Guides

Case Guide

Your case determines what fits, how it cools, and what it looks like for the life of the machine. It deserves more thought than most builders give it.

Form Factor

ATX Mid-Tower is the sweet spot for most builds — fits standard ATX motherboards, most GPU lengths, and common cooling setups. Full Tower (E-ATX) for HEDT or multi-GPU. Micro-ATX for compact builds. The Nighthawk 2.0 is our own EE-ATX chassis — the world's smallest case that fits literally any part.

Airflow vs. Aesthetics

Cases with mesh fronts move significantly more air than those with solid panels. If you're running a high-TDP GPU or multiple drives, prioritize airflow. If the machine is in a visible location, glass panels and RGB are available without sacrificing too much cooling.

GPU Clearance

High-end GPUs in 2026 (RTX 5090, RX 9070 XT) are physically large. Verify the case's maximum GPU length before ordering. The RTX 5090 in some configurations needs 360mm+ clearance.

Drive Bays

If you're planning more than 2-3 hard drives, check the bay count. Many modern cases have eliminated 3.5" bays entirely in favor of SSD mounting. For storage-heavy builds, plan accordingly.

Radiator Support

If you're running a 360mm AIO, confirm the case supports it in your preferred mounting position (front or top). Some cases only support 240mm in certain positions.


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