Best PC Cases With 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Bays in 2026

Updated November 2026 – The best PC cases with an optical drive bay are the Fractal Design Define 7 for a quiet premium build, the Cooler Master MasterBox CM695 and SilverStone FARA 513 for a modern airflow case with one open 5.25-inch bay, the Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 for big builds that add a bay through an accessory, and the Thermaltake Versa H22 for a budget tower with three bays.

If you want the best PC cases with optical drive support in 2026, the honest starting point is that most modern cases dropped the 5.25-inch bay years ago. The few that still list one fall into three groups: older-style quiet towers, a handful of new budget and mid-range airflow cases, and big workstation chassis. This guide covers the cases whose makers list a 5.25-inch bay, explains the trade-offs, and says plainly when a USB drive is the smarter choice.

Best PC Cases With Optical Drive Bays at a Glance

Specs above are as the makers or major listings state them. Bay counts and clearances can differ between revisions of the same case, so read the manual for your exact model before ordering.

Why Most Modern Cases Dropped the 5.25-Inch Bay

Most modern cases dropped the 5.25-inch bay because fewer people use discs, and removing the bay gives designers a cleaner front panel, a larger intake fan area and more room for radiators. Retail roundups note that mainstream dual-chamber and panoramic designs such as the NZXT H9 Elite and the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact have no 5.25-inch bay at all. The be quiet! Silent Base 802 is listed by retailers with zero 5.25-inch bays, even though its predecessors were known for them.

That means any case that still lists a bay deserves attention, but it also means choices are narrower than they were a decade ago. A bay is also not just for discs. The same 5.25-inch space can hold a fan controller, a card reader, a hot-swap drive cage or a front-panel hub, so a case with a bay can be useful even if you never watch a Blu-ray.

Budget and Entry-Level Cases With 5.25-Inch Bays

Thermaltake Versa H22 – Best for a Budget Multi-Bay Tower

Specs as listed: ATX mid-tower · 3 x 5.25-inch bays · 3 x 3.5/2.5-inch plus 3 x 2.5-inch drive mounts · GPU up to 315 mm · CPU cooler up to 155 mm · two 120 mm front fans and one rear fan.

The Versa H22 is the most direct answer to people searching for the best PC cases with CD drives and room to spare. Thermaltake lists three 5.25-inch bays, which is more than any other case in this guide. The Versa H21, H22 and H23 reportedly share the same body frame, so shopping the family can turn up variations in side panel and front design. The trade-off is clearance: a 315 mm GPU limit excludes many current high-end cards, and a 155 mm cooler limit rules out some tall air coolers. It suits a mainstream graphics card, a tower cooler of modest size and a build where optical or legacy bay devices matter more than headroom.

Antec VSK4000E-U3 – Best for Cheap Extra External Bays

Specs as listed by retail roundups: ATX-style entry case · three external 5.25-inch bays · limited cooling headroom.

Roundups report this Antec case has three external 5.25-inch bays, which makes it a fit for someone adding a DVD drive, a card reader and a fan controller at the same time. It is a basic entry design, and independent outlets covering it are scarce, so read Antec’s own specification sheet for GPU length, cooler height and fan layout before buying. Treat it as a utility case rather than a showpiece gaming build.

Antec Mid-Tower Case with 2X USB 3.0 Ports Durable Steel Bottom & Front Side Vents Case - Black - VSK4000E-U3

Included for 'Best PC Cases With 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Bays in 2026' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

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Mid-Range Cases With a 5.25-Inch Bay for Modern Builds

Cooler Master MasterBox CM695 – Best for a Modern Airflow Case With a Bay

Specs as listed: ATX mid-tower · 1 x 5.25-inch bay · 4 x 3.5-inch and 5 x 2.5-inch drive mounts · GPU up to 398 mm · CPU cooler up to 166 mm · PSU up to 180 mm deep · front USB-C · steel or tempered glass side panel.

The CM695 is one of the few cases built in recent years specifically with optical drive support in mind; Cooler Master’s own marketing in its home market calls out the 5.25-inch bay as the main feature. It supports ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards and ships in a steel side panel version and a tempered glass version. A 398 mm GPU limit covers most current graphics cards, and front USB-C means you are not stuck with older ports. If you want to play discs, install a Blu-ray drive and still build a current RTX 50-series or Radeon RX 9000 system, this is a straightforward pick.

SilverStone FARA 513 – Best for a Compact Airflow Build With One Open Bay

Specs as listed: ATX · 1 external 5.25-inch bay · 2 x 3.5-inch and 4 x 2.5-inch internal bays · GPU up to 390 mm · CPU cooler up to 162 mm · front radiator up to 280 mm · USB-C version available.

SilverStone sells the FARA 513 in a standard black version (SST-FA513-B) and a version with a front Type-C port (SST-FA513-B-C). The mesh-oriented front is designed for airflow, and the maker lists support for a 280 mm radiator at the front. The 162 mm cooler limit is enough for many mid-size towers but not the tallest dual-fan models. Choose it when you want a smaller footprint than a quiet tower while keeping one bay for a disc drive.

Silverstone Technology FARA 513 High Airflow ATX Chassis with Excellent Hardware Compatibility and Type-C Port, SST-FA513-B-C

Included for 'Best PC Cases With 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Bays in 2026' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

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Antec P101 Silent – Best for a Quiet Mid-Tower That Keeps a Bay

Specs as listed: mid-tower · 1 x 5.25-inch bay · 8 x 3.5/2.5-inch and 2 x 2.5-inch mounts · GPU up to 450 mm without the HDD tray (270 mm with it) · CPU cooler up to 180 mm · 3 x 120 mm front and 1 x 140 mm rear fans · front USB 3.0 x2, USB 2.0 x2 and a fan speed controller.

Antec lists a single 5.25-inch bay on the P101 Silent and a very large drive capacity, which suits home servers and storage-heavy builds. The GPU clearance depends on whether the hard drive tray is installed, so plan the layout around the tray before choosing a long graphics card. The front I/O is older, with USB 3.0 rather than USB-C, so check that matches your motherboard header if you want modern ports on the front. It remains a sensible choice for a quiet, drive-heavy build.

Premium Cases With 5.25-Inch Support

Fractal Design Define 7 – Best for a Quiet Premium Build With One Bay

Specs as listed: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX · 1 x 5.25-inch drive mount · 2 dedicated 2.5-inch and 6 combined 3.5/2.5-inch mounts · GPU up to 470 mm · CPU cooler up to 185 mm · radiators up to 360 mm front and top, 280 mm bottom · 2 front and 1 rear Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans · front USB-C 20Gbps.

Fractal lists one 5.25-inch drive mount on the Define 7, and the case is among the best known for sound dampening and flexible interior layouts. It takes long graphics cards, large coolers and up to three 360 mm radiators according to the maker. Reviewers generally describe the Define 7 as a quiet case, but the closed front that helps with noise also restricts airflow compared with mesh designs, so plan fan placement. If you want the maker listing the bay explicitly and also want modern USB-C, it is the strongest premium option here.

Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Brushed Aluminum/Steel E-ATX Silent Modular Mid Tower Computer Case

Included for 'Best PC Cases With 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Bays in 2026' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

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Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 – Best for Large Builds That Add Bays on Demand

Specs as listed: SSI-EEB, E-ATX, ATX, micro-ATX and mini-ITX · no built-in 5.25-inch bay, optional Dual 5.25-inch Bay (PH-ODDBAY_01) · up to 12 x 3.5-inch bays (4 included) · GPU up to 503 mm · CPU cooler up to 195 mm.

The Enthoo Pro 2 does not include a 5.25-inch bay out of the box. Phanteks sells a Dual 5.25-inch Bay accessory that holds two devices, installed with the drives fitted first and then secured inside the chassis. That makes the case relevant if you need a huge storage build and a disc drive without giving up modern clearances. Bit-tech notes that the original Enthoo Pro, an older design with three external 5.25-inch bays, stayed in production for buyers who wanted many bays. The Enthoo Pro 2 is a very large case, so confirm desk and rack space first.

Best PC Cases With CD Drives, DVD-ROM and DVD Drive Access

The best PC cases with CD drives and DVD-ROM access are the ones with an external 5.25-inch bay, meaning the front panel has a removable cover that lets the drive tray open. An internal bay without a front opening is no use for a disc drive. When reading specifications, look for the phrase external 5.25-inch bay and the number next to it, not just a general drive-bay count that mixes in 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch mounts.

What to Look for in a Case With DVD Drive Access

• External bay count: one bay covers a single drive; two or three leave room for a fan controller or card reader.
• Front panel design: mesh fronts may use a removable cover that blocks some airflow when the bay is filled.
• Drive depth: a standard internal slim or full-size drive needs room behind the bay; hard drive cages in front can restrict it.
• Cable reach: a drive still uses SATA data and power connectors, so make sure the power supply has a free SATA power lead.
• Tool-free mounts: makers that list tool-free brackets make drive swaps easier.

Best Gaming PC Cases With 5.25-Inch Bays

For the best gaming PC cases with 5.25-inch bays, the CM695 and FARA 513 are the closest to a current gaming layout because they pair an open bay with an airflow-oriented front and clearances for current graphics cards. The Define 7 suits gamers who care about noise, and the Enthoo Pro 2 suits workstation-style builds. A bay is not a gaming feature by itself; what makes a gaming case is the airflow, GPU clearance and cooler height, so weigh those numbers against your graphics card and cooler.

Best PC Cases With No Optical Drive Bays and What to Do Instead

If your search was for the best PC cases with no optical drive bays, the choice is much wider: nearly every popular mid-tower released in recent years falls into this group, including the NZXT H9 Elite and the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact according to retail roundups. Pick on airflow, GPU length, front USB-C and radiator support, then add an external USB optical drive when you need one.

• External USB drive: works with any case, connects to a USB port and removes the need for an internal bay, power cable or data cable.
• Slim internal drives: need a bay or an adapter, so they are not a fix for a case with no bay.
• Disc-free installs: operating systems and games are usually delivered on a USB stick or by download now, so check whether you actually need a drive at all.

Pick X If… Decision Table

Fit and Compatibility Notes

• Motherboard size: the CM695 lists ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX; the Define 7 and Enthoo Pro 2 go up to E-ATX or larger according to the makers.
• Graphics cards: compare the maker length limit with your card, remembering some limits change when a drive cage or front fan is installed, as with the P101 Silent.
• CPU coolers: limits range from 155 mm on the Versa H22 to 195 mm on the Enthoo Pro 2, so tall dual-tower coolers need a roomier case.
• Power supply: the CM695 lists up to 180 mm PSU depth; long modular units need a case with a larger PSU bay.
• Radiators: if you plan liquid cooling, a filled 5.25-inch bay can interfere with a front radiator in some layouts, so read the manual diagrams.
• Bay devices: a 5.25-inch bay also accepts fan controllers, card readers, 3.5-inch to 5.25-inch adapters and hot-swap trays.

Alternatives to Buying a Case With a Bay

• Any modern case plus an external USB DVD or Blu-ray writer: lowest effort and works with every case listed above or not.
• Older-style cases: some brands keep legacy lines in production, which is why Bit-tech mentions the original Phanteks Enthoo Pro staying available; availability changes, so read the current maker page.
• 5.25-inch bay accessories: the Phanteks dual bay shows how a case can gain bays later without a large redesign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which PC cases still have a 5.25-inch bay in 2026?

Cases whose makers list a 5.25-inch bay include the Fractal Design Define 7, Cooler Master MasterBox CM695, SilverStone FARA 513, Antec P101 Silent and Thermaltake Versa H22. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 adds one through an optional accessory. Most newer mid-towers do not include a bay.

Can I use a DVD or CD drive in a case with no 5.25-inch bay?

Yes, but only an external one. A USB DVD or Blu-ray drive works with any modern case because it plugs into a USB port. Internal drives need a bay or a compatible adapter, so without a bay, external is the practical route.

Do I still need an optical drive for gaming?

Usually not. Games and operating systems are delivered by download or USB stick, and many game discs only contain a launcher or partial data. You only need a drive for physical media you already own, backups or software that ships only on disc.

Is a 5.25-inch bay bad for airflow?

It can be if the front panel is closed and the bay sits where a fan would otherwise go. Mesh-front cases with a bay, such as the ones the makers describe as airflow designs, reduce the penalty. Reviewers generally point out that a blanked-off bay is a minor restriction, while a filled bay depends on the drive and front panel design.

Will a 5.25-inch bay fit a Blu-ray drive and a fan controller together?

Only in a case with more than one external bay. The Thermaltake Versa H22 lists three, while the CM695, FARA 513 and P101 Silent list one each. The Enthoo Pro 2 optional bay holds two devices.

What is the best case if I want an optical drive and a modern graphics card?

The Cooler Master MasterBox CM695 and SilverStone FARA 513 are the closest fit because they combine an open bay with GPU limits of 398 mm and 390 mm as listed. For larger cards or a quieter build, the Fractal Design Define 7 lists a 470 mm limit. Read the manual for your exact revision before buying.