Building a computer shouldn't feel like a chore. For Trekkies, it's actually an opportunity to bring a piece of the 24th century into a home office. Honestly, most people searching for a star trek pc case expect to walk into a Best Buy and see a Borg Cube sitting on the shelf next to the Razer keyboards. It doesn't usually work that way. Finding a high-quality chassis that looks like it belongs on the USS Enterprise requires a mix of scavenging the used market, tracking down boutique manufacturers, or getting your hands dirty with some DIY modding.
The market is weirdly niche. You'd think one of the biggest sci-fi franchises in history would have a permanent line of officially licensed towers, but it’s mostly limited-run drops and high-end enthusiast projects.
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The Borg Cube is the Gold Standard
If you want a star trek pc case that people actually recognize, you're looking for a cube. Specifically, the Borg Cube. CherryTree is the name you need to know here. They are basically the only players in the game that secured the official licensing to produce high-end PC cases shaped like the collective's favorite vessel.
These aren't cheap plastic toys.
The Borg Cube VR is a small form factor (SFF) powerhouse. It's built in the USA, which is rare for case manufacturing these days. The detail is actually kind of insane. They use a heavy-duty polycarbonate and a custom internal frame that holds everything together. Because it's a cube, the airflow is surprisingly decent, though you have to be smart about cable management. Squeezing a modern GPU into a 6x6x6 or 12x12x12 space is a nightmare if you aren't prepared for it.
Most users underestimate the heat. A compact Borg Cube looks sleek on a desk, but if you're running a high-end Ryzen or an RTX 50-series card (it’s 2026, let's be real, we’re pushing pixels harder than ever), that small internal volume gets toasty fast. You absolutely need to look at liquid cooling options if you’re going the CherryTree route. They offer pre-built versions, but for the true builders, buying the chassis alone is the move.
What about the Artifact?
For those who preferred the aesthetic of Star Trek: Picard, there was the Borg Cube ATX "The Artifact" version. It’s massive. It’s heavy. It looks like it was pulled straight out of a salvage yard in the Romulan Free State. The "Artifact" edition features more intricate, asymmetrical detailing compared to the classic TNG cube.
Why Official Options are Hard to Find
Why can't you just buy these everywhere? Licensing is a headache. Paramount Global is notoriously protective of the Star Trek IP. When a company like CherryTree or MYX (who did some limited runs) gets the license, they usually produce a set number of units. Once they're gone, they're gone.
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You'll see them pop up on eBay or specialized hardware forums. Be careful. People try to sell "Star Trek inspired" cases that are just generic black boxes with a vinyl sticker on the side. That’s not a star trek pc case. That’s a scam. If you’re paying more than $200, it better have custom molding or etched glass.
The DIY Modding Scene is Actually Better
If you can’t find a pre-made case, you do what the engineers in Geordi La Forge's department would do. You build it.
Case modding has evolved significantly thanks to high-quality 3D printing and affordable CNC machines. Some of the most impressive Star Trek builds aren't even cases in the traditional sense. I've seen builds where the motherboard is mounted inside a 1:1 scale model of a Type-2 Phaser (though the cooling was abysmal) and others where the entire PC is integrated into a desk meant to look like a Bridge console.
The White Chassis Trick
The easiest way to get the "Federation Look" without spending four figures on a custom build is to start with a high-end white chassis.
- Fractal Design North (White/Oak): This gives off major "Captain's Quarters" vibes. It’s sophisticated.
- Lian Li O11 Dynamic (White): It’s a literal fishbowl. You can use the glass panels for custom etching.
If you take a white Lian Li case and add some custom-cut vinyl decals—think LCARS (Library Computer Access and Retrieval System) interface graphics—you've basically created a Starfleet workstation. The trick is the lighting. Set your RGB to "Starfleet Blue" or "Command Gold." Avoid the rainbow puke. It ruins the immersion.
LCARS and the Internal Display Trend
A real star trek pc case in 2026 needs an internal screen. This is the biggest trend in PC building right now. By installing a small 5-inch or 7-inch LCD panel inside the case (or behind the front mesh), you can run a loop of an LCARS diagnostic screen.
It’s surprisingly easy. You connect the screen via HDMI to your GPU and power it via USB. There are dozens of creators on sites like Wallpaper Engine who have made high-resolution, animated Star Trek interfaces. When you look through the tempered glass of your PC, you see the warp core status, temperatures, and fan speeds all rendered in that iconic 90s orange, purple, and blue aesthetic. It’s peak Trek.
Forget the Specs, Focus on the Materials
One thing people get wrong is focusing too much on the "shape" of the ship. A PC case shaped like the Enterprise NCC-1701-D sounds cool until you realize it has zero airflow and takes up half your desk. The better approach is focusing on materials.
The Federation aesthetic is all about smooth curves, brushed metals, and clean lines. Look for cases that use sandblasted aluminum. Avoid sharp angles. The Borg aesthetic, on the other hand, is all about "greebles." In the world of model making and modding, greebles are those tiny, intricate details added to a surface to make it look complex and functional. If you’re building a Borg-themed rig, you want exposed wires (neatly managed, please), textured plates, and green fiber optics.
Dealing with Thermal Realities
Let's talk about the "Warp Core" problem. In the shows, the warp core glows and looks amazing. In a PC, that "glow" is usually heat. If you’re building in a custom or highly modified star trek pc case, you have to prioritize exhaust.
Many custom-themed cases are made of 3D-printed filaments like PLA or PETG. PLA will literally melt or warp if your internal case temps stay above 50°C for too long. If you're 3D printing parts for your case, use ABS or ASA. They handle the heat much better. Also, don't block your intake fans with fancy badges. I've seen so many people slap a massive Combadge right over the only intake vent on a Mini-ITX build. Don't be that guy.
The Future of Trek Computing
We are seeing more "stealth" builds. These are PCs that don't look like Star Trek at first glance, but have subtle nods. Maybe it's a serial number etched into the PSU shroud: NCC-74656. Maybe it's the specific shade of grey used on the frame.
The most dedicated fans are now using transparent OLED side panels. This is the holy grail. Imagine a PC case where the side panel is a clear screen. When the PC is off, it’s just glass. When it’s on, a life-sized Commander Data or a scrolling list of ship vitals appears to float over your components. We're almost there. The tech exists, but the price point is currently "Ferengi-level" expensive.
Practical Steps for Your Build
If you're ready to pull the trigger on a Star Trek themed rig, don't just wing it.
- Decide on your "Era": TOS (The Original Series) is all about primary colors and 60s retro-futurism. TNG/DS9/VOY is the LCARS era. Discovery/Strange New Worlds is more metallic and high-contrast. Pick one and stick to it.
- Sourcing the Case: Check CherryTree first. If they're out of stock, look for "Open Box" listings on specialized tech forums like HardForum or r/buildapc.
- The Lighting is Everything: Buy addressable RGB (aRGB) strips. You need to be able to set specific hex codes to match the on-screen colors.
- Command Yellow: #FFD700
- Sciences Blue: #007FFF
- Operations Red: #FF0000
- Custom Cables: Don't use the ugly plastic cables that came with your power supply. Get braided cables in the colors of your chosen department.
Building a star trek pc case is about the details. It's about making something that feels like it was pulled off the set of a show that has inspired scientists and engineers for sixty years. Whether you go with a literal Borg Cube or a subtle Federation-inspired tower, the goal is the same: make it look like it belongs on the frontier.
Start by picking your foundation. If you aren't ready to drop $600 on a specialized boutique case, buy a high-quality white or silver chassis and start looking into custom vinyl work. It's the most cost-effective way to get a "Grade A" look without the "Starfleet Command" price tag. Once the hardware is set, focus on the software—get that LCARS skin running on a secondary monitor or internal display. That is what truly brings the build to life.