The ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case (Silver) gives my Pi 5 a compact aluminum mini-tower that feels like a small desktop PC. It stays solid and quiet, with no rattles, and it fits nicely on a desk, wall mount, or workshop bench. I get strong cooling from a large heatsink and a PWM-controlled fan, plus clean ambient lighting, while still keeping easy access to the ports and controls I actually use.
Key takeaways
- Premium aluminum mini-tower design delivers a sturdy “mini-PC” feel in a small footprint (4.1 x 2.4 x 3.8 inches, 9.9 oz).
- Cooling targets Raspberry Pi 5 workloads with a huge heatsink and a PWM fan that can ramp down or fully stop at low temps.
- Ambient RGB lighting looks clean and adds presence, but I can’t program custom effects.
- Full cutouts keep access to GPIO, SD card, USB, Ethernet, USB-C power, and dual micro HDMI, and the soft-touch power button stays practical.
- Raspberry Pi 5-specific fit means it won’t work with a Raspberry Pi 4 due to port placement, and I can add optional M.2 NVMe storage with a separate HAT/shield.
Premium Aluminum Mini Tower Design
I like this mini tower because it feels like a real mini-PC, not a hobby enclosure. The aluminum build gives it a clean, modern look that fits a desk setup, a wall mount, or a workshop bench. Customers often mention the “solid build,” and that matches what I expect from a case that doesn’t flex or rattle when I handle cables or swap parts.
I also appreciate that the size stays practical for tight spaces: 4.1 x 2.4 x 3.8 inches, and it weighs 9.9 oz (0.28 kg). That footprint makes it easy to place beside a monitor stand or tuck next to network gear without turning the area into a cluttered project zone.
How I’d choose between similar premium cases
Here’s how I compare options when I want an aluminum mini tower feel:
- I pick the FLIRC case when I want a simple, minimalist aluminum shell.
- I go with the Argon ONE V3 NVMe case when I want a desktop look plus fast storage support.
- I consider the ELECROW PiTower Gen 1 when I want a mini-PC vibe with OLED/NVMe features.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case, Aluminum Mini Tower Case with Cooling Fan and Color Changing Ambient Light (Silver)
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Cooling Built for Raspberry Pi 5
I rely on the massive heatsink and PWM fan combo to keep Pi 5 thermals steady during compiles, Docker runs, and long uptime. The fan ramps when load rises, then may stop entirely when the CPU stays cool, so silence comes easily. If I power the board with no OS or no bootable drive, the fan can run nonstop because nothing’s there to manage PWM control. RGB/ambient lighting looks clean in person, but I can’t program effects.
Practical picks I pair with this setup
These cases help match storage and airflow needs:
- FLIRC case for quiet, fanless builds
- Pironman 5 NVMe case for cooled SSD setups
- Argon ONE V3 NVMe case for compact PCIe storage
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case, Aluminum Mini Tower Case with Cooling Fan and Color Changing Ambient Light (Silver)
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Port Access and Usable Power Button
Everyday usability starts with clean access to the ports I actually use. I can keep full reach to the GPIO header for add-ons, the SD card slot for quick swaps, and the core I/O lineup: USB, Ethernet, USB-C power, and dual micro HDMI. That means no half-seated cables, no awkward bends, and no compromises when I’m stacking HATs or swapping storage for testing.
What makes it practical day to day
A few details turn this from “fine on paper” into something I enjoy using:
- Full port cutouts keep plugs straight, so USB and Ethernet stay secure even with heavier cables.
- GPIO access stays open, which keeps prototyping simple and lets me add sensors without removing the case.
- The soft-touch power button has a smooth click, so I’ll actually use proper shutdown and power-up instead of yanking the cable.
- Consistent feedback from buyers lines up with my experience: the power button feels like the feature I miss on other cases.
If I want other case styles with different front-panel layouts or NVMe-focused builds, I compare options like the FLIRC Pi 5 case or the Argon ONE V3 NVMe case.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case, Aluminum Mini Tower Case with Cooling Fan and Color Changing Ambient Light (Silver)
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Fit, Assembly, and Compatibility Notes
Fit lands exactly where I want it for a Raspberry Pi 5. The case lines up cleanly with the Pi 5’s ports and mounting points, so I don’t have to force connectors or flex the board. Assembly stays straightforward, and the instructions read clearly, which helps even if I haven’t built a Pi enclosure in a while.
Compatibility is the one place I won’t compromise. This enclosure won’t work with a Raspberry Pi 4 because the USB and Ethernet ports sit differently, so cutouts won’t align. I always confirm the board model before buying, especially if I’m standardizing across multiple builds.
Practical build tips
A few habits keep the install smooth and frustration-free:
- I sort screws by length before starting, since feedback on screw sizing can vary.
- I start every screw by hand to avoid cross-threading.
- I tighten in small passes, alternating corners to keep panels square.
- I plan extra time for the hardware so I don’t rush alignment.
If I want alternatives for Pi 5 builds, I compare options like the Flirc Pi 5 case, the Argon ONE V3 NVMe case, or NVMe-forward setups like the Pironman 5 NVMe case.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case, Aluminum Mini Tower Case with Cooling Fan and Color Changing Ambient Light (Silver)
This image is property of Amazon.com.
Optional Storage Expansion (Sold Separately)
I can add fast local storage by pairing the case with an M.2 HAT NVMe SSD Shield (sold separately). That upgrade cuts boot and load times versus microSD and makes the Pi feel like a small desktop. The US reference for the compatible shield is B0DLW4DNXB (ECR5_SSDS), which helps me match the right part quickly.
How I pick and set it up
I keep things smooth by following a few practical rules:
- I confirm the HAT format matches the Pi 5 PCIe connection and the case clearance.
- I choose a moderate-power NVMe drive to keep heat and throttling down.
- I plan airflow early; an NVMe-friendly enclosure like the Argon ONE V3 NVMe case makes integration simpler.
Check current pricing and availability at Amazon here!
ElectroCookie Raspberry Pi 5 Case, Aluminum Mini Tower Case with Cooling Fan and Color Changing Ambient Light (Silver)
This image is property of Amazon.com.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
From San Jose, California. Former IT support lead who has seen unspeakable things plugged into USB ports. Reviews electronics with zero patience for bad firmware.
