The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is finally here, arriving just a week after its titan sibling, the RTX 5090. Across our testing, the RTX 5080 offers around a 15-20% improvement over the previous generation’s RTX 4080 SUPER, placing it reasonably close to the performance of the RTX 4090. Priced at $999.99, the RTX 5080 is in a fairly strong position, offering strong metrics at 4K, but at a fraction of the price of the RTX 5090. However, with the arrival of new graphics cards, one of the big questions we often face is whether they will fit in our PC case. That’s why we’ve compiled this buyer’s guide, testing a range of excellent PC cases to pair up with the RTX 5080.
Fortunately, one of the big focuses of the RTX 5000 series was making the new cards slimmer than the previous generation. We’ve seen that this is possible with the arrival of the RTX 5090, a two-slot GPU.
In this buyer’s guide series, we’re delving into the best CPUs, PC cases, and power supplies to pair with the RTX 5080, providing you with the components you need for a fantastic PC build. Today’s article explores the best PC cases for the RTX 5080. We’ve tested and analysed the features, specs, and design elements of each option, providing you with an overview to help you make a decision based on your use case or budget.
Our Top Pick: Phanteks NV5 V2
The best PC case to buy for the RTX 5080 is the Phanteks NV5 V2. This is a highly-affordable dual-chamber case offering the fish-tank design that we’ve seen on the vast majority of chassis over the past couple of years. This case is incredibly easy to build with, has ample room for components including space for 360mm radiators on the top and side panels, and a huge amount of space at the rear for cable management. Definitely worth considering if you’re looking to flesh out your build entirely from scratch.
Best PC Cases for the RTX 5080
1. Phanteks NV5 V2
Our top pick for this PC case buyer’s guide is the Phanteks NV5 V2. Phanteks has become incredibly popular within the past year or so, with many of their new cases being a go-to recommendation for our new PC builds. The NV5 V2, in particular, is a stand-out option because of its strong design qualities. This is one of many chassis on the market to utilise the dual tempered glass panel design, resulting in a fish tank look. Phanteks has opted for a slightly angular aesthetic with the front panel and PSU chamber offset from the ground to provide better airflow.
In terms of component support, the NV5 V2 has space for 360mm radiators on the top and side panels or it accommodates a total of eight fans, three on the side and top, one on the bottom and one on the rear. It unfortunately doesn’t come with any pre-installed fans, but this allows you to opt for fans that you prefer, fleshing out the build to match a particular aesthetic or style.
| Key Specs | Phanteks NV5 V2 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mid-Tower |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Case Dimensions (L x W x H) | 528mm x 239mm x 477mm |
| Front IO | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
| PCI-E Slots | 7 |
| Max Clearance | 180mm Cooler Height 440mm GPU Length 230mm PSU Length |
| Drive Support | Up to 4 x 2.5 inch Up to 3 x 3.5 inch |
| Fan Support | Top: 3 x 120mm Side: 3 x 120mm Bottom: 1 x 120mm Rear: 1 x 120mm |
| Radiator Support | Top: Up to 360mm Side: Up to 360mm |
| Pre-installed Fans | 0 |
Regarding build quality, the Phanteks NV5 V2 is robust and study. There’s no sag on any of the panels, and the shroud at the back of the case is held in by some thick rubber stoppers, preventing it from moving. Cable management in the rear chamber can be a bit tricky in terms of anchoring some of the smaller USB cables due to the lack of cable tie points, but because there’s a huge amount of room at the back of the case, it’s fairly easy to jam wires in without causing any bulge.
In terms of caveats, the most significant weakness of this chassis is its lack of pre-installed fans. While this won’t be an issue for everyone, those who are somewhat restricted by budget may not be able to afford extra fans, which immediately rules out the NV5 V2 as an option. This case is pretty affordable, coming in around the $100 mark, but its lack of fans will be a deal-breaker for some.
Pros
- Affordable
- Space for cable management
- Sophisticated design
Cons
- No included fans
- Only supports 360mm radiators
2. Lian Li O11D EVO RGB
Next up is the Lian Li O11D EVO RGB. This is cube-shaped dual-chamber case offering a sleek design with plenty of RGB lighting. Lian Li are among one of the first manufacturers to offer the fish-tank case and over the years, their O11 series has become incredibly popular with Lian Li revitalising many of their popular SKUs in 2023 and 2024. The O11D EVO RGB builds upon the previous O11D EVO series with a refined aesthetic, while still retaining the look that made the original model popular.
RGB lighting has been shifted to the top and bottom of the case instead of just a small strip on the side. Front panel power and USB sit on the bottom foot, which makes it easily accessible on a desk. Lian Li prides the O11D EVO RGB on being highly modular, offering an adjustable motherboard tray, allowing you to orient your build in multiple different ways. The O11D EVO RGB has space for a maximum of ten 140mm fans, along with 360mm radiators on the side, bottom, and top panels. The mounting for these is also removable, making component installation incredibly straightforward.
| Key Specs | Lian Li O11D EVO RGB |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mid-Tower |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Case Dimensions (L x W x H) | 478mm x 290mm x 471mm |
| Front IO | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
| PCI-E Slots | 7 |
| Max Clearance | 167mm Cooler Height 455mm GPU Length 220mm PSU Length |
| Drive Support | Up to 8 x 2.5 inch Up to 4 x 3.5 inch |
| Fan Support | Top: 3 x 140mm Side: 3 x 140mm Bottom: 3 x 140mm Rear: 1 x 120mm |
| Radiator Support | Top: Up to 420mm Side: Up to 360mm Bottom: Up to 360mm |
| Pre-installed Fans | 0 |
At the rear of the case there’s ample space for cables. Lian Li have provided a shroud which spans the height of the case which also doubles as a way to install 2.5-inch SATA drives. The O11D EVO RGB accommodates full-sized ATX power supplies instead of SFX, which was a limitation of the O11D Mini from a few years ago. Overall, this case is well-equipped to support an RTX 5080 graphics card with additional room for future upgrades.
The most significant weakness of the Lian Li O11D EVO RGB is its price. Sitting around the $160 mark at the time of writing, this is not a cheap case. The O11D EVO RGB is geared towards those looking for more of a statement piece, and its price definitely matches this. Additionally, the lack of any pre-installed fans further weakens the value proposition.
Pros
- Modular design
- Ample cable room
- Plenty of RGB
Cons
- Expensive
- No included fans
3. Thermaltake The Tower 250
Thermaltake’s The Tower is the last case in this buyer’s guide recommended as a pairing for the RTX 5080. Bearing a similar design and aesthetic to it’s slightly larger sibling, the Tower 300, The Tower 250 is ideal for those looking to build a showpiece small form factor PC build. The Tower 250 features the octagonal panel design that we saw on the Tower 300 with huge amounts of ventilation across the tool-less metal panels across the chassis. This helps significantly with airflow, which was an issue on some of the older Tower models.
Regarding component support, The Tower 250 has space for Mini-ITX motherboards and supports a full-size 360mm radiator on the right panel. Additionally, this case can also house graphics cards up to 360mm long without the power cover, which is ideal for the RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPU, a 304mm long card. There’s also space for extra fans on the rear, top and bottom of the case, with two pre-installed CT120 fans taking up room at the top.
| Key Specs | Thermaltake The Tower 250 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mini Tower |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX |
| Case Dimensions (L x W x H) | 281mm x 300mm x 506mm |
| Front IO | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
| PCI-E Slots | 3 |
| Max Clearance | 210mm Cooler Height 360mm GPU Length 220mm PSU Length |
| Drive Support | Up to 8 x 2.5 inch Up to 4 x 3.5 inch |
| Fan Support | Top: 3 x 140mm Side: 3 x 140mm Bottom: 3 x 140mm Rear: 1 x 120mm |
| Radiator Support | Top: Up to 420mm Side: Up to 360mm Bottom: Up to 360mm |
| Pre-installed Fans | 0 |
The Tower 250 is fairly unique in its design, as most of the panels around the chassis are tool-less, making the build process incredibly easy. This includes the glass panels at the front of the case which use a spring-loaded mechanism. Thermaltake also offer an LCD screen panel which slips into the bottom of the case. The screen is a nice addition for those who plan on placing their PC build on top of a desk, instead of being hidden away.
The most obvious limitation of this case is the fact that it’s a small form factor option. By being a smaller PC it can be harder to access headers and install certain components. Furthermore, beause the Tower 250 only has space for Mini-ITX motherboards you’re immediately limited on the storage and RAM front as there are fewer slots compared to Micro-ATX and ATX motherboards.
Pros
- Tool-less panelling
- Strong airflow design
- Unique aesthetic
Cons
- Build can be complex
- Limited component room
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Space Do I Need for the RTX 5080?
The RTX 5080 comes in at 304mm long, which most modern cases support. However, AIB cards may be longer and may require more space.
Does My Build Need Good Airflow?
We always recommend picking out a case that has plenty of ventilation, but the vast majority of modern chassis are generally well ventilated and accommodate plenty of fans for more airflow.
Do I Need to Buy Fans?
Two of the cases we’ve recommended in this buyer’s guide will require you to buy fans, but the Thermaltake Tower 250 comes with two pre-installed at the top of the chassis. Your mileage may vary with different cases.
