When it comes to pc cases, they come in many sizes and types. As a gamer, you would consider two common types that will come across while building your setup: full-tower and mid-tower. So, which one is the best? In this ultimate guide, we will discuss the Full Tower vs Mid Tower pc Case in depth. Without further ado let’s break it down!
Full Tower vs Mid Tower Case – At a glance
A full tower case is a type of computer case that supports motherboards with the ATX or larger form factor which means a larger motherboard size, more PCI-E expansion slot, and more room for fans. A mid-tower case is a type of computer case that supports motherboards with the micro-ATX or Mini-ATX form factor which means lower motherboard size which leads to fewer expansion ports and less room for fans. To wrap up The main difference between full-tower and mid-tower cases is the size; That said, full-tower cases are typically larger than mid-tower cases.
Full Tower vs Mid Tower case – A Full comparison
| Full Tower | Mid Towe | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 18 inches (45.7 cm) | 22-25 inches (55.8 – 63.5 cm) |
| Motherboard Size | ATX and less, E-ATX, XL-ATX | Mini ATX, Micro ATX, standard ATX, |
| Drive Bays | 10-15 | 5 -10 |
| PCIe Extension Slots | 8-10 | 7-9 |
| Radiator Support | 480mm | 360mm |
| Fan mountings | 10-15 | 6-9 |
| Uses | Workstation, extreme editing setups | Commercial use, mid-range to high-end gaming |
| Price | Expensive | Affordable |
As you see in the table, obviously Full tower cases are larger than mid-tower cases, so they can support more devices and have more features. For example, full tower cases often have multiple fan mounts, allowing for better cooling of the components. Full-tower cases also tend to have more drive bays than mid-tower cases, making them better for people who need to store a lot of data and allowing them to expend at any time. finally when it comes to motherboards, this type of tower can hold the regular ATX form factor and higher like extended ATX and XL-ATX which makes them ideal for heavy-duty usage (Dual-GPU setups, servers, editing…), size, However, they come to be more expensive than mid-tower ones.
On the other hand, Mid-tower cases are less expensive than full tower cases and they are easier to set up. However, they cannot support as many PCIe expansion slots or drive bays as the full towers. Mid-tower cases are a good choice for gamers and streamers and they are the most people tend to use it.
Full Tower PC Case – In-depth Overview?
Size
Full tower pc cases come in 22″ -25″ (55 – 64 centimeters) tall and have a maximum width of 12″ (32cm). A great example of a large PC case is Corsair 700D Airflow
Motherboard Support
The most common motherboard size is the regular ATX, it fits both mid and full-tower cases, however, full-tower cases can support largely form factors like e-ATX. The extended ATX form factor is 12″ x 13″ (304.8mm x 330.2mm), which is about 2″ (51mm) wider than a standard ATX motherboard. Full towers also support The SSI CEB form factor is 12″ x 10.5″ (304.8mm x 266.7mm), and the SSI EEB form factor is 13″ x 10.5″ (330.2mm x 266.7mm) that supports multiple CPUs.
Expansion slots and optical drive bays
Full-tower PC cases typically have 8-10 expansion slots, as opposed to the less than 9 slots found on most mid-tower cases. They also support more drive bays (10 -15) for hard drives and SSDs. This is extremely helpful if you will be looking to set up an extreme setup or a workstation
Advantages
- Better cooling: With a full tower pc case, there is more room for air to flow, due to its build parts that are installed with larger gaps between them to allow air to circulate more flawlessly. This creates a better atmosphere to naturally cool your system, they also support more fan mounting locations which allows for more air to be pumped in. Moreover, full tower cases can accept large radiators and water cooling systems which is another advantage.
- Liquid Cooling: Besides the fact that liquid cooling makes a setup look more pleasing, it’s also more efficient than normal air cooling. Full tower PC cases allow you to integrate liquid cooling with 440mm radiators into your rig at any time. This means that there is always space for a large radiator or even two! You can do so in the future when your PC requires more components and needs better coolant.
- Easier to troubleshoot and manage cables: Cable management is a big deal when building your own setup! A full tower case is large enough to make this take easier and hassle-free.
- Multiple GPUs: some form factor motherboards can support two or more GPUS. This can only be done in a Full tower case, while Multi GPUs might not be as popular as they used to be, with this feature, you can divide the workload among the video card which improves performance and allows the system to process more data and many more advantages.
Pros And Cons
Mid Tower PC Case – Overview?
Size and Dimensions
A mid-tower instance is smaller than a full-tower. It comes with an average of 18 inches of height (45.7 cm). But they can be anywhere between 13.7″ – 21.6″ (35- 55 cm) tall, and have a 6″ – 9.8″ (15 – 25 cm) width. A great example of a Mid-tower pc case is the NZXT H7 Gaming Case
Motherboard Support
Mid tower cases usually support the standard ATX (305mm x 244mm) form factor or less, like the Micro-ATX (244mm x 244mm) or the Mini ATX (150mm x 150mm). On very rare occasions you may come across mid towers that support the extended ATX form factor. But this is not practical. With anything higher than the standard ATX a full tower case will take place.
Expansion slots and optical drive bays
Mid-tower PC cases usually support 7-9 expansion slots, which is slightly less than the Mid tower one. They also support fewer drive bays (5-10).
Advantages
- Simpler to work with: Since they are smaller than full towers, mid towers are simpler to work in. This means that it is easier to manage and troubleshoot as they come with fewer access ports and drives, and you’ll only have to install the needed components only.
- More Affordable: Mid towers are more affordable than full towers making them a great option for budget-conscious consumers.
- More Compact: The compact size of mid towers makes them more convenient and takes less space.
- More Attractive: Mid towers often have a more streamlined and polished look which can be more appealing than the bulkier full tower cases.
Pros And Cons
Full Tower vs Mid Tower – which one is the best?
There is no straight-to-the-point answer to this question. Both full tower and mid tower pc cases have their own advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your specific needs and preferences as to which one is the best for you.
Here are some things to consider when deciding between a full tower and mid tower pc case:
- Size: Full tower pc cases are much larger than mid tower pc cases. If space is limited, then a mid tower pc case might be a better option. However, full tower pc cases provide more room for expansion, so if you think you might need to add more components in the future, then a full tower pc case would be a better choice.
- Expansion: consider how many drives you need to install. If you have a lot of drives or plan on installing multiple graphics cards, you’ll need a full tower case with plenty of room for expansion. However, if you only have a few drives and don’t plan on expanding your system, a mid tower case will suffice.
- Cooling: Full tower pc cases usually have better cooling due to their size. when it comes to water cooling, it’s better to go with a full tower case, there will be hassle-free unlimited choices. If not you can consider Mid-towe
- Price: Full tower pc cases are generally more expensive than mid tower pc cases because they are larger and have more features. If price is a major consideration, then a mid tower pc case would be the better option.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a full tower or mid tower case comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a gaming PC case that will turn heads, then you can’t go wrong with a full tower. Not only are they larger and have more features than mid-tower cases, but they also offer better airflow and expandability.
However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need all the bells and whistles, then a mid-tower case will be just as good. To wrap up and answer the Ultimate Question. A mid-tower pc case is my answer for gamers and streamers alike, it’s the most common size used by gamers, it hosts all gaming components smoothly, and can be used to build a high-end gaming setup efficiently.
