Do I really need an airflow-focused case in 2025?

For most modern builds, yes. Reviewers across mainstream tech press and specialist subreddits like r/buildapc and r/hardware consistently report that mesh-front, high-airflow designs deliver materially lower GPU and CPU temperatures than glass-front cases, particularly with high-TDP GPUs. If you are running anything above a mid-range CPU and GPU, a mesh or perforated front panel is the safer pick.