Buying Guide
The Best ATX Mid Towers for 360mm AIOs
Five PC cases compared, from the King 45 to the EX5 Plus, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 360mm radiator mount makes a mid tower ready for liquid cooling. Every pick lists ATX motherboard support and a 360mm radiator mount.
Our comparison rests on published figures for max GPU length, largest radiator and fans included; where a maker leaves out max GPU length, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MONTECH King 45
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for MONTECH King 45 (opens in a new tab)
Longest GPU Clearance
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White
The longest GPU clearance here (410mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Our take Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX
Dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Best for: Buyers who want dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Light Base 600 DX (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Fractal Design North (Mesh)
A walnut wood front.
Best for: Buyers who want walnut wood front.
Our take Check price for Fractal Design North (Mesh) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO
The top of this price range, adding a 360mm AIO cooler included.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for MONTECH King 45 (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest GPU clearance here (410mm). | Buyers who put GPU clearance first. | Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White (opens in a new tab) |
| Dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support. | Buyers who want dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support. | Check price for be quiet! Light Base 600 DX (opens in a new tab) |
| A walnut wood front. | Buyers who want walnut wood front. | Check price for Fractal Design North (Mesh) (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 360mm AIO cooler included. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
MONTECH King 45 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The King 45 brings Montech's curved panoramic glass and dual-chamber layout to a lower price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Its GPU clearance is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its roof takes a 360mm radiator up to 84mm thick; the maker doesn't state a fan count. Its chimney airflow pushes air bottom to top, and it fits 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick in the roof. A curved tempered glass panel shows the build, and the case lists ATX motherboard support.
Confirm GPU length for the King 45 with its maker. The King 45 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It undercut the Lancool 207 White and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the Lancool 207 White comes in at 410mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Motherboards: ATX
- Glass: Curved panoramic glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Curved panoramic glass
- Dual-chamber layout
- Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
Longest GPU Clearance2 of 5
Lian Li LANCOOL 207 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Lancool 207 White fits an ATX board in a compact frame by recessing the motherboard tray.
Best for
- Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the King 45, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It includes four fans, two of them 140mm ARGB fans with infinity mirrors, and takes 410mm cards. The PSU sits at the front with its ports facing out, and a pre-installed anti-sag bracket supports heavy GPUs. Two bottom fans feed the graphics card directly.
It is Micro-ATX sized but takes ATX boards and a 360mm radiator on top. On GPU clearance it leads this guide at 410mm, ahead of the Light Base 600 DX (400mm). GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans.
The Lancool 207 White takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the King 45 and below the Light Base 600 DX at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 410mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 4
- Motherboards: ATX
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- White finish
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Light Base 600 DX pairs a full glass front and side with dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the King 45 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It fits a 400mm graphics card and a 170mm tower cooler, with an anti-sag bracket included. The dual radiator support means a 360mm CPU cooler and a 240mm GPU loop can run side by side, though the maker doesn't state a fan count. Its 400mm GPU clearance ranks second of 3 here, behind the Lancool 207 White (410mm) and ahead of the North (355mm).
GPU limit in the Light Base 600 DX: 400mm, before front fans. The Light Base 600 DX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Lancool 207 White and the pricier North, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 400mm
- Max CPU cooler height: 170mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Motherboards: ATX
- Glass: Full glass front and side
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 400mm long
- Takes tower air coolers up to 170mm tall
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Full glass front and side
Cons
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Fractal Design North (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The North pairs a walnut front with mesh side panels, and it still takes a 355mm graphics card and a 360mm front radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want walnut wood front.
Skip if
- Skip it if GPU clearance matters most to you; the Lancool 207 White offers 410mm.
Why we like it
Two 140mm Aspect fans come fitted, enough for a mid-range build. Seven expansion slots and support for ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards keep options open, but GPU room drops to 300mm with a 360mm front radiator. It includes two combined 3.5 and 2.5-inch drive mounts and two 2.5-inch mounts, and mesh side panels add airflow.
On GPU clearance it trails the group at 355mm, while the Lancool 207 White comes in at 410mm. GPU limit in the North: 355mm, before front fans. The North takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. When we checked, only the Light Base 600 DX and cheaper picks cost less, and the EX5 Plus cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max GPU length: 355mm
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 2
- Motherboards: ATX, mATX, ITX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Walnut wood front
- Mesh side panels
- Seven expansion slots
Cons
- GPU clearance trails the Lancool 207 White (410mm)
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the EX5 Plus brings to the table is a 360mm AIO cooler included, plus a multi-chamber layout.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when only 1 fan in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 360mm largest radiator size and offers a 1 fans included. It ships with a 360mm AIO already installed, plus an S25-120 case fan. The multi-chamber layout keeps GPU and CPU airflow separate.
You also get one extra chassis fan included. Confirm GPU length for the EX5 Plus with its maker. The EX5 Plus takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the North and the rest. The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the Lancool 207 White comes in at 410mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 1
- Motherboards: ATX, Micro-ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 360mm AIO cooler included
- Multi-chamber layout
- One extra chassis fan included
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the King 45 at the time of writing
How We Chose These ATX Mid Towers for 360mm AIOs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five cases on GPU clearance, largest radiator size, fans included and motherboards as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the King 45 to the EX5 Plus, state largest radiator size and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The King 45 and the EX5 Plus give no GPU clearance; the King 45 and the Light Base 600 DX give no fans included.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the King 45 ($50 to $100) to the EX5 Plus ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an ATX Mid Tower for 360mm AIOs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance
Here GPU clearance runs from 355mm on the North to 410mm on the Lancool 207 White. The Lancool 207 White is the pick for GPU clearance. No figure for the King 45 and the EX5 Plus.
What to check at home
Confirm GPU length for the King 45 with its maker. GPU limit in the Lancool 207 White: 410mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the Light Base 600 DX: 400mm, before front fans.
Features beyond the spec table
The Light Base 600 DX: a GPU anti-sag bracket. The North: mesh side panels. The EX5 Plus: a multi-chamber layout.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the King 45 and the Lancool 207 White; $100 to $150 buys the Light Base 600 DX; $150 to $250 buys the North and the EX5 Plus at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the King 45. Buyers who put GPU clearance first: the Lancool 207 White. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the EX5 Plus.
How to Choose an ATX Mid Tower for 360mm AIOs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | King 45 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | Lancool 207 White | The longest GPU clearance here (410mm) |
| Buyers who want dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support | Light Base 600 DX | Dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support |
| Buyers who want walnut wood front | North | A walnut wood front |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | EX5 Plus | The top of this price range, adding a 360mm AIO cooler included |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Lancool 207 White leads on GPU clearance at 410mm, ahead of the Light Base 600 DX at 400mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King 45 | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed | ATX |
| Lancool 207 White | 410mm | 360mm | 4 | ATX |
| Light Base 600 DX | 400mm | 360mm | Not listed | ATX |
| North | 355mm | 360mm | 2 | ATX, mATX, ITX |
| EX5 Plus | Not listed | 360mm | 1 | ATX, Micro-ATX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The King 45 was the lowest-priced pick and the EX5 Plus the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | King 45, Lancool 207 White |
| About $100 to $150 | Light Base 600 DX |
| About $150 to $250 | North, EX5 Plus |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Light Base 600 DX compare with the Lancool 207 White on GPU clearance?
The Lancool 207 White leads at 410mm, with the Light Base 600 DX at 400mm. The North is at the other end of this group with 355mm. The King 45 and the EX5 Plus don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the Lancool 207 White the Longest GPU Clearance?
It earns the label for the longest GPU clearance here (410mm). It suits anyone who put GPU clearance first.
Do the King 45 and the Light Base 600 DX differ on glass?
The King 45 uses Curved panoramic glass; the Light Base 600 DX uses Full glass front and side. The makers of the Lancool 207 White, the North and the EX5 Plus don't say.
What should I check before buying the North?
GPU limit in the North: 355mm, before front fans. The North takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the King 45 and the Lancool 207 White apart?
The King 45: a dual-chamber layout. The Lancool 207 White: a white finish. The Light Base 600 DX: dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the King 45, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Lancool 207 White for the longest GPU clearance here (410mm), the Light Base 600 DX for dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support and the North for a walnut wood front if those matter more to you.
Check the radiator thickness limit before buying an AIO.