5 Best Inverted PC Cases in 2023
Have you ever heard of inverted PC cases? They are becoming increasingly popular among PC enthusiasts, but what are they exactly?
Inverted PC cases are designed to have the motherboard and other components mounted upside down compared to traditional PC cases. This means that the GPU and other expansion cards are mounted vertically, which can improve airflow and cooling.
Typically, regular PC cases come equipped with a window on their left side panel and a vertical motherboard setup that features a horizontally mounted GPU located beneath the CPU socket. On the other hand, an inverted PC case has a motherboard configuration that places the GPU at the top and the CPU at the bottom.
If you are curious to learn more about inverted PC cases, we have got you covered. In this article, we will delve into the benefits of using an inverted PC case, the various types available, and some of the best-inverted PC cases on the market.
We have also consulted with renowned PC building expert, Linus Sebastian, to provide you with expert opinions and insights. So, without any further ado, let’s jump into the world of inverted PC cases and explore this exciting trend in the PC building community!
Lian-Li O11 Dynamic EVO
The Lian Li O11D EVO is an exceptional choice for users who want a PC case that offers flexibility in orientation and visibility of their system. The case design allows the user to flip the top and bottom panels for an upside-down or traditional orientation.
However, this unique design may not be suitable for modest builds that require more coverage. It will require the user to have good system-planning and cable-routing skills.
The case has a tempered glass side that matches the face and a plain side that comes in a choice of anodized black, painted white, or Harbor Gray. The front panel section can fit into three corners of the chassis, and it includes USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, and a combo audio jack. The power, reset, and RGB control buttons are designed for access from only two positions.
The chassis has three 120mm radiator mounts, on the top, bottom, and side, with the last well-aligned with the metal panel’s forward vent holes. It has side-by-side compartments that make room for the motherboard tray to fold toward the power supply compartment.
A hard drive bracket between the side radiator and power supply bracket is designed to clear the inward edges of longer power supply bodies. The case can hold power supplies up to 220mm deep, and there is additional space behind the bracket for the power supply and protruding cables.
In summary, the Lian Li O11D EVO offers exceptional flexibility and visibility, making it a top choice for users who want a unique and stylish case design. The case design may not be suitable for modest builds, and it requires good system-planning and cable-routing skills.
The chassis has excellent cooling configurations and side-by-side compartments that make cable management more manageable. Overall, the Lian Li O11D EVO is an excellent choice for users who want a PC case with superior flexibility and exceptional features.
Also Read: Minimalistic design PC cases
Seasonic Syncro Q704
The Seasonic Syncro Q704 is a bold and stylish computer chassis that features a unique and interesting design. The solid steel frame and clean glass window give it a sleek and modern appearance, while the aluminium front allows for plenty of airflow. The chassis is well-built and feels sturdy, which is impressive for a first iteration.
The Seasonic Syncro Q704 also boasts a number of features that make it practical and convenient to use. The solid aluminium piece on the bottom edge of the chassis holds the window in place, making it secure during transportation.
The dust filter can be easily removed for cleaning, and the front cover can be taken off to reveal the three 120 or 140 mm fan positions. The chassis is also compatible with the Connect PSU system, but can still be used with a classic ATX variant for traditional builds.
However, the inverted motherboard layout may limit some users, particularly when it comes to installing a radiator setup, which could make it harder to reach the connections on the edge of the board. Additionally, Seasonic has done away with USB 2.0 ports, opting for USB 3.0 and a USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C plugs instead.
Overall, the Seasonic Syncro Q704 is an impressive and stylish computer chassis that boasts a number of practical features. While the inverted motherboard layout may not be suitable for all users, the chassis is well-built and feels sturdy, and the dust filter and front cover can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.
The USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C plugs are a nice touch, and the chassis is compatible with the Connect PSU system for added convenience.
Segotep Phoenix T1
The Segotep Phoenix is a mid-tower ATX case that comes with some interesting features. This case is designed to sit on the left side of your desk, and the IO is rotated from the rear to the top of the case.
The RGB strip is located on the left side of the front panel, running down the side along the edge of the glass, which allows the effect of the full glass panel on the front, taking light in the etched areas.
The tempered glass panel can be easily removed by loosening two thumb screws located in the rear and lifting the door away. The Segotep Phoenix has plenty of cable routing options and allows you to put up to 3x120mm or 2x140mm fans in the front.
The Segotep Phoenix is equipped with full 2×120/140mm fans and/or a 240/280mm AIO on the back panel, which is not traditional with most cases. The front panel I/O consists of a power button, front panel RGB control, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, headphone and microphone jacks.
The filter on the front panel is held in by two tabs on the right side and two magnets on the left. The filter can swing aside or just be removed completely for fan installation. The IO access panel lifts up from the front of the case to reveal the IO of the motherboard as well as the GPU.
The Segotep Phoenix comes with two air filters: one at the front and another at the bottom of the case, situated under the power supply zone to allow clean fresh air through your power supply’s own ecosystem.
The case has six storage drive bays with two dedicated 2.5″ bays and two 3.5″ bays with an additional 2.5″ mounting spot each. This means you can mount a 3.5″ HDD and a 2.5″ SSD in the same bottom bay at the same time.
The top 2.5″ hard drive sleds are just thin metal slabs, which function really well and allow for easy single captive screw install or removal. The Segotep Phoenix is an interesting case with a unique design and plenty of features that are worth considering for anyone looking for a mid-tower ATX case.
Also Read: HDD vs SDD
SilverStone Technology RL08BR
The Silverstone RL 08 Micro-ATX case is an excellent choice for those who want a high airflow case with a unique upside-down motherboard mounting. The case has a potential cooling capacity of up to three radiators, two at the front, and one at the rear.
With only a size of 433 millimeters in length, 217 millimeters in width, and 391 millimeters in height, the case can hold up to five SSDs or three 3.5-inch drives with two 2.5-inch drives. Additionally, it has a five and a quarter-inch drive bay that is removable, making it easier to clean up the interior of the case.
The RL 08 case has a power supply shroud that completely covers the power supply for a cleaner look inside, with rubber pads for the power supply to sit on. The case also has five expansion slots with replaceable covers that give extra room for a dual-slot GPU cooler.
The front IO ports are standard for today, with two USB three, one mic, and one headset jack, while the power and hard drive activity LEDs are a reasonable brightness that won’t blind you.
Overall, the build quality of the RL 08 case is excellent, as you would expect from Silverstone. The chassis and side panels are sturdy and don’t shake or wobble, and the finish is very nice. However, the front panel, which is entirely mesh, is a little bit springy toward the bottom.
To get inside the case, each of the side panels is held on with two thumb screws on the back as usual. The tempered glass side panel is also mounted on metal rails, keeping the outside of the case looking very sleek.
The case has a large cutout in the motherboard tray, making access to the motherboard backplate easy. The only downside is that installing a large CPU cooler inside the case may be a bit of a challenge without removing the motherboard.
In conclusion, the Silverstone RL 08 Micro-ATX case is a great choice for those who want a good-looking high airflow case with a unique upside-down motherboard mounting.
With its potential cooling capacity and the ability to hold up to five SSDs or three 3.5-inch drives, it’s an excellent choice for gamers and enthusiasts alike.
The build quality is top-notch, and the front IO ports and power and hard drive activity LEDs are well-designed. Overall, the RL 08 case is an excellent option that won’t disappoint.
SilverStone Vertical Design LD03B
The SilverStone RL08 is a premium tower enclosure designed for SFF motherboards, providing flexibility for various cooling solutions and storage options. It is available in Black/Red or Black/White color schemes with a dark tempered glass side panel.
The RL08 comes with two 120mm RGB fans in the front and one 120mm exhaust fan on the back, providing excellent case cooling. It measures 8.6” W x 16” H x 17.1” D and features a sturdy stamped and riveted steel chassis painted black inside and out.
The RL08 has a clean, elegant styling, and the overall build quality is excellent. The left side panel is painted either red or white, while the right side panel features a large dark tempered glass window.
The front of the enclosure contains one external 5.25” drive bay at the top and an easily accessible I/O panel on the left side, which includes two USB 3.0 ports along with a headphone out and microphone in jacks below the power button.
The top of the case includes large openings for optional fans (two 120mm/140mm) and is covered with an easy to remove dust filter (held in place by magnetic strips).
The RL08 also provides numerous options for cooling. The three bundled 120mm fans (two intakes and one exhaust) provide an excellent start for good case cooling and will be all many users need. However, the RL08 provides additional options for those who want more, including large air coolers and/or water cooling.
The RL08 also packs a lot of storage options and capacity into a small package, with one external 5.25”, two internal 2.5” SSD, and three internal 3.5” HDD bays.
Overall, the SilverStone RL08 is an excellent choice for housing a SFF build or a small tower media server, and it deserves serious consideration for anyone in the market for a Micro-ATX tower enclosure.
What Are The Benefits Of Inverted PC Cases?
An inverted PC case offers few distinct advantages. Firstly, it is designed to be viewed from the left-hand side of the desk, making it ideal for those who want to showcase their PC. Additionally, the right-hand side of the case is easily accessible for hardware upgrades.
Furthermore, many inverted cases feature a 90-degree motherboard installation, providing access to I/Os from the roof of the case. This makes it much easier to plug in peripherals as all rear inputs and outputs are readily accessible.
While an inverted PC case can offer unique visual benefits, these are primarily limited to see-through cases. However, some users have reported that their GPU runs cooler due to the positioning of the graphics card at the top of the case, where heat naturally rises. However, this benefit may only be significant for those running a proper cooling system.
Lastly, the layout of an inverted PC case ensures that fans and components continue to function correctly, even if the PC is pushed against the left-hand side of the wall. This makes it a suitable option for gamers with limited desk space.
