Computers tend to look quite similar once you reach a particular budget. The same cases, coupled with a specific set of RAMs, a cheeky motherboard and a glowing GPU. If you want your build to stand out, you’ll have to resort to modding your PC case for it to really turn some eyes.
In this article, we’re going to go over some popular and obscure PC modifications that you can do on your own build to make the most out of it.
Quick Ideas
Ideas | |
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Importance of Color Scheme: Opting for a color scheme that matches the rest of the case is recommended for a coherent look. White or black are basic, beginner-friendly choices. | Avoid Over-Modding: Too many modifications can make your case appear chaotic and disorganized. Balance is key. |
Don’t Compromise Performance: While aesthetics are important, they should not hamper the PC’s functionality. Avoid modifications that might interfere with component performance or airflow. | In-Case Display: These displays show system information or custom images, adding a modern touch to your build. |
Custom Cables: These can blend into your PC’s color scheme, reducing visual clutter from bulging cables. | Figurines: Fill empty spaces with figures or other decorative items that match your theme for a personal touch. |
GPU Backplate: A custom, possibly transparent, backplate can add depth and lighting to your build. | LED Strips: A cheap, easy-to-install modification that adds a lot of aesthetic value to your case. |
Vinyls/Decals/Stickers: These can transform the look of your PC case, making it unique and filling white spaces with more flair. | Custom Water Loop: Not just for aesthetics, this modification can also impact performance, providing superior cooling to the PC. |
Spray Painting: While controversial, it allows for unique color schemes not achievable with factory component colors. | Motherboard Plate Mods: They cover most of your motherboard, adding a uniform aesthetic to your build. |
Acrylic Mods: A versatile, inexpensive material that can be molded for unique builds and high visibility for internal mods. | Community Support: The PC modding community is active and supportive, providing a resource for newcomers to the hobby. |
PC Case Modding Tips and Tricks
If you haven’t modified your PC case prior, here are some tips and tricks that you should know before you get started.
Figure Out A Colour Scheme
We’ve often seen PC components that look great before they’re fitted but turn into eyesores as soon as they are inside a case. This is because their colour scheme just simply does not match with the rest of the case. So, before you purchase a part, decide on a colour scheme.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mish-mash of components that just don’t look good together. For beginners, we recommend opting for white or black. While quite basic, you can find a lot of components in these colours without the need for spraypainting or wrapping.
You Don’t Need To Over-Mod

Overmodding is where you put up so much vinyls, decals, stickers, plates, lights and figures that your case just lacks any cohesiveness. Even if it follows one colour scheme, going above and beyond leads your case to look a bit out of place.
While I’m all in for an RGB fiesta, I wouldn’t recommend going so far beyond that all you see is lights in your peripheral vision when you play some games. And yes, rainbow vomits are real.
Never Compromise on Performance
At the end of the day, a PC’s primary purpose isn’t just to look good, it’s to be a functional computer that can perform your daily tasks, whatever they are. I’ve often seen cases be so riddled with fans and figures that they end up messing up the airflow of the case.
So, when doing your mods, pay attention to your components, and do not trim or cut out anything that’s actually important to its functioning (such as your motherboard’s I/O shield or a strategically placed exhaust fan.) Instead, work around your limitations to ensure that your case doesn’t lose a smither of performance and retains its functionality.
PC Case Modding Ideas
Now that you’ve gotten a hold of some tips and tricks, here are some case modding ideas to get you inspired.
1. Get An In-Case Display

In-case displays allow you to display system information, a static image, GIFs, the time, or anything else that you find useful within your PC’s case. They can be placed either vertically or horizontally and are connected to your PC via USB. You can then use a program like AIDA64 to send real-time system information to the display.
The screen looks great when coupled with some external backlighting, preferably from strip LEDs around the edges of the screen. It doesn’t require a lot of tinkering, and you’ll easily be able to find a plug-and-play screen that gets the job done.
2. Custom Cables

Cables can turn out to be quite an eye sore especially when you have a lot of them bulging out your PC case. While most can be dealt with thanks to nifty cable management, your GPU and 24-pin cable isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Therefore, we recommend opting for custom cables, you can select a variety of different materials and an infinite number of colour schemes that cater to your build’s aesthetic. So now, instead of your cables ruining your case, they’ll look like they blend right in!
3. Figurines

Most PC cases tend to have a lot of blank space beneath the GPU shroud. While you can place hard drives there, you’ll probably be shamed for your transgressions. If that sounds like you, you can fill that blank space up with some cute figurines instead.
The primary advantage of having figurines is the sheer variety that you can pick and choose from. Plus, since they come in various sizes, you can really fine-tune your selection based on the amount of empty space you have in your case.
Plus, this isn’t just limited to figurines and dolls, you can go for other aesthetic and decorative items that match the theme of your case.
4. GPU Backplate

Often ignored, a GPU backplate can turn out to be an epic mod for your PC case since it naturally is visible from every angle. You’ll just need to remove your backplate with a screwdriver and you’ll be able to replace it with a custom-printed one, add decals to it, or just spray paint to match your theme.
I’m a huge fan of transparent RGB backplates made of acrylic. If you have a GPU that has RGB lighting, you’ll see the light bleed through the acrylic really adding life to the backplate. Compared to a standard black backplate, it’ll look much more refined and cohesive.
5. LED Strips

When in doubt, strip. (LED, in case you were confused!) Jokes aside, LED strips have turned into a staple of PC case modding. Primarily, because it is cheap, adds a lot of aesthetic value to your case and is quite easy to fit into places where no other mod would really make sense.
I’ve put an LED strip around the edges of my entire case and have matched it with the rest of the RGB present in my case. It was an extremely inexpensive modification and really helped add light to areas in my case that would’ve looked very dark otherwise.
Another really great place to put LED strips is at the front of your case, on the edges of your fans. Besides that, if you aren’t opting for a radiator / water cooling, you can also place strips at the top where you’d conventionally place your radiator.
6. Vinyls / Decals / Stickers

An absolute favourite of mine, vinyls, decals and stickers can completely transform the look of your PC case and fill in white spaces with a lot more flair. These are relatively inexpensive and super easy to apply to your case.
You can either resort to complete vinyls and decals on your side panel or use smaller stickers in places where you deem them fit instead. Wraps are also a common option. This is where you wrap your entire case in a specific colour. However, we recommend using stickers and decals instead of completely wrapping your PC as it can damage your paint when you eventually take the wrap off.
7. Custom Water Loop

Ah, when water cooling just isn’t cumbersome enough. A custom water loop comes in many varieties, you can either go all out and design everything yourself, cutting out pipes and figuring out radiator sizes. Or, you can go semi-modular and opt for a bolt-on water cooling loop specifically designed for your build.
In either case, a custom water loop looks absolutely gorgeous on any PC case mod and is actually one of the only modifications in this list that can have an impact on your performance. So, it isn’t just meant for aesthetics.
8. Spray Painting

Spray painting is a controversial but a widely used modification. Where wrapping can damage your paint, spray paint just replaces it with a new coat. No harm, no foul right? You can spraypaint almost every component on your PC if you are able to cover all the sensitive parts.
I’ve seen a lot of painted PC case mods and they look great especially when they try and keep up with a colour scheme that’d simply not be achievable with factory component colours. A lot of components, such as RAMs and GPUs only come in a few colours which limits their aesthetic versatility.
Thankfully, with paints, you can coat your components up with any colour, a true staple for a true PC modder.
9. Motherboard Plate Mods

An uncommon mod, but still good-looking if done right, motherboard armour or plate mods are used to cover most of your motherboard. They can either be wrapped or painted over to match your motherboard’s colour scheme.
This only works if your motherboard has screws in place for an armour plate (or already has one) in the first place. Otherwise, you’ll have to drill holes within your motherboard (not recommended!) or 3D print a shroud instead.
10. Acrylic Mods

Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic known for its durability and resilience over materials like glass. Acrylic is a bendable material under certain temperatures and can be used to create very nifty builds that show off your case’s internal components without compromising on strength and durability.
Usually, people opt for acrylic cases instead of retrofitting acrylics in their own cases. However, seasoned veterans tend to use acrylic wherever they can as the material is inexpensive and can be moulded quite easily, compared to glass. Moreover, its transparent nature allows you to create a case that has higher visibility for all the cool mods you’ve done inside.
Conclusion
PC modding can be as easy and hard as you want it to be. It is an excellent hobby, leads to some fun results and has an active supportive community that’d be happy to answer all your questions and concerns. So, once you’ve built your rig and are kind of getting bored of how it looks, grab some stickers and cables and have a go at some PC modding!
PC Case Mod FAQs
Can you modify a PC case?
Yes, you can modify a PC case to better suit your aesthetic preferences or functional needs. This can involve changing the color, adding custom cables, installing in-case displays, and more. Keep in mind that some modifications might require a certain level of technical skill and tools.
Does PC case affect performance?
Yes, the PC case can affect performance, especially in terms of cooling and airflow. A well-designed case can help keep components cool, which is crucial for optimal performance. Additionally, the case’s size can affect what size and type of components you can fit in it.
Can I use any case for my PC build?
No, not every case will be suitable for your PC build. You need to consider the size of the case and whether it can accommodate all your hardware components such as the motherboard, GPU, CPU cooler, and power supply. You should also check whether the case supports your cooling solution, like air cooling or water cooling.
Do cases matter for PC builds?
Yes, cases matter for PC builds. The case houses all of your components, and its size and layout can influence your build’s ease, the cooling efficiency, and ultimately the performance of your PC. Additionally, the case is also an important part of the aesthetics of your build, especially if you’re interested in PC modding.