Skip to main content

Say hello to one of the most expensive PC cases in history

The pricing tiers for EVGA’s E1 PC case, which features an open-air design, have been revealed and it’s going to cost a small fortune, to say the least.

After EVGA stressed that it wants to take “extreme gaming to the next level by setting a statement with our new gaming rig,” it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that the company is attaching a premium price point for the E1.

EVGA's pre-built Alder Lake gaming PC, the E1.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As reported by Tom’s Hardware, the cheapest option costs $1,600, which comes with the E1 frame set alongside the VGA vertical kit.

Still, why is something as basic as a PC case costing more than even the most premium graphics cards on the market?

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!

The answer lies in the materials used for the E1 itself. The entire frame is made out of 100% 3K carbon fiber, which is something generally reserved for supercars, costly bicycles, and the like. As a result, the weight of the case amounts to just 2.76 pounds.

In addition to the carbon fiber structure, the E1 sports three analog gauges that showcase the temperature of the GPU and CPU. The case also sports the “lightest frame design compared to other chassis of the same volume,” according to EVGA, which is complemented by a suspension system of steel cables — this essentially results in the motherboard being suspended in midair.

Elsewhere, the second most expensive EVGA E1 PC case configuration will set you back a staggering $3,700. This particular kit comes with an Nvidia RTX 3090 Ti Kingpin GPU, as well as a PSU 1600 T2.

The pricing tiers for EVGA's E1 PC case kits.
Image source: EVGA/Tom’s Hardware Image used with permission by copyright holder

The priciest option out of all three kits, the EVGA E1 Bare Bones, comes with the aforementioned components, as well as a Z690 Dark Kingpin motherboard, a PowerLink 52u, and a premium shipping case (which would otherwise cost $800). The asking price? $5,000.

And don’t forget, as aptly highlighted by Tom’s Hardware, you will need to sort out a CPU, memory, and storage solutions on your own dime, adding to the $5,000 figure by at least another few hundred dollars.

Each of the three PC case kits can be purchased and ordered today. However, they all require a waiting time of 3-4 weeks for customers to receive their order due to their build-to-order status.

If you’re willing to pay an amount that could essentially cover a used car, then you’ll also receive dual USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, a headphone jack, and a microphone jack. These features are joined by a 7th-gen closed loop cooler sporting an LCD screen, as well as a limited-edition keychain.

While the cost of the case may seem excessive for many, the appearance of such premium PC cases has become far more common in the market recently. For example, the Regner PC chassis that offers two entire cooling radiators situated within the side panels costs nearly $2,000.

Editors' Recommendations

Zak Islam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Zak Islam was a freelance writer at Digital Trends covering the latest news in the technology world, particularly the…
How to pick the best PC case for your needs in 2023
The Hyte Y40 PC case sitting on a table.

Buying a PC case is a bit of a tricky process. Your heart may tell you to go for the shiniest, RGB-filled monster of a case, or you might be on the other end of that spectrum and just want a dark box that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb. No matter the aesthetic, you're not wrong -- it's just that there are many more things to consider, too.

Things like form factor, cooling, and special features all play a part when you're picking the best PC case for your build. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Things to check before buying

Read more
This dual-PC desktop is insane in more ways than one
CLX Hathor PC sitting on a coffee table.

The CLX Hathor is absurd. That's not inherently a bad thing -- a lot of the best gaming PCs are absurd in one form or another -- but the idea of packing two PCs into one case with the most powerful hardware available today (while charging a clean $7,000 for it) is ridiculous.

But CLX did it. It's not a new concept. Dual-PC setups have been a staple of streaming for years, and machines like the Origin Big O cram a gaming PC, streaming PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch into a single case (you can't buy it, for what it's worth). By that standard, the CLX Hathor is quaint, and that's maybe why it's so interesting. It doesn't break new ground, but it makes the dual-PC setup more convenient than ever. The question still remains, though: Why would anyone buy this?
Why would anyone buy this?

Read more
Consoles still have one big advantage, and it’s hurting PC gaming
An SSD installed in the PS5.

The death of PC gaming. That's been the topic at hand for the past several weeks, with port after port after port arriving on PC in disastrous states. PC gaming isn't dead, but if this trend continues, it's hard to recommend picking up any new release on PC, at least before it receives a string of inevitable patches.

I wish I could provide a single solution for the problems PC games face, but I can't. The list is massive. But there's one area of focus that could help the situation a lot, and it's where consoles still have a lead over PC.
The source of stutter
These frame time spikes manifest as severe stutters in Gotham Knights. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Read more