Have you ever wondered what it would be like to build your own PC case? While there are plenty of options on the market for those who want to buy a case for their computer, it can be hard to find the perfect solution for your own PC needs.
Thanks to the magic of 3D printing, this doesn’t have to be an issue anymore. You can design and build your own PC case with relative ease, as long as you’re willing to invest some time into the effort.
Before diving in and making something entirely unique, it makes sense to test your DIY case-building skills with a proven design. And this is what brings us to this article. We’ve scoured the web to find a range of the best 3D printable PC cases around.
1. Mini ITX Case With an ATX PSU
We’ll be starting small with the first case on our list. This mini ITX case is able to support a full-size ATX power supply, despite the incredibly small form factor. Alongside this, it can also support a dual-slot graphics card up to 270mm long, a 3.5” hard drive, and has ventilation in the top and bottom.
This case has an attractive minimalistic design, with space for a power button on the top, and little else to distract from the simplicity of the case. The front and both sides of the case are covered with a clean diamond pattern, with ventilation holes in the top and bottom. As in most other cases, the I/O and access to the PSU can be found at the rear.
The biggest challenge that comes with printing this case is the main outer panel. Thanks to the shape of this part, printers without enclosures may struggle to produce it without issues like warping. Other than this, though, you can 3D print this entire case and will only need some screws to put it together.
There’s an explanatory video to help you when you’re building this case.
2. Wall-Mountable mATX Case
Next up, it’s time to look at a slightly more challenging project that will provide you with a very unique result. Wall-mountable PC cases have long been a popular concept, and this project enables you to achieve a design like this with fairly minimal printing. This case supports ATX motherboards and dual-slot graphics cards, but is only compatible with M.2 SSDs for storage.
The design itself is rather simple: the case has four side panels and a back panel. Each panel features a minimal hexagon mesh design, with the exception of the I/O panel, which is completely solid. The case is low-profile, and this means that your GPU will protrude slightly.
The only major downside to this 3D printable case is that you need a 300mm x 300mm print surface to be able to use the files without modification. On the upside, though, this will keep your motherboard tray extremely solid. You will also need to get your hands on some screws to put the build together.
3. ATX Open Frame PC Case
Now we’re getting into much larger territory. This ATX Open Frame PC case has been specifically designed to have space for a 360mm water cooling radiator mounted on the top. It also has space for a large reservoir, enabling you to create custom loops with a lot of cooling potential.
The design of this case is like nothing available on the market. Both sides are completely open, with front and back panels that have a pleasing curved shape. All of the ugly parts of your build can be hidden in the base, and there is space for both hard drives and SSDs that can be mounted on the back.
Unlike the other cases on this list, this project has been designed around a motherboard tray that you will have to buy. Alongside this, you will also need to buy a range of different bolts to build this 3D printable PC case.
4. ATX Case With Laser-Cut Side Panels
Number four on our list is very similar to the sort of cases you can buy on the current market. This project has space for custom water cooling, a shrouded powerful supply section, and a stunning design that will please just about any PC enthusiast. Achieving the best results with this case will also require some laser cutting.
While you can print practically the whole case in one sitting, the creator of this project has also provided smaller sections to make it possible for regular home printers to build the case. With space for a full-size ATX motherboard, a hexagon design on the front, and clear side panels, this case is stunning compared to most 3D printed options.
The biggest challenge you will face when building this case is printing the complex parts without warping. An enclosure will help with this. You will also need to find a laser cutting service that can prepare your side panels for you. If you would like to make this project even more fun, you could consider using a resin 3D printer for the smaller components.
5. Medieval Castle ATX Case
Finally, as the last entry on this list, it’s time to take a look at something a little more unique. While this case isn’t entirely 3D-printable, it is impossible to ignore a computer that looks like a medieval castle. This PC case has room for a full-size ATX motherboard, along with a dual-slot graphics card and an ATX power supply. You will need to be able to cut aluminum extrusions for the frame of this design.
Thanks to the panel-by-panel design of this case, you can use a very small 3D printer to get to work on this project. The case very much resembles a castle, with crenellations running along the top and arrow slits along the bottom floor. Most impressively, though, is that this case also features exterior lighting that connects directly to your power supply.
This case should be nice and easy to print, with the biggest challenge for most being the aluminum extrusions that will need to be cut. It is also worth noting that you should be extremely careful when soldering components like LEDs to your power supply, with a USB-powered Arduino offering a good alternative control method for those who feel uncomfortable with it.
3D Printing Your Own PC Case
While there are a lot of PC cases on the market that cost barely anything, making something like this for yourself can be a great way to add a personal touch to your PC. Going down this route can be satisfying, fun, and, most of all, a great way to learn more about both 3D printing and computers. We hope you enjoy putting together the case you choose!