The traditional concept of the PC encased in a beige (or black) box is regularly called into question. The most striking trend in recent years has undoubtedly been aquarium cases, the ideal showcase for components with increasingly polished looks. But, at the same time, a new trend is emerging. Initially reserved for a discerning public, open-air PC chassis are on the increase and beginning to attract the attention of major brands. Proof of this is Sarah Carlos’ latest mod in collaboration with Gigabyte, Alphacool and Kompcase.
PC Open Air: showcase at its best
The first open chassis for the general public were nothing more than glorified benchmark tables. But things soon changed. Benchmark tables took on a life of their own, perfecting their recipe to the extreme. While open-air chassis specialized in highlighting hardware and aesthetic research.
They thus became the ideal medium for brands wishing to showcase their most accomplished products, but also for enthusiast users.
Gigabyte X870E AERO X3D WOOD
The Gigabyte X870E AERO WOOD is the perfect example of this desire to combine aesthetics and performance. It needed a build to match its ambitions. So Gigabyte called on Sarah Carlos of Snaxan Studio to create the ultimate showcase piece on an open chassis.
For this, Sarah turned to the latest model from the Kompcase brand: the Titan. We like the versatility and potential of this model, which we presented at Paris Games Week 2025. However, she’s going to make some major modifications to make room for the Gigabyte motherboard.
High-end configuration
The configuration is aimed at the top end of the market:
- Gigabyte X870E AERO X3D WOOD
- Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- RTX 5080 Windforce
- Vcolor Manta DDR5
- Alphacool watercooling
Among the many changes made to the chassis, the most notable is the relocation of the graphics card to the rear, making the superb motherboard the centerpiece of the chassis.
Infinite possibilities
And therein lies the strength of this type of chassis. Here, we’re faced with two distinct custom watercooling loops and some impressive creative work. The two loops intertwine and cross at various points, while the two huge 480 mm radiators hold the whole thing in place. Every detail is identifiable, from the aesthetic modifications to the waterblocks and radiators, to the drilling and structural alterations to the chassis.
An open-air chassis is nothing more than a canvas for the user’s creativity, and Sarah demonstrates this here. The final result is a superb tribute to the Gigabyte’s motherboard, but also to Alphacool’s Apex range, which is given pride of place.
It’s a safe bet that the proposals will continue to multiply in the months and years to come. Kompcase has just announced a major new accessory (an external radiator support called Ally), and XTIA a micro-ATX variant of its famous X-Proto.
