Intro: Expensive vs Budget PC Cases
PC cases come in all shapes and sizes. You have your budget PC cases, your expensive PC cases, and everything in between. So, which one is right for you? That all depends on your needs and your budget. In this blog post, we will take a look at expensive vs budget PC cases and the pros and cons of both so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
We will also be recommending a few cases in each bracket so they can be on your radar when building or upgrading your gaming system, and highlighting some pros and cons for each one.
Let’s crack into it and ask the question – is it worth buying an expensive PC case over a budget one?
Budget PC Cases
Budget PC cases are great for those who are looking to save money. They are typically made of cheaper materials and don’t have all the bells and whistles that expensive PC cases have. However, they can still do a great job of protecting your components and keeping your PC cool. Budget PC cases are also typically lighter and easier to move around, which can be a big plus if you’re constantly changing your PC’s location.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of a budget PC case:
Pros of a budget PC case:
- The costs stay low, meaning you can allocate funds towards more vital parts of the system.
- They are typically made of lighter materials, so they’re easier to move around.
- They are much better in value than their expensive counterparts.
Cons of a budget PC case:
- The build quality is not as good as more expensive cases, meaning your system could be more susceptible to damage.
- They often have less space for expansion and customizability, such as extra drive spaces or space for huge graphics cards.
- Oftentimes the design of cheap cases is hard to work around when building a system vs better designed, more expensive cases.
Corsair’s Carbide series of gaming PC cases has done nothing but impress. With multiple color options, different full ATX motherboard specification setups, and great build quality. All whilst being at a competitive and budget-friendly price point.
The specific model we’re recommending for a budget build, which also features RGB we know and love as gamers, is the SPEC DELTA RGB variation. Included with this case are 3 frontal 120mm RGB cooling fans. Combined with the frameless darkened acrylic side panel, this case looks incredible.
When it comes to ease-of-use, the Carbide Series SPEC-DELTA has a full-length PSU cover to hide all cables, as well as 2x 3.5″ storage trays, a 2.5″ tray and a 2.5″ SSD mount. Plenty of options for a budget build.
Overall, this case comes with the Corsair build quality, a great price point and a sleek design. Checking all the boxes for budget-friendly PC cases in our book.
The Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L is another incredibly budget-friendly option when it comes to good value PC cases. We have chosen another Cooler Master case as they offer better build quality and features at this price point compared to other brands.
The Q500L has compatibility for a full ATX motherboard, 2 storage caddies that can be configured to hold 4x 2.5″ drives, 2x 3.5″ drives or 2x 2.5″ + a 3.5″ drive. There is plenty of space for cable management, and the PSU bracket can be moved depending on which size board you choose.
This case is compact. And we mean that in the best way possible. The overall size of this case, yet still having good cable management channels, makes for a hassle-free build. With a pre-installed rear 120mm fan and room for 2 more front 120mm fans, magnetic dust filters which can be removed and a slick-looking acrylic side panel – you can’t go wrong picking up this case for a budget gaming build.
The Cooler Master MasterBox NR600 is one of our top choices when it comes to great value PC cases. Cooler Master has been tried and tested over the years, becoming a major brand to be trusted when it comes to PC cases and cooling.
The NR600 is clean and sleek and does exactly what it says on the can. Coming with 2x 120mm fans pre-installed, full ATX motherboard compatibility and a nice tempered glass side panel – and the option to optionally purchase the NR600 with an ODD (Optical Disk Drive) is fantastic. With ample storage expansion possibilities due to the case having room for 5x 2.5″ drives and 4x 3.5″ drives, this case can support any build.
There’s no RGB lighting, the top IO has only a couple of USB slots, but overall this case is reliable, has good airflow and looks tidy – which at this price point is everything you could ask for.
Expensive PC Cases
Expensive PC cases are made of higher quality materials and usually come with more features. They are also typically heavier and more difficult to move around. However, they offer better protection for your components and can help to keep your PC cooler. Expensive PC cases also tend to have more space for customizing your PC’s look, as well as having more quality-of-life features when installing PC components.
Pros of an expensive PC case:
- The build quality is much better, meaning your system will be more protected from damage.
- They offer more space for expansion and customizability. – Usually having multiple drive slots and good cable management.
- They tend to look sleeker, more professional, and have much more quality-of-life features such as removable panels and easy-to-access compartments.
Cons of an expensive PC case:
- The costs are higher, meaning you potentially have less money to allocate towards other parts of the system.
- They are typically made of heavier materials, so they’re more difficult to move around.
- The value of an expensive PC case can quickly plateau, especially if you’re not going to use the extra features an expensive case provides.
The Corsair Obsidian series is a huge step up from their Carbide series of cases. Featuring smoked tempered glass which covers all 3 sides of the tower, the 500D is incredibly beautiful. Combined with some sleek RGB lighting and tidy cable management, there aren’t many cases which can compete for the tidiest looking tower.
We believe the Obsidian Series 500D is the best value before plateauing in features. For example, the Obsidian Series 1000D is absolutely gorgeous, but for double the price and being functionally identical to the 500D, we don’t feel it’s worth it.
The 500D comes with 3 front 120mm RGB fans which come with an integrated lighting controller inside the case. It has removable fan and radiator trays, making cleaning and installation of fans and radiators a piece of cake. The case also has enough storage for 2x 3.5″ HDDs and 3x 2.5″ SSDs, with cable routing made simple throughout the back motherboard tray and PSU case.
Overall, the Obsidian Series 500D is an incredible case made out of the best build quality Corsair has to offer. It does come in a little heavier than a lot of cases at just shy of 26 pounds (11.7kg)
The NZXT H701i was built from the ground up with PC builders in mind. The H710i has been stacked full of quality-of-life features from vertical GPU mounts to stylish cable management channels running throughout the case. If you’re looking for a truly custom-built case such as a pure white build, to water-cooling focused, to full RGB throughout – then the H710i may just be what you’re looking for.
NZXT is known for making extremely solid cases. The build quality is top notch and the design from aesthetics to airflow has been well thought out. The case has 2x 360mm radiator locations and seven 120/140mm case fan mounts. It also comes with huge storage capacity featuring a 3+1 3.5″ HDD cage as well as five 2.5″ drive trays.
The H710i is a very modern case, having both USB 3.1 and USB-C connectors integrated inside of the case. Full ATX motherboard support, air filters to catch all the dust and great sound dampening due to the minimalist design makes this case top tier. Although it’s heavy, this case is full of value, features and quality-of-life features which will make building your dream system a breeze.
If you’re looking to make a silent PC build, then look no further than the be quiet! Silent Base 802. This case has thought of it all when it comes to creating an extreme airflow build without the noise. Unlike the other cases on this list, the Silent Base 802 comes pre-installed with 3x 140mm Pure Wings 2 silent fans. This, on top of the sound-dampening features in every square inch of this case, make for a great platform to build a silent system.
The Silent Base 802 has interchangeable front and top panels, allowing you to optimize your build however you see fit. The case comes with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C connectors and a smart fan controller integrated into the Smart I/O. With a tempered glass window, very clever PSU shroud which contains a double HDD cage and a motherboard tray which can be decoupled and installed inverted or used as a test bench – the Silent Base 802 is rammed full of great features.
Although this case is heavy, coming in at 28.2 pounds (12.7kg), it is an amazing, sleek, and well-thought-out case if you’re not too fussed about RGB and want a case capable of being quiet, yet optimized for airflow. Overall, you can’t go wrong with such a solid case, and be quiet! has quite the reputation for being a premium brand.
Comparison
| PC Case | Value ★ | Size ★ | Weight ★ | Features ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-DELTA RGB | 4.5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L | 5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Cooler Master MasterBox NR600 | 3.5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Corsair Obsidian Series 500D RGB | 3.5 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| NZXT H710i | 4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| be quiet! Silent Base 802 | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 2.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Conclusion: Expensive vs Budget PC cases - Is It Worth It?
So, which is right for you? An expensive PC case or a cheaper one? That all depends on your needs and your budget. If you’re looking for the best protection for your components and the best possible cooling, then an expensive PC case is the way to go. However, if you’re looking to save money and you don’t need all the bells and whistles, then a budget PC case is a great option.
At the end of the day, it can simply be down to personal preference. Are you making an RGB-focused build? The cheapest rig possible? A water-cooled beast or an entirely white PC system? If so, don’t forget to check out our best budget PC builds of 2022.
Maybe you just like the look of a particular case and are willing to spend the extra for it. Each of which are completely valid reasons for choosing an expensive PC case over a budget one.
Do you have any questions about PC cases? Let us know in the comments below! Or check out our other PC guides.
Thanks for reading and Happy Gaming!
-The Esports Maps Team.
