The affordable PC case showdown: build your next PC in style with these ASUS chassis options

Too often, budget PC cases force you to accept compromises. Some of the cheap chassis options out there skimp on materials, versatility, and style, leaving you with disappointment and scraped-up knuckles for your trouble. But you don’t have to break the bank to get a good-looking case that delivers an easy PC building experience. The ASUS lineup includes a variety of affordable PC case options that deliver all the essentials — and sweeten the deal with more luxuries than you might expect.

Small size, big ambitions: the ASUS Prime AP201 PC case

We’ll kick off this list with a well-established favorite: the ASUS Prime AP201. This microATX case stands out for how neatly it wraps up optimized cooling and wide component support in a compact design that’s easy to build in.

Its 33L size puts it into a lovely middle ground between full-size towers and small-form-factor (SFF) cases. It claims less of your desktop space, making it an easy fit for dorm rooms and apartments. You’ll need a microATX motherboard (or smaller) for this chassis, but you’ll have the elbow room for large graphics cards, a top-mounted 360mm radiator, standard ATX PSUs, and beefy CPU air coolers. That interior space also allows for an open pathway for airflow — and a 32mm-wide cable management compartment, too.

Like all the cases in this lineup, the ASUS Prime AP201 is available in both white and black variants, with color-matched internal cables. For an additional layer of choice, you can also select between models with a tempered glass side panel for an eye-catching view and models with a quasi-filter mesh side panel for bolstered airflow. Prices vary a bit depending on the option you select but top out at a very attainable $84.99 (USD). It’s no wonder that this affordable PC case is favorite in the small-form-factor PC building community.

An affordable PC case with a panoramic view: the ASUS A31 PC case

Panoramic PC cases are extremely popular right now. Deploying not one but two tempered glass side panels, this design ensures an unimpeded view of your PC building efforts from a much wider range of angles. While panoramic cases tend to be on the expensive side, the just-launched ASUS A31 PC case makes the design available to much wider audiences.

The ASUS A31 draws all eyes to your carefully selected components with its dual tempered glass panels, one on the front and one on the side. Careful engineering and rigid materials allow us to omit the front pillar for a nearly seamless perspective into your PC. The lid of the base compartment is angled at 8° for a touch of personality — and to better showcase any ARGB fans that you might install there.

We anticipate that you’ll want to keep this chassis up on top of your desk so that you can enjoy the view, so we keep the front I/O panel convenient by placing it at the bottom of the front panel. The front-facing connectivity selection includes a USB 20Gbps Type-C port ready to provide high-speed and versatile access to peripherals and storage drives.

Since so much of your case’s internal space will be visible with the ASUS A31, we give you lots of options for keeping cables organized and out of sight. A 34mm-wide cable management compartment behind the motherboard keeps cables tucked away and tidy. The motherboard tray also includes the necessary cutouts for compatibility with our BTF gear. BTF motherboards have their headers and ports on the rear of the board rather than the front, allowing you to keep nearly all of your wires completely hidden.

As a mid-tower chassis, the A31 is a bit larger than the AP201, but that additional volume brings some welcome component flexibility. Notably, you’ll be able to install an ATX motherboard in this case, so you’ll have your pick from almost any motherboard out there, monster EATX options excepted. The A31 supports graphics cards up to 380mm in length, allowing you to install even the top-of-the-line and admittedly large ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 with a couple centimeters to spare. Today’s AIO CPU liquid cooler lineups are increasingly including options with thicker radiators and larger fans, so we provide an extra-tall 80mm of clearance up top for radiators.

Like the AP201, the A31 is available in two versions, each with white and black variants. If you’d prefer to select your own case fans, go for the barebones ASUS A31, available for only $79.99 (USD). For convenience, you might prefer the ASUS A31 Plus, which ships with four pre-installed ARGB fans and carries an MSRP of just $113.77 (USD).

Natural elegance meets effortless airflow: the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition

The straightforward black or white colorways of the other chassis options in this list make them easy to coordinate with a wide range of components. But perhaps you’re looking for a boldly different aesthetic direction. Take a look at the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition – Tempered Glass Panel.

Inspired by minimalist Scandinavian furniture design, the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition integrates long wooden elements into the front panel for a distinct look inspired by nature. The wood for this panel goes through a six-stage process, including a thermowood treatment where we shape and refine each piece of wood to perfection, then follow up with a two-step coating process that highlights the natural appearance of the wood grain while also applying a low-sheen finish. This produces a front panel that’s durable, artistically inspired, professional, and minimalist, perfect for that lifestyle aesthetic where you want taste without distraction.

Great out-of-the-box cooling empowers you to deck out your ProArt PA401 Wood Edition build with premium components. The case’s cooling power starts with its open-grille front panel, which provides unimpeded air intake for the dual 160 x 32mm intake fans. Those unique ring fans’ blades deliver up to 138CFM of airflow. Larger volumes of air keep your components cool without excess noise, ensuring your machine remains at healthy temperatures regardless of how demanding your workflow gets. The preinstalled 120mm rear fan exhausts heat for an effective cooling loop. To give you maximum control, the case’s front panel features an integrated PWM control so you can switch your desktop’s fan mode with a single input.

On top of its minimalist style and potent cooling, the ProArt PA401 Wood Edition offers a host of conveniences that you don’t always find at its mainstream price point. You’ll get a tempered glass side panel, a front-panel USB 20Gbps Type-C port, a locking latch for the power button, an integrated PWM fan hub with support for five fans, easy PSU installation with a detachable rear bracket, rear-panel cable clips, and more. And this affordable PC case can be yours for a very reasonable $119.99 (USD) MSRP.

An affordable PC case for newcomers: the TUF Gaming GT302

One of our favorite PC cases to recommend to new builders is the TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB. This mid-tower chassis checks all the boxes. It’s roomy enough that you can install large graphics cards and wide EATX motherboards without any fuss, yet it maintains a lean exterior so that it can fit on a wide range of desks. It offers powerful and quiet cooling, too. The front panel is constructed of a wide-open, high-porosity square-type mesh that leaves more than enough room for fresh air to enter your PC. Four pre-installed and extra-thick 140x28mm fans deliver high airflow and static pressure, and there’s ample room up top for a large liquid cooling radiator up to 360mm.

The TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB streamlines your build process with a large range of conveniences. Tool-free side panels make it easy to open this affordable PC case and get to work. You’ll get a roomy 37mm-wide cable management compartment equipped with a cable grommet bar that includes three large built-in straps. A unified header takes the hassle out of connecting to the front I/O panel. On top of all that, you get support for BTF motherboards, versatile storage drive bays, and a detachable top panel that eases the installation of liquid cooling radiators.

The TUF Gaming GT302’s solid yet unassuming style only adds to its value proposition. Its regular geometry and clean lines give it a straightforward aesthetic that’s easy to match with just about any components on the market. The TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB is available in either black or white. Unlike some competing white models, which use the same wires and cables as their black counterparts, this PC case uses white cables for the case fans and front I/O so that you can enjoy a harmonious, unified look from the start of your build.

All told, the TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB has a lot to offer for its $149.99 (USD) price tag. This affordable PC case delivers great out-of-the-box cooling, build-streamlining features, sturdy, good looks, and everyday conveniences cater to mainstream builders looking for long-term value.