Full-height tempered glass and sculpted mesh panels are practically ubiquitous now, so it’s rare for a case to really catch my eye like the Hyte Y60 and its three-piece panoramic window.
It feels like we’re entering a new era of computer case design, though the three panels raise more issues than you might imagine. The front panel has historically been a key intake point for cooling, so turning it into a solid glass panel also means finding new and more clever fan spots, and generally embracing a wider footprint.
The benefits are purely aesthetic, and your building skills will have nowhere to hide. With the Hyte Y60—and given the right desk setup, cable management, and part selection—your build will stand apart from the crowd.
A Touch of Glass
As the key focal point of the case, it’s important that the fit and finish around the glass panel looks tight. While there’s a small gap in between each of the three panels, it’s a consistent gap, with beveled edges that curl in together pleasingly. There’s a distinct line, but it doesn’t take away from the fish tank effect the case is trying to achieve.
Photograph: Parker Hall
Your system will be on full display, for better or worse. If you have ugly components, or can’t keep your cables tidy, there won’t be much to hide behind. On the other hand, if you want to sport custom braided cables, interior LCD panels, or complex RGB patterns, the Y60 will help them truly shine.
It’s worth talking about the elephant in the room here, which is the size of the case itself. Even as someone who often reaches for larger cases, the Y60 is noticeably wider and deeper than I’m used to. At 11 inches wide, it’s a full 2 inches wider than my previous case, the Corsair Air 4000D ($105), which I already felt like took up a pretty good chunk of my desk.