The S-TIER mATX Case you probably Missed - ASUS A21 Review

The mATX market has a new god-tier case that I almost missed because it was launched in almost secret. And that's what happens with ASUS. First it was the AP201, an mATX LEGEND and now it is the A21, a larger budget mATX that costs under $70 but it offers SO MUCH for that money.

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Review unit provided free of charge by ASUS & Purchased by HWC. This video is sponsored by Montech. As per Hardware Canucks guidelines, no review direction was received from manufacturer. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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[RanduMandu]

I'm surprised you haven't reviewed the Lian Li x Dan Cases A3 mATX case yet. That feels like the best balance between size and hardware compatibility at the moment. It's also $70!

[justeddm]

Asus Ap201 and Dan a3 are what I would recommend for affordable and good quality matx cases

[makwikus]

No USB-C in the front? In 2024? What genius made that decision??

[jahsoul]

I didn't miss it; I saw the glass panel and patiently waiting on the A3-mATX...lol.

Great video tho!

[huyquang]

I’m gonna be honest, mATX towers with the PSU basement and 4-5 PCIe slots don’t make sense. They’re hardly any smaller than normal ATX cases, like 3-4 cm shorter, but you can’t use ATX boards. Just get a normal ATX tower if you don’t care about size.

mATX cases with the PSU mounted at the front make way more sense if you’re looking to actually downsize. AP201, Dan A3, Jonsbo D30/D31 are really good options. I personally downsized from an ATX case to the D30 and temp has been fine (260W GPU). Wish someone would make a D30-sized case with front and size mesh so I can flip the PSU intake to the front.

[nameless.]

Too big for an mATX case, at 44L just get a midtower and ATX board. I doubt the temps in this case are much different to AP201, I would not be surprised if AP201 is even better in that regard.

[dwaynestimpson]

Nice to see someone going back to basics. All these new huge fish aquarium cases make my head hurt. Airflow, ease of installation and functionality all in a compact design. I like it, keep it up Asus!

[thseed]

My last PC build was an mATX. I really do love the form factor. Not as many compromises as you have with ITX for a smaller PC, little more storage, RAM and connectors.

[flyingpj]

Will you be reviewing the LIAN LI A3-mATX?

[dimitriajazi]

Gorgeous case not only aesthetically but in its practicality. Makes me want to build a rig!

[krakentortoise]

Hard pass. 44L is absolutely massive for an mATX case.

[lockevalentine]

No USB C, No included fans, 44 liters, and only supporting MATX is kinda terrible. Personally I'd just get the AP201, personally I have not had the airflow problems you claim. This case just doesnt make any sense, its as large as any other mid tower but no fans and only supports MATX and NO USB-C? Who are they even trying to fool.

[nrgia]

Got this case about a month ago. As you mentioned I swaped a AP201 for this. So glad you like it. It is an absolute joy to build in it. Got rid of the hhd cage because wasn't needed. Lots of space inside it. I would prefer it more with a tinted glass panel. Thinking of buying some tint foil to darken it up a bit. Absolutly love this case.

[Y_R_U_running]

Just scrolling through your videos and doing some research and i like your videos! Especially the settings with lighting and everything... kinda makes every case look good 😂
Appreciate the effort you guys put in, keep going.

[amyn]

4:13 awesome lighting and ambient there. Looks spectacular!

[estebangardila]

Love your case reviews, Dimitri! ASUS has already released a new case in this same style: The A23 so you can try to get a review unit of that 😅

[HSNG]

Still waiting for Fractal to design a nice mATX case with wood accents instead of just providing for the ATX and ITX form factor.

[leftcoastfunk]

My favorite system was an Intel 7th gen mATX build in a Fractal Node 804. I had two AIOs in there and a total of like 15 fans all running at super low (and super silent) speeds lol. There's definitely something about stuffing massive amounts of computing power, cooling, and storage into a tiny little package that also just looks really cool on your desk! Glad to see mATX finally making a little bit of a comeback and getting some love. Hope to see even more mATX cases and quality motherboards

[theAwakenedOne]

Love your videos! Please more mATX option reviews. IMO great airflow mATX cases should be the standard for gaming.

[tippyhatters]

360 support on an mtax case does seem like a rare addition here. As opposed to cases like LianLi 205m or the more recent Antex CX200, Montech Air 100 Lite, Gamdias Mars E2, Deepcool Matrexx 40, this does seem to have that 360AIO to differentiate itself, although I'd have to wonder if it is getting too big at that point?
I daily drive an mATX build specifically because I needed a system that would fit in a travel suit case, since I have to move once every few months, but not have to shell out exorbitant ITX tax that would more than double the cost of my mobo and GPU.

I think 35-40L is the real sweet spot for maximum compatibility without getting into the Full Tower territory.