Best PC Cases and AIO Coolers of 2023

So 2023 is almost over and it’s been an interesting year for new CPU coolers and cases. With an increase in CPU power demands it means that choosing the right case and CPU cooler is more important than ever. So to close out 2023 I am taking a look at my favourite cases and coolers from this year's reviews, so here are my best budget, high end and overall favourite cases and CPU coolers from 2023. Read more here: bit.ly/41vSEZA
00:00 Start
00:46 James reflects on 2023
01:07 Best Budget CPU cooler
04:09 Best High end CPU cooler
06:52 CPU Cooler of the year
09:55 Best Budget Case
13:05 Best High End Case
16:55 Case of the year
20:55 Closing remarks
Best Budget CPU Cooler:
Kitguru Review Link: shrtm.nu/p6s
Video Link: shrtm.nu/p6t
Best High end cooler
Lian Li Galahad II LCD 360
Kitguru Review link: shrtm.nu/p6u
Video link: shrtm.nu/p6v
Best cooler overall:
EKWB Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
Kitguru Review Link: shrtm.nu/p6w
Video link: shrtm.nu/p6x
Best Budget Case
Endorfy Arx 500 Air ARGB
Kitguru link: shrtm.nu/p6z
Video link: shrtm.nu/p6B
Best High End Case
Bequiet! Dark Base Pro 901
Kitguru Link: shrtm.nu/p6C
Video Link: shrtm.nu/p6D
Best Case 2023
Lian Li 011 Vision
Kitguru Link: shrtm.nu/p6E
Video Link: shrtm.nu/p6F
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Final Cut Pro (Mac)
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#cooling #pccase #pcbuild

[@Itsameamario-ns3se]

Merry Christmas James and the rest of the team - thanks for all the hard work this year.

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

love that EKWB cooler. ordered one for my new system

[@QuentinStephens]

Merry Christmas to all at Kitguru.

[@georgelowrielowrie5428]

Sweet, something to watch with my Christmas eve Bacon butty! Merry Christmas all. ❤

[@Kentish9494]

now that sounds like paradise

[@gogopowerrangers6596]

@@Kentish9494 Im doing the Same, ive HP sauce on mine !

[@Salty.Peasants]

My personal favorite is the Phanteks NV5/7/9. A good balance of looks and utility, especially with the Phanteks Hi-Res display.

[@Kentish9494]

Thanks for all the vids throughout the year, certainly influenced my buying decisions as well as being great to watch.

[@KitGuruJames]

Glad it's been useful to you. 👍

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

Well said me too!

[@MrAnimescrazy]

What are your specs?

[@justindavis7600]

Endorfy made a good mark on 2023 - starting to get some recognition . Not quite up there with Deepcool yet as one of the lesser brands to get love, but doing very well.

[@Everychillitsjustlife-cz8zz]

Merry Christmas Kitguru and I wish James, Leo, Dominic and mat a very happy holidays.

[@KitGuruJames]

Merry Christmas to you too 😀

[@CommanderPanda]

Thanks. Merry Christmas to you too 🎅🏻

[@Games_and_Tech]

Deepcool Morpheus. The has the best cooler capacity, best fans compatibility (all 140mm if you want, or 120 or 200) best radiator compatibility 3x 420mm. Includes a PcI gen4 riser matching the color of case and a vertical mount. Also includes a screen to check temperatures, plus you can play with the configuration

[@Maxverstappenracing-dz3pt]

I must have missed that bequiet Dark Base Pro 901, its the complete opposite of the flashy glass on every corner cases isnt it ? nice to see variety. happy christmas James loved your reviews this year.

[@KitGuruJames]

Thanks, Merry Christmas to you too. 😊

[@KnightRider-lq5yb]

Lian Li just got that case in - on time for end of year - big fan of those 'aquarium cases' but I see a lot of comments with people who are bored of them, like RGB I guess.

[@CFI963]

I was expecting Montech King 95 up there. It’s such a great case. Beautiful and built well.

[@theonlyredspecial]

James liked it too. Check out his review.

[@canarychrome7012]

merry christmas guys, awesome videos all year. im already half drunk will come back to this video later !

[@powermaster5004]

So happy the Bequiet Dark Base Pro 901 got some attention, in a world of flashy RGB and glass windows this case just made me so impressed with its stealth look, amazing case, looks mean

[@cyberneticorganism.]

I would expect that Lian Li would be on top, this brand is on my wish list next. Edit: Oh wait, i wasn't finished with watching the video ;-)

[@larwiemcdonnel5322]

EKWB Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB doesnt get enough love, glad you guys recognised it this year as the best. it outperforms anything else ive tried

[@Aphex51]

I've been eyeing this cooler for a while to replace my Arctic Freeze 360 which is slowly failing.

[@BlackOutIRL]

its not only good in performance, its also super quiet at full RPM which a lot AIOs fail to do. *Cough* Asetek pumps (lian li galahad lcd)

[@WKaznartist]

My top 2 PC cases are the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 and the Anidees AI Raider XL due to expansive options for HDD and SDD, as well of plenty of fans (15-20). They both will fit the largest GPU without problems.

[@p.s6742]

How does the Endorfy Arx 500 ARGB compare to the Lian Li Lancool 216 RGB?

[@BANIAAAAK]

Happy Holidays dudes!

[@shaolin95]

New Corsair LINK h170i is fantastic

[@mrsufgis]

I have the EKWB, the pump is so noisy! I tried all tricks but anything other then reducing to 20-40% util doesn't shut it down

[@FantasticHD7]

Asus Rog ryujin III 360 or Lian Li galahad II LCD? which AIO should I buy for my 7950X3D? what is the difference in performance between these two?

[@RomanGrigorenko]

Hello 🖐wonder how this compares to the new Lian Li Galahad II? what do you think will cool the i913900k better? what do you recommend LIAN LI GALAHAD II LCD or EKWB EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB ?

[@Shinigami-gk2mr]

I got the Corsair Icue link 360mm aio and I love it along with my Lian Li lancool 3

[@KitGuruJames]

Lancool 3 is a very good choice.

[@shaolin95]

Yep. I got the 170i link and it's awesome

[@monashaVR]

is this aio good? AIGO DarkFlash Tracer DT

[@TheV8superkar]

my favorite of this year is Thermaltake Tower 200

[@gorrilaunit99]

Also need to review the Silverstone Shark force fans, they push more CFM than EK, Phanteks, and Lian Li in 120/140 RGB

[@RainbowSunset-uq2hs]

they do? wow had no idea.

[@iamahappybunny7640]

Awesome some great products

[@dreschaffhausen5693]

Nice bit of Christmas Eve viewing. James should have worn a Santa hat for this one. With maybe a Christmas tree in the background.

[@KitGuruJames]

😊

[@b1gd312]

I returned the LT720 as pump noise even with custom curve set in the bios was still fairly audible, swapped back to a PA120 for silent cooling, as looks great in white.

[@deuswulf6193]

Hard to go wrong with the Peerless Assassin. Just wish they were better looking.

[@fairycat]

EKWB CPU cooler looks cool

[@notchipotle]

the O11 vision actually looks like a rendered 3D object lol

[@igrvks]

While 011 and it's infinite variants are good computer cases I really hope some manufacturer will finally come up with the next popular thing in 2024.

[@canarychrome7012]

Wonder if there is anything else left to do that no one has yet with a 'rectancular' shape.

[@gorrilaunit99]

Check out the Jonsbo D41, coolest small ATX case I've ever seen

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

@@gorrilaunit99 ive seen you post about it before? do you own it? ive heard its good but never really seen any good reviews on it.

[@inlovewithmycar7085]

@@gorrilaunit99 I like the bequiet 901 that got the high end case of the year here, its stealth and very understated if you feel the aquarium cases are 'too much'. bequiet have tried to move with the times, but I like how they go for a slightly different market, its clever

[@pixelrefresh348]

That lian li case for sure should win best fancy case of the millennium category.

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

that gets my vote too lol

[@moonstomper68]

Can't find the 500 air anywhere near to the price quoted here

[@thomasmichaelschwarz9741]

You forgot the Valkyrie VKo2 with an integrated touchscreen.....😉 ok, with it's strictly Chinese manual it is adventurous. But it is a quite valuable case with a kick

[@KitGuruJames]

I've not seen that one. 👍

[@gorrilaunit99]

*Please review the Jonsbo D41 Mesh SC . . . please?* 😂😊

[@lovingthehardwarethisyea-py1xp]

is that any good?

[@gorrilaunit99]

​@@lovingthehardwarethisyea-py1xp Haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but it's sitting in my cart. I love the idea of small ATX cases since all my HDDs are external and NVME exists. 😅

[@gogopowerrangers6596]

@@gorrilaunit99 I have heard its a great case, saw it on OCUK last week, I agree, I like small cases too, ideal for a bedroom or beside the TV.

[@Maxverstappenracing-dz3pt]

I agree ! I have only seen a few bad reviews of it, id love an indepth analysis of it from Kitguru

[@bobsmithson8592]

another vote from me for a review of this one

[@philipjfry628]

Surprised the Hyte fancy glass case with the built in touchscreen didn't get an honourable mention.

[@canarychrome7012]

I think the review covered that, dont think it was good enough to win the final things based on build quality alone (I dont mind the price as the screen is expensive).

[@philipjfry628]

It was really expensive would only but it with a lottery win. @@canarychrome7012

[@Korculanac11]

Just received my Y70 and absolutely love it. A little larger the Y60. I did have the Lian Li Evo dynamic. Was a good case but much larger than the Y70. I just cant get enough that gorgeous 4K LCD panel which i think is a game changer. Build quality is amazing. I don't why you would remove the LCD panel, of course the top will flex.

[@festerleech4952]

So the Lian Li cooler is very good but I dont like the pump block being a rectangle. The circular ones with the round LCD look way better. Thinking NZXT Kraken Elite...

[@KitGuruJames]

The NZXT kraken elite is decent but not great performance.

[@festerleech4952]

Thats a shame! It does look really cool though @@KitGuruJames

[@yazzygurl]

I currently have NZXT Z73. Is the Galahad II better? I also have a brand new one but not sure if i should switch over.

[@yazzygurl]

@@-Highlander-42 Cool lol I don’t have that aio tho that’s why I’m asking about the z73 and galahad ii. I already switched over and comparing temps anyway

[@yazzygurl]

@@-Highlander-42 R9 7900x with a 4080. I actually loved the Z73. I’ve had it for 2 years. I still don’t know how I feel about the GA II LCD. Obviously I picked these pumps more for aesthetics 😂

[@prospect2664]

T38 AIO is one of the best AIO available

[@user-xl6yo5dr6p]

Kraken Elite user here 360mm

[@young-j731]

Phanteks Nv7, Lian li 011 Vision, RGB, and XL, Galahad Performance, Rog Ryujin 3, Deepcool Morpheus, are My best of 2023

[@Games_and_Tech]

The nv7 is too way too big for what you can do with it, also that giant forehead... it is just to ugly. Lian li lost his north on the case department, now are just clowns... I just agree ln the deepcool

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

What do you mean about the nv7. It’s a good case ?

[@iamahappybunny7640]

I was thinking about buying the nv7. Not sure I understand

[@Games_and_Tech]

@@iamahappybunny7640 if you like the nv7, get the nv5. There is nothing you can't do in the nv5 that you can't do better cheaper smaller in the nv7. The nv9 you can do 140mm fans and 420mm aio, but it is unreasonable big, it alwaysb looks empty, is overpriced, you certainly don't need a back door to be bothering you every time you need to connect something on your MoBo. They could have been included a vertical mount and a pci riser cabkenfor the price instead of the back door. But even then, who wants a forehead that big, specially when the ideal position for the AIO is on the side, the top looks to way to empty. They could have done a great case, but they missed the opportunity, same as Lian Li. They have donkeys designing cases.. and donkeys that seemed to have not built a single pc on their lifes

[@ichisenzy]

ROG Ryujin is too expensive

[@EngineerDJ_Julius]

high end AIO's are popular for a reason

[@pakjai5532]

Makes me proud to own all 7800x3d, ek aio, and the Lian li vision.

[@deuswulf6193]

Tbh the 7800x3D doesn't really need an EK aio though. Beyond visual appeal (subjective), slapping beefy AIO coolers on high efficiency CPUs, especially when they are mid range, is overkill. Hell even a basic $35 dual tower air cooler can keep the 7950x3D cool with no problem.

[@volter456]

Hey did you still use the ek cr360 aio on that Ryzen? I have exactly the same cpu and right now I'm looking to pretty good aio

[@pakjai5532]

@volter456 Yes, I am still using it. However, just like @deuswulf6193 said, you don't really need it. I went for it because of visual appeal and also for additional cooling since the Lian Li vision does not have ventilation on the top. I am running 6 in takes and 2 exhausts. With other pc cases, you are more than good enough with just an air cooler. I did look at the Noctua cpu cooler prior to picking up the EK AIO. My CPU never exceeds 70c even on 100% usage. This is an indication to you how good this AIO is.

[@volter456]

@@pakjai5532 yeah I know i don't need it but I want it apparently for more cooling and looks 😀 thanks for response, i will buy that aio for sure

[@VideogamesAsArt]

How is this only for AIO coolers? I don't see the point in buying AIO at all when there are budget air coolers (thermalright) that can do the same as any AIO for twice the price (and only the top end ones actually have a cooling advantage)

[@JJ-gk5tn]

You forgot the best value case Montech King 95 !

[@lucifersheadscarf6988]

He reviewed it and liked it.

[@jasonsworldnow]

good video

[@p.s6742]

Isn't the Lian Li O11 Vision an accident waiting to happen with all that glass??

[@lucifersheadscarf6988]

Most of those cases have a lot of glass like that. It’s the ‘aquarium’ style case that’s very in fashion right now. I don’t think it’d dangerous unless you drop it off a desk

[@buyingastairwaytoheaven5252]

Great List James - you are the Greta Van Fleet of tech, new, exciting and kicking a$$ but like an old generation of reviewers who know the game well.

[@KitGuruJames]

Thanks.

[@TakaChan569]

That Lian Li 011 Vision case just seems kinda over the top, so it being made with some of the community makes sense not a fan lol.

[@Tencraft1235]

How is a 100$ cooler best budget ? I was expecting a good 40$ air cooler like the thermalright phantom spirit.

[@stickyfingers9710]

They are all AIO's - 100 dollars is a budget AIO in todays market.

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

@@stickyfingers9710 Yes its a crazy world in 2023. most of the sub 80 dollar AIOs are chinese crap brands with suspect quality

[@KitGuruJames]

Problem with some budget air coolers is they really struggle on higher power CPUs. At the beginning of the video I said these were my favourite cases and coolers which I had either reviewed or featured in videos this year, not a definitive list. 👍

[@kalitvenec]

I liked them all in the reviews, but I didn't even see them in real life.

[@sol-hb8zg]

What’s the difference between the le720 and lt/ls etc?

[@inlovewithmycar7085]

I think its just a regional thing?

[@KitGuruJames]

Fans and RGB effects, that's it.

[@amdforlife5591]

Just wanted to give you guys a vote up for making the AMD 7800X3D processor of the year. mucho gracias !

[@pixelrefresh348]

And the Apple M3 Max chip should get a mention.

[@shaolin95]

Doesn't make it true though 😂😂😂😂😂

[@hasibk56]

Coolermaster haf 700 evo is the ultimate case

[@RainbowSunset-uq2hs]

really? why ?

[@lovingthehardwarethisyea-py1xp]

it is? isnt it an old case now?

[@bobsmithson8592]

it was a good case, but its old now.

[@stickyfingers9710]

I loved that case too. was excellent. but its been around a long time hasnt it ? since start of 2022?

[@tft_and_chill]

who wants a chonker like that o11 trash on his desk when it can be so much better...

[@gogopowerrangers6596]

Lian Li 011 Vision is remarkable, I know it seems cool to be bored of these cases already, but its so damn pretty and they are using proper materials

[@KnightRider-lq5yb]

everyone hates everything on youtube, its just how it is now. people like to look cool for hating on stuff. even when its brilliant

[@Everychillitsjustlife-cz8zz]

@@KnightRider-lq5yb yes I have noticed.!

[@RadialSeeker113]

Here's mine: AIOs: Coolermaster atmos Ekwb nucleus Lian Li galahad II Trinity Deepcool lt720 Air: Thermal right PA120SE Coolermaster hyper 212 black 2023 Noc dh15 Cases ATX : Nzxt h6 011 Evo rgb Y70 display Matx: Asus AP201 TG Itx: Corsair 2000D Nr200p max Dancase a4 h20

[@geofftatesmate7748]

good list, did you not like the EKWB Nucleaus CR360 and the Lian Li O11 Vision though?

[@KitGuruJames]

The Atmos almost made my best coolers list but the Nucleus just edges it in performance.

[@RadialSeeker113]

​​@@geofftatesmate7748Ekwb nucleus is in the list 😅. O11 Evo rgb offers more cooling and better looks than the vision for not much more. Just makes sense fot those already spending 120-180 for a case.

[@KitGuruJames]

​@@RadialSeeker113hopefully will get an O11D Evo RGB in the new year. The EVO RGB had not been announced when I made this video.

[@get2choppa429]

for aios ill always have the arctic liquid freezer at the top of the list. i know its not a 2023 release, but its always cheap and its the best performing since is a 38mm rad vs the 27mm that most other aios use

[@KitGuruJames]

Yep, great AIO, good performance and low noise. I've purchased a few for customer builds.

[@shaolin95]

No is not the best. It gets beaten by many newer ones. Is a good price but come on man's lots of tests prove you wrong. You are like people that still think the D15 is the king lol

[@bobnugget3345]

$99 as budget woooo

[@Games_and_Tech]

Best high end CPU cooler is the Phanteks d30 420mm... I have it and it is ridiculously good. 360mm are a joke next to this one. 8th gen asatek pump, 3 x d30 140mm fans... look great, you dont need trash software...

[@Games_and_Tech]

I wish they make a 280mm version

[@KitGuruJames]

I'd like to get hold of one and compare to other coolers on our test systems.

[@Games_and_Tech]

I hope you get one soon. It would be nice to see it on your chart!

[@shaolin95]

OK Karen but no is not the best

[@Games_and_Tech]

@@shaolin95 what is the best AIO assh*?

[@alexmar4252]

$99 is not a boodgit cooler!!! $49 is a boodgit cooler!!!

[@boardnamona]

That gpu cable run is hideous 🤣

[@vensroofcat6415]

Felt more like "My Favorite PC Cases and Coolers of 2023, highlights expanded edition" The thing is I can't buy a single case or cooler based on this one. Because none of them is even close to my market segment or preferences. None. You have good reviews, but this one went far over my head and I have trouble seeing it as "Best of" a whole market. Better luck next year.

[@haremofprocessors6954]

What do you mean? quite a range of cases they covered this year, james just picked his favourite three. If they are all too expensive, some cheap montech cases he reviewed too which scored well,.

[@KitGuruJames]

That's exactly what it was. I said at the beginning of the video that it was my favourite cases and coolers from hardware that I had reviewed or featured in videos this year. 😊

[@vensroofcat6415]

@@haremofprocessors6954 yes, quite a few cases. And I put my like below most of them. But this is just not a "Best PC cases of 2023" like you see yearly from Tech Jesus and a few other and that's all I'm saying. No like this time. Nor for the coolers part.

[@vensroofcat6415]

@@KitGuruJames false advertising, clickbait!!! 😜Just being blunt about this one, no time for novels. You do a good work, but this one was a complete miss for me. Merry Christmas!

[@KitGuruJames]

​@@vensroofcat6415 The Nucleus AIO and O11 Vision are truly my best cooler and case of the year. But as with any tech channel we can't possibly test every case and cooler in a year, there just isn't enough time so whether it's KitGuru, Gamers Nexus or anyone else, it's always ever going to be the best of what they have reviewed/tested that year. Not the best out of everything that had been launch that year as they won't have tested everything. 👍

[@deuswulf6193]

There are just too many good cases that came out in 2023, as for the coolers, well it feels like high performant air coolers dampened the appeal of these AIO solutions.

[@ulamss5]

Very bold move to start with a $100 "budget" cooler. It may be good value relative to other 360mm AIOs, but that doesn't make it "budget".

[@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626]

I think most of the sub 100 AIOs are terrible, its by far the best in the budget AIO sector. AIr coolers are much less for sure, but dont think this was the focus on this video. Dont think any crap AIO would get in this list

[@festerleech4952]

It's amazing what a build will cost if you let the bill of materials run away if you're not careful and thats not including the CPU or GPU. Gaming just got so expensive.

[@KitGuruJames]

At the beginning of the video I said these were my favourite cases and coolers which I had either reviewed or featured in videos this year, not a definitive list. 👍

[@lovingthehardwarethisyea-py1xp]

Trust me you dont want a 'truly budget 50 dollar AIO' My mate bought one from ebay, it leaked and made a right mess. I think starting at 100 gives quality, Im glad kitguru did it this way. its more an enthusiast channel anyway, makes sense to me. 2023 has been the year of crazy prices too

[@ulamss5]

@@KitGuruJames that's fine, but that's not what the title is. "Best" should be used for more objective and extensive comparisons. "Our favourite" may be a more suitable title.

[@makiwa]

£100+ is hardly "Budget"..... And if you can actually find one it will cost a lot more than that... Like 50 quid more!"

[@theonlyredspecial]

That budget one is on Amazon for 100

[@makiwa]

@@theonlyredspecial No there isn't I looked, only the 700 for £167.00

[@lucifersheadscarf6988]

I got it for 100.