connect lcd panel to pc psu site www.tomshardware.com price
As shared by @momomo_us on Twitter,(opens in new tab) ASRock has built a new accessory for PC builders that allows you to turn your PC chassis" side panel into an LCD monitor. The gadget is a 13.3" side panel kit designed to be tapped to the inside of your see-through side panel, giving users an additional display for monitoring system resources and temperatures or being used as a secondary monitor altogether.
The screen is a 16:9 aspect ratio 1080P IPS 60Hz display, measuring 13.3 inches diagonally. This screen is the equivalent of a laptop display. It uses the same connection method as laptops, featuring an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) connector.
Unfortunately, this represents a problem for most PC users. The connector was originally designed specifically for mobile, and embedded PC solutions, meaning the connector is not available on standard desktop motherboards or graphics cards.
As a result, only ASRock motherboards support the side panel, and only a few models at best, with less than ten motherboards featuring the eDP connector. The list includes the following motherboards: Z790 LiveMixer, Z790 Pro RS/D4, Z790M-ITX WiFi, Z790 Steel Legend WiFi, Z790 PG Lightning, Z790 Pro RS, Z790 PG Lightning/D4. H610M-ITX/eDP, and B650E PG-ITX WiFi.
Sadly adapters aren"t a solution either since eDP to DP (or any other display output) adapters don"t exist today. Furthermore, creating an adapter is problematic because eDP runs both power and video signals through a single cable.
It"s a shame this accessory won"t get mainstream popularity due to these compatibility issues. But for the few users with the correct motherboard, this side panel kit can provide a full secondary monitor that takes up no additional space on your desk. The only sacrifice you"ll make is blocking all the shiny RGB lighting inside your chassis.
You can never have have enough screens, even if some of them are inside of your case. Gigabyte"s new Aorus P1200W power supply features a full-color LCD screen, which can display custom text, pictures, GIFs, and even videos on its LCD screen. Yes, just imagine watching your favorite movies on the side of your PSU!
This isn"t the first time we"ve seen a power supply with a screen slapped on it. The ASUS ROG Thor has one, but it only displays power draw, not your favorite films. Of course, the more practical use case for a screen on a PSU is showing stats such as your fan speed or temperature.
Unfortunately, Gigabyte hasn"t listed the exact size or resolution of the screen nor do we know what its refresh rate will be. Could one even play games on it? I guess we"ll have to find out.
Designed to compete with the best power supplies, the P1200W features all of the bells and whistles most high-end power supplies come with: an 80-Plus Platinum rating, fully modular cables, 140mm fan, an input current of 15-7.5A, full-range input voltage, >16ms hold up time, active PFC, and Japanese capacitors.
The P1200W brings a lot in a small package, with one 24-pin and 10-pin connector, two CPU EPS-12v power connectors, six peripheral connectors, and six PCIe connectors, and of course, the LCD screen.
checking: is the seasonic your new or old PSU? If new, what was the old PSU? From information I"ve seen others post, AMD apparently fixed the issue by changing having too much power drawn from the 6 pin vs the old way of too much power from the MB PCIe. (though your card uses an 8 pin? More watts avaiablbe in spec with 8 pin) If the seasonic is your new PSU, the old PSU"s over wattage draw could have damaged the PSU (the not turning obviously possibly sign of bad PSU, hence why you replaced it) Granted, the direct connect from the 6 pin should handle the over-wattage better, but not a guarantee it does. The more wattage the more heat produced obviously. This applies to your video card as well if concern about damage there: are the card"s vrm"s or other circuitry damaged by PSU delivery issues? Though not a certainty, it is a consideration. A PSU that was failing for other reasons (bad manufacturer or bad luck of the draw) could be an issue in power delivery as a consideration as well.
I"m trying to make a budget build. I got everything assembled and in the case. When I power the computer on, all the case fans power on, as well as those for the CPU, GPU, and PSU, so I can only assume that those components are at least powering on. Everything looks fine to me, but when I connect a monitor, I get No Signal. I connected the motherboard speaker and powered on again, but there are no beeps whatsoever.
It is probably worth mentioning that this is the second computer I"ve ever built. The first went completely smoothly and I had no problems whatsoever. As such, I never needed to connect the motherboard speaker to check for problems, so I don"t have any idea what the beeps sound like. I would assume that I would have heard them distinctly if I held my head a few inches from the speaker when powering on, correct?
As an aside, would it have been smarter to go with a Core i3 build instead of AMD? It would have costed a little more but maybe it would have been a better idea?
■ Removed every single component and attachment from the motherboard except for the CPU, CPU fan, PSU, motherboard speaker, and power headers from the case. I powered it on again and still got no beeps.
■ The PSU is modular and came with a VGA cable, which I would presume is for the graphics card, correct? There is no place to attach any such cable to the GPU, so I just discarded the cable. That"s valid, right?
■ The CPU/fan did not come with thermal compound, so I just installed them without it. I figured this would be fine since the computer will only be used lightly. There"s no way that the CPU could, like, somehow detect the absence of thermal compound and subsequently not start, right?From what I"ve been reading, I"ve gathered that my only realistic option at this point is to replace each of the components, one at a time, with components from my current computer that I know are working. Is that really the only option I have left? I just wanted to make sure before I went ahead and did it because that would be a lot of work.
Also as I said before, I"m relatively new to building computers, so if you have any general advice for me about anything at all then by all means please throw it at me. I need all the help I can get.
Intel"s upcoming Raptor Lake non-K CPUs are reportedly up to 64 percent faster than their Alder Lake counterparts, according to a hardware leaker who shared some performance numbers.
Try hooking to another video display like a TV with HDMI in. Checks to make sure it"s not your monitor. (most likely not, but eliminating possible causes)
Disconnect the drives ( you won"t boot , but goal is to get display up and visible) Weird shorts or power delivery issue may cause failure here, so eliminate all odd possible causes)
Pull the graphics card, connect your display to the onboard graphics. Don"t forget to set the monitor"s input to the new input if your cable type changes and you know the monitor is good.. You may have to reset CMOS to get back to onboard intel graphics depending on how your MB handles that.
Even the best PC builds need some panache. If you really love RGB, Lian Li’s Strimer series of illuminated power extension cables is made for you. Available in both 24-pin ATX and 8-pin GPU varieties, the Stimers feature a layer of addressable RGB lights that sits on top of the cable itself. Since these are extension cables, you can pair them with everything from one of the best PSUs to the cheapest one you find on sale.
The Strimer Plus V2 line adds some new wrinkles to this flair-filled formula, improving the flexibility and brightness of the cables while introducing a new controller hub and custom software. Available for $70 for the 24-pin cable (and L-Connect 3 control hub), $50 for a dual-headed GPU cable or $60 for a triple-headed GPU cable, the new Strimers don’t come cheap, particularly when you consider that a full suite of regular extension cables costs $20. However, if you can afford the price, you’ll get a splash of colorful illumination that makes your PC stand out.
When I took the Strimer Plus V2 cables out of their packaging, I was really impressed by how Lian Li creates the illusion that each cable itself is lit. Instead, on top of the cables themselves is a thick, silicone cover that tricks you into thinking these are the actual power cables and doubles as a diffuser.
When we reviewed the Stimer Plus, the cable felt a bit too stiff. However, Lian Li addressed this issue on the Plus V2 by changing the material of the RGB covers from PVC to TPE, a particular type of silicone that’s said to increase flexibility. The increased flexibility can also be attributed to a slimmer cable stack. The height of the RGB layer, plus the cable layer is only 8mm, whereas the previous Strimers were 11mm. The last visual change Lian Li made to its new Strimer extensions is the addition of a side light diffuser, which allows color to shine out of the sides of the cables instead of just the front, making the whole display brighter.
While all of that sounds fine and dandy, the measurements of the extensions have to be long enough to reach your components without showing your existing PSU cables. The length of the PCIe cables are 11.8 inches (300mm), which is more than enough for most cases. The 24-pin measures 7.8 inches (200mm), which is also generous.
To install the new Strimers, you just plug them into your PSU’s power cables and connect the little RGB cable to the RGB hub. The extensions feature tiny cables that connect to an RGB hub powered via SATA like on the previous version. You’ll also want to make sure that your motherboard has a 5V ARGB header on board, as you’ll need it to connect the hub. Unlike the original Strimers, you will not use the hub to control the lighting. Instead, all RGB goodness is controlled via Lian Li’s new software, L-Connect 3.
I installed the Strimers into the Hyte Y60, an ATX case with three tempered glass panels that allowed me to get a good view of the bright, vibrant light show. Because these are extension cables, I connected them directly to the motherboard and then looped them through the rubber grommets to my power supply’s cables. Even though the Strimers were cut down in size since we last visited them, I accidentally knocked a rubber grommet out during installation. However, this was only the case with the chonky 24-pin Strimer as the PCIe cables weren’t an issue to install.
I haven’t worked with PSU extension cables in a long time and even when I did, the only cable I extended was my PCIe cables because I love the individually-sleeved cable look. The 24-pin cable had enough flex to create the perfect semi-circular route to the back of my motherboard tray. While the PCIe cables still looked gorgeous, I had my graphics card mounted vertically, so I couldn’t develop a route as pretty as with the 24-pin. Overall, these things really glowed and were full of color.
Since I moved about a year ago, I’ve had my personal rig nestled underneath my desk, so I haven’t felt the love for RGB in my chassis. While the Lian Li Strimmer Plus V2 wires don’t make me want to go out and buy hundreds of dollars worth of RGB kits, these cables raised an eyebrow because they provide something different than the usual light-up fans that people use to adorn their builds.
Whenever it comes to adding RGB to your rig, what also joins the party are a bunch of wires that make you question whether or not you should return the kit. However, with the Lian Li Strimer Plus V2, all it takes is a couple of clips and cable routing and you’re done.
Single mode allows users to control each light channel"s color and even features effects from rainbow to ping pong. Honestly, I had a blast experimenting with all of the lighting combos you can create. After I tinkered with the 24-pin cable’s RGB, it reminded me of the Empire State Building when it’s lit up at night. If you already own the previous generation of Strimers, L-Connect 3 is compatible, but you will need to purchase the controller on its own for $20. It comes in the package with the Strimer Plus V2 24-pin cable, but not with the GPU cables.
The Strimer Plus V2 provides a clear indication that Lian Li is listening to feedback as it added flexibility to the cables, side illumination and a high level of customization that the prior generation products didn’t have. If you don’t already have a Strimer and don’t mind spending $70 or more, the Plus V2 cables are the most compelling yet. These extensions provide a unique RGB addition to your system that makes your build stand out from the crowd.
Builders don"t often put enough time or attention toward choosing the best PC case for their next build. Or they kist push the decision off until the very end of the part-picking process. They might first consider the CPU and graphics card that fits their needs and budget, then move on to picking a motherboard and storage.
But you really should consider your case options early. Getting the best PC case for your build is key, because it"s what forms the identity of your computer, dictating its looks and what fits inside, plus the noise levels in your room. It also massively affects the cooling potential of your rig as well. You can choose to go for one of the best Mini-ITX casesto minimize your system’s footprint on your desk, or you can get a chassis like Fractal Design’s Meshify 2 to house a big, butt-kicking workstation with lots of expansion possibilities.
Below we’ve gathered a list of the best PC cases from the dozens of models we"ve tested in recent years. As long as you check whether the parts you want to use will fit and you like the looks, one of these cases should keep you happy for several years to come.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Figure out what parts you have/want first. Before prioritizing looks, you’ll want to know what motherboard, graphics card, and cooler you’ll be using, plus how many drives you’ll want to install. This will dictate the size of the cases to consider.
Cooling is key, especially in small cases. Airflow is important in choosing the best PC case, especially when it comes to high-end components in tight spaces. Check our cooler reviews for our cooling test results before buying, and remember that cases with glass fronts and tops restrict airflow and may need extra fans.
Choose a chassis that you like to look at. Your case of choice is likely to spend lots of time in your peripheral vision. Don’t forget to check airflow and that your parts will fit. But after that, find something that appeals to you visually. Take the time to find a case that appeals to you visually. If you want to show off your case"s internals, a case like Hyte"s Y60 with its panoramic glass is certainly appealing. But know that generally speaking, the more glass found on a case, particularly in the front, the warmer your system is likely to run.
We aren"t sure who asked for a case that mixed mid-century modern design (wooden slats and all) and high airflow, but we sure are glad that Fractal Design answered with its excellent North mid-tower. Available with either a mesh side (as we tested) or tempered glass, and in white with chrome accents on the IO and feet, or black with brass, this is arguably the prettiest PC case ever produced, period. And thanks to its pair of 140mm fans, and an included side bracket (for the mesh model) that can hold another pair of 140mm fans (not included), the North has excellent thermals as well. Just note that it can get noisy when delivering those temps. The glass side panel may help a bit on the noise front, but likely at the cost of at least some thermal performance.
Fractal Design’s Meshify 2 Compact offers an excellent foundation for simple ATX gaming systems, and a chassis that will stand the test of time well. It doesn’t go out of its way to be eccentric, rather providing the user with a classy chassis that will look good for a long time to come -- a chassis you can grow up with.
And while its materials quality could be seen as a little lacking, this is a case where you pay for its excellent design, not only in looks, but also practicality: it has tons of cable management space, is laid out logically and with easy to access filters, a breeze to use and maintain as your daily driver.
Phanteks has a history of delivering value and performance with its cases, and the Eclipse G360A is no exception. At $100, it costs about $10 more than the current price of the previous Eclipse P360A, but you get an extra RGB fan and support for larger 360 radiators at the top and front. And with the new G360A, all three fans feature PWM for better efficiency, noise output and control. If that isn’t worth an extra $10 to you, then you may want to scoop up the P360A while it’s still available.
Despite some quirks in its design, the Eclipse G360A is a truly great case for gamers on a budget. Heck, even if money isn’t a major issue, it’s still nice to get good airflow and attractive RGB without spending a lot. Sure you could pay more for something else, but the Eclipse G360A is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great breezy box for your PC parts.
With a starting price of just $100 (or $15 more if you want to add an RGB controller and more USB ports), Lian Li" Lancool 216 delivers some of the excellent design features of its pricier O11D Evo and Lancool III cases, while adding a nifty PCIe fan mount, and large 160mm RGB intake fans. The top IO can be moved to the left side, near the bottom, if you"re going to keep the case on your desk.
Lian Li’s PC-O11 Dynamic has been a staple, go-to PC case for pretty builds in recent years, but its days might be numbered. The O11D Mini was inspired by its design, but had a few issues. But now, the O11 Air Mini comes in as a brilliant alternative.
Priced at just $110, you get a lot for your money with this case, including three PWM fans, bits of pretty aluminum, a glass panel, handsome looks, plentiful IO, a brilliant internal design and full ATX compatibility.
With just two of the company"s F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels. It"s also a pleasure to build in, with good cable management and a $130 MSRP that"s quite reasonable in this era of seemingly ever-increasing prices.
The primary missing feature here, which will feel refreshing for many builders, is the lack of any RGB to light up your system. That, combined with the boxy look and perforated front means this case isn"t the prettiest on our list, but it can certainly look good with some tasteful lighting delivered via your components, extra fans or a light strip. And if you don"t like the look of the fully vented front and you aren"t that concerned about keeping your temps a low as they can go, the non-Flow H7 model has a solid front, but with everything else we loved about the H7 Flow.
Cooler Master"s HAF 700 Evo packs in loads of unique features, like an edge-lit RGB glass grille front with a circular LCD display, an infinity mirror to hide ugly bits of the interior while showing off your pretty components and five front USB ports. There"s also room for up to 12 drives and EATX server-class motherboards, plus clearance for the largest graphics cards and coolers.
But Cooler Master didn"t forget about performance with its HAF 700 Evo. It lands at or near the top of our testing charts, thanks to two huge 200 mm intake fans and a trio of smaller 120 mm spinners. Plus, with 18 fan mounts, airflow can get even better.
Fractal offers a thoughtful, versatile design aimed at ease-of-use, and delivers a very pleasant and enjoyable building experience with the Meshify 2. Whether you use this case as a system where you just want to deliver tons of airflow and room for expansion, a workstation with tons of hard drives, a server, or high-end custom liquid cooling, the Meshify 2 will find a way to accommodate your build. For that, along with thermal and acoustic performance that is in-line with what we expect from a mesh front, it earns a rare five-star rating.
Lian Li hasn’t been quiet about its upcoming case launches, but when it did finally launch the Q58, it blew us away. This is a 14.3 liter Mini-ITX case that costs just $130 in its base variant, and it packs great looks, excellent cooling potential, and a flexible internal design.
The basic frame is made from steel, and each side houses a half-glass, half -perforated steel. The front face and the top plate are made from fancier, prettier aluminum, giving the case a very premium feel overall. The GPU can draw fresh air straight from the side, but you can still see its pretty RGB through the glass, and you can squeeze a 280mm radiator into the case’s roof.
The Evolv Shift 2 stands out at first glance for its its towering, small footprint design and beautiful anodized aluminum panels. Priced at $100 for the mesh version and $110 for the variant with TG and an addressable-RGB fan, it easily earns a spot on our Best PC Cases list.
Corsair’s 4000X RGB is a sleek gaming tower that comes with two glass panels and three RGB spinners. Priced at about $135 now, it’s not cheap, but its design is thoroughly considered and as you build with it, it’s clear where Corsair’s gaming and PC building pedigree comes from. Indeed, the 4000X RGB (as well as the similar 4000D airflow), is an extremely easy and convenient chassis to build a system in, and everything just makes sense.
While it won’t blow you away with premium materials such as aluminum, the dark tinted glass ensures that you only see RGB lighting inside the case, allowing you to be a little sloppy with cable management because you won’t see it anyway. Add to that Corsair’s class-leading RGB ecosystem, and you’ve got a very pretty case that’s convenient in use and always looks good, no matter what you install inside it.
Phanteks’ Enthoo Pro II is a very unique chassi, offering the most seamless dual-system support we’ve ever seen. And its new fabric mesh front looks really great, especially when you get close to the case.
Thermally and acoustically, the Enthoo Pro II also performs phenomenally well. Of course, the mesh does let more noise out than a closed-front case would, but if you’re careful in your component selection and only pick quiet parts, it should all remain very tolerable.
With a sub-$100 price, a mesh front, RGB light bar and a hinged glass side panel, Montech’s Sky One Lite looks like an impressive deal on paper. But our testing saw it running a little warm and loud. This, combined with its otherwise fairly uninspired design means it doesn’t really stand out in this crowded space against excellent options like Phanteks G360A.
Lian Li spinoff Ssupd (sunny side up design, in case you were wondering) offers up an interesting mesh-covered rectangle with the Meshroom S. It’s compact at 9.7 x 6.6 x 14.2 inches and technically supports up to ATX motherboards and large 13-inch graphics cards. It’s thermal performance was also great in our testing. But it’s expensive for what it is, at $160, there really isn’t any attention paid to cable management, and because of its inverted design (with the motherboard ports facing the bottom), you’ll have to use the included right-angle HDMI cable, or furnish your own right-angle DisplayPort cable. The case also comes with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, but it only works with sub-ATX-sized motherboards. If you plan on installing an ATX board, you’ll need to supply your own longer riser cable if you’re going to install a GPU (perhaps one of the best graphics cards).
Whether you"re buying one of the best PC cases on our list above or a different product, you may find some savings by checking out the latest Corsair coupon codes, Newegg promo codes or Micro Center coupon codes.
Cyber Monday and Black Friday are over, but new holiday deals are still popping up, and many of the existing deals remain. There are great savings on everything from CPUs, SSDs and graphics cards to laptops, monitors and 3D printers. Despite inflation, prices of PC hardware are on the way down, because of declining demand and a glut of flash memory and GPUs.
If it"s a PC component, a full system, a peripheral or a maker product, you can save a lot of money on it right now and in the days ahead. There are so many holiday tech promotions and it"s difficult to separate the hype from the actual bargains. Fortunately, we"re doing some legwork for you, combing through the best deals on hardware and highlighting them below.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We"ve checked all the best tech deals below to ensure they provide valuable savings and notable discounts. But if you see a product on sale and it"s one we haven"t covered, we recommend checking the price history and other vendors" prices on sites such as Google Shopping and PCPartPicker.
Amazon shoppers can use the website CamelCamelCamel and its Camelizer Chrome extension to see a product"s price history. This will give you an idea of the average price and whether or not the current offer is an actual deal.
The Logitech MX Master 3 is available for $60 off its recommended price. It connects wireless with a USB adapter and has 7 programmable buttons. This mouse can reach a speed as high as 4,000 DPI.
This excellent 48-inch 4K OLED monitor/TV with 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms (GTG) Response Time, HDMI 2.1, and support for FreeSync Premium has had an amazing $900 cut from its original price.
Just know that to get the last $200 off, you"ll have to deal with an old-school rebate (where you have to mail in the original UPC). Other features include 10-bit color / 98% DCI-P3 / 130% sRGB, and a KVM feature with USB Type-C to control multiple devices. Check out our Aorus FO48U review(opens in new tab) to see why we gave it our Editor"s choice award.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G:now $127 at Amazon(opens in new tab)(was $259)The Ryzen 5 5600G is a six-core 12-thread APU with a 16MB L3 cache and a base clock of 3.9GHz able to boost to 4.4GHz. This chip contains integrated Radeon graphics with a TDP of 65W. The Wraith Stealth cooler is also included in this retail box.
The best mid-range CPU for gaming is now at a fantastic price. This processor offers 6 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores and up a boost clock of up to 4.9 GHz before you overclock it. It also supports DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0.
Alienware x15 R2 (RTX 3060):now $2,449 at Dell(opens in new tab)(was $2,749)This powerful configuration of Alienware"s x15 R2 gaming laptop features a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 XMP RAM, and a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD.
This attractive case gives you a panoramic view of your build, thanks to tempered glass on three sides. It also has USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports and plenty of room for fans and components.
Monoprice Dark Matter 42770 (144 Hz 1080p, IPS, Edge-lit) now $169 at Newegg (was $249) Our favorite budget monitor to date, we found this 144 Hz VA panel delivers a wide color gamut, with excellent contrast, aided by edge-lit W-LED backlighting. It also supports FreeSync and G-Sync variable refresh.
This excellent 48-inch 4K OLED monitor/TV with 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms (GTG) Response Time, HDMI 2.1, and support for FreeSync Premium has had an amazing $900 cut from its original price.
Just know that to get the last $200 off, you"ll have to deal with an old-school rebate (where you have to mail in the original UPC). Other features include 10-bit color / 98% DCI-P3 / 130% sRGB, and a KVM feature with USB Type-C to control multiple devices. Check out our Aorus FO48U review(opens in new tab) to see why we gave it our Editor"s choice award.
Available at an all-time low price, our favorite monitor sports a 2560 x 1440 resolution. Operating at a speedy 144 Hz in FreeSync or G-Sync, this well-built display returns a contrast ratio over 3700 and covers 120 percent of the sRGB gamut.
Our favorite SSD thanks to its epic performance and superb power efficiency, the Samsung 980 Pro 1TB offers sequential read and write speeds of 7,000 and 5,100 MBps.
This config of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 Gaming Laptop has an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU and an RTX 3080 GPU. RAM sits at 16GB and storage at 1TB, plus this laptop has a 300 Hz IPS display.
This wired gaming mouse from Redragon is RGB backlit and has 9 buttons total that can be programmed. It has an adjustable speed that caps out at 8000 DPI.
Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler:now $99 at Amazon(opens in new tab)(was $142)(opens in new tab)The Noctua NH D15 CPU Cooler has a dual-tower design with six heat pipes and two fans providing great cooling performance for near-silent systems. It also supports Intel"s LGA1700 socket for Alder Lake CPUs.
The Z690 Aorus Ultra from Gigabyte is an LGA 1700 socketed motherboard that supports Intel"s 12th Generation Alder Lake CPUs and comes complete with PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2, and WiFi 6. This board also uses DDR5 RAM for superfast memory.
The LGA 1700 Z690 UD AX from Gigabyte has three M.2 sockets, PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2, Gen 2x2 type-C, Wi-Fi 6, and lots of thermal cooling on its VRMs. A feature-rich board for a great price whilst it"s on sale.
This 10th & 11th Gen Intel CPU-compatible motherboard packs plenty of I/O, Wi-Fi 6E, 2x PCI Express x16 slots, 6x SATA3 6.0Gb/s Connectors and 3x M.2 sockets — all in an affordable package. Save an additional 3% with promo code FBCFTT2.
The Logitech Brio 4K was the first 4K webcam on the market back when it first debuted in 2017. There are lots of 4K webcams now, but the Brio 4K is still a solid performer with good auto light correction, a 90 degree field of view, and 5x HD zoom. $135 isn"t the cheapest we"ve seen it, but it"s pretty close — and definitely cheaper than most 4K webcams.
The Razer Kiyo Pro is one of our favorite webcams, thanks to its excellent, flattering images and practically headset-level mic quality. It hasn"t been full price for a while, but right now it"s at its lowest price ever of just $87.99.
The Logitech G502 is one of the best gaming mice and it"s at the lowest price we"ve seen — just $89.99 at Amazon. This wireless gaming mouse packs Logitech"s Hero 25K sensor and premium features such as custom weights.
Logitech G413 TKL SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard:now $49 at Amazon(opens in new tab)(was $69)The Logitech G413 TKL SE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a wired device with backlit keys. As the name suggests, it has a tenkeyless form factor so there is no numeric pad. The keys are mechanical with tactile switches.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro wireless headset usually costs around $179 but is discounted today to $119. It has 50mm, high-end sound drivers, with a frequency response range of 12 Hz up to 28,000 Hz. According to Razer, the battery can last up to 24 hours.
The Razer Viper Ultralight wired gaming mouse features a Razer 5G optical sensor with a speed of 20,000 DPI. It"s ambidextrous in design and connects using a wired connection. This is one of the best prices we"ve seen for the mouse since it was first released.
Logitech G502 Hero Wired Gaming Mouse:now $29 at Amazon(opens in new tab)(was $79)The Logitech G502 Hero is Logitech"s wired update to its classic Proteus Core mouse. Its optical sensor can reach 25,600 DPI and it has 11 customizable buttons with enough onboard memory to store 5 customization profiles. This mouse also uses mechanical switches, has 1 Lightsync RGB zone and has removable weights to customize its feel.
With a maximum DPI of 6,400, the Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming mouse stands as a viable mid-tier gaming mouse. It has 5 programmable buttons that use mechanical switches. On the underside is an optical sensor.
Razer DeathAdder v2 Pro:now $67 at Amazon(opens in new tab)(was $129)The DeathAdder v2 Pro is on sale now at an impressive retail price. With a 20,000 DPI optical sensor and patented responsive switches, It’s a true king when it comes to FPS and RTS gaming.
The 6.7 × 6.7-inch Mini-ITX motherboard form factor has been around for more than two decades. But while many other types of tech have continued to shrink, most people are still building PCs in bulky towers with full-size ATX motherboards, and that really isn’t necessary anymore for most people. Although high-power-draw GPUs like Nvidia"s RTX 4090 and Intel"s Core i9-13900K CPU are certainly going to tax compact case designers going forward. Still, as process nodes shrink and related tech gets smaller, ITX popularity will likely increase.
The days of multi-GPU SLI or CrossFire gaming rigs are long over for gamers. And Ethernet, Wi-Fi and high-end audio are built into most motherboards now, unless you"re shopping on a tight budget. Multi-terabyte M.2 SSDs are the size of a finger, and cloud services and NAS devices take care of most mass storage. So most PC builders just don’t need a large ATX system, especially with so many great Mini-ITX motherboards currently on the market.
There was a time when Mini-ITX meant trading performance for compactness, requiring small components like compact graphics cards. And while opting for a small-form-factor SFX power supply is still often a requirement in the smallest cases, most ITX cases released in recent years also support full-length triple-slot graphics cards that mostly dominate our best graphics card list. That"s not always the case though, and cards have gotten larger with the launch of Nvidia"s 4090, so be sure to check clearances before buying.
With so many compact cases making room for big graphics cards now, there’s a good chance the best PC build for you isn’t a big PC. Below are our top picks for the best Mini-ITX cases you can buy today. But first, here are a few tips to consider before searching out the best Mini-ITX case for your next build.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Triple check your parts compatibility:When building in the best Mini-ITX case, compatibility becomes an issue more often than in bigger cases, so you’ll want to spend extra time planning your build around the case. The best strategy is to start with the case you want, and then find parts that fit accordingly.
Ensure adequate cooling: Especially in small cases, cooling can become an issue due to limited fan and radiator support. If you’re building a mid-range system, this isn’t much of an issue as most cases can deal with that kind of thermal workload. But if you’re building a high-end PC with a high-TDP CPU and GPU (and especially if you’re going to overclock the CPU or GPU), it may be worth looking for a case that supports 240mm or 280m AIOs (we"ve tested the best AIO coolers here), plus an extra intake fan.
Double Check PCIe 4.0 Support: Many of the best Mini-ITX cases use PCI-Express riser cables so that the GPU doesn’t have to be slotted directly into the motherboard. But while PCIe 4.0 cables are on the rise, not every Mini-ITX case comes with one. When installing a modern graphics card and a motherboard that has PCIe 4.0 support, it may be worth the extra outlay, especially if you plan on upgrading your GPU again a few years down the road.
Follow your heart:When it comes down to it, the best Mini-ITX case for your build depends a lot on what you like. Mini-ITX cases come in all sorts of weird and wonderful designs and shapes, so there are plenty of styles to choose from. Take the time to look at all your options and choose one that best fits your needs and aesthetic taste.
The basic frame is made from steel, and each side houses half-glass, half-perforated steel panels. The front and the top plate are made from fancier aluminum, altogether giving the case a very premium look and feel. The GPU can draw fresh air straight from the side, but you can still see its pretty RGB through the glass, and you can squeeze a 280mm radiator in the case’s roof.
When iBuyPower said that it would be opening the Revolt 3’s chassis for purchase as a standalone chassis, we were excited. And now that it’s here, we’re quite impressed. The Hyte Revolt 3 is a compact ITX case that doesn’t cost much at $129, but offers a wonderfully practical design with plenty of mesh, two click-away headphone holders and a carrying handle that sits flush into the top when you don’t need it. Of course, the build quality isn’t quite top-notch at this price. It’s all just painted steel, but the paint finish is nice and with its sleek, tidy looks, will fit in well in almost any gaming setup.
Internally, the Revolt 3 can also house almost any Mini-ITX system you throw at it, with room for large GPUs, up to a 280mm AIO, two 2.5-inch SSDs and one 3.5-inch drive. Better yet, its layout meanst it doesn"t need a PCI-e riser cable, so you won’t have to worry about reduced bandwidth on an RTX 3000 or RX 6000 series graphics card.
The Evolv Shift 2 stands out at first glance for its towering, small footprint design and beautiful anodized aluminum panels. Priced at $100 for the mesh version and $110 for the variant with TG and an addressable-RGB fan, it easily earns a spot on our Best Mini-ITX PC Cases list.
Cooler Master’s NR200P Max is an excellent, ready-to-go chassis that comes from the factory with a powerful 850w power supply and 280mm liquid cooler. Top that with the inclusion of both mesh and glass side panels, a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, PSU cables and AIO tubes that are fit to length and pre-routed, and the NR200P Max is extremely simple to build in and an easy recommendation for those looking for simple setup.
It’s been a common complaint that Mini-ITX cases are expensive. And if there’s one chassis that makes this statement true, it is the Louqe Raw S1. But this is a Mini-ITX case to gawk at. From its elegant design to its thick, one-piece aluminum outer shell, the Louqe Raw S1 is more of a work of art than a case.
However, you can fit a PC in here. There’s no AIO support, nor air filtration. So yes, there are sacrifices, but it offers among the easiest build processes – chances are you’ll be done building within the hour and have a very tidy end result. It will also happily fit huge triple-slot graphics cards, despite its ultra-compact 12-litter frame, and with a fancy ‘Cobalt’ PCIe 4.0 riser cable, there’s hardly a thing about this case that isn’t ultra-premium. It even has a carrying handle.
With a sub-$100 price, a mesh front, RGB light bar and a hinged glass side panel, Montech’s Sky One Lite appears to be an impressive deal on paper. But our testing saw it running a little warm and loud. This, combined with its otherwise fairly uninspired design means it doesn’t really stand out in the crowded budget case realm compared to excellent options like Phanteks G360A.
Lian Li spinoff Ssupd (sunny side up design, in case you were wondering) offers up an interesting mesh-covered rectangle with the Meshroom S. It’s compact at 9.7 x 6.6 x 14.2 inches and technically supports up to ATX motherboards and large 13-inch graphics cards. It’s thermal performance was also great in our testing. But it’s expensive for what it is, at $160, there really isn’t any attention paid to cable management, and because of its inverted design (with the motherboard ports facing the bottom), you’ll have to use the included right-angle HDMI cable, or furnish your own right-angle DisplayPort cable. The case also comes with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable, but it only works with sub-ATX-sized motherboards. If you plan on installing an ATX board, you’ll need to supply your own longer riser cable if you’re going to install a GPU (perhaps one of the best graphics cards).
If you’ve got a large, permanent desk at your home or office, it’s cheap and easy to connect your laptop to one or more external displays. However, if you’re on the go, you can’t lug a 27-inch monitor in your bag nor can you likely fit it on a tiny hotel or co-working table. That’s where the best portable monitors come in.
Portable monitors typically range from 13.3 to 17 inches and most come with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, though some can hit 4K and the cheapest models may be just 1366 x 768. These monitors weigh just a couple of pounds and most of them can draw power directly from your laptop’s USB ports, meaning you don’t have to carry yet another power brick in your bag.
Most portable monitors are designed for productivity work, providing a helpful second screen for your laptop that’s often the same height as its built-in display. However, people also use portable monitors for console or PC gaming, with some operating at up to 144Hz. You can even connect one that uses HDMI to your Raspberry Pi.
Below, we’ve listed the best portable monitors you can buy right now. If you want to stay productive on the road, don’t leave home without one. For your permanent desk, check out our lists of best gaming monitors, best 4K gaming monitors and best budget 4K monitors.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Make sure it connects to your device(s). Some monitors connect over standard HDMI, which lets them work with almost anything, while others use USB-C’s alternate mode. A select few provide DisplayLink connectivity, which allows them to plug into any USB 3.0 capable port, even an old-fashioned type-A connector.
Pay close attention to monitor kickstands. A kickstand can be a make-or-break proposition for some portable monitors. The best portable monitors have a built-in kickstand that allows you to easily adjust the display for the best possible viewing angles. On the other hand, some monitors have separate, magnetic origami-style covers that double as a kickstand. These are rarely (if ever) better than a good built-in kickstand and can ruin an otherwise good display experience.
Battery or no battery? Most modern portable monitors draw power over USB-C, either via a dedicated wall charger or by drawing power directly from your laptop. However, some models, like the Asus ROG ROG XG16AHPE and XG17AHPE, have a built-in lithium-ion battery that allows you to game without being plugged into a wall. So, if you prefer to connect to your laptop via HDMI, you could do so with just a single cable with battery-equipped monitors.
Productivity or Gaming? Most portable monitors come with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is perfectly fine for productivity tasks and suits most consumers. However, some alternatives like the Asus ROG ROG XG16AHPE and ViewSonic VX1755 offer up to 144Hz refresh rates and support for Adaptive-Sync technologies for those that want to game on a portable display that’s larger than what their laptop natively offers.
For more guidance picking a monitor of any resolution – gaming or otherwise – check out our PC Monitor Buying Guide and list of the Best Computer Monitors.
When you think of displays with a 300Hz refresh rate, you typically picture desktop monitors with a Full HD resolution. However, Nexigo offers something on a smaller scale in the form of the NG17FGQ. This is a 17.3-inch portable monitor that offers a 300Hz refresh rate and connects to a laptop or desktop via HDMI or USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode).
To take advantage of that fast 300Hz refresh rate, you"ll need to connect over USB-C with a computer that supports full bandwidth capabilities. If you decide to connect via HDMI, you"re limited to 240Hz, which is still heady for a portable monitor.
Gaming performance across the board is excellent with the NG17FGQ, and it can produce some amazing colors once the panel is calibrated. Its overall good build quality also means that it should stand up to the rigors of behind tossed around in a bag while traveling.
The Asus ROG Strix ROG XG16AHPE is a gaming-centric portable display that supports a 144 Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility from its IPS panel. That"s a nice departure from the standard 60 Hz panels typical in this class. The ROG XG16AHPE also is formidable on the endurance front, thanks to its built-in battery.
The ROG XG16AHPE measures 15.6 inches diagonally and has the typical 1920x1080 resolution. Thankfully, the IPS panel provided excellent viewing angles in our tests, but it features a rather odd kickstand that cuts diagonally across the back of the monitor. However, we found that this unorthodox design allows the ROG XG16AHPE to easily transition to portrait mode.
The aforementioned built-in battery’s capacity is 7,800 mAh and is rated for 3 hours when operating at 144 Hz. In our testing at 144 Hz, our runtimes managed to come in right around Asus" factory estimate.
Asus pulled out all the stops with the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP, which is an impressive 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitor. At first glance, the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP seems like your run-of-the-mill entry in this segment with its Full HD IP panel and 60 Hz refresh rate, but Asus has baked in plenty of features that make it unique.
For starters, there"s an integrated 7,800 mAh battery that is good for three hours of runtime before a recharge is needed. Our testing also showed that the battery could be juiced from 0 percent to 100 percent in just over two hours. The other standout feature of the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP is integrated Wi-Fi connectivity.
With Wi-Fi enabled, you can mirror your device"s screen to the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP without plugging in a USB-C or HDMI cable. When you couple this with the integrated battery, you have a completely wire-free experience with this portable monitor. Asus provides broad compatibility, with support across Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android and iOS operating systems.
Other features include a built-in accelerometer that allows the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP to switch from portrait to landscape mode with ease, two USB-C ports, and a single Mini-HDMI port. Throw in excellent color performance across sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, and it"s hard not to recommend the ZenScreen Go MB16AWP.
The Viewsonic VX1755 shares a similar design theme with the Viewsonic TD1655, right down to its black front, minimal bezels, color scheme and downward-firing speakers. It is constructed of high-quality plastic, with metal being reserved for the pop-out stand.
It supports a 144 Hz refresh rate like the ROG XG16AHPE, and backs that with AMD FreeSync Premium Adaptive-Sync technology. Not only could you pair the VX1755 with a laptop to expand your workspace or simply provide a larger screen to game on (versus, for example, a laptop’s built-in 13-inch display), but you could easily use it with an Android smartphone (via USB-C) or with an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 console.
When it was time to hit our benchmark stand, color performance was similar to the VD1655, which is below average. We measured 64.2 percent of the sRGB color space and just 45.5 percent of DCI-P3. On the plus side, we measured 250.6 nits for brightness, which is dead-on with ViewSonic"s 250-nit claim.
The Innocn is a mold-breaker in the portable monitor space. We typically expect OLED panels to come with a hefty price premium over their IPS rivals, but the Innocn 15A1F delivers OLED goodness for under $400. Not only is this pricing comparable to IPS panels in the 15.6-inch size class, but the color, brightness, and contrast are far superior on the 15A1F.
The 15A1F measures 15.6 inches diagonally and features a 1920x1080 resolution with a refresh rate of 60Hz. Brightness is rated at 400 nits, and we came remarkably close to that figure in our instrumented testing. sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut performance were admirable, and it"s hard to beat the contrast made possible with an OLED panel.
The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t comes in a bit on the smaller side compared to other portable monitors, measuring in at 14 inches across. It maintains a 1920 x 1080 resolution at 60Hz and features excellent image quality from its 8-bit IPS panel.
Lenovo boasts 300 nits brightness with the ThinkVision M14t, although on our light meter, it peaked at 250 nits. One of the standout features of the monitor is support for 10-point multi-touch input. A stylus is also included if you"d like to draw or write text on the screen. The stylus has multiple sensitivity levels when drawing, and the built-in handwriting recognition in Windows 10 and Windows 11 can convert your handwriting into ASCII text.
When it comes to connectivity, we should mention that the only way to connect the ThinkVision M14t to a laptop is by using USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode), which is a limiting factor. Many monitors in this price range (and cheaper) at least offer HDMI connectivity as an alternative.
For most gamers, 144 Hz is more than adequate, particularly for a portable monitor. However, if you’re an eSports gamer and need even more speed, the Asus ROG Strix XG17AHPE is a great choice, because it can do up to 240 Hz.
If you thought that the Asus ROG Strix ROG XG16AHPE was brawny, you haven"t seen anything yet. Its overachieving sibling, the ROG Strix XG17AHPE dives deeper into enthusiast gamer territory with a larger 17.3-inch IPS display.
The monitor has two USB-C ports (DisplayPort Alt-Mode supported) and Micro-HDMI for connectivity, features a 3ms response time, boasts a maximum 300 nits brightness, and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1.
In our testing, the monitor lasted roughly 2 hours per charge when running full-bore at 240 Hz at 80 percent brightness, with the speakers blaring at full volume. On the opposite end of the spectrum, pegging the refresh rate at 60 Hz with 50 percent brightness saw runtimes extend to four and a half hours.
If you need your portable monitor to do video or photo editing, it helps to have vibrant colors and lots of pixels. Not only does the Zion Pro feature a dense 3840 x 2160 resolution for a 15.6-inch monitor, but it also uses AMOLED display technology that allowed it to cover the full DCI-P3 gamut in our tests. This means rich colors that are unmatched in this category, but the infinite contrast means that you get inky blacks and a huge color gamut.
On the connectivity front, you"ll find one HDMI 2.0 port and a single USB-C port. Two speakers are onboard; there"s even 10-point multi-touch for those that like navigating through the Windows 10/Windows 11 user interface using your fingers. This is truly a portable monitor that won"t disappoint when it comes to color performance and features.
However, no monitor is perfect, and the Zion Pro gets some demerits for its icon-based OSD and tedious adjustments needed for proper calibration. We"d also be remiss if we didn"t mention the price, which comes in at a hefty $600. But if you’re looking for a beautiful display that can match (or exceed) the color performance and clarity of the best built-in laptop monitors, the Zion Pro is hard to ignore.
Whether you"re shopping for one of the screens that made our list of best portable monitors above or something else, you may find savings by checking out our best monitor deals page, along with our lists of Dell coupon codes, Lenovo coupon codes, LG coupon codes, HP coupon codes, Monoprice coupon codes and Newegg promo codes.
Though you can run a Raspberry Pi effectively without one (Raspberry Pi co-founder Pete Lomas, designed it that way), many want a case that can protect the single-board computer while offering an attractive design, built-in cooling or even special features. Originally the Raspberry Pi was not supposed to be contained within a case, but over the years the amount of Raspberry Pi cases available is almost as numerous as decimal places in the number Pi. Choosing the right one for your model and use case can be a challenge.
There’s no single best Raspberry Pi case for all uses, because what you would want for a media center is different from what you need for maker projects or for extreme over-clocking. Some cases can turn the humble $35 computer into a desktop computer, while others are designed like classic retro consoles to hit the nostalgia center of our brains. Some cases completely engulf the Pi in a shield of aluminum and acrylic. Below we’ve listed our favorite Raspberry Pi cases that offer not just protection, but add extra features to your Pi. We"re including picks not only for the current-generation Raspberry Pi 4 but also for the Raspberry Pi 3 series and the diminutive Raspberry Pi Zero range including the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.
Why you can trust Tom"s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.Do you need GPIO / Camera / Display Access? Many cases limit or completely block your access to the GPIO pins, which you need to attach the best Raspberry Pi HATs and other lights, motors and sensors. Before you buy, consider whether you plan to use the GPIO pins and whether you need to put a HAT directly on top of your Pi or you are comfortable using a ribbon cable to connect to the pins as some cases allow only that. The CSI camera and DSI display ports may also be blocked on some cases.What kind of cooling?Some cases come with built-in fans while others use passive cooling by turning the top of the case into a heatsink. Still others leave room for a fan but don’t come with one. Are you planning to use the case in the lounge? Could fan noise become an issue? If so then a passively cooled Pi makes more sense. If you’re buying a case for a Raspberry Pi 4, cooling is critical especially if you are farming Chia or planning to run Windows 11.Need anything special? While there are plenty of generic cases that just hold the Raspberry Pi, there are others that offer unique design or functionality. Some cases allow you to put the Pi on the back of a screen or come with a screen attached. Other models are meant to look like or function like retro game consoles. The more advanced cases offer extra features, such as the Argon One M.2 which has connectivity for an M.2 SATA SSD.Would you be better off without a pre-made case? For any project that involves building a robot or other physical device, you may be better served by using either no case at all or building your own case that incorporates the wires, buttons or other devices you need.Do you already own a Raspberry Pi? With the release of the Raspberry Pi 400 we see a modified Raspberry Pi 4 4GB inside a keyboard chassis. We have access to the GPIO, great cooling but no connections for the official Raspberry Pi Camera or touchscreen. If you are just starting out, the Raspberry Pi 400 may be the best all round purchase.
With most Raspberry Pi cases, there’s a significant tradeoff to make between protecting your Pi, having professional looks and offering access to the all-important GPIO pins. Argon’s Neo case lets you have your Pi and connect it too.
The Argon Neo is an attractive gunmetal-gray aluminum on its top and sides, with a shiny black plastic bottom. An aluminum plate covers the surface of the Raspberry Pi 4 and uses an included thermal pad to bond the CPU and RAM to the metal for passive cooling. However, there are generous cutouts in this plates for the GPIO pins and the CSI / DSI ports. You can easily fit a standard-size HAT on the Argon Neo, without the need for an extender or a ribbon cable. There’s even a little nook on the right side of the case -- above the USB ports -- where you can prop up a Raspberry Pi camera module.
A removable, magnetic cover goes over the top and completes the sleek aesthetic, but if you plan to use a HAT or camera module, you’ll need to leave the attractive cover off. However, with the cover on, you get really strong passive cooling. Even with the Raspberry Pi 4 overclocked to 2.1 GHz and the stressberry test taxing the CPU, the temperature never exceeded 78 degrees Celsius, which is well below the 85-degree throttle point.
If your priority is ease of access to the GPIO pins so you can add a HAT, Raspberry Pi 4, Pimoroni’s Pibow Coupe could be your best choice. The Coupe is not completely sealed on top so it leaves the GPIO pins completely unobstructed and provides enough room to run cables to both the camera and display CSI ports. If you like a dash of color, the rainbow-colored version (it also comes in “red” and “ninja” aka black shades), will brighten up your desk.
The Pibow Coupe doesn’t come with any cooling solution, but the CPU isn’t covered by anything so you can attach a heatsink, a fan HAT or Pimoroni’s own Fan Shim (our favorite of these choices), which just slides over the first 12 GPIO pins, but allows you to put a HAT on top of it.
While we’re underwhelmed by the official Raspberry Pi Case for Raspberry Pi 4, it may protect the Pi but it fails to keep the Pi cool even with the well designedcooling provided by the official fan kit. The Pi Foundation’s official case for Pi Zero is an excellent choice. The plastic case is made from red and white plastic that match the official Raspberry Pi color scheme so purists will be happy with the aesthetic.
However, what really stands out on the Raspberry Pi Zero case is its removable lib. The kit comes with three lids: one that’s completely skilled, another with the GPIO pins exposed and a third with a round hole specifically for mounting a camera. A small camera ribbon cable is also bundled case so you can easily connect a camera module and have it peer out the hole, without leaving lots of slack cable inside.
If you want to have a simple camera that you can carry or even use as a Raspberry Pi body camera, the official Raspberry Zero case is for you. It also provides a nice and stylish way to protect your Pi Zero while still having solid access to the GPIO pins. However, you’ll probably need an extender if you wish to put a HAT on over the case.
The SmartiPi Touch 2 allows you to combine Raspberry Pi’s official 7-inch touch screen with a camera module and just about any Raspberry Pi board (except the Zero) to create an awesome kiosk-style device. You mount the official touch screen in the SmartiPi Touch, which provides a space on the back to screw on your Pi and a camera hole as well.
Once put together, the SmartiPi Touch 2 can live on a table where you can adjust its angle up or down and / or use screws to permanently attach it to a surface. It even has space on the back for an optional VESA mount.
When it comes to protecting the Raspberry Pi itself, you have a few choices. The SmartiPi Touch 2 comes with a fan cage that you can snap in place over the Pi or plain, black fanless cover with a hole for GPIO pins. Or you could do what we did and screw the Pi in but forgo the covers so you have plenty of room to attach a HAT as needed.
It’s easy enough to install RetroPie on your Raspberry Pi and run old-school Nintendo games at home. However, it helps the overall experience to get a case that looks the part.
The Retroflag NESPi looks just like an old-fashioned Nintendo Entertainment System console from the 1980s, but inside, there’s room for a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 (Pi 4 owners will have to look elsewhere).
Where most Raspberry Pi cases are designed with holes that perfectly correspond to the USB port locations, the Retroflag NESPi uses a series of internal port extenders to please the ports in locations that are more appropriate for a console. Two USB ports sit on the front where you’d expect controllers to attach while another two plus USBs plus Ethernet sit in the cartridge slot. There are real power and reset buttons with the power button offering safe shutdown rather than just yanking the power.
The main drawback we found is that it was a real challenge to squeeze our Raspberry Pi 3 B + into it, connect all the tiny cables inside and get it to line up with the screw holes. The bundled instructions add to the confusion. There’s easy access to the microSD card slot, but forget about attaching anything to the GPIO or CSI / DSI connectors. Retroflag sells different versions of this case with some including a fan and / or controllers.
If you are looking for a passively cooled case for your Raspberry Pi powered home server, then SilverStone’s PI02 should be on your shopping list. This all aluminum case comes in two pieces which slot on top of one another. Inside the lower piece are four raised screw points used to secure the Raspberry Pi 4 to the case and prevent the Pi from slipping and shorting.
Inside the case and with the Raspberry Pi 4 secured in place, we use adhesive thermal pads to connect aluminum heatsinks from the CPU and USB chip to the case. We found during our tests that the heat from the board is conducted via the heatsinks and spread to the top layer of the case, using the fins to increase the efficiency of the heat removal process.
If you’ve ever wished you could play on a Raspberry Pi Zero like you play on a Nintendo Game Boy, the Retroflag GPi case will absolutely make your wish come true. Aside from the Pi Zero itself and microSD card, the GPi Case comes with everything you need to create a portable, handheld gaming experience.
You just attach a Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W to a little box that looks like an old-school Game Boy cartridge and then plug it into the case, which has a 2.8-inch IPS screen, along with a D-pad, four game buttons and select / start buttons. It also features a headphone jack for easy audio out and an on / off switch that can provide safe shutdown for your Raspberry Pi.
Like an old-school handheld game system, the GPi Case uses a set of three AA batteries and, in our experience, the device can go for hour