9 Smallest Micro ATX Case Options 2022 (MATX) (2024)

• Smallest Micro ATX Case Options
• MATX Case Buying Guide
• Best Micro ATX Case Review: NZXT H400i
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Case Reviews

Top 3 Smallest Micro ATX Cases

Case	Image	Reason	Shop
Thermaltake Core V21		Top Pick	View on Amazon
BitFenix Prodigy M		Runner Up	View on Amazon
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L		Budget Pick	View on Amazon

Here’s the deal:

If you’re building a gaming PC, you’re going to need a great case to not only house your components but to cool and protect them as well.

These days, smaller cases are becoming more and more popular.

That’s why we’ve created this guide.

We’ve rounded up the best (and the smallest) micro ATX cases on the market.

Let’s get started:

Smallest Micro ATX Case Options

Building a PC – whether it’s for gaming or workstation tasks – is an art form.

Just like you choose components based on your performance requirements, you should choose a case based on your style.

Still, there’s more to a case than just its looks.

A micro ATX case should have enough space for your components, cables, and airflow.

It needs to be strong, good looking, and affordable.

Here is a list of the smallest micro ATX cases on the market:

MATX Case Buying Guide

Buying an MATX case for your next gaming PC is definitely a move.

You can find both high-end and budget micro ATX cases, so they can be used in builds ranking from $600 all the way up to $1000+.

Before you buy yourself any Micro ATX case – let alone a small or slim Micro ATX case – you should always ponder exactly what you’re looking for.

It’s important to consider the following:

• Desk space
• Front USB
• Expansion support
• Building difficulty
• Airflow
• Storage options
• Serviceability
• Graphics card support

Desk Space

Always consider how much desk space your case will take up since it’s ultimately the shell of your system. If you have a small desk or several monitors, maybe consider a slimmer option or an alternate case placement.

Front USB

If you plan on plugging in USB flash drives on a consistent basis without having to pull a reach around you might want to go for an option that includes USB 3.0 with the front panel IO.

Expansion Support

Depending on what type of graphics card you use it may take up two or more slots and you might even want other expansion cards, so make sure you always check the case’s expansion options.

Building Difficulty

If you’re new to building computers or maybe just rusty you may want to find a case that’s much easier to build in so that you can swiftly get your new computer up and running ASAP.

Airflow

Airflow may not seem as important in a smaller case since smaller form factor builds don’t usually produce as much heat as more beefy ones. We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your parts cool to get the best performance and longevity out of your components.

Storage Options

If you plan on keeping your case for a very long period of time (in the tech world that could be quite a few years) you should always look at storage slots and ease of upgrade. Storage runs out quick and it’s always good to have a little extra for backups. That’s why getting a case with plenty of hard drive storage is important. Click this link to check out our guide on the best PC cases for hard drive storage.

Serviceability

Things break, it’s inevitable, but where will you be when the fortress falls? Choosing a case that offers a warranty is very important. Shipping services don’t exactly care for your well being, and sometimes the deeper damage isn’t obvious until much longer down the line.

Graphics Card Support

Planning on building a low profile ultimate gaming rig? Think again. Small form factor cases rarely support anything more than half-height graphics cards, and the highest end half-height cards are GTX 1050 and 750 ti.

In the end, your case is your choice.

Go for what you want and show off your own personal style in whichever way you decide and game, create content, render, etc. all in your own way. The case isn’t just a shell, it’s the ornate mask of your machine.

Whatever you choose, however you choose, just consider our tips and find the case that fits perfectly with your personal preferences, and overall just enjoy your handy work!

If you’re in the market for a cube case, you can’t go wrong with the Thermaltake Core V21 – it has everything you could ask for in a Micro ATX case, and more.

There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to the V21, so I recommend clicking the ‘Read Review’ button and skipping down to the bottom where we go into more detail about it.

If you weren’t expecting the NZXT H400i on this list, you must’ve been living under a rock for the past year or so. If you’re looking for the best of the best, the lord of lords, the top of the line, then this is the Micro ATX case for you.

The greatness doesn’t stop at looks for the H400i, as its features set it apart from all other Micro ATX cases. The H400i is built for custom and AIO water cooling, includes superb cooling and noise reduction, and even comes with an RGB “CAM Powered Smart Device” fan controller for your stylish RGB setup.

With portability matching no other, the BitFenix Prodigy M should be one of, if not your top choice when looking for your next Micro ATX LAN build. Its flexible handles are comfortable to hold and keep the case sturdy on its feet so you’ll need not worry about your components getting shuffled around.

If you’re building a performance rig with expensive components that need ample cooling and you want a small form factor case, the Corsair Carbide Air 240 is the case for you.

It’s basically the same thing as its big brother, the Air 540 (we talk about this case on our page about the smallest ATX cases) in a smaller form factor.

The Air 240 is where Micro ATX cases meet high performance. If you have the money to spend on a premium case for an enthusiast build, I highly recommend the Air 240.

The Thermaltake Level 20 VT’s 4 interchangeable tempered glass panels provide the best view of your RGB lighting without the cabley mess.

Sporting a “two chamber design,” all cables can be tucked under the motherboard out of view, giving your build a more clean look than ever before.

If you need a media PC to match your TV color scheme, or you only have minimal desk space to work with, this is the case for you.

You get a case and a PSU for under $100, AND it’s low profile – what more could anyone ask for?

The Rexgear 1 is a nice little case for anyone avoiding the RGB scene (since the fan knobs aren’t PWM) and it even includes a magnetic PSU dust filter, rubber vibration dampening pads, and adjustable top exhaust fans.

Fitting in right in the middle ground, the Rexgear 1 is good for just about anyone.

With massive magnetic dust filters on the bottom, top, and front keeping your system clean, dust will be the least of your worries.

It even comes with a side panel (although acrylic) to view the glorious parts you’ve bestowed upon your pride and joy.

When you’re on a tight budget, and I mean tight, the Rosewill FBM-05 is your go-to Micro ATX case – after all, who can really go wrong at this price point?

Still, seriously, we beg of you, please don’t put your medium to high-end parts anywhere near this case.

Case	Image	Reason	Shop
Thermaltake Core V21		Top Pick	View on Amazon
BitFenix Prodigy M		Runner Up	View on Amazon
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L		Budget Pick	View on Amazon

A Closer Look at The Best Micro ATX Case

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I decided to answer my most commonly asked questions about this topic below:

What Does ATX Stand For?

According to Wikipedia:

ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) is a motherboard and power supply configuration specification developed by Intel in 1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT design. It was the first major change in desktop computer enclosure, motherboard and power supply design in many years, improving standardization and interchangeability of parts. The specification defines the key mechanical dimensions, mounting point, I/O panel, power and connector interfaces between a computer case, a motherboard and a power supply.

What is the smallest micro ATX case?

The Thermaltake Core V21 is the best and the smallest micro ATX case on the market. It’s small, compact, yet easy to use and boasts terrific performance despite its small form factor.

How big is a micro ATX case?

Micro ATX boards measure up to 9.6 by 9.6 inches (but they’re sometimes smaller.)

Is mini or micro ATX smaller?

Mini ITX cases are smaller than micro ATX cases.

Is micro ATX worth it?

Yes, micro ATX is worth it for most people. If you’re looking for a case small enough to fit on your desk and light enough to carry with you (without sacrificing performance) then micro ATX is the move.

What is the Difference Between ATX and Micro ATX?

The main difference between ATX and Micro ATX is the size.

There are three main case sizes: ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX.

ATX cases are the largest, followed by Micro ATX and Mini ITX, respectively.

If you’re looking for a small ATX case, we happen to have a guide about that, and a guide about the smallest Mini-ITX cases too!

However, ATX cases and motherboards tend to be more expensive, as they’re larger and usually have more features.

Is ATX or Micro ATX Better?

The answer to this question is a matter of personal preference, for the most part.

Micro ATX cases are great for those who want their PC to have a low profile.

It’s important to note, though, that some micro ATX cases aren’t large enough for everyone.

For example, you probably won’t be able to fit a water cooling system, a ton of case fans, several hard drives, and multiple GPUs in a micro ATX case.

In that case, you’ll want to go with an ATX mid-tower or even a full-tower.

Nevertheless, micro ATX is still suitable for most people and builds.

Even micro ATX cases these days have pretty spacious interiors, large enough to accommodate most PC builds.

Case Reviews

This is the part of the article where I go a bit more in-depth. I’ll be taking a closer look at each case, talking about the pros and cons of each one, any notable features, the design, and why I decided to include the case in this list.

The entire front panel is made of mesh which protects the front intake fans quite well. Mesh front panels also allow far more cool air in the case than a solid or glass front panel as well, which is great for those of you who care a lot about airflow.

On the front IO (which you can move around the case) you’ll find a power/reset button, microphone/headphone jacks, two USB 3.0 ports, and two information LEDs, one for power and one for hard drive activity.

You can unscrew the IO from the top and mount in in two other locations on the front of the case, which is a feature I haven’t seen before myself.

The case also has terrific cable management options – with holes and grommets all over the case, you can run cables easily, wherever you want.

And as you can see, the included front fan is huge. Large fans have lower rotational speeds but can still move lots of air, meaning they’re quiet and effective.

Alternatively, you can remove it and replace the fan with two 120mm or two 140mm fans instead.

Speaking of removing things, if we take a look at the side panel, you’ll see it has an acrylic window.

But if you want your window on top of the case, no problem! All of the side panels can be removed and rearranged as well, giving you complete control over your build.

The case also has a lot of drive storage despite being so small – not quite enough to be a good NAS case, but it’ll be sufficient for most people (certainly gamers).

To be completely honest with you I can’t give this thing enough justice because it’s got so much to offer, and a full review would take up the entire page. If you want an in-depth video review, you can watch this awesome video from Mike’s Unboxing where he goes into full detail.

In short, the Thermaltake Core V21 is hands down the best small Micro ATX case on the market because of its outsanding design and functionality.

You’re only looking for the best of the best. You want no lies, no shortcuts – just style, functionality, and reliability.

The NZXT H400i fits the bill to a ‘T’ and you will be hard pressed to find a similar alternative that lives up to the level of quality the H400i puts forward.

Sleek is this case’s middle name and my, my does it like to flex that.

You can find the H400i in White/Black, Red/Black, Blue/Black, and Black color schemes to fit whatever amazing colors your build might include, and its durable full steel body is built to keep all of your expensive parts safe within its walls.

It even has extra space for cable management, a power supply shroud, and a full tempered glass side panel!

The H400i is fully prepared for any and all RGB solutions, with a wide range of RGB lighting support/features.

In terms of airflow, the case supports up to 7 120mm fans and room for even a full custom water loop.

The H400i comes with 3 non-RGB fans, which is really lame. Be sure to deck it out with lights, as it has space for whatever you might want to throw at it.

It also includes an RGB fan controller that can support up to 5 RGB fans or 4 LED strips, powered by the NZXT CAM software, which allows you to get the best performance possible out of your case fans.

Taking up very little space and looking stylish as ever, the NZXT H400i should be one of your top micro ATX case choices.

This case doesn’t disappoint in any category… unless you’re on a budget.

The BitFenix Prodigy M is one of our favorite picks this year.

I mean, just look at it – it’s so cool! Thanks to its carrying handle and small form factor, it’s perfect for LAN parties and gaming on the go (at least, as good as a gaming PC can get.)

The BitFenix Prodigy and the Prodigy M variants seem quite similar, and they are in the respect that their casing is almost exactly the same.

Besides the M variant sporting a side panel window, it also has its motherboard mount on the opposite side of the computer case, and mounts on sideways as opposed to flat on the non-M version.

The only areas that the Prodigy M seems to fall short in are its pricing and its building difficulty curve.

These are relatively small tradeoffs for the quality of this case.’

If you have little experience building PCs or you’re using an online guide to build, you may find this case difficult since the motherboard mount is backward.

It isn’t too much of an issue, but it can become confusing for newbies.

The compact nature of the Prodigy M can also become quite an annoyance.

If you’ve got big hands we wish you the best of luck in your building endeavors, as this case is tight as ever and building can be challenging at times.

Nevertheless, portability is king, and with the Prodigy M you’ll have no problem moving it around.

Wielding 4 comfortable and sturdy handles (that also serve as legs) mixed with its small size, and its support for Micro ATX motherboards, carrying this thing around is a breeze.

We urge you to go and pick up a BitFenix Prodigy M for your next gaming LAN event.

The Thermaltake Level 20 VT is the right case for the show off in you!

If you’re planning on showing your PC to your friends and family this is surely the case for the job.

Looks aside, the case’s functionality doesn’t fall short either.

This case sports 4mm thick tempered glass on four sides, and the top sides and bottom panels are all symmetrical and interchangeable.

The default top panel also supports radiator mounting up to 280mm, and the front supports up to 240mm.

The top of the case also has gaps to optimize airflow, so there’s no need to worry about your components overheating!

The two chambers of the Level 20 VT allow for easy cable management below deck, while granting ample space above deck for graphics cards and custom water cooling solutions.

Its six removable drive bays (three 3.5” and three 2.5”) give you easy swapability and plenty of room for other components.

For front IO options, the Level 20 VT has four total front USB ports. Two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0, with a headphone and a microphone jack, of course.

Compact and hearty, Thermaltake’s Level 20 VT Micro ATX case is built to last at a reasonable price.

Sturdy and sleek, this case will serve as premium protection for your interior with premium presentation on the exterior. All bark and no bite? More like ready to fight fight fight!

Sorry, that was a bit corny…

In any event, this case is actually really great.

The IN-WIN BL631 is probably the best slim Micro ATX case you can buy on the market right now.

It’s designed to be the best in its class, providing exceptional thermal performance, satisfactory acoustics, and remarkable ease of use.

This case is built to please, offering Partition Plate Cooling Technology (PPCT) which provides thermal and acoustic performance rivaled by no other.

Its small form factor also attributes to easy heat dissipation via an adjustable vent.

The Micro ATX form factor is compatible with most standard desktop parts and its detachable drive cage allows easy mechanical drive installation or improved airflow.

The BL631 also incorporates a screw-less design for much quicker and simpler installation.

This case doesn’t necessarily lack in the IO department, but it could be better.

The front panel consists of the normal headphone and microphone jacks, plus 2 USB 2.0 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports, so make sure your board has a USB 3.0 header.

If you so wish, there’s also panels for 5.25” and 3.5” expansions in the front for you to mount a disk drive or card reader.

The included 300W power supply adds so much to what we thought couldn’t get any better.

Although 300W is fairly miniscule in most computers, the 300W should be all you need for an APU gaming machine or a home theatre HTPC.

Even using a low profile graphics card such as the GT 1030 Low Profile only sucks round 30W of power which is no problem for this PSU.

The IN-WIN BL631 is an awesome slim Micro ATX case. It’s compact with good airflow and it boasts a good-looking desisgn too.

This case is quite a weird one. Every case has its qwerk, and the Nanoxia Rexgear 1 is no exception.

Its horizontal mounting solution and fan control knobs are just a couple of its oddities.

The fan control knobs situated on the front panel IO and are able to control a maximum of six simultaneous fans, which also happens to be the maximum amount of fans the case supports.

However, they don’t have support for PWM fans, so don’t bet on hooking up all those brand new LED fans to your rig.

Horizontal mounting always allows for more space and it just so happens that its one of the Rexgear’s main draws.

The Rexgear’s horizontal mounting gives a much greater range of support for different graphics card sizes and places your GPU right against the side panel window for your viewing pleasure.

The full length power supply support is also a welcome addition.

This case gives the PSU some loving with a dedicated dust filter, rubber vibration pads, and a PSU bracket.

In addition, airflow is no issue in this case as it has its own specialized exhaust system.

Its six 120mm fan support makes sure you have air going in and out at a healthy rate, and the top of the case has an adjustable set of exhaust fans that look pretty cool when extended as well.

The toolless hard drive mount makes it easy to swap drives – in fact, the entire cage is removable.

It supports up to three 3.5” drives and still leaves a large amount of much needed cable management space.

Building in the Rexgear 1 will probably be one of the easiest experiences you could ask for, thanks to its removable motherboard tray which allows you to easily mount your board outside of the case.

This case reels in its fanbase with its perfection in the majority of categories by looking great, performing great, and costing… well, great!

The Q300L boasts a front panel IO fit for a multitude of positionings, making sure that no matter where or how you place it you can always reach all your front buttons and plugs.

Its slightly larger size allows for a much larger list of GPU sizes. This case also includes a full acrylic side panel window.

It’s not as amazing as a real tempered glass side panel, but the view of your beastly components is still pretty cool.

In addition, while supporting up to a full ATX power supply, the Q300L also brandishes gigantic magnetic dust filters on both the top and front of the case – you’ll have no trouble with dust while still getting the best view out of your system. No more dusty parts!

This case really has it all for an affordable price.

Finally we are discussing this joke. We’d only recommend this case if you’re on a tight budget.

Even then, it’s probably worth saving a bit more for a better case.

In all seriousness, this case is the worst thing I’ve ever had the misfortune of handling.

The only good thing about this thing is its price.

The Rosewill FBM-05 is the cheapest Micro ATX case you can get on Amazon.

It does not excel in any category.

The only situation in which you should find yourself purchasing the Rosewill FBM-05 is at the lowest point in your life or if handing it off to someone you don’t particularly enjoy the company of.

The airflow is somehow worse than that of a cardboard box, and it manages to reach a level of flimsiness only thought possible by the government of Venezuela.

Its power button isn’t even satisfying to press!

At least it has audio jacks and a single front USB 3.0 port.

We honestly implore you to never consider yourself a part of the PC community if you earnestly consider using this case for anything other than high tier memery. You will be shunned.

The Air 240 is about 40% smaller than its bigger brother, the Corsair Carbide Air 540. It fits mATX and mITX motherboards while maintaining the dual-chamber design.

On the front panle you’ll find the front IO with a power/reset switch, headphone/microphone jacks, and two USB 3.0 ports along with a hard drive activity LED. The buttons are well-made and crisp, giving both a good audible and tacticle feedback.

The rear of the case is loaded with thumbscrews, because you can remove all of the panels from the case (top, side, bottom) effectively turning the case into a makeshift test bench. This feature is awesome and makes the case way easier to work with.

On the left side you’ll find a window that displays your components, and thanks to the dual-chamber design there isn’t much to worry about in the way of cable management, since they’re all living in the second chamber.

The right side panel has an externally mounted fan filter protecting the dual 120mm fan configuration, providing airflow to the hidden chamber of the case, yet another awesome feature.

Lastly, the bottom of the case has enough room for three 120mm fans. All in all, the Air 240 lives up to its reputation. Featuring great airflow, an outstanding design and good looks, you can’t go wrong with the Air 240 (assuming your budget can accomodate this expensive case!)