Mid Tower vs Full Tower: Which PC Case is Best for a Gaming PC?

Mid tower vs full tower – which of these PC case form factors is better for your set up? Does one provide more of a distinct boost over your enemies in-game?

For all those who are struggling to decide between a mid or full tower case, this blog post is for you! We’ve compiled everything you need to know about these two case form factors, including their pros and cons, and highlighted their key differences. All of which should help you decide which case is best for your gaming PC.

What is a Mid Tower PC Case?

Mid tower PC cases can typically support a wide range of full-sized components, including E-ATX motherboards, large power supplies, and horizontal or vertical GPU layouts. The extra space contained with a mid tower case can be used for more complex configurations, such as custom water cooling loops.

What’s more, mid tower cases also come equipped with support for plenty of must-have features, including tempered glass side panels, mesh front panels, unique designs, and customisable RGB lighting.

Pros & Cons of a Mid Tower PC Case

Pros

Can hold up to E-ATX motherboards (depending on the case).
Compatible with horizontal and vertical GPU layouts (depending on the case).
Space for custom water cooling configurations.
Plenty of aesthetic features such as tempered glass panels and RGB.
Optimised for airflow – can hold lots of fans to facilitate more natural airflow throughout.
Perfect for all office set ups. A mid tower case isn’t too big or too small.
Suitable for every type of budget.
Popular PC case form factor – plenty of choice with many different models and manufacturers available.

Cons

Limitations to what hardware you can install. For example, not every mid tower PC case can support E-ATX motherboards or alternative GPU layouts.
Depending on the case, there might not be enough space or airflow for high-end components.

What is a Full Tower PC Case?

Full tower is the largest size of PC case, typically measuring 55-75cm x 22-32cm. They can support up to E-ATX motherboards and hefty GPUs, such as the NVIDIA RTX 40 Series. These cases are extremely spacious, boasting room for multiple GPU configurations, complex water cooling loops, and multiple fan layouts. All of which will notably boost your performance and optimise your cooling.

In addition to this, full tower PC cases also have plenty of aesthetically pleasing features, such as unique designs, tempered glass panels, horizontal or vertical GPU layouts, and customisable RGB lighting. You can find the ultimate showstopping full tower PC case to display all your hardware with pride.

Pros & Cons of a Full Tower PC Case

Pros

Can hold up to E-ATX motherboards and large graphics cards.
Compatible with horizontal and vertical GPU layouts.
Supports multiple GPU configurations.
Super spacious – plenty of room for custom water cooling loops and multiple fans to optimise cooling and airflow.
The extra space also allows for better cable management. There is more room to hide any pesky excess cables that you don’t want on display.
Plenty of aesthetic features including tempered glass side panels, dual-chamber designs, and RGB lighting.

Cons

Large size. Not feasible for people with smaller office set ups who don’t have the space for a big PC case.
Hard to transport. Full tower cases can be heavy, making it difficult to move.
Usually more expensive than any other PC case form factor.
Not as many full tower PC cases – limited choices.

Mid Tower vs Full Tower: Which is Better for Gaming?

Mid tower vs full tower – which you choose really all depends on your needs and preferences.

For those with smaller office spaces, a mid tower is the perfect PC case for you. These cases can hold plenty of the latest high-end gaming hardware along with facilitating outstanding cooling thanks to support for water cooling and multiple fan layouts. What’s more, there are hundreds of mid tower cases, meaning you’ll truly be spoilt for choice, especially with lots of budget-friendly models also available to ensure you don’t break the bank.

However, if your hardware requires more intensive cooling, or perhaps you want to take advantage of an E-ATX motherboard or large RTX 40 Series GPU, then we’d recommend a full tower.

Full tower cases are perfect for those who have the space to accommodate their large size, the budget, and demand the hefty hardware to match. These PC cases are the ultimate enthusiast-grade showstopper. You can create stunning complex component configurations, including water cooling loops, multiple GPU and fan layouts, along with horizontal or vertical graphics card support. All of which you can illuminate perfectly with RGB lighting and display with pride through tempered glass front or side panels.

Ultimately, both mid and full tower PC cases feature their own set of pros and cons for every type of gamer. Which one you pick for your set-up, all depends on both the demands of your hardware and your chosen aesthetics.

Still Struggling to Find the Right Type of PC Case Form Factor?

Are mid and full towers just not the right PC case for you? Don’t worry, you’ve still got plenty of other case form factors to consider. We’ve covered everything you need to know in our dedicated blog article.

PC Case Form Factors Explained - Everything You Need to Know!

Our Top Mid and Full Tower PC Cases!

Looking to upgrade to a mid or full tower PC case? At Overclockers UK, you can find plenty of both case form factors available from a wide range of popular manufacturers. We’ve selected two of favourites of each, but you can shop all our mid and full tower PC cases by clicking the button below.

Shop Mid Tower Cases

Shop Full Tower Cases