Fractal Design Meshify C
100,000 Hour Life Expectancy
Angular Mesh Front Panel
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
Versatile Liquid Cooling
RGB Lighting
Airflow has been a key consideration in choosing the right case to fit your next computer build over the past few decades. Cooling is becoming more important as technology advances in power. It doesn’t matter if you’re building a gaming computer or a workstation; keeping your new components cool should always be your top priority when building a computer.
With so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to find the right case for you. It can be difficult to find the right thermals for you. There are not many options available.
We have done all the work for you. We have compiled a list of the top and best open air PC cases with good airflow. Each case falls into a particular niche or price range. Each case will be reviewed in detail and explained why it is worthy of inclusion in the ‘best of’ list.
Let’s take a look at the best open air Case 2023.
Top 5 Open Air Cases for Maximum Airflow | A Quick Glance
| Ranking | Best Open Air Cases for Maximum Airflow | Reviews |
| 1. | Phanteks P400A | 5 out of 5 |
| 2. | Fractal Design Meshify C | 5 out of 5 |
| 3. | Cooler Master Cosmos C700M | 4 out of 5 |
| 4. | NZXT H1 | 4 out of 5 |
| 5. | Cooler Master NR600 | 4 out of 5 |
Top 5 Open Air Cases for Maximum Airflow | Detailed Review
1. Phanteks P400A
Phanteks is synonymous with cooling products for your computer. Phanteks has many fans to meet the needs of users. The Phanteks P400A is our best open air pc case. This case is simple in design but very elegant and efficient.
The Phanteks P400A case is a mid-tower ATX size for your computer. There are three options available: one in black without RGB and one with RGB fans. The last is white with RGB fans. It measures 470 x 465 mm. The front features a full-metal mesh and three 120mm fans. You can also find additional USB ports at the top of the control panel.
The Phanteks P400A has plenty of room to store any upgrades. This case is a long-term investment. E-ATX motherboards can also be installed. The Phanteks P400A is capable of housing two HDDs, two SSDs, & four optical drives. It also includes brackets and mounts to hold the GPU or HDD.
The top panel of the mesh has a magnetic filter. This captures dust particles and filters out air. It’s also very easy to clean, so it’s an added bonus. There are many alternatives to the Phanteks P400A that cost less. This case is a great choice for anyone looking for a case with efficient airflow. The Phanteks P400A open air case is affordable and a great investment to ensure your computer has the right airflow.
2. Fractal Design Meshify C
There are many benefits to using this open air PC case. There are some that excel in one area more than others. This is evident when a case that looks very gaming-like but does not have enough real estate for airflow can be used. Fractal Design Meshify C is an excellent example of this. This case not only features a great airflow design but also has graphics that will make you feel like a gamer.
Fractal Design Meshify C has an all-black design that we have never seen before. The all-black design allows it to blend with almost any gaming setup. However, white cases are becoming more popular so you might want to reconsider this. The Fractal Design Meshify C case is compact but well-designed and does not hesitate to be a sturdy case.
The tempered glass panel on the side is the current norm. If you prefer a solid panel, there is also an option. The filter’s front is made of angular mesh that allows for easy cleaning and maximizes airflow. Two 120mm fans are included with the Fractal Design Meshify C to provide even more cooling. Fractal Design Meshify C offers additional benefits due to the extra space you get with this case. There are five storage options: 3 SSD & 2 HDD. Many are concerned about the size and compatibility of the RTX 3000 GPU.
This GPU has a maximum length of 315mm. You’ll still have space for water cooling or additional fans. The Fractal Design Meshify C has one minor drawback. It doesn’t have RGB lights. Although you may need to purchase a separate RGB strip, the Fractal Design Meshify C ticks all the boxes, including the price.
3. Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
2. Brand ‎Cooler Master
3. Weight 52.5 lbs
Cooler Master is the name that comes up as the third-best open air PC case for good airflow. The Cooler Master Cosmos C700M looks like a gaming PC in the 1990s. The Cosmos C700M has a very gamey look. Its flashy design and unique looks make it stand out. The large interior makes it the best large case for airflow.
The Cooler Master Cosmos C700M is a great-looking device with its handle-like probes at the top and vertical RGB stripes at the bottom and front. The Cosmos C700M’s side has a tempered panel made of glass that can be easily opened. The glass is not secured and is held in place by hinges that can be opened, much like a door.
The buttons and ports can be found on the front top. These include four USB ports, one USB 3.1 port & a headphone port. There are also traditional reset and power buttons. It is worth praising the Cosmos C700M’s design, build quality and efficiency. Although it looks like a dual PC case, it’s not. The Cosmos C700M also has lots of space. It can hold even the largest range of components.
It can hold motherboards up to E-ATX size and has enough space for additional components. There is not enough space inside to support efficient airflow, even though there are mesh panels. It is very attractive, but there are some flaws. It is expensive and might seem excessive for a simple PC case. The Cosmos C700M open air case is great & affordable. The case is spacious and offers many storage options. It has a cool appearance, but it might not be the best choice for everyone. You will need additional fans to ensure efficient airflow, and it costs more.
4. NZXT H1
NZXT is one of the most well-known names in the PC case industry. They have a number of the best PC cases that they collaborate with big brands like Ninja. This has made them a household name for having some of the most minimalistic cases on the market. The NZXT H1 is a slightly different version of the NZXT.
NZXT’s H1 PC case, which is small enough to fit mini-ITX boards, is ideal. It is NZXT and has a simple but attractive design. You can attach the front panel with screws. All three sides use mesh panels. This allows air to flow easily and helps keep temperatures down. It includes a pre-installed PCIe Riser Card and pre-routed power cables. This makes the installation and management of cables much simpler. This case comes in black & white.
There are three USB-C ports on the top. The USB 3.1 port is at the bottom. A headphone jack and a power button can be found on the top. Because this is a small case, you have limited options. As more air is pushed in from all directions, the mesh panels are able to keep temperatures down.
All of these features have a price. The NZXT case’s price is quite high, which may make people wonder if it is worth the investment. There aren’t many small-form ITX builds, especially in gaming. NZXT is a great choice because it covers all bases and offers a mini ITX case. The H1 is the most compact case for airflow in a PC. This case is simple in design. The unique design is the main reason this case will be chosen. This is a great choice if you are able to bear the cost.
We Believe you are a Gaming Enthusiast, You Might like Best Unique PC Cases
5. Cooler Master NR600
Cooler Master is a name that’s easy to mention when talking about the best PC cases. Cooler Master is an expert in this field and has a long list of outstanding products. Cooler Master’s budget case, the NR600, is our last of the open air PC cases with good airflow. Although it isn’t a unique case, it’s still an excellent one.
The Cooler Master NR600 is a unique design. This is a proven design that works well for many cases and can be used for NR600. The main construction material is an all-black, steel casing. The front panel is made of a mesh metal panel that supports three fans.
The mesh allows for only clean air to be brought in, which is then taken in by fans. You can also remove the filter from the top mesh plate. The ports are located on the top of the cooler master NR600 and are easy to access. The Cooler Master NR600 has enough room to fit any GPU you want. The Cooler Master NR600 case has ample room for future upgrades. Both the front and back have support for fans or radiators in 120/140, 240mm, and 240mm forms.
It fits easily in ATX motherboards. The Cooler Master is lacking RGB lighting and the front fans feel very strange. The fans can make it a bit annoying and the noise can be a bit irritating.
Cooler Master NR600 PC cases are perfect for budget builders. The Cooler Master NR600 is affordable and offers all the benefits of a good PC case. The design allows for efficient cooling. Additionally, the top features a dual-headphone jack for audio & microphone. The NR600 is easy to understand and appreciate, making it a great case for PCs. We believe that the NR600 open air PC case with the highest airflow is the best value on the market due to its outstanding price to performance ratio.
Factors to Watch Out For Best Open Air Case
Fan Sizes & Mounts
Fan mounts are available in two sizes for the best open air PC cases: 120 mm or 140 mm. These are the measurements of the fan’s four sides. Although 120mm fans are the most common, 140mm fans can also be very useful. Noise is the main reason you should choose a 140mm fan over a 120mm fan. Larger fans can move more air at a lower noise than smaller fans. However, 120mm fans are still the most efficient in terms of airflow performance.
Solid Material
This is the most detrimental for airflow. While a solid front panel might look nice, if there are no vents on the chassis to allow for airflow, your airflow and temperatures will suffer. Do not purchase a case that has a solid front panel if performance and airflow are your main concerns.
Solid Ventilation
Similar to the above, but better. Manufacturers have begun to use this technique to compromise between performance and aesthetics as more people are aware that solid front panels can block airflow. This can be achieved by creating a large gap between intake fans and glass, which is usually covered by a dust filter. Vents mounted on the sides or full-on side fans mounts might be an option.
Perforated Metal
This is an interesting option and one that has been increasing in popularity with Cooler Master cases. Although it isn’t the most efficient option, it is certainly better than a solid front panel. This is a good compromise between aesthetics and performance. However, perforated metal may not be as pleasing to the eye for everyone.
Mesh
It is best to just take off your front panel. Mesh is a great option because it prevents air from getting blocked in any place and only requires minimal fan power to pull air through. Mesh’s excellent airflow performance makes it our preferred choice for cases. Third-party testing also confirms that it is the best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is open case airflow beneficial?
Contrary to popular belief, closed-case PC cases are more dusty than open-air ones. This is because there are more corners and gaps. Open air cases, on the other hand, allow airflow through without obstructions so dust is less likely to get stuck inside.
Q2. Do open air case provide better cooling?
Keeping the ventilation grills at the bottom of the case clean can prevent dust from collecting on the vents without compromising airflow or temperature. Also, keeping your room clean in general can help prevent other problems besides overheating components. Therefore, open cases are not better at cooling.
Q3. Is there a way to increase the airflow in my case?
The case should allow air to flow in a straight line. The case fans should be located in the front of the case to draw in air, while the fans at either the rear or back blow out air. Vents located at the top of your case should be used as exhaust fans to prevent hot air from rising.
Q4. What is the optimal number of fans to install?
It all depends on your budget and aesthetic preferences. However, fans with more fans will generally provide a cooler environment. Fans can have diminishing returns. If you have 3 fan options, 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan is the best price-to-performance ratio. You will also have positive pressure in the case, which will reduce dust buildup and increase your temperature. This configuration will allow you to increase your temperature by installing 3 intake fans & 3 exhaust fans.
Q5. How are the GPU & CPU affected by airflow?
Your GPU and CPU have their own coolers but they still need cool air to get the best results. You can ensure that both components receive the cool air they require to reach peak cooling performance by using a positive pressure configuration. They will be able to run faster clock speeds and for longer periods of time, which will result in an insignificant improvement in performance.
Q6. Does the fan RPM make a difference?
Although fan RPM can have an effect on performance and acoustics, it is not enough to worry most consumers. The fan RPM of your case determines the pressure in your case. This is true regardless of whether the intake fans are the same number as the exhaust fans. Fans with higher RPM ceilings have the ability to move more air. This can help in thermal performance. However, this comes at the cost of acoustics. When it comes to fan RPM and the number of fans, it is a delicate balance.
