You generally have to make a few compromises when you build a small computer.  Full sized ATX cases are so versatile.  Their size makes them easy to work with.  There is such a large range of cases to choose from, but they are big, bulky and cumbersome and if you have a small apartment, and need more than one computer, they take up too much real estate.  Micro-ATX has awesome potential and you can learn to work around its limitations.  Take a moment, sit back and relax and enjoy our top three high-end micro-ATX cases.

Criteria for selection included being large enough to house at least a full-sized graphics card, mount a full-sized power supply, and look fabulous.

 First Place:  Lian-Li PCV300

The winner, by a nose, or rather by $100 was the Lian-Li PCV300.  Lian-Li make some great products; they were one of first names in high quality PC case manufacturing.  The PC-V300 is no exception.  It has some innovative features, including two 5.25 inch side mount drive bays.  You can switch them to either side.  It does of course hold a full sized ATX power supply.  It has two internal 3.5s as standard in most good micro-ATX cases.  While we think that the Thermaltake Lanbox had a slight edge in the looks department, the Lian-Li crushed both competitors on price.  This is an extremely affordable, high quality PC case, well worth the money. 

Price: $100

 Source: Boxgods

Second Place: Thermaltake LANBOX

What is not to like about this beast? The Thermaltake LANBOX is small, comes completely apart and can pack all of the punch of a bigger case.  The size is big enough for two video cards.  It has a 7 inch drive bay and a 3.5 inch drive bay on the outside.  The 7 inch bay can be converted very easily to a 5.25.  Two internal 3.5 inch drive bays should allow enough Hard Disk space.  As a bonus, the 7 inch bay can hold an optional LCD monitor.  It is designed with airflow in mind.  It is extremely well laid out for such a compact case.  The Thermaltake LANBOX  is very portable.  The aluminum handle makes it easy to carry.  Handles often look tacky, but not on this case.  On looks, the Thermaltake LANBOX had the edge, but at $60 more than a very attractive Lian-Li, it was hard to justify the extra expense. 

Price: $160

Third Place: Silverstone SG03

The Silverstone SG03 finished in third place.  We loved its styling and its practicality.  On the outside, it has two drive bays, one 5.25 inch and one 3.5 inch.  Internally there are two 3.5-inch drives to house your HDDs.  It takes a full sized ATX power supply that can be mounted in different directions.  We loved the aggressive front grill.  For a stay at home system, it is superb.

Silverstone also sell power supplies with short cables that are better suited to micro-ATX cases.  If you get a Silverstone  SG03, do watch that your fan does not exceed 78mm in height.  The Silverstone lost out because, it lacked the portability of the other cases.  While it looks great, there are plenty of great looking ATX cases at the same price.  The mini-tower style is a little old.

Price: $155

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