guide to explain how a fan cooling system works and how to pick the best one for your case and components.

Before you start shopping, you’ll want to double check the dimensions of your case and how much clearance you actually have internally for a fan setup. In some cases, you may be better off with a multiple fan system, rather than just a single fan. Really, it all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

What Role Does a Case Fan Play in Maintaining PC Performance?

As the technology driving our PC’s and laptops continue to increase in both power consumption and speed, so do our computer’s internal temperatures. If important components such as the CPU and PSU are not kept at ambient temperature via passive cooling, you desperately need a case fan or two in order to help carry the excess heat load. Left unresolved, excess heat will severely shorten the lifespan of your PC components.

Active cooling has become an integral part of PC maintenance. That’s where case fans come into play. With proper positioning, your case fans will simultaneously push hot air away from problem areas such as the CPU heatsink and pull fresh, cool air across them.

How to Choose the Very Best Case Fan for Your PC

A fair amount of thought and research should go into the purchase of a new case fan for your PC. You’ll want to consider things like;

• Whether or not aesthetics are important. Does your case provide a view of your fans? Does it matter to you what it looks like? There are fans with cool lighting effects for computer enthusiasts looking for something a bit more unique.
• What your primary goals are for active cooling. Do you have specific problem areas that are in need of active cooling, or are you taking preemptive measures to protect the entire system? Are you in the market for a new fan because of heat problems, noise levels during operation, or both?
• How much noise you want to put up with. Noise complaints are most common amongst overclockers, gamers, and professionals that need a lot of processing power. There are, however, some really nice, quiet models available if you’re willing to pay a bit extra. To better understand fan noise rankings, check out this guide.
• How you want to control your fan. Do you want a simple, plug-and-play fan that turns on and off as necessary? If you’re interested in manually controlling your fan settings, picking up a fan controller for your system might be a good idea too. You can also use software to control your fans.

Before you go shopping, you’ll need to check a few things:

• Check your PC’s connector type. There are 3 different types of connector, a 2-Pin, 3-Pin, and 4-Pin. A 2-Pin is a simple, on/off setup; not commonly used in modern computing. Both the 3 and 4-Pin connectors allow more control over fan operations, leading to more efficient active cooling.
• Choose an appropriate fan for your case size. If you have an extra-large case, you’ll want to consider a 200MM case fan, for instance. In this situation, an 80MM fan would do very little to cool your system, as it lacks the force of air flow and RPMs necessary to efficiently move cool air to important areas such as the CPU.

Best 80mm Case Fans

Preview	Product
	Cooler Master SickleFlow 80 All-Black Square Frame Fan, Air Balance Curve Blade, Sealed Bearing,...	Check at Amazon
	ARCTIC F8 PWM - 80 mm PWM Case Fan, PWM-Signal regulates Fan Speed, Very quiet motor, Computer, Fan...	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NF-A8 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (80mm, Brown)	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

Best 120mm Case Fans

Preview	Product
	be quiet! Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM High-Speed, BL070, Cooling Fan ,Black	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (120mm, Brown)	Check at Amazon
	CORSAIR iCUE SP120 RGB ELITE Performance 120mm PWM Triple Fan Kit with iCUE Lighting Node CORE (Pack...	Check at Amazon
	ARCTIC F12 PWM - 120 mm PWM Case Fan, PWM-Signal regulates Fan Speed, Quiet Motor, Computer, Fan...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake Riing Trio 12 RGB TT Premium Edition 120mm Software Enabled 30 Addressable LED 9 Blades...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

Best 140mm Case Fans

Preview	Product
	Corsair ML140, 140mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan (2-Pack)	Check at Amazon
	Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM, Heavy Duty Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 3000 RPM (140mm, Black) for Desktop	Check at Amazon
	Corsair QL Series, iCUE QL140 RGB, 140mm RGB LED PWM White Fan, Single Fan	Check at Amazon
	NZXT AER RGB 2 - HF-28140-B1 - 140mm - Advanced Lighting Customizations - Winglet Tips - Fluid...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

Best 200mm Case Fans

Preview	Product
	Cooler Master MF200R RGB - Premium-Quality 200mm Hybrid Silent High Airflow In-Take Fan for Computer...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake Riing Quad 120mm 16.8 Million RGB (Alexa, Razer Chroma sync-able), 4 Light Rings 54...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake 200mm Pure 20 Series Black 200x30mm Thick Quiet High Airflow Case Fan with...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

That is why we’ve prepared some basic information you should take into account when choosing the graphics card for your computer. Besides, here you will also find the list of the best graphics cards, which includes models suitable for both common users and zealous gamers.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 24GB GDRR6X 384-Bit HDMI/DP Nvlink Torx Fan 3 Ampere Architecture OC...	Check at Amazon
	EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 FTW3 Ultra Hybrid Gaming, 8GB GDDR6, RGB LED & iCX2 Technology - 9 Thermal...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming Graphics Card, 8GB GDDR6, PCIe 4.0, 2x HDMI 2.1 8K, 3x...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super Advanced Overclocked EVO 8G GDDR6 HDMI DisplayPort USB Type-C...	Check at Amazon
	3080 10GB XLR8 Gaming REVEL EPIC-X RGB Triple Fan Graphics Card" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored" target="_blank">PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 Gaming REVEL EPIC-X RGB Triple Fan Graphics Card	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700XT Overclocked 8G GDDR6 HDMI DisplayPort Gaming Graphics Card...	Check at Amazon
	XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc III Ultra 8GB Boost Up to 2025MHz GDDR6 3xDP HDMI Graphics Card (Rx-57XT8TBD8)	Check at Amazon
	XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO -14GBPS 6GB GDDR6 BOOST UP TO 1620MHz 3xDP HDMI Graphics Card...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 OC Edition Graphics Card- PCIe 4.0, 24GB GDDR6X, HDMI 2.1,...	Check at Amazon
	ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB GDDR6 192-bit Gaming Graphics Card, Super Compact, ZT-T16620F-10L	Check at Amazon
	ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC 8GB GDDR6 256-bit 14 Gbps PCIE 4.0 Gaming Graphics Card,...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-20 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

What to consider when choosing a graphics card?

1. What do you need a graphics card for?

Model, size, price – all this comes later. Your first step is to make a final decision concerning the aim of your purchase. What do you need a new graphics card for? If you are planning to play games round-the-clock then make sure your card is fast and has enough RAM.

But if you are planning to work with 3D animation or video production, for example, then you have to pay more attention to the image quality than speed. In this case, you may choose either high-grade cards or even workstation-class graphics cards. Besides, if you are going to use your PC as a media center then check whether the output connector matches the device you want to connect the system to.

Still, if you do not have such serious plans concerning your PC and all you will need it for involves net surfing and some casual games then you may choose a midrange graphics card or a hybrid system.

2. Budget issues

In fact, budget issue is often a starting point of any further research. Your needs, requirements and dreams won’t play any role if your budget doesn’t coincide with them. The general principle here is simple – the more powerful a card is the higher price it has. Thus, if you belong to the category of gaming fans get ready to spend a pretty penny on your new graphics card.

3. GPU: AMD or NVIDIA?

Graphics Processing Unit (i.e. GPU) is a basis of any graphics card and determines its capabilities. If you want to get a high-end piece then pay attention to the part number because the higher it is the better performance a card can offer.

There are two providers of graphics cards you will have to choose between – AMD and NVIDIA. Which one is better? Well, it’s up to you to decide which graphics card will be the most suitable for your PC. The point is that both brands have pluses and minuses. Your task is just to take them into account and select the best card namely for you.

The most wide-spread fact about the difference between AMD and NVIDIA is their price. It is considered that AMD is cheaper than NVIDIA. In fact, we do have doubts concerning this idea. Prices are mostly of the same level and if you compare, for example, NVIDIA GeForce 980Ti and AMD R9 Fury X models you will be even surprised to find out that AMD product is a bit more expensive.

Nowadays AMD is working hard to reach NVIDIA status and to join its high-end niche. Still, NVIDIA shows better performance. It has effective memory speed and a host of exclusive technologies. As to AMD, it offers more autonomy for its users – for instance, you can download its drivers anytime you want directly from AMD official website.

In a nutshell, AMD and NVIDIA seem to be participants of everlasting races, which motivate them to improve their products. And that’s their main benefit.

4. Memory

Whatever brand you will choose, NVIDIA or AMD, you will have to check the basic options their cards offer. One of them is memory. Obviously, more memory in the graphics card guarantees better speed and improves its general performance.

Note that different types of graphics cards offer different RAM. This may be DDR3, GDDR3 or GDDR5. All of them differ in speed and, consequently, price. The best option here is GDDR5.

By the by, always pay your attention to such feature of the graphics card as bandwidth. Poor bandwidth can turn to be a real pitfall for a PC user. That is why don’t forget to check this characteristic in order to get a graphics card with excellent performance. On the whole, modern types of RAM have much better bandwidth than their forerunners.

One more thing you need to know is that the amount of memory affects the resolution a graphics card can be compatible with. For example, a PC with a display higher than 1680×1050 is compatible with 1GB of RAM. Monitors with lower resolution require just 512 MB of RAM. So, if you need a PC for gaming and you’re planning to use several monitors then you will have to get at least 3GB of RAM. You can read more about the best RAM for gaming here.

5. GPU cooling system

Cooling is another aspect which affects the card’s productivity greatly. The general principle is simple – if a graphic’s card has more ventilators then it is able to show better performance.

First of all, you should know that there are reference and non-reference coolers. The point is that AMD and NVIDIA providers sell their cards not only directly to customers but also other companies that add some changes to the cards and sell their own versions of graphics cards which are already modified. Thus, cards which are sold directly to consumers get the reference title while those with modifications – non-reference.

Consequently, original cards have somewhat different cooling systems. Reference graphics cards have got a single fan offset to one side that sends hot air out of your PC case. As to non-reference cooling systems, they often have two fans which blow hot air away from the card but not from the computer case. As a result, this can lead to overheating. Though, they do have their own benefits – non-reference coolers are quieter.

Before choosing between these two types of cooling systems, you have to know the average temperature of your CPU during your usual activities. If it gets higher than 55° C then it’s better to get a reference one as it will blow hot air out of your PC case. Still, if a cooling system of your PC is powerful enough then you can choose the other one.

6. Graphics Card Compatibility

Whatever card you will choose you must be sure that it will be compatible with the other elements of your PC. Usually, weak points are the size of a graphics card, PSU and PCI.

Your first step is to check whether a selected card can be connected to the system. Your PC can have an old type of connection called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) slot, its improved version – AGP (accelerated graphics port technology), or the newest PCIe slots (PCI Express), which are faster and more flexible.

Therefore, before your purchase, you have to know what cards will be compatible with the expansion slots of your computer. Besides, if you’re building a serious gaming machine then probably your PC case can support from two to four cards. In this case, note that both slots and cards should be the same. These technologies have got the following names – SLI in NVIDIA cards and CrossFire in AMD cards.

As to the size issue, top-notch graphics cards are longer. Still, the best option here is to measure the card and space inside your PC case in order to be sure that the card will fit it. What is more, pay attention at the slots at the back of the computer case – they must be big enough to match the output. Of course, you can use adapters for card outputs but it’s always better to have the card which is originally compatible with your PC.

Almost all budget cards get power directly from the PCIe slot. However, graphics cards of higher quality may require connection to PSU. It is usually done by means of 6-pin or 8-pin connectors, though sometimes they may be used both. Thus, if you have such high-end gaming card you will need to check whether your PSU is good enough for this purpose.

11 Best Graphics Cards

MSI RTX 3090 Ventus 3X 24G OC

A Pricey, but Highly Efficient Graphics Card

If you are into top-class gaming and are looking for nothing less than premium performance, the MSI RTX 3090 Ventus 3X 24G OC graphics card is the thing for you.

Simply, everything about this card, from its attractive design and 24GB of GDDR6X memory to 10496 CUDA cores and 1725MHz boost clock speed, tells you what a beast this machine is and that there is a flawless gaming adventure to be expected.

MSI RTX 3090 Ventus 3X 24G OC card comes with triple TORX 3.0 fans, 2nd generation Raytracing cores, and 3rd generation Tensor cores. Also, it has 350W power consumption, solid output capacity with three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, as well as plenty of handy features such as Thermal Padding, or Zero Frozr function that keeps the fans silent until the burst of cool air, if needed.

In other words, an excellent combination of performance and features, and in the first place, an excellent gaming experience, is what makes this card that great and rightfully places it among the best graphics cards out there – of course, if you have enough money to buy it.

EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 FTW3 Ultra Hybrid Gaming

A High-Quality Card for a Fair Price

EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 FTW3 Ultra Hybrid Gaming is a high-quality graphics card with numerous improvements over the previous card generations. These upgrades include, among others, the enhancement in VR applications performance (VRWorks Audio, Variable Rate Shading and Multi-View Rendering), more quiet performance and the introduction of Ray Tracing.

The card itself is equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, it has a boost clock of 1860 MHz, a few different connectors (three DP, one HDMI and one USB Type-C), 2944 Pixel Pipelines and a total power draw of 215W, which is very good for this card class.

Its Hybrid Cooling AIO is another aspect this VGA card is showing its qualities in. 120mm fan, combined with the radiator and the closed liquid cooling, delivers very quiet work, even at high RPMs and, more importantly, very low temperatures, from 45°C when fans are not spinning to 75°C under maximum load.

EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 FTW3 Ultra Hybrid Gaming also comes with adjustable RGB LEDs and overall presents a very good option for gaming rigs. Unfortunately, if you want to upgrade your GTX 1080Ti, the improvements aren’t that noticeable. Therefore, you’d better choose some of the RTX 2080Ti cards or leave the upgrade for some other occasion.

In every other situation, this card is a great choice.

ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3070-8G-GAMING

A Graphics Card Made for Those Who Want More

ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3070-8G-GAMING is an expensive, yet excellent graphics card that delivers great overall performance that positions it neck and neck with the RTX 2080Ti cards.

In other words, top-class gaming is guaranteed with this card. Of course, if you want even more, you can always choose some of the RTX 3090 or RTX 3080 card models; however, for the price, this one is the optimal solution.

When talking about sheer specifications, ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3070-8G-GAMING comes with 8GB of GDDR6 memory; it has 5888 CUDA cores and brings multiple clock modes that, among others, include “Gaming Mode” with the clock speed of 1905MHz, as well as “OC Mode” that will boost this GPU up to the respectable 1935MHz. However, if you are not happy with the offered settings, you can always tweak it yourself, with the help of the GPU Tweak II software, and adjust it the way you like it.

Moreover, this card comes with Dual-BIOS, 280W TDP, and PCIe 4.0 connection. Also, it is fitted with five video outputs (two DisplayPorts and three HDMI ports), four of which can be used simultaneously; it has HDCP 2.3 support and comes with top-class cooling that incorporates Axial-Tech Fans and that will cool the card in no time.

ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3070-8G-GAMING is also equipped with addressable RGB that is fully customizable, thanks to ASUS ROG Armory, and overall has quite a lot of features that should make your gaming an awesome experience.

All in all, if you are after the best graphics card, but still don’t want to spend more than necessary, ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3070-8G-GAMING is the optimal solution that simply won’t disappoint you.

ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super

A Perfect Mainstream Gaming Tool

If you are seeking a great-performing graphics card in the full HD and QHD resolution that will also provide a whole arsenal of appropriate features, ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super is the card for you.

As mentioned, this card best belongs in the mainstream segment, where it shows the best results, due to its boost clock of 1830MHz, 2176 CUDA cores, and 8GB of GDDR6 memory. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it in 4K gaming, for instance. However, be prepared for lower frame rates; therefore, it won’t be that impressive gaming experience.

Keep in mind that ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super also provides ASUS Aura Sync RGB compatibility, two DisplayPorts 1.4 and two HDMI2.0 ports and that it comes with a great software package (GPU Tweak II, Game Booster, XSplit Gamecaster, Quantum Cloud, etc.) that aren’t a decisive factor for anyone; nevertheless, they certainly add to the cards overall value.

Other cool features of this card include silent performance, 175 Watt TDP, as well as low-temperature values that never exceed 65° Celsius, even when playing heavy games in a silent mode.

To make a long story short, if you are looking for the best graphics card in the mainstream segment, ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super should pretty much be your leading horse.

PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8

One of the Best Ones for the Price

PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 is a high-performing graphics card that is the ultimate choice for die-hard gaming thanks to its excellent characteristics and the long list of features. This card doesn’t hold the number one spot among cards; however, it brings a lot and does a terrific gaming job that would make anyone happy.

That should be no surprise since this card comes with 10GB of GDDR6X (320-bit) memory, 4352 CUDA cores, and 760GBps bandwidth. If you also include its PCI Express 4.0 compatibility, 1710MHz boost clock, and numerous features such as NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA G-SYNC and HDCP2.3 support, into the equation, it is evident that this card is more than capable of creating a significant impact on your gaming.

Furthermore, this card comes with 320W power consumption; it has a triple-fan design that guarantees its good-quality cooling and provides plenty of connectivity with its three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port – and they can all be used at the same time, to make things even better.

In other words, PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 is one of the best graphics cards out there and a choice that will certainly astonish you with its capabilities.

ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700XT

The Best RX5700XT There Is

If you are a fan of the AMD’s red corner but are worried because of the high noise and temperature levels of its reference models, ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700XT might be the gift from heaven for you, simply because this kind of problems is non-existent for this card. Its temperature, even in the high demanding, fast-pasted games, never passes the 70° mark, while the noise levels are around 36 dBA, which is a drastic reduction when compared to the reference models 43 dBA.

In the case of ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700XT, the overall performance of the card is simply raised to another, a much higher level than the one that’s is offered through the AMDs reference models, which ultimately positions this card well above the competition and justifies its higher price at the same time.

The point being, this card offers so much for its price, such as 2560 Stream Processors, fairly solid TDP of 235 Watts, very good QHD gaming performance, and on top of that, easier overclocking process over the reference models. Moreover, although it is fitted with three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, it supports up to six displays; it is equipped with Dual BIOS and altogether delivers performance somewhere in between RTX 2060 and 2070, and very similar to the RTX 2060 SUPER.

All in all, if you are after the best AMD graphics card out there, ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700XT simply has to be yours.

XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc III Ultra

A Significant Upgrade of an Already Great Card

People at XFX have obviously done their homework and realized that AMD’s reference RX 5700 and RX 5600 models offer very good gaming performance; however, they show weaknesses in the cooling and noise performance. They tried to fix that by releasing their XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc II Ultra model and have, in large part, succeeded in that. Nevertheless, there were still some issues that prevented this card from becoming the best graphics card there is and finally, with the arrival of its upgraded Thicc III Ultra version, everything has changed.

To begin with, this card offers 50-percent improved noise performance compared to the reference model (Thicc II Ultra had a 35% increase); it offers lower power consumption than its predecessor and the most importantly, its two 90mm and one 100mm fan are doing the magnificent job of cooling this GPU, keeping the maximum temperatures during gaming, at around 70° C mark, which is a significant improvement over the reference models.

When talking about sheer performance, XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc III Ultra has a boost clock of 1,935MHz in the Performance mode, which helps its gameplay being smooth in both 1080p and 1440p resolution, or in other words, this is where it shows its best results.

XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc III Ultra comes fitted with three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port; it is equipped with Dual BIOS and overall delivers very attractive looks. Simply, with this card, you are getting the whole package: great performance, good cooling, and noise performance and on top of that, a design that will keep you smiling whenever you look at it.

XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO

An HD Gamer’s Dream

If you are a more budget-oriented gamer that is seeking a solid, but not too expensive graphics card that will deliver excellent 1080p gaming performance and a fairly solid 1440p one, XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO card is the choice for you.

Have in mind that this is the best 5600XT graphics card available, along with Sapphire Pulse and that, is neck and neck with the NVidias RTX 2060 when it comes to performance. In other words, you will be able to play games in a 1080p resolution at framerates that are close to three-figure numbers, while in the 1440p department, you will have framerates at around 60fps that guarantee a decent level of details and solid game flow.

When talking about temperature and noise performance, XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO shows more than satisfying results and delivers very quiet operations, as well as solid temperature values that don’t exceed 74°C even during heavy gaming sessions. Moreover, this graphics card provides 2304 stream processors, 144 TMUs and it has a boost clock speed of up to 1620MHz, which is another guarantee of its solid performance.

All in all, if you are after the best graphics card in the sub $300 area, XFX RX 5600 XT THICC II PRO should certainly be among your three top picks.

ASUS TUF RTX 3090 OC

The Best There Is

If you are after the graphics card that will give you premium performance, top-class build, and that will genuinely present the best of the best among the graphics cards, ASUS TUF RTX 3090 OC is the item for you.

To be exact, this device brings military-grade components – before anything else, capacitors that provide great durability and excellent performance. Then, there is an impressive cooling capacity that includes a large two-part cooler, with three Axial-tech fans that provide super-quiet, but for the most part, efficient performance.

Moreover, ASUS TUF RTX 3090 OC comes with the impressive 24GB of GDDR6X memory, 10496 CUDA, and 328 Tensor Cores, as well as solid connectivity that involves two HDMI ports and three DisplayPorts, which is another reason why this card is positioned at the top spot among the best graphics cards.

However, that isn’t everything, since this card also brings great overclocking capability, and although its base clock is 1395MHz, can be boosted to the official 1695MHz, but more importantly, super-fast 1,770MHz, with a little tweaking in the GPU Tweak II software.

To conclude, ASUS TUF RTX 3090 OC is an amazing graphics card that has so much to offer; nonetheless, its price is kinda ridiculous, because it cost as much as two RTX 3080 cards, and the advantage over it is nowhere near that ratio. Therefore, if you are after the best of the best, ASUS TUF RTX 3090 OC should be your choice, but if you want the most rational option for your gaming, some of the cards from the RTX 3080 specter might be a more suitable option.

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super

An Affordable Gaming Power Tool

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super is an attractive-looking graphics card that is mainly designed for full HD gaming and users that have a limited budget but want to have a decent gaming experience.

However, its gaming performance and overall capabilities drastically surpass its market and price position and allow not only excellent quality 1080p gaming, but 1440p gaming, with a framerate of around 60fps, and even more impressively, 4K gaming at a useable 30fps framerate as well, which is a jackpot for this price range.

Moreover, ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super offers good overclocking capabilities and delivers very good temperature values that never pass 65° C. On the other hand, its noise levels aren’t that good and with 37 dBA, this card is pretty audible, which is something you can live with; nevertheless, it is something ZOTAC could have handled, even in this price range.

When talking about sheer specifications, ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super offers a very nice boost clock speed of 1845MHz (reference model has a boost clock of 1785MHz); it has 1708 stream cores, 88 TMUs and 48 ROPs, and is fitted with three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, which altogether makes a very good package – of course, if the best graphics card in the mainstream field is what you have been looking for.

ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC

A 1440p Gaming Masterpiece

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC is another card in the new wave of RTX 3XXX series cards that provide great performance and present a significant upgrade over the last generation RTX 2XXX cards and its upgraded RTX 2XXXTi versions. This is a card that probably presents the best value for the money among these new coming cards and provides the performance that is neck and neck with the RTX 2080 Ti cards, which is a pretty good deal when we include its reasonable price.

When talking about this graphics card’s specs, you should know that they include 8GB of 256-bit GDDR6 memory, PCIe4.0 interface and boost clock listed at the 1755 MHz mark, that can rise to even more impressive numbers with a little bit of tweaking. In other words, you will be able to play the latest games in 4K resolution, with a framerate between 50fps and 70fps, while sky will be your only limit in the 1440p resolution.

To make things even better, this card comes with HDCP 2.3 support, it has a solid connectivity that involves three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, and provides support for the simultaneous display at up to four screens. Moreover, this card supports Ray Tracing; it has a power consumption of some 220W and it comes equipped with a highly capable cooling system that is consisted out of two 11-blade fans, with Freeze Fan Stop function and Active Fan Control, and that brings another diamond to this card’s crown.

Simply, this card gives so much for the price, and if you are into high-end gaming at the most reasonable price possible, ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC is probably the best device you will find.

There is no doubt that powerful PC needs a hefty motherboard. But the quality of graphics card you choose for your computer also plays a crucial part. Therefore, if you really want to get the best of the lot you should be aware of all pitfalls you may face when selecting the best graphics card for your PC.

Anyway, looking for a new computer case as well as anything else we want it to be first-grade, good-looking and at the same time affordable. But if the question of design and price is quite clear and simple, the quality issue is much more complicated.

Buying a new PC case we should be aware of all its technical details and know necessary terminology not to look like a fool while listening to the sales assistant’s speech or reading the goods description on the net. In order to help you make a right decision and select the cream of the crop, we prepared the ultimate list of the best PC cases currently available and a handy buying guide (below the list of PC cases) which will guide you through everything you need to know about PC cases on today’s market.

Best Super-Tower Cases

Preview	Product
	Corsair Obsidian Series 1000D Super-Tower Case, Smoked Tempered Glass, Aluminum Trim, Integrated...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake View 91 RGB PLUS Tempered Glass Vertical GPU Modular SPCC XL-ATX Gaming Super Tower...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D

A PC Case that Proves that Size Really Does Matter

CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D is a very elegant, but large PC case designed for people who need a two-computer device in one or are just fans of spacious cases and good air flow. Thanks to its construction, this case supports up to two motherboards (up to an E-ATX and a mini-ITX), two PSUs and offers a separate front panel for each of the two boards with their own Power and Reset buttons, along with USB connectors.

CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D is built out of aluminum, with a tempered glass front and side panels and it supports various cooling and storage options. There is enough space for four massive radiators, up to eighteen fans (eight in front), along with five 3.5” and six 2.5” drive bays, which is enough even for the most demanding users.

Unfortunately, although OBSIDIAN 1000D is an exceptional product, its price tag is just too high when compared to the majority of other cases. For that reason, unless you are in a demand for a two-motherboard case, better skip this one and choose one that is more fit to your budget.

Thermaltake View 91 RGB PLUS

A PC Case Built for the High Demanding Users

For people searching for a high-end workstation case that is sleek-looking, spacious and offers quality cooling at the same time, there is no better choice than the Thermaltake View 91 RGB PLUS. Yes, it is a bit expensive, but on the bright side, it gives a lot for that price.

There is space for up to 12 drives (either 2.5” or 3.5”), 20 120mm fans or 18 140mm/eight 200mm ones (it comes already equipped with four 140mm Riing PLUS RGB fans), enough room for up to four radiators from 280 to 480mm in size and utterly amazing, enough room for a 600mm long graphics card.

With Thermaltake View 91 RGB PLUS you just get it all: a unique design, great storage, and cooling capacity that almost has no match among the other products. What’s even better is that, other than the aforementioned high price and a rather heavy weight of 30kg, there are no other drawbacks. In other words, with this one, you can’t go wrong.

Best Full-Tower Cases

Preview	Product
	Lian Li O11DXL-X O11 Dynamic XL ROG Certified (Black) ATX Full Tower Gaming Computer Case	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master Cosmos C700P Black E-ATX Full-Tower, Curved Tempered Glass Panel, Flexible Interior...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake View 71 Motherboard Sync ARGB 4-Sided Tempered Glass Vertical GPU Modular E-ATX Gaming...	Check at Amazon
	Phanteks (PH-ES620PTG-DBK01) Enthoo Pro 2 Full Tower – High-Performance Fabric mesh, Tempered...	Check at Amazon
	Cougar Panzer EVO RGB Black ATX Full Tower RGB LED Gaming Case with Remote	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

Lian Li O11DXL-X O11 Dynamic

An Actual PC Case Perfection

Lian Li O11DXL-X O11 Dynamic is a full-tower PC case that presents one of the best PC cases ever built. It has great versatility, it offers plenty of space and most importantly, it does an exquisite job.

Everything that you might need is there: beautiful outside made out of tempered glass (front and side panel) and brushed aluminum, and enhanced with addressable RGB strip, plenty storage capacity (six 2.5” trays and four 3.5” trays, with hot-swap function) and of course, great cooling capabilities. Lian Li O11DXL-X O11 Dynamic can hold up to three 360mm radiators and 10 120mm fans, which is more than enough even for the most demanding gaming and overclocking enthusiasts.

When talking about other great aspects, it should be mentioned that this case can cope with graphics cards that are up to 446mm in length and that it provides eight expansion slots. In other words, whatever type of graphics you choose, this piece of hardware can deal with it.

Moreover, this case offers solid cable management, as well as a great build quality that will certainly surprise many of you, since this is a relatively unknown brand.

The front panel of this case also brings numerous pleasant features and other than the regular, power on/off, and reset buttons, it also provides four USB3.0 ports, Type-C connection, HD audio connection, and RGB control button, which altogether makes this case one hell of a deal.

All in all, if you are looking for sheer quality and are not afraid of the new Chinese brands, Lian Li O11DXL-X O11 Dynamic is definitely a great choice.

Cooler Master Cosmos C700P

Great Versatility in a Large and Heavy Edition

Cooler Master Cosmos C700P is a reasonably priced, feature-rich, full-tower case that brings plenty of space, and more importantly, great versatility. Therefore, if you are seeking a perfect, large-sized case for your PC configuration, this one certainly comes as a great option.

To clarify, this chassis offers a good storage capacity and features four 2.5”/3.5” combo bays, four 2.5” bays, as well as one 5.25” bay. Also, it offers multiple cooling combinations and can handle up to nine 120mm/140mm fans, if you are into the air cooling, or one 420mm radiator, two 240mm/280mm/360mm radiators, or three 120mm/140mm radiators, depending on your needs.

Cooler Master Cosmos C700P is a heavy device – it weighs 22.2 Kg. More importantly, it can handle GPUs with a length of up to 490mm, CPU coolers that are up to 198mm in size, as well as accept all sizes of PSUs.

In addition, this case offers eight expansion slots and has very good onboard connectivity, and comes with four USB3.0 ports, and a single USB3.1 Type C port, on the top of the case. Equally importantly, this case also comes with an extra rear panel and features a curved tempered glass side panel. In other words, versatility and attractiveness are there.

To sum up, Cooler Master Cosmos C700P is a very nice successor to Cooler Master Cosmos C700M and presents a huge leap. It offers a lot of space, good cooling capabilities, and excellent functionality thatmakes it one of the best PC cases available, without a doubt.

Thermaltake View 71

Another Highly Versatile Full-Tower PC Case

Thermaltake View 71 is another well-made PC case that combines spacious interior with great looks, offering excellent value to the user. This chassis comes with a four-sided 5mm tempered glass panel that brings attractive looks and offers numerous expansion capabilities.

To be exact, there are four 2.5”/3.5” combo bays, as well as six 2.5” bays and three 3.5” bays. Moreover, this case supports multiple cooling configurations and can hold up to six 140mm fans, or up to nine 120mm fans, or up to three 360mm/420mm radiators, if you are more into water cooling.

In addition, this chassis features eight plus two expansion slots, and supports both vertical GPU mounting and vertical radiator mounting, offering excellent versatility. On its top, there are two USB2.0 ports and two USB3.0 ports, while the case itself comes with three attractive-looking, pre-installed 140-millimeter 5V MB Sync ARGB fans. Inside of it, there is also a built-in dual-mode 5V ARGB switchboard that offers 27 different LED modes and supports seven different RGB colorings.

Equally importantly, its RGB lighting is fully compatible with a variety of dedicated RGB software solutions, such as Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB FUSION, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and many others.

In short, this PC case is exactly what the best PC case should be, offering great practicality and versatility, suitable for any type of user.

Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2

A Ton of Features in an XXL Package

If you are looking for a colossal PC case that supports dual system installation and offers a ton of cooling and storage options, the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 case is the thing for you. However, have in mind that this is a large build and better be sure that you truly need it. We say this simply because its 14 kg of weight and 580 x 240 x 560 mm dimensions aren’t for everyone.

On the other hand, its ability to accept up to 12 3.5” drives (four brackets included) and 11 2.5” ones, along with space for up to 15 120mm fans (eight 140mm ones), is somewhat impressive. In addition, this case also supports dual 480mm and dual 360mm radiators and brings both dual GPU and dual PSU support. Therefore, if dual systems are your thing, Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 comes as one of the best full-tower cases out there.

However, this PC case’s great characteristics don’t end there, yet they include integrated digital-RGB controller, very good cable management, and eight expansion slots, along with six vertical slots (three for each system). Moreover, this case comes with four USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C port, and a 3.5 mm Audio/Mic Combo, on the front of the case, bringing great usability and practicality to the user.

All in all, if you are after an excellent full-tower case, built for dual systems and high capacity workstations, this case is definitely for you.

Cougar Panzer EVO RGB

A PC Case with a Great Value for Money

There are not that many cases that are as satisfying on many different levels as Cougar Panzer EVO RGB is. With a distinctive, assertive design followed by great thermal performance and numerous expanding options and features, this case brings everything that the die-hard gamers or computer enthusiasts might need.

Built to last, covered with four tempered glass panels and equipped with four 120mm Vortex LED RGB fans that can be reinforced with additional four, and plenty of space for the most demanding air and liquid cooling systems, Cougar Panzer EVO RGB delivers a great thermal performance in a wonderful RGB LED package that can be further improved with the installment of a Cougar RGB controller and additional four LED strips.

With space for four SSDs and two 2.5”/3.5” HDDs, which is normal for its class, and thanks to the good connectivity options that include the USB3.1 Gen 2 Type-C connector, what Cougar Panzer EVO RGB definitely well-settled and presents one of the best deals for a PC case on the market right now.

Best Mid-Tower Cases

Preview	Product
	NZXT H510 - CA-H510B-B1 - Compact ATX Mid-Tower PC Gaming Case - Front I/O USB Type-C Port -...	Check at Amazon
	NZXT H710i - CA-H710 i-BR - ATX Mid Tower PC Gaming Case - Front I/O USB Type-C Port - Quick-Release...	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master MasterCase H500 ARGB Airflow ATX Mid-Tower, Mesh or Transparent Front Panel Option,...	Check at Amazon
	Fractal Design Meshify C - Compact Computer Case - High Performance Airflow/Cooling - 2X Fans...	Check at Amazon
	Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX PC Smart Case - Black	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake View 37 Motherboard Sync ARGB E-ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case with 3 ARGB 5V...	Check at Amazon
	Phanteks (PH-EC360ATG_DBK01) Eclipse P360A Ultra-fine Performance Mesh, Mid-Tower case, Tempered...	Check at Amazon
	Antec Performance Series P82 Flow ATX Mid-Tower Case, Tool-Free Tempered Glass Side Panel, Removable...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-20 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

NZXT H510

Universality at its Best

NZXT H510 is a compact and affordable mid-tower case with great versatility and usability that makes it suitable for both experienced builders and newbies.

This case doesn’t bring anything spectacular; still, it is has everything that the majority of users might need, such as good cooling performance, quiet operations, and of course, stylish looks.

NZXT H510 basically presents the upgraded H500 case; therefore, it offers a lot of similarities with its predecessor, such as seven-card slots (plus two vertical), support for up to three 140mm fans or up to four 120mm fans, liquid cooling capability (it can hold one 280mm radiator in the front and one 120mm radiator in the back), tempered-glass side panel, and so on.

On the other hand, what is different is the USB Type-C connection that is missing on the older version and is included in the H510 model, where it is paired with one USB3.1 port, audio connection, as well as reset and power on/off button, on the chassis top panel.

NZXT H510 comes with a two-year warranty and offers solid storage capabilities (two plus one 3.5” trays and two plus one 2.5” trays). Also, it comes fitted with two pre-installed Aer F120mm fans and is capable of holding graphics cards that are up to 381mm in length (or 325mm when the front liquid cooling is installed).

Overall, H510 provides very quiet operations, it is very well built, and altogether, it delivers very good value for the money, as it is expected from the best mid-tower case.

NZXT H710i

One of the Best PC Chasses Available

If you are a more demanding PC enthusiast or a gamer, with a need for a lot of storage and expansion capabilities, NZXT H710i is a case for you.
It is spacious, built out of steel, with a tempered glass side panel and discrete RGB strip – premium looks and durability in one. There is a lot of storage space (two plus two 3.5” drive bays and seven 2.5” drive bays), seven card slots and even a place for a vertical GPU mount.

NZXT H710i comes with four pre-installed AER fans (three 120mm in front and a single 140 in the rear) that are fully controllable over the CAM software and offers enough space for additional three 120mm or two 140mm fans at the top of the case. Also, there are plenty of options for liquid cooling and the possibility for the installation of numerous radiators with a size of up to 360mm.

NZXT H710i comes with a two-year warranty, offers easy installation, very quiet performance, and most importantly, provides a solid air-flow that guaranties for good heat management of every configuration.

All in all, if you want the best-looking PC case that will provide quality performance at the same time, this ATX Mid Tower chassis should be your primary option.

Cooler Master MasterCase H500

A Premium Looking PC Case for Half the Price

For anyone looking for a touch of a high-end PC case, but at an affordable price, Cooler Master MasterCase H500 comes as a great choice. You will get not only the premium looks but also a great set of features that would satisfy even the most demanding users.

A quality built, with swappable front panel, decent storage capabilities (two 2.5”/3.5” drive bays and two 2.5” SSD drive bays) and great cooling options with support for four-six fans, depending on their size (from 120mm till 200mm) and positioning, and up to three radiators (from 120mm till 360mm in size depending on the location) – Cooler Master MasterCase H500 comes as one of the best affordable PC case options on the market.

With full ATX support, tempered glass side and front panel, and coming already equipped with two 200mm RGB fans and an RGB controller, Cooler Master MasterCase H500 presents a full-package product that is just predestined for success. If you want a case with a bit of exclusivity for a great price, this is the one to purchase.

Fractal Design Meshify C

A Discrete, but Highly Efficient Mid-Tower Chassis

If you are not a fan of flashy, RGB-rich PC cases and are looking for something more discrete, but powerful, Fractal Design Meshify C is the device for you.

This chassis supports up to four 140mm fans, or seven 120mm fans (two preinstalled Dynamic X2 GP-12 120 mm fans are included in the package), and it is able to hold up to two radiators – one 360mm, or 280mm in front and one 240mm radiator on the top of the chassis. It also features multiple fan filters, good cable management, and much more.

More importantly, Fractal Design Meshify C provides very good performance and offers excellent build quality that positions it neck and neck with the competition and some of the best mid-tower cases out there. Also, due to its seven card slots, Meshify C offers very good expansion capabilities that, along with its solid storage capacity (three 2.5” and two 3.5” (can be used for 2.5” drives, as well) trays) make this case a highly versatile one and overall a fairly desirable option, of course, if RGB lighting isn’t a mandatory option for you.

Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB

Excellent Looks and Great Cooling Capabilities in One

Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB is a spacious and feature-rich mid-tower case that offers great versatility and a large number of possible configurations. With this case, you are getting enough space to place up to two 360mm radiators (one on the top and one on the front), if you are into water cooling, and up to 10 120mm fans, or four 140mm fans, if air-cooling is your preferred choice.

You should know that Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB brings excellent airflow; therefore, whatever cooling principle you chose, you will be more than happy. From the esthetical point of view, this case is a masterpiece, and it features tool-free, tempered glass panels on top, front, and sides and comes with three 120mm CORSAIR SP RGB ELITE fans (each with eight individually addressable RGB LEDs) that give it a special touch.

Inside of it, there are four 2.5” bays and two 3.5” bays, as well as a hidden, 25mm cable management channel, for better cable organization. Moreover, its inside is also spacious enough for GPUs up to 381mm in length, and tall enough to allow for vertical GPU mounting.

In addition, on its inside, you can also find the iCUE Lighting Node CORE controller that brings excellent RGB performance and can be easily controlled over the CORSAIR iCUE software. In short, there is everything you need for a good gaming configuration.

For that reason, if an attractive, good air-flow performing mid-tower is your primary goal, Corsair iCUE 5000X RGB is the case for you.

Thermaltake View 37 ARGB

A Well-Priced PC Case with a Bit of Special Touch

Buying a unique product is very hard since the competition is constantly copying each other and for that reason, it is very hard for a buyer to feel special with any purchase. Luckily, Thermaltake View 37 ARGB allows for a bit of that special feeling.

Thanks to its elegant design that integrates a solid metal case with a transparent curved top-side panel, this chassis has managed to bring a new insight and a completely new perspective of its inside. Great looks are also followed by a good storage capacity (three 3.5’’/2.5’’ drive bays that can be expanded to four 3.5” or eight 2.5” ones with the help of brackets), quality cable management and numerous cooling options (support to up to eight fans and three different-sized radiators) that just add to its predominantly great value.

Unfortunately, its unique looks come at a price: lack of quality access to its top, which can drastically reduce its cooling potential, for instance. Consequently, although it is well-priced, Thermaltake View 37 ARGB isn’t for everybody, but is meant for those looking for simplicity above everything else.

Phanteks Eclipse P360A

An Affordable, RGB-Rich Mid-Tower Case

Phanteks Eclipse P360A is a functional mid-tower case that won’t impress you with its materials and build quality; however, it will with its solid thermal performance and a nice list of features. This is a budget-friendly piece of equipment, with a full metal front panel and 1mm perforations, incorporated for both dust filtration and better airflow performance.

To make things even better, this case also features a built-in RGB, software-free, controller and an integrated LED strip. Moreover, there is also a tempered glass panel and plenty of space for cooling solutions.

To be exact, there is enough space for 240/280mm radiators, or two 120/140mm fans, on the front, and a 240mm radiator, or two 120mm fans, on top. Also, there is space for a 120mm radiator or fan on the rear end, as well as enough space for full-sized GPUs, up to 400mm in length.

Phanteks Eclipse P360A features two 3.5” bays and two 2.5” bays and has seven expansion slots. In addition, it comes with a built-in Power button, D-RGB buttons, and Mode buttons on the front, as well as two USB3.0 ports, a Microphone and Headphone jack, next to them. In other words, everything needed for the best budget-friendly mid-tower case is there.

Therefore, if you are after an affordable, yet efficient case, Phanteks Eclipse P360A is a great choice.

Antec Performance Series P82 Flow

A Clean Looking, Feature-Rich Mid-Tower Case

If you are seeking an affordable, yet feature-packed PC case that offers a compact build, and a solid level of versatility, Antec Performance Series P82 Flow is the case for you. Of course, have in mind that this isn’t the most spacious piece of equipment and that you will have certain limitations in the cooling and storage department.

More precisely, there is enough space for up to two 3.5” and two 2.5” bays, as well as one 360mm radiator in the front, one 240 mm radiator on the top, and one 140 mm radiator in the rear end. If you more prefer air cooling, you will be happy to know that four 140mm white-blade fans are included in the package, while the fan capacity allows installation of up to eight 120mm fans, or seven 140mm fans, all around the case.

In addition, this case has seven expansion slots and is capable of handling GPUs that are up to 380mm in length, as well as PSUs that are up to 220mm in length. Moreover, this case offers a simple, clean look and features two USB3.0 ports on the side, as well as one microphone and one headphone jack, also on the side.

In conclusion, it offers everything you may need from the best PC case out there.

Best Mini-Tower Cases

Preview	Product
	NZXT H210 - CA-H210B-W1 - Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case - Front I/O USB Type-C Port - Tempered Glass Side...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake S100 Tempered Glass Snow Edition Micro-ATX mini-Tower Computer Case with 120mm Rear Fan...	Check at Amazon
	Antec Performance Series P5 Mini Tower Silent PC Computer Case with Sound Dampening Panels, SSD/ODD...	Check at Amazon
	Thermaltake V150 Tempered Glass micro-ATX Mini Tower Gaming Computer Case with One 120mm Rear Fan...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-13 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

NZXT H210

A Solid-Performing, Highly Attractive Mini-ITX PC Case

NZXT H210 is a decent quality Mini-ITX PC, with good airflow and an affordable price. It offers a modern design, with clean lines and an appealing white/black color scheme that distinguishes it from the same class chasses.

Since this is a Mini-ITX, storage space and overall features are limited; however, they are still pretty good for this size and include three plus one 2.5” drive bays, one 3.5” drive bay and place for two expansion cards. NZXT H210 is fitted with two Aer F120mm fans (one in front and second in the rear end) and offers a space for two additional 140mm or 120mm fans at the top of the chassis. Liquid cooling is, however, limited either to 120mm radiators or one 240mm and one 120mm radiator, which isn’t much but is sufficient for the majority of builds.

When talking about connectivity, there is one USB3.1 port and one Type-C port, along with an audio jack at the top of the case. In other words: limited, but enough for most.

Altogether, one of the best affordable PC cases is in front of you.

Thermaltake S100 Tempered Glass Snow Edition

Proof that Size Doesn’t Matter

Thermaltake S100 Tempered Glass Snow Edition is a compact, yet highly versatile mini-tower case that is suitable for both mainstream and high-end rigs.

This is a case that provides everything high-profile configurations might need, such as dust filters (magnetic filter on top), support for multiple fans (it supports up to five 140mm or 120mm fans, and comes along with a pre-built 120mm fan), and radiators (it supports one 280mm radiator in the front and one 280mm fan at the top), support for graphics cards up to 330mm in length, and much more.

Thermaltake S100 Tempered Glass Snow Edition case is fully metal-built; it comes along with a tempered glass side panel and offers decent top-front panel connectivity that includes one USB3.0 and two USB2.0 ports, as well as audio jacks.

Moreover, it is slim and stylish and provides very good cable management. In other words, it presents a really good all-around product, as it should be the case with the best mini-tower PC chassis.

Antec Performance Series P5 Mini Tower Silent

Small and Compact, yet Highly Versatile

Things don’t always have to be large in order to provide great versatility and usability, and Antec Performance Series P5 Mini Tower Silent case is the proof of that.

P5 Mini is small and compact and can handle only micro-ATX and mini-ITX motherboards, but on the other hand, it offers so many other features, such as excellent noise isolation, due to the bitumen foam that surround the cases inside, as well as good storage capacity that includes one 5.25” bay, four 2.5” trays and two 3.5” trays, and allows you to place up to seven 2.5” drives into this rig.

Also, this chassis provides solid fan support and comes fitted with one 120mm fan and one 140mm fan (instead of it you can place two 120mm fans) that are preinstalled; it supports liquid cooling and installation of a 240mm radiator in the front and 120mm radiator in the back, as well as usage of graphics cards that are up to 360mm in length.

Antec Performance Series P5 Mini Tower Silent is fitted with four expansion slots; it has front and bottom dust filters and it comes with a modest two-year warranty.

All in all, it offers a very good balance of price, features, and performance. Therefore, it rightfully belongs among the best mini-tower cases out there and certainly presents a great opportunity if you are looking for an affordable, yet compact rig for your high-end machine.

Thermaltake V150 Tempered Glass Micro-ATX

A Mini-Tower Case Ideal for Medium-Range PC Builds

Thermaltake V150 is a small, but versatile mini-tower PC case that shows its best sides when used for mainstream gaming rigs.

It is feature-rich, it offers solid storage capacity (two 2.5” trays and two 3.5” trays) and has four expansion slots, giving you a lot of options for configuration. When talking about its cooling capabilities, you should know that it supports up to four 120mm fans (one is included in the package) or three 140mm fans and that it can handle two radiators (280mm radiator on the front and 120mm radiator on the rear). In other words, more than solid capacities for a mainstream gaming rig.

Thermaltake V150 supports Mini ITX and Micro ATX motherboard; it is capable of holding graphics cards that are up to 350mm in length and it offers very good front panel connectivity that includes: audio jack, one USB3.0 port, and two USB2.0 ports. Moreover, it has a sturdy build and comes fitted with two tempered glass panels (left and front) that, when combined with the proper RGB lighting, really make a difference and transform this already attractive piece of hardware into a real masterpiece.

In other words, Thermaltake V150 is fitted with everything that it should have. Therefore, if an attractive mini-tower with a solid performance is what you’re looking for, you can be sure that V150 won’t disappoint you.

As you can see the modern market is rich in various PC cases of different sizes and with different options. So here is the guide to help you make the right choice.

All you need to know about PC cases before buying

1. ATX & ITX – what’s the difference?

Don’t panic if these abbreviations mean nothing to you. ATX, aka Advanced Technology eXtended, denotes a motherboard configuration specification or, simply put, a motherboard design. The most commonly used are Standard and Micro ATX boards. Standard ATX boards are 12×9.6 inches. As to Micro ATX, such motherboards can have the maximum size of 9.6×9.6 inches.

Another type of motherboard is Mini ITX of 6.7×6.7-inch size. Such boards are usually used in small-configured computer systems. There is also Mini ATX, which is slightly smaller than Mini ITX – 5.9×5.9 inches. One of the smallest form factors would be Nano ITX (4.7×4.7 inches) and Pico ITX (3.9×2.8 inches).

On the whole, the size of any PC case is determined by the board size it can support – usually big cases have larger motherboards and vice versa. But keep in mind that any computer case which hosts a motherboard with a bigger size can also support boards of smaller sizes.

Consequently, before selecting a computer chassis make sure what motherboard you would like to have in and then check whether a chosen PC case corresponds to your needs. If you are working on a powerful gaming machine you can find more details about suitable motherboards here.

2. Common form factors of PC cases

Obviously, all PC cases have different size and shape. Thus, there are special terms which denote these characteristics. The first one is desktop case. Such computer case has a horizontal design and is widely used in business environments in order to save the space as it can be easily placed under the monitor.

The next one is SFF, i.e. Small-Form-Factor. Well, the term speaks for itself – cases which belong to this category are more compact than desktop cases but at the same time have almost the same options. SFF cases support motherboards which are smaller than Micro ATX (usually these are mini ITX boards). They can look like shoeboxes, cubes, and book-sized cases. Thanks to such compact construction SFF cases are very popular with gaming and home theatre computers.

Some other terms which you can face while looking for a PC case include mini-tower, mid-tower and full-tower cases. Mini-tower cases are under about 14-16 in high, what coincides with the size of desktop cases. They usually have only one or two external bays and support micro ATX boards.

Mid-towers are about 17-21 in high and have from two to four external bays. And if mini-towers can host only one GPU, this type of cases can support up to two. Recently there has also appeared a new term – midi-tower, which presupposes a case smaller than mid-tower but larger than mini-tower. Midi-towers are with two to three external bays. Still, this term is quite interchangeable with mid-tower.

As to the full-tower cases, they have a height from 22 to 27 in. Full-towers usually have from five to ten externally accessible drive bays and are supposed to stand on the floor. They support ATX, EATX or even XL-ATX motherboards. All towers which have more than 27 inches in height are called super or ultra towers.

We also can’t but mention MOD-tower. This is a case system which can be modified by putting new cases on its top in order, for example, to add more cooling capacity.

Nevertheless, we have to underline the fact that different manufacturers provide different definitions for their case forms. It’s all up to provider how to call its PC case models. Thus, always clarify the accurate size of computer case you want to purchase.

3. Drive bays

Driving bays can be of different size – 5.25-inch, 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch.The biggest one, i.e. of 5.25-inch format, is used with an optical drive. This can be either a DVD burner or a Blu-ray drive. Such bays are widely used for hosting of front-panel devices, e.g. temperature readouts or fan controllers. They can be also applied during the installation of additional panels for extra ports on PC front side. Such 5.25-inch bays are used in SFF or mini-tower cases.

The second type of drive bays is used for the installation of platter-style hard drives. Some of the tower cases have 3.5-inch bays. As to the 2.5-inch bays, they can be easily implemented even in the tiniest parts of the case thanks to their compact size.

4. Cutaway for CPU cooler

Obviously, your new PC case will host a cooler. Therefore, one of your tasks is to check how well a chosen computer case is adjusted for a CPU cooler you plan on buying. Note that most of the top-notch CPU coolers need a backing plate or other mounting hardware which is installed from the board underneath.

5. I/O shield

This part of PC is placed on the back of computer case. It has special cutouts for different ports of the board and serves as a protection of the motherboard while inserting cables to the pre-cited ports.

But bear in mind, that I/O shield comes together with a motherboard but not a case itself. Consequently, I/O shields aren’t interchangeable between different boards but they can be used for different PC cases because they have almost the same standard dimensions – 1.75×6.5 inches.

6. Motherboard tray and standoffs

First of all, let’s clarify what motherboard tray is. In fact, it’s just a place where a board is located. A motherboard tray is placed at the bottom of a computer case and has special holes for the motherboard standoffs. By the by, if earlier most of the trays were removable nowadays it’s quite an uncommon thing.

As to motherboard standoffs, these are small brass-looking spacers that you can find between a board and a case. Standoffs are screwed into the PC case and have a motherboard fixed to them. Note that they help to prevent an electrical short as they raise the board above the case and as a result, the soldered parts don’t contact it.

You can usually find these brass bits in a small bag which comes together with a PC case. Their installation is not complicated because there are special marks near the holes in the tray, which will help you to find a necessary hole for this or that standoff.

7. What is PSU?

PSU (Power Supply Unit) serves to traffic electricity to such computer components as motherboard, drives and fans. PSU looks like a big box and it’s typically placed either at the top or at the bottom of PC case. It is mounted by means of screws through the backside of the computer case with a special big-sized cutaway, which also plays a part in the ventilation process.

Today most of the tower cases support ATX (i.e. full-sized) power supplies. Those PC chassis which belong to the category of compact SFF cases have PSU of SFX form factor, in other words, those of a smaller size.

PSU is one of the most important things for building powerful computers. But if you belong to the category of avid gamers then this element should be number one on your list as your PC will need more power than an average one. Here are some of the best power supply units for gaming.

8. Fan mounts

Fan mounts are surfaces inside a computer case, which are used for the installation of additional ventilation in your PC. They can be of different size – 80 mm, 92 mm, 120 mm, 140 mm and 200 mm. Still, 120-mm and 140-mm fan mounts are the most popular.

Some of PC cases have also got removable air filters, which cover the front face of the fan mounts. Such a filter would be a great additional supplement to your PC case as it reduces the amount of dust inside a computer chassis.

9. GPU clearance

This term denotes a space your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) needs to fit in your PC case. As many modern PC cases have removable parts GPU clearance can vary. For example, if hard drive trays in your computer case can be removed it means that the space required for a video card can be also extended.

Usually, if a GPU clearance has more than 12 inches then it will be able to support almost any video card. Still, be especially attentive with very long cards. The point is that their power connectors, which extend from the trailing edge, can require some extra space in your PC case.

10. Drive sleds and drive stealthing

Drive sleds are usually made of metal or plastic and look like frames which slide in/out of a drive bay. They are used mostly with 3.5-inch bays but can also cooperate with bays of 2.5-inch size. Some PC cases have drive sleds which allow the drive to contact a backplane system with SATA data and built-in power connectors. In this case, the drives are hot-swappable.

Some of today’s computer cases have also got drive stealthing which presupposes an optical drive hidden behind a door or panel in order to bring a smooth look to the PC-case front side.

Drive stealthing can be achieved in different ways. It can be done by means of drive-bay cover with a flip-down door, which allows the drive tray to pop out. The other option is more popular with PC cases of premium class. In such cases, there is a special slot for the optical drive where you just put a disc. This is achieved via a slot-loading and trayless optical drive mechanism.

11. Types of optical drive

Some high-grade PC cases can also require special types of optical drive – slim optical drive or slot-load optical drive. A slim optical drive is much smaller and more fragile than a typical 5.25-inch bay device. This optical drive is mostly used in laptops with SFF form factor. Slot-load optical drive is used in PC cases with drive stealthing, so it goes with a tray for a slot-feed mechanism.

12. PC case ports

Ports which are a part of computer case are usually called Front I/O. They can be placed on the front face, on the top front of PC case or down one of its sides. These ports can include headphone and mic jacks, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.

Your task is to make sure that your PC motherboard has all matching headers for ports of a new computer case. If it doesn’t then you’ll need to buy adapters or expansion cards in order to involve ports into the working process.

By the by, speaking of the headphone and microphone jack it should be mentioned that older and newer PC case models can have different connectors. Most of the computer chassis have a cable with a 10-pin header connector, which can be plugged into a pin-grid on the motherboard. It is also called “HD Audio” header. The older versions of PC cases usually have a forked cable provided with connectors for HD Audio and AC ’97 headers.

Some of the computer cases can also have two or four ports on the back of the case, which enable you to install water-cooling hardware inside the chassis. These ports stand usually in a line with silicone rim or a rubber. Such ports are called hose passthroughs.

13. Expansion slots

One more characteristic you should be aware of is the number of expansion slots supported by the PC case. Expansion slots are special spaces which can be found in the back of the case and are often covered by the metal strips, which can be removed. The number of such slots in the PC case can vary. But usually when the form factor of a case matches the size of the motherboard then you won’t have any troubles.

14. Thumbscrews and cables

Thumbscrews are used in order to keep together side panels of PC case and its inner hardware. The point is that thumbscrews may not require any screwdriver to add or remove different parts of a computer case. Still, very often it may not work and you’ll need to take a screwdriver for such changes.

Cable management denotes the number of special features a PC case possesses, which help to improve the airflow and make the interior look cleaner. It includes the number of cutaways, some extra space behind the board tray, quality of cable cutouts (whether they are lined with soft material in order to minimize the wire chafing or not) etc.

That’s it. Now you have enough knowledge to pick the PC case of your dreams.

It’s exciting to push your PC to the max and see what it can really do when push comes to shove. Gamers and tech enthusiasts typically start out by finding and installing the motherboard, CPU, graphics card, RAM, CPU coolers and case fans for their system. This makes a lot of sense since these mods are amongst the simplest to research and perform yourself.

What are you doing to protect all of that shiny new tech though? Even if you use high-end thermal paste, cooling systems, and case fans, there are additional steps that you can (and should) take to protect your gear. If you haven’t looked into fan controllers before, it may be a right moment to consider buying one.

Top Picks

Preview	Product
	Noctua NA-FC1, 4-Pin PWM Fan Controller (Black)	Check at Amazon
	Kingwin Fan Controller 4 Channel w/LED, Fits 3.5 Bay, Easy Control of Your Cooling Fans	Check at Amazon
	Corsair iCUE Commander PRO Smart RGB Lighting and Fan Speed Controller	Check at Amazon
	NZXT RGB & Fan Controller - AC-2RGBC-B1 - Two RGB Three Digital Fan Channels - Powered by CAM V4...	Check at Amazon
	SilverStone PWM Fan Hub System Cables, Black (CPF04)	Check at Amazon
	CORSAIR iCUE COMMANDER CORE XT, Digital Fan Speed and RGB Lighting Controller	Check at Amazon
	Cooler Master MFX-ACBN-NNUNN-R1 ARGB Small LED Small Controller for Fans and Coolers 6 preset Modes...	Check at Amazon
	DeepCool FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub, Powering up to 10 Fans (3-pin Non-PWM or 4-pin PWM), Occupying...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-03 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

When & Why You May Need a Fan Controller

While fans are highly important for the entire cooling process of your PC, they’re also a notorious hassle in several ways. The noise made by fans, for instance, is a major contributing factor to user dissatisfaction. Noise is caused by two main factors:

• Dirty fans are not only loud, they’re insufficient. If your fans are clogged, they are certainly not providing enough air flow to keep your CPU, GPU, and other important components at optimal temperatures for performance. You should clean the fans from time to time and this article by PC World is a great reference on how to do it.
• Fans running at high speeds can be quite bothersome and loud as well. If your system is running hot, however, there isn’t much that you can do about this particular problem without the assistance of a modern fan controller.

Having a controller for your fans makes it much easier to monitor the temperature of your multiple PC components so that you can manually adjust your fan speed without overheating the system. The most popular method of using a fan controller involves altering the fan’s duty cycle so that it only receives power in short bursts to keep the fan moving. In between these waves of current, the fan is almost completely silent.

What Makes a Good Fan Controller?

There are a few different things to consider before purchasing a new fan controller. After all, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best pc fan controller for your PC. Of course, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Aesthetics. The look and design of a fan controller may or may not be your main priority, but it’s worth note that there are some VERY cool models available.
• Controls. The controls for these devices vary widely. Some are as simple as a rotational dial on the outside of the PC case. Others provide brilliant, LED screen displays, some of which are even touchscreen.
• Pins. The number of pins that a fan controller has, dictates how the control device operates. There are 2, 3, and 4 pin models; the 4 pin being the most common in mainstream devices.

Understanding the Differences Between 2, 3 and 4 Pin Fan Controllers

• The 2 Pin model is outdated, but still considered relative efficient for systems requiring only basic cooling. Of these 2 pins, 1 is for positive current, and the other is your ground connection; or negative current.
• Models with 3 pins are slightly more sophisticated. The first 2 pins perform the same functions as those above (negative and positive current flow), but the third pin makes a world of difference in functionality. The third pin conveys information about the fan speed; or RPM to the user for monitoring purposes.
• As you might suspect, a 4 Pin performs all of the same tasks as a 2 or 3 Pin. However, the fourth pin is what really makes a fan controller stand out. This model is otherwise known as a PWM model, which stands for pulse width modulation.

It isn’t as complicated as it sounds, it is essentially just an on/off switch run cycle. The PWM signal either allows a full +12V current to run to the fan or cuts the power completely. You control the duty cycle of your fans with the controller and if you’re curious to learn more about PWM, EKWB does a nice job of explaining it with plenty of diagrams in their article, “What is PWM and how does it work?”

8 Best Fan Controllers for PC Users

Noctua NA-FC1 4-pin PWM Fan Controller

Great 4 Pin Fan Controller Form Noctua

It’s one of the best and the most compact fan controllers to offer. NA-FC1 is a flexible Noctua controller suitable for 4 pin PMW fans. It can work in two different modes – automatic, i.e. on its own to control the speed, and in pair with the automatic motherboard fan control. This Noctua controller allows changing the speed control dial, so you can set a PWM duty cycle from 0 to 100% manually. You can also decrease the PWM duty cycle delivered by PC motherboards – this will result in the lower speed of fans which can’t be provided by the automatic motherboard fan control.

In fact, its control level is impressive. Noctua NA-FC1 provides “no stop” mode, which you can switch on using the push button. This mode doesn’t allow the fan to fall below the speed of 300rpm. What is more, NA-FC1 can control 3 fans simultaneously as it comes with a 3-way split cable and power supply adaptor.

Having such fan controller you get quiet PC performance, control over the temperature of its components and 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Kingwin FPX-008

An Affordable, yet Capable Fan Controller

If you are seeking an affordable, four-channel controller that brings both ease of use and practicality, Kingwin FPX-008 is the device for you. This is a lightweight controller (it weighs 306 grams), with an exceptionally bright display and four independent fan controls.

Moreover, this device features a temperature monitor and an overheating alarm. In other words, it is perfect for gamers. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac, and it comes with a decent one-year warranty.

In addition, its build presents a combination of aluminum and ABS plastic and it brings solid durability. Therefore, if you are after a solid, easy-to-use controller, Kingwin FPX-008 is more than a good choice.

Corsair Commander Pro Fan Controller

Excellent Fan Controller for PC Enthusiasts

Another great fan controller for PC enthusiasts is Corsair Commander Pro. Unlike NA-FC1 or Kingwin FPX-001 it isn’t a budget item and belongs to the category of professional fan controllers.

Corsair Commander Pro is designed with six 4-pin fan ports with voltage for six fan connectors and PWM control, so you can monitor both 3 pin and 4 pin fans. This fan controller has also got four thermistor inputs for temperature control of different PC parts and supports two RGB LED channels with Sequential, Marquee, Strobing and Visor lighting modes. By the by, you can synchronize RGB lightning effects with HD and SP RGB fans as well as RGB LED strips in order to light up the construction. As this fan controller comes with two internal USB 2.0 headers it can also be connected to different USB devices.

Note that this Corsair fan controller includes CORSAIR iCUE software support. It means that there is no need to press knobs or switches as you can get control through this intuitive software. This fan controller has a nice compact design what makes it also quite portable. Besides, such slim form factor makes it suitable for almost any location in your PC.

NZXT Fan Controller AC-2RGBC-B1

Excellent Quality and Performance in One

NZXT RGB & Fan Controller – AC-2RGBC-B1 is a compact and fair-priced fan/RGB controller that provides multiple customization options and allows you to find the perfect configuration with ease.

It is fitted with three digital fan channels that can hold up to 10W of output per channel; it is equipped with a noise detection module and it comes along with a very good NZXT CAM software that provides a great way for the configurations monitoring, as well as RGB lighting customization, due to numerous predefined profiles and options.

NZXT RGB & Fan Controller – AC-2RGBC-B1 is easy to set up and requires a 9-pin USB connection (on your motherboard) and SATA power connection in order to work. More importantly, it provides very good performance and comes equipped with two RGB lighting channels that can handle up to 40 LEDs each, or 80 when combined.

In other words, if you are after a proper fan/RGB control of your rig, NZXT RGB & Fan Controller – AC-2RGBC-B1 is definitely a great choice and certainly one of the best fan controllers available on the market today.

SilverStone PWM Fan Hub

The Best Cheap Fan Controller for Your PC

For a cheaper fan controller consider SilverStone PWM Fan Hub. It is one of the best budget items you can choose for your PC. Having this fan hub you can easily push your computer to the limits without any danger of breaking it.

SilverStone PWM Fan Hub is designed with 1-to-8 PWM connectors and its built-in 2200μF capacitor delivers stable voltage. The system cables this fan controller is equipped with are aimed at maximum control over the temperature and speed of the PC. It allows expanding a motherboard PWM fan header to support eight fans. This cable system delivers clean and accurate voltage as it is powered directly by SAT cable from the PC power supply. What is really great about this SilverStine fan controller is that it does not draw any power from the motherboard.

The SilverStone speed detector sensors allow you to control all eight fans simultaneously. Keep in mind that SATA power cable should always be connected for fan performance. Besides, 3 pin fans will not support its speed control function.

CORSAIR iCUE Commander CORE XT

Another Amazing Device from Corsair

CORSAIR iCUE Commander CORE XT is a highly capable, feature-rich fan controller that offers great customization capabilities, and more importantly, excellent performance. To be exact, it can control up to six case fans, as well as dual lighting channels, with the ability to control up to 264 RGB LEDs.

In addition, this device supports USB 2.0 pass-through and offers all sorts of fan adjustments, including Zero RPM mode.

CORSAIR iCUE Commander CORE XT is easy to install, and it comes with temperature sensors that allow you to monitor the temperatures of your entire system, with the help of the CORSAIR iCUE software. Also, this controller offers auto-detection of up to six individually addressable CORSAIR RGB fans and has a pretty straightforward use, as should be the case with one of the best fan controllers out there.

Cooler Master Addressable RGB Fan Controller MFX-ACBN-NNUNN-R1

An Excellent Fan/RGB Controller

Cooler Master Addressable RGB Fan Controller is a reasonably priced, feature-rich fan controller that offers excellent customization options, and equally importantly, great versatility. This device brings six different LED modes, seven different LED colors, and offers LED speed adjustments of your fans.

Moreover, there is also the thermal detection function that adjusts the LED color to the current system temperature, as well as a dedicated Reset button. This controller is compatible with MSI, Gigabyte, and Asrock motherboards, and has a SATA power connection.

In addition, it has a switch button, for changing between ARGB and RGB mode, and is fitted with built-in magnets for easier mounting. Moreover, there is also a solid two-year warranty, as well as the addressable RGB 4-pin port, four addressable RGB 3-pin ports, USB Header Connector, and many other connectivity options.

In short, there is everything you need for excellent fan/LED controlling. Therefore, if you are after a capable, yet affordable fan controller, Cooler Master Addressable RGB Fan Controller is a great choice.

DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub

A Large Capacity Fan Hub

If you need a large number of fans in your system, DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub might be exactly what you were looking for.

It offers a simple design with 10 fan ports, which can be used for either 3-pin or 4-pin fans, it has a LED status indicator for easy handling and allows for easy mounting inside the PC case. The device is powered through the SATA connector and is equipped with a PWM input that allows for speed control of 4-pin PWM fans, but unfortunately not the 3-pin ones that work at maximums speed when connected.

All in all, DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub offers a great capacity and decent functionality, and although it isn’t well suited for everyone, it should surely be considered for one of the best PC fan controllers available, because of its low price.

Whether you’re looking for an Intel or AMD motherboard, there are plenty of options available. With this guide, we’ll show you the basics of how to choose the best gaming motherboard along with a list of some of the best motherboards currently available.

LGA 1200 Motherboards

Preview	Product
	3 Support, Aura Sync RGB)" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored" target="_blank">ASUS Prime Z490-A LGA 1200 (Intel® 10th Gen) ATX Motherboard (14 DrMOS Power Stages,Dual M.2,...	Check at Amazon
	ROG Maximus XIII Hero (WiFi 6E) Z590 LGA 1200(Intel®11th/10th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard (ATX, 10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4,...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus, LGA 1200 (Intel11th/10th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI ATX Gaming Motherboard (10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4,...	Check at Amazon
	MSI Z590-A PRO ProSeries Motherboard (ATX, 11th/10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, PCIe 4,...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming Z490- WiFi 6, LGA 1200 (Intel 10th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard, 14+2...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero AMD AM4 X570S Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Gaming...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-21 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

AM4 Motherboards

Preview	Product
	ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming ATX Motherboard- PCIe 4.0, Aura Sync RGB Lighting, 2.5 Gbps and Intel...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE WIFI Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2,...	Check at Amazon
	MSI MPG X570 GAMING PRO CARBON WIFI Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard (ATX) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 B450	Check at Amazon
	MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2,...	Check at Amazon
	ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Motherboard with PCIe...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-09-14 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

LGA 2066 Motherboards

Preview	Product
	X-Series) ATX DDR4 M.2 U.2 Thunderbolt 3 USB 3.1 with Dual Gigabit LAN and 802.11AC WiFi" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored" target="_blank">ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe II X299 Motherboard LGA2066 (Intel® Core X-Series) ATX DDR4 M.2 U.2...	Check at Amazon

Last update on 2023-10-06 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

What is a Motherboard?

A motherboard is a printed circuit board where all the other components of a computer or device are connected or “plugged” into. It’s like the backbone of the computer that holds all the parts together. However, it also plays an important role in distributing power and making connections between the RAM, CPU, hard drives and all the other components. A motherboard may also contain spaces for expansion in case you’d like to make upgrades to futureproof your PC.

PCs, laptops, phones and other devices all have motherboards in various sizes and complexities. When searching for the best motherboard for gaming, here are a few features to look out for:

Form Factors

Motherboards can come in a variety of different form factors, but the most common include ATX and microATX. Form factors in a motherboard refer to various specifications that describe the dimensions, type and position that a given motherboard has. Without having compatible form factors, you won’t be able to properly put together all of your PC’s components onto your motherboard.

Chipset

A chipset manages the flow of data between the different components of the PC. It can be nicknamed a “communications hub”. Newer chipsets have the potential to reduce latency and increase the responsiveness of a system, which is a great advantage for PC gamers. The type of chipset in your motherboard also has a major impact on the system’s overclocking capability, with newer series generally more adept at supporting overclocking and heavy gaming.

Socket Type

There are three main socket categories discussed in this guide: LGA 1200, LGA 2066 and AM4. The type you choose will fully depend on a CPU that you want to use. It all comes down to the size and fit of the sockets where the processor plugs into the motherboard. The size and fit will vary among manufacturers and it’s essential to make sure your motherboard has a compatible socket for the type of CPU you want to use, otherwise, all of the components simply won’t function.

How to Choose The Best Motherboard For Gaming

Once you’ve picked out an SSD, graphics card and RAM, you’ll need a motherboard that will be able to support all of those things. If you’re searching online for the best motherboards and reading product descriptions, pay close attention to the specifications of the motherboard you’re interested in. Due to the large complexity of motherboards and their wide array of features, the best way to choose one for your needs is to start by looking at socket type and narrowing down by specifications and added features.

CPU and socket type

Pick your CPU first, as this will be the brain of your computer. Once you’ve found the best CPU for your needs, the type of CPU you have will only be compatible with certain types of motherboards. AMD (which includes AM4) and Intel (which includes LGA 1200 and LGA 2066) are the two primary types of CPU, with socket shapes being one of the most important differences to consider when looking for a compatible motherboard.

RAM

RAM, your computer’s storage space for temporary data, comes in many types. When thinking about RAM, the best features to look for is the minimum and maximum RAM speeds of your motherboard (normally between 2400 and 4400 MHz). You do not want to get RAM slower than your motherboard’s capabilities as it will cause complications.

You also want to make sure your motherboard’s DDR type matches your RAM. The types of RAM channels that the motherboard can hold is also important if you’re looking to get a speed boost when using multiple sticks of RAM in the right slots. The two different types of channels are dual and quad, with quad channels having the potential to better deal with memory bandwidth loads.

M.2

M.2 slot is today’s norm and the place where super-fast NVMe SSDs are installed. There is at least one of them on each motherboard; however, if you are a more demanding user, two, three, or even four M.2 slots are a much more preferable option.

SATA ports

With time, SATA ports are becoming less and less important; nonetheless, they still play an important role. They present the place where you connect your HDDs (if you still use them), regular SATA SSDs, Blu-ray players, and similar hardware. A mid-range motherboard usually has six SATA ports, while the higher-end motherboards can have even more, offering more space for expansions.

USB slots, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet ports

Different motherboards have different configurations, and varying numbers and types of USB ports, Ethernet ports, as well as Wi-Fi connections. The numbers to look for should be based on your personal preference for how much use you think you’ll need out of these components.

PCI express (PCIe) slots

This is a section of the motherboard where expansion cards are placed. This not only includes graphics cards but also sound cards, Ethernet adapters and other cards that can give your PC additional capabilities. If you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience, you should be on the lookout for a motherboard that allows you to have multiple graphics card connections (this is usually called “crossfire” or “SLI”).

Overclocking and thermal management

If you plan on pushing your PC to its limits beyond the specifications of the manufacturer, you’re going to need to make sure your motherboard can handle it. Your motherboard should also have water cooling or a very high-performance air cooling system to avoid hardware damage while overclocking.

Sound and audio

Most motherboards have integrated sound capabilities to reduce the need for buying extra audio components. One of the most important things to look for in onboard audio is the codec because, the better the codec, the better the sound quality played through your speakers or headphones.

Build quality and reliability

Always ensure that you’re buying a motherboard with a long warranty from a reputable manufacturer. Some models are prone to being DOA (“dead on arrival”), so look over product reviews ahead of time and choose newer, well-tested models. Solid capacitors and reinforced slots are other qualities that generally reflect durability and added protection, although too much covering can add bulkiness.

Aesthetics

Many motherboards have unique and attractive designs that can take your setup to the next level of superiority. Mystic Light Extension and AURA Sync RGB lighting are some of the most popular lighting features that enable you to add custom lighting to your motherboard in different places and colors for personalized aesthetics.

BIOS

BIOS stands for “Basic Input/Output System”. It’s a built-in software that allows you to access and change your computer on a very technical level. This is where you would access overclocking settings. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the newer version of BIOS that you may also come across in newer motherboards.

Best LGA 1200 Motherboards

ASUS Prime Z490-A

A Mid-tier Oriented Gaming Motherboard

ASUS Prime Z490-A is a solid, fair-priced LGA1200 gaming motherboard that is primarily made for users that are seeking a quality performance but are very careful about their spending at the same time.

This motherboard offers plenty of storage capacity (six SATA ports and two M.2 slots), it has respectable connectivity (four USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (two on the rear side), six USB 3.2 Gen2 ports (four on the rear side), six USB 2.0 ports (two on the rear side), one DisplayPort, one HDMI port, etc.) and provides a very good audio experience thanks to its Realtek S1200A audio codec.

When talking about RGB effects, you should know that ASUS Prime Z490-A offers plenty of options and comes with Aura Sync RGB lighting, as well as multiple RGB headers, including the Gen 2 ones. In other words, an attractive visual happening is guaranteed.

Unfortunately, there is also one serious drawback – the problems with its 2.5Gb Intel I225-V Ethernet. However, since this is a brand new board, that will probably be fixed with some BIOS update in the near future.

On the other hand, this motherboard offers very good cooling capabilities and comes fitted with VRM and PCH heatsink, as well as Fan Xpert 4 utility that should certainly help you find the perfect configuration in no time.

All in all, if you want one of the best gaming motherboards out there, but are not willing to spend a real fortune on it, ASUS Prime Z490-A is as made for you.

ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero

A Well-Rounded, High Performing Motherboard

Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero is a premium-quality gaming motherboard, with solid overclocking capabilities and plenty of features that make it a perfect fit for high-end gamers.

This is a well-built device, fitted with robust power delivery, with 14+2 power stages, enlarged VRM heatsinks, as well as very good Aura Sync RGB lighting. Equally importantly, there are the very neat four M.2 slots, accompanied with six SATA ports, as well as excellent audio performance, thanks to the inclusion of the Realtek ALC4082 audio codes, with ESS ES9018Q2C DAC.

In addition, there are also plenty of connectivity options that involve a dual Thunderbolt 4 port, six USB2.0 ports (two on the back), 11 USB3.0/3.1 ports (six on the back), as well as two HDMI ports. Also, there are two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 slot, and generally, pretty good networking capabilities.

To be exact, there is built-in WiFi 6E (802.11ax), accompanied by dual Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, as well as ASUS LANGaurd. In other words, there is more than enough connectivity, even for the most demanding users.

More importantly, this Z590 motherboard brings a very good performance, feature-rich BIOS, and plenty of options for tweaking. In short, it has everything you need for premium gaming, as should be the case with the best gaming motherboard out there.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi

An Affordable, High-Performing Gaming Motherboard

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi is a good-performing motherboard, with solid overclocking capabilities and a long list of features that position it neck and neck with the best gaming motherboards out there. This is a high-end device, suitable for budget-oriented gamers.

To be exact, this is a motherboard fitted with the Z490 chipset, 12+1+1 Digital Power design, and equally importantly, an amazing Mystic Light, with 29 predefined effects. Moreover, this motherboard also features Audio Boost 4, with the ALC1220 Audio Processor, and offers great connectivity. That means there is a single DisplayPort and a single HDMI port, as well as eight USB3.2 ports (four on the rear end), six USB2.0 ports (two on the rear end), as well as a Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN Ethernet port.

In addition, there is also Wi-Fi 6, equipped with both MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology and three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, enhanced with two PCIe x1 slots for the additional expansion capabilities.

When talking about storage capacity, there are six SATA ports, and more importantly, two M.2 slots with M.2 Shield Frozr, which is the main reason for the support of 32GBps speeds.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi supports RAID 0/1/5/10 and offers very good overclocking capabilities that, for instance, allow you to boost the Intel Core i9 10900K up to 5.2 GHz with ease. In other words, it offers quite a lot for the price.

All in all, this motherboard offers a great combination of price, performance, and features; therefore, if you are after an affordable gaming motherboard, it is obvious that this one is the perfect choice.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus

A Basic, yet Great-Performing Gaming Motherboard

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus is an entry-level Intel Z590 board, with a reasonable price and more basic-oriented features, perfect for gamers with a limited budget. This motherboard is reliable and offers all necessities; however, it lacks features such as a 10G LAN, or an additional PCIe 4.0 slot, although that isn’t important for most people, anyways.

On the other hand, this motherboard brings the 14+2 DrMOS power stages, three M.2 slots, as well as decent connectivity. To be exact, there is HDMI and DisplayPort connection, five USB3.2 ports (one Type-C), and two USB2.0 ports on the back. Moreover, there is also a single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. In other words, there is limited, yet good enough connectivity for most users.

In addition, there is also Intel I225-V 2.5Gb LAN, as well as the Intel AX201 WiFi-6 chip, with MU-MIMO and OFDMA, and Bluetooth 5.2. connection – altogether, a solid deal.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus is capable of handling 5333 MHz memories and features a premium build quality that involves military-grade TUF components, ProCool sockets, and other long-lasting components. More importantly, this motherboard brings great value for the money and ultimately presents exactly what true gamers need, without the unnecessary bells and whistles.

MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge

Excellent Mid-Range Gaming Motherboard

If you are seeking a truly valuable motherboard that will satisfy you on the gaming front, as well as its feature-rich nature and its whole attractiveness, MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge is the motherboard for you.

This is the device that has everything that a mainstream gamer might need, such as good overclocking capabilities, great RGB lighting that includes an integrated chipset heatsink lighting zone, and good networking, with integrated Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN controller, Intel AX201 Wi-Fi6 chip, and the BT 5.1 support.

Also, this motherboard provides a solid audio experience, due to the ALC1220 HD audio codec, as well as storage capacity that includes regular six SATA ports and two M.2 slots.

Furthermore, MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge comes equipped with multiple connection types that involve DisplayPort, HDMI connection, multiple USB ports, two PCIe3.0 x16 slots, etc., and it provides very good overall performance that rightfully places it among the best gaming motherboards in the mainstream market.

In other words, if you want a good build quality, solid performance, and attractive looks in one, MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge is definitely the device to seriously consider.

MSI Z590-A PRO ProSeries

The Essentials that Do the Job

If you are seeking an affordable and good-performing gaming motherboard, in a more traditional, Spartan edition, MSI Z590-A PRO ProSeries is the device for you. As you may guess, this motherboard won’t impress you with its features, because it lacks some of them, or they aren’t as premium as on the more expensive devices. However, the performance, overclocking capabilities, and reliability are on pair with the best gaming motherboard out there.

Yes, there is no Wi-Fi, and the audio codec coul be a bit better, but the 5.1 GHz speed, with the Intel Core i9 10900K CPU, is achievable, without too much of a hassle. However, that isn’t all this motherboard has to offer, there is also 12+2+1 Power Design, as well as support for 5333MHz memories, and Intel I225-V 2.5G LAN.

MSI Z590-A PRO ProSeries also features 7.1 Channel Audio, with Audio Boost, has three M.2 slots, and comes with decent expansion capabilities. To be exact, there is one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCI 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots.

Moreover, its cooling involves M.2 Shield Frozr and thickened copper build, while the connectivity is on the bright side. In short, there are eight USB ports of various types and generations, including one Type-C port. In addition, there is also one HDMI port, as well as one DisplayPort, audio jacks – in other words, the whole package.

Therefore, if you are after the best gaming motherboard in the budget-friendly area, MSI Z590-A PRO ProSeries is more than a reasonable choice.

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming

An Excellent All-Around Gaming Motherboard

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming is a well-built, feature-rich motherboard that presents a great all-around device thanks to its esthetics and overall performance. It is perfect for both gaming enthusiasts and mainstream gamers.

This is a board that has everything that the best gaming motherboard should have, such as 16 power stages, good storage capacity (two M.2 slots and six SATA ports), Aura Sync compatibility, as well as multiple RGB headers for a wide variety of RGB lighting options. Moreover, there are three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, HDMI and DisplayPort, a variety of USB ports (four USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (two on the rear side), five USB 3.2 Gen2 ports (four on the rear side), eight USB 2.0 ports (four on the rear side)) and most importantly, excellent overclocking capabilities, as well as good gaming performance that are the key reasons for the success of a gaming motherboard in the first place.

ASUS ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming comes fitted with Intel AX201 WiFi 6 and Intel 2. 5 Gb Ethernet; it offers great audio experience due to the SupremeFX S1220A codec and DTS and Sonic Studio III support, and overall delivers more than a fair value for its price, which ultimately makes it one of the more desirable motherboards available on the market.

ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero

One of the Best AM4 Motherboards You Will Ever See

ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is a reliable and high-performing motherboard, with the X570 chipset. This is a great AM4 board, that will help you boost the Ryzen 9 5950X over 5GHz with ease. In other words, it is everything you need for a true gaming experience.

The list of its features is quite long, and it involves great USB connectivity and solid networking options. To be exact, there are 19 USB ports (five USB 3.2, 10 USB 3.1, and four USB2.0 ports), 12 of which are located on the rear end, as well as both Wi-Fi 6 (AX200 controller) connection and dual Ethernet ports (1G Intel I211-AT and 2.5G Realtek RTL8125 chip). Moreover, this motherboard features very robust 16-stage power delivery, five-way optimization, and Aura Sync RGB lighting.

In addition, there are also eight SATA ports, two M.2 slots, and excellent audio that comes as a result of the built-in Realtek ALC1220 7.1 Channel HD audio controller. Furthermore, there are also two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot. In other words, more than enough expansion capability for most gamers.

ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is pretty attractive-looking, and it offers great endurance, thanks to the premium components used for its build and its protective features, such as the ASUS SafeSlot. In short, this motherboard combines great performance, a long list of features, and great looks in one, presenting one of the best X570 gaming motherboards available, and a great purchase if you decide on one.

MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI

An Affordable, yet Solid Gaming Motherboard

If you are looking for an affordable, but capable gaming motherboard that offers a good set of features and overall solid performance, MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI is the device for you. Yes, fact is that this motherboard isn’t among the best boards out there; however, considering the combination of performance, features, and most importantly, price, it is more than worth buying.

The reasons for such a claim are numerous, yet the most prominent ones are eight-phase 60A power delivery, Mystic light with two nests RGB Strips, four RGB connectors, and 29 predefined effects, and most importantly, its reliable performance. In addition, this motherboard also supports 5100MHz RAM modules and features both Wi-Fi 6 (AX200 controller) and 2.5G Realtek RTL8125B LAN connection.

Furthermore, there is also a dual M.2 slot, six SATA ports, support for RAID 0, 1, and 10, as well as a handful of other connectivity options. To be exact, there are a single HDMI and a single DisplayPort, six USB2.0 ports, and seven USB3.2 ports, including one USB3.2 G2 Type-C port and one USB3.2 G2 Type-A port available on the rear.

MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI comes with one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Moreover, it is fitted with Realtek ALC1200 Codec and Audio Boost and overall, it brings a great value for the money. Therefore, if you are after an affordable, yet excellent-performing gaming motherboard, MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI is more than a reasonable choice.

Best AM4 Motherboards

ASUS ROG Strix X570-E

A Gaming Motherboard that Delivers an Excellent Value for the Money

ASUS ROG Strix X570-E motherboard is a device that delivers quality performance and a good set of premium features at a reasonable price.

This is an AM4 socket-based motherboard that offers good connectivity, with two Ethernet connections (Realtek 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and Intel Gigabit Ethernet), Wi-Fi 6 connection, with MU-MIMO functionality and BT5.0. Furthermore, it comes with two M.2 slots, eight USB3 Gen2 and two USB2.0 ports, eight SATA ports, and a lot more.

Also, it has three PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion slots, the third of which support only x4 mode, while the first two support for either a single x16 or dual x8 mode. It offers a three-year warranty. In addition, it comes with SupremeFX S1220A HD audio codec and support for both two-way NVIDIA SLI and Asus Aura.

More importantly, this ROG Strix X570-E delivers an excellent performance that can be compared with MSI Prestige X570 Creation that offers similar efficiency, but at a drastically higher price. Moreover, its good overclocking capacity allows it to boost Ryzen 9 3900X to 4.4 GHz without much trouble, which is less than the official maximum boost clock of 4.6GHz, but still pretty respectable.

All in all, ROG Strix X570-E is one hell of a product that is a perfect fit not only for die-hard gamers, searching for the best gaming motherboard, but also for power users. In other words, this motherboard is an amazing buy that will surely not disappoint you.

MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi

A Fair-Priced Solid Performing Midrange Motherboard

If you are into more affordable, but still pretty efficient motherboards with a lot of expandability options, MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi is a motherboard for you. It is pretty similar to the more expensive X570 Gaming Pro Carbon WIFI, but with some minor differences such as, for instance, installment of Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN Controller instead of Intel I211AT controller, a lack of additional decorations, etc.

Gaming Edge Wi-Fi comes with a solid set of features that include Realtek 8111H Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 with MU-MIMO function, Audio BOOST4, and MSI Mystic Light that offers a variety of color styles and options. Moreover, it offers good expandability, with two M.2 slots, six SATA ports, eight USB3 Gen2 ports, two USB3 Gen1 ports, and many other connectivity options.

Furthermore, there are also two PCIe4.0x16 expansion slots that can work in a single x16 or dual x8 mode and three PCIe3.0x1 slots. In other words, everything needed for decent gaming is there.

MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi offers decent performance and is capable of pulling, for instance, Ryzen 3600 to about 4.0GHz (4.2GHz is the official boost clock speed), which is pretty satisfactory, especially considering issues with AMDs declared boost speeds.

In other words, if you are looking for the best reasonably-priced motherboard, this one is probably among the best you can find.

MSI MPG X570 Gaming PRO Carbon Wi-Fi

A Solid Mainstream Motherboard that will Please Most Gamers

Competition among motherboard has never been tougher than today and only small differences are separating the motherboards between each other in the same market segment. However, true quality always finds its ways to be spotted and MSI MPG X570 Gaming PRO Carbon Wi-Fi is a good example of that.

Although it has a few flaws here and there, such as, for instance, a lack of 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, or a smaller number of USB3 Gen2 ports than the competition, this motherboard still offers plenty of quality features that will surely attract you to its side. There is an Audio BOOST 4 with Nahimic software, Mystic light with 29 effects and support for additional LED strips, two PCIe4.0x16 expansion slots (they support single x16 or dual x8 mode), two PCIe3.0x1 expansion slots, and a lot more.

Gaming PRO Carbon Wi-Fi also has six SATA ports, two M.2 slots, four USB3 Gen2 ports, and six USB3 Gen1 ports. It offers decent connectivity with Intel I211AT Gigabit Ethernet and Intel WiFi 6, with MU-MIMO function and BT.

Similar to the other motherboards of the class, it can boost Ryzen 9 3900X to around 4.4GHz and, more importantly, provide a fairly solid performance.

Altogether, if you are searching for the best reasonably-priced motherboard that will give you all the functionality that you need, Gaming PRO Carbon WiFi is a great option for you.

ASUS ROG Strix B450-F

A Motherboard Destined for Mainstream Users

The chipset that currently gives the most value for the money in the Ryzen market is definitely B450. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F, which works with this chipset, is presented on the market in the same manner, giving you a lot for your bucks.

Although it doesn’t deliver so many tuning options as the X470 based motherboards and lacks some of its features that advanced users will miss, ASUS ROG Strix B450-F still presents a very appealing solution for the majority of mainstream gamers, especially considering that the B450 and the X470 have a very similar performance.

Dual M.2, three PCIe slots with support for one heavy-duty graphics card, 10 USB ports (two USB 3.1 Gen2), six SATA ports and two video outputs (one HDMI and one DP) are more than enough for a large portion of users, particularly those attracted to the more affordable part of the market. On the other hand, ASUS ROG Strix B450-F also has some of the premium features that can be found on much more expensive boards such as ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel Audio, Aura Sync RGB lighting, 5-way optimization, etc.

Overall, if your budget is limited and you don’t suffer from the need to have all the premium features, but still demand quality performance and a decent set of tools, ASUS ROG Strix B450-F comes as a great alternative that won’t disappoint you.

MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK

Another One Worth Your Time

MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a reasonably priced and well-performing gaming motherboard, with a B550 chipset and a very good eight-phase power delivery. This is a more budget-oriented board, with a nice set of features, yet with a few downsides here and there, such as the lack of a Wi-Fi connection, only two M.2 slots, and similar. However, its price is highly competitive, and savings had to be made somewhere.

When talking about the important characteristics of this motherboard, the first thing that should be mentioned is the decent expansion capability that involves one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. In addition, there is also a dual LAN (one 2.5G and one 1G), Mystic Lighting, as well as the support for memories with a speed of up to 4866MHz.

In the connectivity department, there is a lot of diversity that involves one DisplayPort, one HDMI port, as well as numerous USB connections. More accurately, 13 of them in total, six of which are located on the back, including one USB3.2 G2 Type-C port and one USB3.2 G2 Type-A port.

To sum up, MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is a very good gaming motherboard, with numerous features and ultimately an excellent option if you are on the budget.

ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)

A Reasonable Price and Great Performance in One

Finding an affordable, yet good-performing motherboard, with solid overclocking capabilities, is never easy; nonetheless, there are motherboards like that and ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) is one of the shiny examples. This motherboard maybe lacks some of the premium features, yet it still offers more than enough for a good gaming experience.

To be exact, there are two M.2 slots, accompanied by eight SATA ports, which should be enough for most users. Then, there is Realtek L8200A Gigabit Ethernet, and Intel Wireless-AC 9260, with MU-MIMO support and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. In addition, there is also a 12+2 VRM setup, active PCH heatsink, hybrid fan headers, and Fan Xpert.

In the RGB department, ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) is a bit minimalistic, and only involves the lights near the chipset heatsink, while the audio is responsible Realtek ALC S1200A audio codec. Considering performance, this motherboard offers similar results as other models with the X570 chipset, as well as pretty good overclocking capabilities.

When talking about connectivity, there is a single HDMI port and a single DisplayPort, as well as three USB3.1 Gen1 ports, one USB3.1 Gen1 Type-C port, and four USB2.0 ports, located on the back. In addition, there are also one USB3.1 Gen2 header and two USB2.0 headers, as well as one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots.

In other words, there is everything you need for an excellent gaming experience. Therefore, if you are after one of the best affordable gaming motherboards available, the choice is more than simple.

Best LGA 2066 Motherboards

ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe II

A Lot of Features and Quality Performance in One

If you are looking for numerous features, followed by excellent performance, and the budget doesn’t present too much of an issue for you, ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe II is a perfect choice for you.

Yes, it is a bit more expensive; however, considering the long list of functionalities and features, it is certainly worth it. There are numerous AIO, fan and pump headers for quality cooling, ASUS Node header, Intel Gigabit Ethernet and support for 5G LAN via the Aquantia AQC-111C RJ45 port. Moreover, there is an Intel Wireless AC-9260 with MU-MIMO, BT5 and support for Nvidia SLI and Asus Aura.

Expansion slots include three PCIex16 ports (they can work in single x16, double x16 or x16/x16/x8 mode), two PCIex1 ports, two M.2 slots (each with a heatsink) and eight SATA ports, while there are also eight DIMMs, two Thunderbolt ports and even two DisplayPorts. Altogether, there are plenty of things to party with.

When talking about performance, ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe II doesn’t really shine under stock performance, its real area of work is with overclocked CPUs where it shows all of its qualities and can easily boost Core i9-7900X up to 4.6 GHz, without any trouble.

In other words, if you want the best possible motherboard for gaming, ASUS Prime X299-Deluxe II is surely one of the better options out there.

Additional Tips

If you don’t mind paying more for the best and most extreme motherboard for gaming, look for:

• A motherboard that’s compatible with the latest processors, preferably with an LGA 1200 or AM4 socket.
• A motherboard with a Z490 (or even X299) or X570 chipset.
• A motherboard with built-in temperature control, customizable lighting and overclocking capabilities.
• A motherboard with lots of additional slots and ports for RAM, PCIe, USB and so on.

If you’re searching for a mid-range budget motherboard for gaming, look for:

• A motherboard with at least a B460 (for Intel) or B550 (for AMD) chipset
• A relatively new motherboard, at least AM4 or LGA 1200, that fits your budget.
• An affordable and reliable motherboard suitable for your PSU and RAM needs. If you don’t care about lots of extra features that you don’t need, don’t pay for them.

Whether you’re building your first PC on a budget or you’re searching for the highest quality components to put together a powerful gaming system, finding the best motherboard for gaming is essential.

While a motherboard shouldn’t be the first thing you buy, your motherboard will be the major component that connects everything together. That’s why it’s important to look at specifications and read reviews so you can purchase a motherboard that will work for your personal tastes and plans for upgrading in the future.