The negative aspect of introducing a redesigned PC component is that it often necessitates other changes in a build. With a movement toward streamlined gaming PCs, reverse-connect motherboards minimize visible cables. Asus and Gigabyte have risen to the challenge, while MSI markets its own line ofProject Zero motherboards. Enthusiasts may try to mod their existing enclosures, but the best Project Zero PC case options fully focus oncable management.
ASUS ROG Hyperion GR701
Antec Flux
With more wiring routed behind right panels, cases need sufficient space to hide and organize these cables. Buyers also shouldn’t ignore critical factors that apply to any case, like ensuring there is ample airflow to cool components. Even though the selection of back-connect cases is still limited, different form factors are available that suit larger or more compact setups.
Game Rant has hand-picked the top cases that can make messy cabling virtually disappear.
Game Rant’s Best Project Zero PC Cases
MSI MAG PANO 100L PZ
The MSI MAG PANO 100L PZ is a dual-chamber mid-tower case that supports the latest back-connect motherboards. Its design features a large compartment for PSUs to hide messy cables connecting to motherboards. Buyers also will enjoy a 270-degree panoramic view of components with tempered glass wrapping around its front. The MAG PANO 100L PZ accommodates the longest high-powered graphics cards with an adjustable GPU stand to prevent sagging.
Owners of Project Zero motherboards don’t have to limit themselves to MSI cases. Still, as one of the major supporters of the industry trend, MSI designed every aspect of the MAG Pano 100L PZ for back-connect motherboards. The MAG Pano 100L PZ is a dual-chamber mid-tower ATX case with a 270-degree panoramic view through tempered glass. This case is perfect for builders who want to proudly show off their rigs without cables spoiling a clean look.
Of course, the MAG Pano 100L PZ has the necessary openings behind its motherboard tray to take advantage of these reverse-connect components. The case is quite wide, occupying a significant footprint ongaming desks, but it’s not quite tall enough to officially supportE-ATX motherboards. Otherwise, the chassis is jam-packed with grommet holes, ideal for older and newer mini ITX, micro ATX, or ATX motherboards. MSI also had cable management in mind by combining most front panel connectors into a single wire.
The MAG Pano 100L PZ’s back chamber has an incredible 90 mm of space. The only disappointment is that installing 3.5" hard drives on a swinging door may necessitate longer SATA and power cables. Swapping other parts is much easier, including changing between horizontal andvertical GPU mounting. MSI doesn’t bundle a PCIe riser cable with the case, but it does include an optional support bracket for long and wide graphics cards.
The MAG Pano 100L PZ is available in white and black, and is a larger version of the micro ATXPano M100R PZ. One significant difference between the cases is that the 100L PZ ships with no fans. Nonetheless, MSI’s mid-tower enclosure is the best Project Zero PC case, considering its attractive design, stellar build quality, and flexibility to accommodate evolving builds.
Asus A21 Micro-ATX Case
The Asus A21 is a surprisingly spacious Micro ATX case that manages to accommodate 360 mm liquid cooling radiators and graphics cards with lengths up to 380 mm. This compact mid-tower benefits from a front mesh panel, allowing ample cool air into the chassis. Focusing on cable management, the A21 supports new back-connect motherboards and boasts a 33 mm wide compartment devoted to cable management. The Asus A21 is available in black or white, with colored cabling to match.
With the Asus A21, buyers don’t need to spend a ton of money to reap the benefits of Project Zero motherboards. Despite its compact form factor, this mid-tower micro ATX case prioritizes cable management with 33 mm of space behind its right panel. Although it doesn’t ship with any fans, an unusually porous front mesh panel makes designing an effective cooling configuration simple.
The A21’s design is nothing particularly risky, but it’s available as an all-black orall-white case. The left side has tempered glass, but its breathability stands out the most. The not-so-fine mesh extends across the case’s entire front panel and edges, while large cutouts on the rear panel exhaust warm air. For a micro ATX case, cooling options are generous, and buyers can add up to seven 120 mm fans and a 360 mmAIO liquid coolingradiator on its top and front side.
Each manufacturer has a different label for back-connect motherboard support, with Asus calling it BTF (Back to the Future). Asus also sells reverse-connectgaming motherboards, but MSI Project Zero options will work in the A21 case just as well. The chassis' back compartment isn’t as wide as the MAG Pano 100L PZ, but builders will have plenty of ways to guide cables. Since aesthetics is a bigger concern than ever for cases, Asus has ensured that front-panel wires are uniformly black or white. Sadly, the I/O panel lacks a USB-C port, which is a bit of a letdown for a newer case.
Another factor to consider with the Asus A21 is that it doesn’t have vertical GPU mounting options. Regardless, with slim choices among back-connect budget cases, the A21 more than satisfies buyers with effortless cable management and high airflow potential.
Corsair 2500X Micro ATX Dual Chamber PC Case
The Corsair 2500X is a compact alternative to often overly bulky dual chamber cases. Because it supports Micro ATX and Mini ITX reverse-connect motherboards, more cables can be hidden in the case’s back compartment. Gamers have a panoramic view of components with seamless tempered glass stretched along the 2500X’s left side and front panel. Despite its Micro ATX form factor, the 2500X supports up to nine 120 mm fans, large liquid cooling radiators, and the longest graphics cards.
The Corsair 2500X is another micro ATX case that’s more of a showpiece than the Asus A21. However, its final look depends on a buyer’s preferences, since it’s one of the most customizable cases on the market. Builders can swap the case’s front panel with various wood-colored and metal alternatives and their styling extends to the top of the chassis. The Corsair 2500X appeals to any buyer who desires a unique case with plenty of strategies to hide unsightly cables.
Quite deep and wide, the 2500X appears larger than some mid-tower cases. Still, that girth allows it to hold up to a 425 mm long GPU, which is unusual for this form factor. Cooling options are just as numerous, with buyers able to place nine 120 mm fans around the enclosure. In this entry in the 2500 series, fans and radiators can’t be installed behind the front panel, but they find a home to the right of the motherboard tray. Corsair also sells a version of thecase focused on airflowwith a mesh front panel and another variety with ARGB fans included.
Most importantly, the 2500X is a dual-chamber case with full support for Project Zero and other reverse-connect motherboards. The case accepts mini ITX and micro ATX options designed to route cables to the back of cases. Builders have plenty of room in the smaller chamber to operate, with grommets and cable ties guiding the way.
The Corsair 2500X is somewhat expensive, considering it lacks fans or extras like a vertical GPU mounting bracket. Nevertheless, it becomes the center of attention on any gaming desk. Also, the 2500X’s modular construction enables the case to adjust as the look of a setup changes.
Cooler Master MasterBox 600 ATX Mid-Tower Case
Affordable but built for modern components like reverse-connect motherboards, the Cooler Master MasterBox 600 impresses with its looks and expandability. The mid-tower case showcases three included 140 mm ARGB SickleFlow fans behind a breathable front panel using fine mesh. With another 120 mm fan on its rear, builders can swap the front cooling configuration for a massive 420 mm liquid cooling radiator. The MasterBox 600 boasts more space than the average mid-tower case, with room for many E-ATX motherboards and graphics cards up to 410 mm long.
Themid-tower casemarket is always ultra-competitive, so the Cooler Master MasterBox 600 tries to address the shortcomings of its rivals. The MasterBox 600 is prepared for Project Zero motherboards and supports the most extensive cooling configurations. Deceptively roomy, the case ships with a trio of 140 mm ARGB fans behind its front panel. The MasterBox 600 is an excellent choice for buyers without unlimited budgets trying to incorporate modern components into a build.
While the MasterBox 600 has a traditional shape, a dual-toned front mesh panel adds some personality. More importantly, the fine mesh effectively intakes cool air, aided by powerful 140 mm SickleFlow fans. It takes away some of the case’s value, but buyers can exchange those fans for up to a 420 mm liquid cooling radiator. The included ARGB and fan hub will connect to other illuminated fans and reduce the need to use multiple motherboard headers.
Buyers who still rely onSSDsrather than the NVMe format will relish the case’s capacity to hold up to six 2.5" drives. The extra chassis space also enables the MasterBox 600 to accept the longest graphics cards and tallCPU coolers. Although back-connect E-ATX motherboards are not yet available, the case supports many of these existing components.
Cooler Master has cable management in mind when combining most of the front I/O wires into a single cable. However, the MasterBox 600 lacks as many openings and grommet holes as a buyer might expect, especially near the PSU shroud. Even so, using its spacious chassis efficiently, the MasterBox 600 ranks as the best Project Zero PC case in the mid-tower class.
ASUS ROG Hyperion GR701 BTF Edition
The Hyperion GR701 is an overkill full-tower with incredible features that are rare to find, but super handy. The case has tool-free access to the interior and supports large-sized GPUs and AIO coolers. Its built-in fan hub, RGB controller, and multiple I/O ports on the front make it stand out.
Especially when not filled to capacity with storage and fans,full-tower caseshave added space to ease stressful cable management. The Asus ROG Hyperion GR701 BTF Edition becomes the massive centerpiece of any high-end gaming rig. In addition to supporting back-connect motherboards, every section of its chassis has features to simplify system building.
Instead of an increasingly popular dual-chamber design, the Hyperion GR701 BTF Edition exhibits the typical ATX tower construction, only supersized. A large metal X sits proudly on the front of the case, extending to its top as handles to carry the 46-lb enclosure. Tempered glass panels swing open on hinges on both sides of the case to facilitate quick changes. The Hyperion GR701 has to justify a steep price tag with premium build quality, and it obliges by using mostly steel and aluminum.
For buyers with sufficient desk space, the Hyperion GR701 offers the potential for up to ten 120 mm fans. The case ships with three large 140 mm fans behind its front panel and another 140 mm blower on its rear. Builders can keep an illuminated side panel in between the motherboard tray and front panel in place or replace it with three SSDs or a 360 mm radiator. Besides this unique rectangular component sporting ROG branding and some lighting on the front panel, the case is surprisingly sparse with ARGB effects. The bundled fans are also on the cheap side for such a considerable investment.
Behind the Hyperion GR701’s right panel are openings for Project Zero or BTF motherboards. Since the case’s right side is partially visible through tinted tempered glass, Asus includes numerous Velcro ties and a large cable management cover. On the other side, the case also welcomes BTF motherboards, which can power the latestgraphics cardswith minimal cabling. Even more unusual, builders will discover a storage compartment to hold small accessories and screws inside the chassis.
Some aspects of this Asus full-tower case could benefit from changes, like requiring fewer steps to install a PSU. Even with some drawbacks, the Hyperion GR701 BTF Edition is the best Project Zero full-tower PC case for the most complex, cutting-edge builds.
Balancing a sophisticated look with incredible airflow, the Antec Flux adds a touch of class to any gaming or office setup. The Flux is available in black or white versions with darker or lighter wood trims. Buyers won’t need to find their own cooling solutions, as Antec provides five fans with the case, including a rear P14 140 mm fan. With a large front mesh panel and numerous vents, the Flux encourages both horizontal and vertical jetstreams of cool air to keep CPU and GPU temperatures in check.
Along with white cases,cases showcasing woodtrim have also become more common. The Antec Flux sports a back-to-nature look with this natural material outlining its front panel, but it’s well-prepared for the modern age. The case allows builders to achieve a tidy look with openings for Project Zero motherboards and encourages running other cables through the same pathways.
The Antec Flux is sold in white or black, with lighter birch or darker walnut wood. It’s extremely well-ventilated, even with a tempered glass panel, including mesh material below the clear window on the left side. They won’t pleaseRGB keyboardand mice fanatics, but the Flux ships with five unlit 120 mm fans, including one bottom-mounted above thePSU. This sends warm air from CPUs and GPUs upward toward a porous top panel. The case comes with a pre-installed ARGB/PWM hub if buyers wish to add ARGB components.
In stark contrast to the Cooler Master MasterBox 600 mid-tower, the Flux only has installation points for a few storage drives. That unused space benefits cable management, as builders have multiple options when routing cables to the case’s back compartment. Support for E-ATX motherboards also compensates for the sacrifice of hard drive space.
The Flux is a case that successfully stands out from a crowd of mid-towers. At the same time, it fits in perfectly with the latest rigs, which introduce large liquid cooling radiators and Project Zero motherboards.
Choosing the Correct Project Zero Case
A case needs more than correctly placed holes behind motherboard trays to house the perfect MSI Project Zero build. Even if buyers opt for Gigabyte Stealth or Asus BTF components, the requirements for the ideal reverse-connect case remain the same. Some of the most critical considerations apply to these newer enclosures and cases in general:
Form Factor
Gamers can’t enjoy a minimalist build without adequate desk space. Project Zero cases include mid-tower, full-tower, and dual-chamber options with very different dimensions. The micro ATXAsus A21is one of the smallest compatible cases, and for a low asking price, builders still have enough room for 360 mm radiators. On the other end of the spectrum, the full-towerASUS ROG Hyperion GR701 BTF Editionaccommodates complicated cooling configurations and extensive storage.
Cooling and Airflow
Rerouting cabling can benefit airflow in a case where powerful fans cool components without obstructions. TheCooler Master MasterBox 600is a sensibly priced mid-tower back-connect case with four included fans, three of which are 140 mm. Mesh wraps around its front panel and extends below the tempered glass left panel for maximum cooling. Cases like the MasterBox 600 also support giant 420 mm radiators for the most effective AIO liquid coolers.
Cable Management
Accommodating Project Zero motherboards significantly impacts cable management, but is not the only factor in achieving a clean build. Dual-chamber cases like theMSI MAG Pano 100L PZdevote a back chamber to concealing cables connected to reverse-connected motherboards. If buyers don’t have the space for a large mid-tower, the micro ATXCorsair 2500Xutilizes the same fish tank design. Having plenty of cable covers, grommets, and Velcro ties can also organize the less visible parts of rigs.
Aesthetics
Clever cable management alone won’t make a plain build look spectacular. TheMSI MAG Pano 100L PZwraps tempered glass around its front and left sides to showcase the most modern graphics cards and liquid coolers. Other cases, like theASUS ROG Hyperion GR701 BTF Edition, emphasize an ultra-modern metal exterior. Finally, theAntec Fluxmatches natural-themed gaming rooms with authentic wood trim.
Game Rant believes that theMSI MAG Pano 100L PZrepresents the best qualities of Project Zero cases. Its additional unique cable management solutions and panoramic view allow gamers to fully appreciate an uncluttered rig.
FAQ
Q: Is cable management hard in a PC?
Organizing cables in a PC build is not difficult but can require some patience and planning. The goal is to route as many cables as possible through the same pathways and then hide them without blocking airflow. Project Zero motherboards can take some of the frustration out of this process by placing more connectors where they are less visible.
Q: Why don’t all cases support back-connect motherboards?
Most existing cases were designed for motherboards with connectors on the same side as CPU and RAM sockets. Back-connect cases have properly positioned openings for newer motherboards while also accommodating older versions of these components.
