With ASUS generously helping us build a benchmarking PC, I wasn’t expecting to receive a replacement case so soon. The original build, made up of an ASUS ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WIFI Motherboard, an ROG Strix LC III 360 AIO cooler, and the ROG Strix Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 OC Edition GPU, was previously housed in an ASUS A21 Micro-ATX Case.

Now, with the ASUS TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB Case in white, we have more room for activities, and it will comfortably fit the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming WIFI II Motherboard that came with it.

Supporting motherboards up to E-ATX sizes, moving everything across was a breeze thanks to a simple peg-and-socket design, allowing me to effortlessly remove the side panels and granting easy access without having to worry about losing screws. I was also surprised by how well this system kept everything in place, given one of the sides is made from somewhat hefty tempered glass, but I was pleased to see that they had included some spare clips alongside the bag of necessary screws, just in case anything was to go wrong.

With both sides off, I effortlessly slide the PSU into place, running the leads through dedicated channels to keep them hidden from view and safely away from the four pre-installed ARGB fans. These 140mm PWM fans had also been pre-wired, ready to connect to an ARGB controller or the motherboard, alongside a speed controller connector. There was nothing stopping me from separating them so that I could light them individually through Aura Sync.

The front panel, also held in place by the peg-and-socket system, easily came away, offering an easy way to clear dust from the mesh and granting easier access to replace the three fans mounted here, should you need to. Connectors for the I/O panel, comprised of 2 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 sockets, a USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 socket, a 3.5mm combination audio port, and the power and reset switches, were marked out as well, unlike some other systems I’ve built, these were combined for an easy installation. I’ve had cases where the power and system LED pins were separated, so I’d spend too much time fiddling around trying to connect them all, one by one. It made for a much more pleasant building experience and saved quite a bit of time.

As with the front and sides, the top panel effortlessly clicks onto the framework, allowing me to easily install the AIO radiator before hiding the screws behind the gorgeous white mesh. I did end up reversing the way I had it installed so that the coolant pipes wouldn’t interfere with the fourth 140mm ARGB fan installed on the rear panel. Cutouts on the mounting panel for the motherboard made it easy to slip cables through from behind, as well as making it easier to attach the bracket for the AIO pump, and I dare say this will help with air circulation as well.

Tucked away with the power supply is a small section allowing you to install additional storage devices, with hidden housings for two 2.5” drives and two 3.5” drives. The latter could also be used for an additional two 2.5” drives. The rear panel comes pre-installed with the ability to accommodate up to eight expansion slots if these were to be mounted horizontally.

A replacement panel offers the chance to vertically mount your devices instead. It’s something I’ve always liked the look of, but you will need an extension cable to use it this way, and I’d encourage you to get an additional bracket to support the card and prevent warping, as these are not included.

The overall design is remarkably simple and predominantly focused on straight lines and right angles. I think this adds to the appeal, and the white colouring helps to brighten the effects of any RGB you might decide to add to it. I also appreciate how the two side panels can be interchanged – you’re not limited to having your insides on display if you don’t want to. The meshed side will still offer an outlet for the inner workings to shine through, offering more of a mystical glow as opposed to blocks of flashy components.

Although white might not have been my first choice, I can see the appeal. The ASUS TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB Case offers ample space for building your dream PC. Marked I/O cables turn a chore into a quick and enjoyable experience, and hidden cable channels mean you can route the cables where you need them without obstructing your views.

Showing off your system is made easy thanks to clean white panels, bouncing RGB elements around so that you can light up and appreciate the work you’ve put in, and the easily removed panels will help you keep the system clear of dust, looking as fresh as the day you built it.

Written by: Mathew Lindner