This free mini gaming PC case doesn't cost a cent, ideal for a budget build

I've built more Ikea flat-pack furniture over the years than I care to remember, so I'm more than a little intrigued by this one-piece mini gaming PC case that's being offered, totally for free. Swedish firm Teenage Engineering, best known for its audio products, has unveiled a flat-packed, plastic PC case called the Computer-2 for mini-ITX gaming PCs, which requires no tools to build and costs absolutely nothing to buy.

Free is a price that any gamer can get behind, but don't expect to rush out and grab one just yet, as this fascinating piece of PC gaming hardware is reportedly all out of its initial stock. We'll be hoping this isn't a limited run, because if you want a unique desktop PC case that can rival the size of some of our best mini gaming PC recommendations, then this would be a fantastic option.

"The computer case you can't buy, because it's free." That's the statement from Teenage Engineer that sums up what you're getting here. The Computer-2 is reportedly the end result of the organisation's unique goal to create the cheapest case in the world. It's made out of a single piece of translucent plastic, fitted with hinges and snap hooks for easy assembly.

The Computer-2 is designed to accommodate a mini-ITX motherboard, so only small form factor gaming PCs will fit inside it. It does support two-slot graphics cards "up to 180mm," presumably meaning length, with space for an SFX power supply. There's a big hole for the CPU fan too, while the rear of the case features plenty of holes for airflow. There's also a collapsible carrying handle, also made from plastic, integrated into the design.

This isn't the first PC case the company has built. The Computer-1 is also a compact, mini-ITX case, made using power-coated aluminum metal sheets and costing ~$200 / £149. The Computer-2, however, is completely free, with the company attributing the feat to its engineers being able to "really push the limits" and engineer the case "all the way down to a cost of zero."

The sad news, as we've already mentioned, is that the Teenage Engineering Computer-2 is already listed as out of stock. I've reached out to Teenage Engineering to see if it intends to release any more stock in the coming weeks or months, but in the meantime, you can sign up for new stock releases on the Teenage Engineering website. The page does mention that you can only buy one case per customer, however.

I hope more stock is coming, too, because this looks to be a surprisingly capable PC case. To me, it looks attractive too, and it's built with SFF PCs in mind, which are my favorite. If I could get my hands on one, I'd absolutely build a PC in it to see how the world's cheapest case copes

If you're looking to build a new rig, make sure to check out our how to build a gaming PC guide first. It covers all of the steps, from picking the parts to installing Windows. You can also check out our best gaming motherboard for boards to suit an Intel or AMD build across any PC sizes, and if you can't get your hands on this Computer-2 Case, our best PC case guide has some great options from which to choose instead.

Got your own gorgeous mini PC build to share? We'd love to see it (and you) in our Discord server soon.