Short answer: For most PC side panels, 3/16 in. (about 4.5 mm) acrylic is the right thickness: stiff enough that it doesn't flex when you pick the case up, and close to the 4 mm glass and acrylic most cases ship with. Choose clear for a full view of the build, or 1/4 in. gray tint to hide cable clutter, and give us the hole positions so the panel bolts straight on.
What thickness works for a PC side panel?
Match what your case was designed for. Most mid-tower side panels are held by thumbscrews through the corners or by clips on a steel frame, and they expect a panel about 4 mm thick.
- 1/8 in. (about 3 mm) for small windows that sit inside a cutout in a steel panel, up to about 12 × 12 in.
- 3/16 in. (about 4.5 mm) for full-size side panels on mid towers. It stays flat and feels solid.
- 1/4 in. (about 6 mm) for open-frame and test-bench cases where the panel is also structure, or for full towers over 20 in. tall.
If you're replacing a stock panel, measure the old one with calipers. Thicker isn't always better: the thumbscrew standoffs or clip rails may only accept a certain thickness. Sheet thickness also varies a little from nominal, which matters for tight clips. See actual acrylic sheet thickness.
Clear, tinted, or something else
| Color | Good for | Thicknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Clear cast | Showing off the whole build and RGB lighting | All |
| Gray tint | A smoked look that hides cables until the lights are on | 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 in. |
| Bronze tint | Warm-toned builds, wood-accent cases | 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 in. |
| Frosted | Diffused glow with no hardware visible | 1/8 to 3/8 in. |
| Black | Solid panels with engraved or cut-through designs | All |
Tinted sheet skips 3/16 in., so a smoked full-size panel is usually 1/4 in. (or 1/8 in. if it sits on a steel frame with support all around). Check that your thumbscrews are long enough for the extra thickness.
We can also engrave a logo or pattern on the inside face of a clear panel. Reverse engraving keeps the outside smooth, and edge lighting or nearby LEDs make the engraving glow.
Acrylic or tempered glass?
Many cases now ship with tempered glass. Glass resists scratches better and doesn't build up static, but it's twice as heavy and it shatters into thousands of pieces if a corner hits a hard floor. Acrylic is lighter, won't shatter, and can be cut, drilled, and engraved to any shape. The trade-off is scratching: wipe acrylic with a soft microfiber cloth only, and never with paper towels. How scratch-resistant acrylic really is.
How we make it
We laser cut the panel, which leaves glossy edges that look polished straight off the machine. Mounting holes, fan cutouts, cable pass-throughs, and vent patterns are cut in the same pass, so they line up to your drawing within a few thousandths of an inch. For a 120 mm or 140 mm fan, include both the fan opening and the four screw holes; standard fan screw spacing is 105 mm for 120 mm fans and 124.5 mm for 140 mm fans.
Design tips
- Trace the old panel. The fastest way to get a perfect fit is a drawing of the stock panel. Measure hole centers from one corner, not from each other, so errors don't add up.
- Leave clearance on holes. Make holes 0.02 to 0.04 in. bigger than the screw. Acrylic doesn't like being forced over a thread.
- Mind the heat. Acrylic is fine next to normal PC temperatures, but keep it a few inches from anything running above about 160 °F (70 °C), such as some GPU backplates under load. Vent patterns near the GPU help.
- Don't overtighten thumbscrews. Snug is enough. Rubber or nylon washers spread the load and stop cracks starting at the holes.
Tip: leave the protective film on until the build is finished. Peel it off last, and you'll start with a panel that has zero scratches.
Send us your measured drawing through upload a drawing, or price a plain rectangle with corner holes in the instant quote.
Questions
Does an acrylic side panel attract dust?
A little, because acrylic builds up static when wiped dry. Wipe it with a slightly damp microfiber cloth or an anti-static plastic cleaner, and dust settles much less. Avoid Windex-type window sprays and solvents, which can cause crazing.
Can you make a hinged or tool-free panel?
Yes. We can drill holes for small hinges and a magnetic catch, or cut slots for clip-on mounts. Give us the hardware you plan to use and we'll size the holes to suit.
Can I send my drawing in millimeters?
Yes. Metric drawings are fine; just note the units on the file so we scale it correctly.