Buying Guide

The Best Full Tower PC Cases

Six full-tower and large cases compared on radiator support, included fans and motherboard size, for E-ATX boards, custom loops and big GPUs.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

PC components laid out on a workbench ready for a build
Illustrative image

Full towers make sense when a build outgrows a mid-tower: several large radiators, an E-ATX or SSI-EEB board, or a custom loop with room to work. For a single graphics card and one AIO, a mid-tower is usually enough.

We compared six large cases on listed radiator support, included fans and motherboard support. All figures are the makers' own; this is a research-based roundup rather than a hands-on test.

Quick Picks

Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best Full Tower

    Fractal Design North XL

    413mm GPU room and a 420mm front radiator.

    Best for: A large air or AIO build that should look understated.

    Check price for Fractal Design North XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Most Fans Included

    Antec Flux Pro

    Six fans in the box.

    Best for: Builders who want a complete airflow setup without buying fans.

    Check price for Antec Flux Pro on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Best for Multiple Radiators

    CORSAIR 7000D Airflow

    Room for three 360mm radiators at once.

    Best for: Custom loops and dual-AIO builds.

    Check price for CORSAIR 7000D Airflow on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Best Air Cooling

    Fractal Design Torrent (Solid)

    Two 180mm and three 140mm fans included.

    Best for: High-power air-cooled builds.

    Check price for Fractal Design Torrent (Solid) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  5. Best Showcase Full Tower

    Phanteks NV9 MKII

    Near-seamless glass with rear-connect board support.

    Best for: Custom-loop showpieces.

    Check price for Phanteks NV9 MKII on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  6. Largest Radiator Support

    CORSAIR 9000D RGB Airflow

    480mm radiators at the front and roof.

    Best for: Extreme custom loops.

    Check price for CORSAIR 9000D RGB Airflow on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Full Tower1 of 6

Fractal Design North XL

The North XL scales Fractal's wood-fronted design up to E-ATX boards, 413mm graphics cards and a 420mm front radiator.

Best for

A large air or AIO build that should look understated.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Flux Pro cost less when we checked.
Fractal Design North XL

Why we like it

Three 140mm Aspect fans come fitted, and a 360mm radiator can go on top at the same time as the front one. With that 420mm front radiator installed, GPU room drops to 380mm. It takes E-ATX, ATX, mATX and mITX boards, with wood and alloy details on the front.

It matches the Flux Pro, the 7000D Airflow and the NV9 MKII on largest radiator size (420mm). GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans. The North XL takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the Flux Pro and below the NV9 MKII at the time of writing.

Key specs

Max GPU length
413mm
Largest radiator
420mm
Fans included
3
Motherboards
E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX

Pros

  • Room for graphics cards up to 413mm long
  • Fits a 420mm radiator
  • 3 fans included
  • Three 140mm Aspect PWM fans

Cons

  • Costs more than the Flux Pro at the time of writing

Most Fans Included2 of 6

Antec Flux Pro

The Flux Pro includes six fans, the most in this guide, and takes a 420mm and a 360mm radiator together.

Best for

Builders who want a complete airflow setup without buying fans.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the 9000D (480mm).
Antec Flux Pro

Why we like it

Two reverse fans sit on the PSU shroud to feed the graphics card, and a display shows CPU and GPU temperatures. The power supply mounts rotated 90 degrees, and the case takes E-ATX boards. It mixes metal, glass and wood, and removable brackets on the top, front and shroud make radiators easier to fit.

It matches the North XL, the 7000D Airflow and the NV9 MKII on largest radiator size (420mm). It is the only pick here with E-ATX motherboards; the Torrent has up to SSI-EEB and SSI-CEB motherboards instead. Confirm GPU length for the Flux Pro with its maker.

Boards: E-ATX. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the North XL was closest.

Key specs

Largest radiator
420mm
Fans included
6
Motherboards
E-ATX

Pros

  • Fits a 420mm radiator
  • 6 fans included
  • 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time
  • Two reverse fans on the PSU shroud

Cons

  • Largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the 9000D (480mm)

The catch

What it gives up: largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the 9000D (480mm); by contrast, the 9000D comes in at 480mm.

Best for Multiple Radiators3 of 6

CORSAIR 7000D Airflow

The 7000D Airflow is built for liquid cooling, with room for three 360mm or two 420mm radiators at once.

Best for

Custom loops and dual-AIO builds.

Skip if

If budget leads, the Flux Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
CORSAIR 7000D Airflow

Why we like it

Three 140mm fans and a PWM repeater are included, and 30mm behind the tray eases cable work. A hinged front door gives access to the intake filters, and the interior takes up to twelve 120mm or seven 140mm fans. RapidRoute channels guide cables through one hidden path with 30mm of space behind the tray, and the steel mesh front feeds airflow.

It matches the North XL, the Flux Pro and the NV9 MKII on largest radiator size (420mm). Confirm GPU length for the 7000D Airflow with its maker. The 7000D Airflow takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the NV9 MKII and below the Torrent at the time of writing.

Key specs

Largest radiator
420mm
Fans included
3

Pros

  • Fits a 420mm radiator
  • 3 fans included
  • Room for three 360mm radiators at once
  • Hinged front door

Cons

  • Costs more than the Flux Pro at the time of writing

Best Air Cooling4 of 6

Fractal Design Torrent (Solid)

The Torrent is built around big fans: two 180mm and three 140mm units come in the box.

Best for

High-power air-cooled builds.

Skip if

Its largest radiator size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Fractal Design Torrent (Solid)

Why we like it

It takes boards up to SSI-EEB, and this version has a solid side panel. Fractal lists the fan positions as movable, so the layout can change with the build. It suits an air-cooled workstation more than a showcase.

Up to SSI-EEB and SSI-CEB motherboards is unique to it among these picks, while the Flux Pro uses E-ATX motherboards. Confirm GPU length for the Torrent with its maker. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper 7000D Airflow and the pricier 9000D, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its largest radiator size; if that figure matters, the 9000D comes in at 480mm.

Key specs

Fans included
5
Motherboards
Up to SSI-EEB and SSI-CEB

Pros

  • 5 fans included
  • Two 180mm and three 140mm fans
  • Fan positions that can be rearranged
  • Solid side panel

Cons

  • No published largest radiator size
  • Costs more than the Flux Pro at the time of writing

Best Showcase Full Tower5 of 6

Phanteks NV9 MKII

The NV9 MKII centres the motherboard behind near-seamless glass with fans around it, and it supports rear-connect boards.

Best for

Custom-loop showpieces.

Skip if

Skip it if largest radiator size matters most to you; the 9000D offers 480mm.
Phanteks NV9 MKII

Why we like it

It has 420mm and 280mm radiator mounts and 65mm of bottom intake clearance. D-RGB lighting surrounds the motherboard, a GPU bracket prevents sag, and it supports rear-connector boards for a cable-free front. Removable side and bottom fan brackets make installation easier, and the bottom bracket can be angled.

On largest radiator size it ties with the North XL, the Flux Pro and the 7000D Airflow at 420mm. Confirm GPU length for the NV9 MKII with its maker. The NV9 MKII takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height.

Its price falls between the North XL and the 7000D Airflow, based on our last check. If largest radiator size is your priority, the 9000D (480mm) is the stronger choice.

Key specs

Largest radiator
420mm

Pros

  • Fits a 420mm radiator
  • Support for 420mm and 280mm radiators at once
  • 65mm of bottom intake clearance
  • Rear-connect motherboard support

Cons

  • Largest radiator size trails the 9000D (480mm)
  • Costs more than the Flux Pro at the time of writing

Largest Radiator Support6 of 6

CORSAIR 9000D RGB Airflow

The 9000D is a super full tower with mounts for 18 120mm fans and 480mm radiators at the front and roof.

Best for

Extreme custom loops.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Flux Pro cost less when we checked.
CORSAIR 9000D RGB Airflow

Why we like it

It is the case for dual-loop builds that nothing smaller can hold, with further radiator mounts of 360mm on the side and 240mm at the rear. The maker doesn't state an included fan count, so budget for fans on top of the case price. Nothing else here matches its 480mm largest radiator size; the North XL comes closest at 420mm.

It also offers an aluminium InfiniRail fan mount. Confirm GPU length for the 9000D with its maker. The 9000D takes 480mm radiators; mind RAM height. Only the Torrent came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.

Key specs

Largest radiator
480mm

Pros

  • Fits a 480mm radiator
  • Mounts for up to 18 120mm fans
  • 360mm side and 240mm rear radiator mounts
  • Aluminium InfiniRail fan mount

Cons

  • Costs more than the Flux Pro at the time of writing

How We Chose These Full Tower Cases

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A PC case with red-lit glass panels next to a monitor
A PC case with red-lit glass panels next to a monitor
What we compared
We set side by side six cases on largest radiator size, fans included and motherboards from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 0 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick, while largest radiator size and fans included have gaps.
Where the specs have gaps
The Torrent gives no largest radiator size; the NV9 MKII and the 9000D give no fans included.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Flux Pro ($100 to $150) to the 9000D ($500 to $1000).

What to Look for in a Full Tower Case

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. How much largest radiator size you need

    The 9000D tops largest radiator size at 480mm and the NV9 MKII sits lowest at 420mm. If largest radiator size is your first filter, the 9000D sets the ceiling at 480mm. The Torrent gives no largest radiator size figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.

  2. Setup checks

    GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans. Confirm GPU length for the Flux Pro with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the 7000D Airflow with its maker.

    A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk
    A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk
  3. Extras that separate them

    The Torrent: fan positions that can be rearranged. The NV9 MKII: 65mm of bottom intake clearance. The 9000D: 360mm side and 240mm rear radiator mounts.

  4. How much to spend

    $100 to $150 buys the Flux Pro; $150 to $250 buys the North XL; $250 to $500 buys the NV9 MKII, the 7000D Airflow and the Torrent; $500 to $1000 buys the 9000D at our last check.

    Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case
    Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case
  5. Start from what matters most

    A large air or AIO build that should look understated: the North XL. Builders who want a complete airflow setup without buying fans: the Flux Pro. Custom loops and dual-AIO builds: the 7000D Airflow.

How to Choose a Full Tower Case

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
A large air or AIO build that should look understatedNorth XL413mm GPU room and a 420mm front radiator
Builders who want a complete airflow setup without buying fansFlux ProSix fans in the box
Custom loops and dual-AIO builds7000D AirflowRoom for three 360mm radiators at once
High-power air-cooled buildsTorrentTwo 180mm and three 140mm fans included
Custom-loop showpiecesNV9 MKIINear-seamless glass with rear-connect board support
Extreme custom loops9000D480mm radiators at the front and roof

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A case interior with a tower cooler and a graphics card installed
A case interior with a tower cooler and a graphics card installed

Key specs side by side

The 9000D leads on largest radiator size at 480mm, ahead of the North XL at 420mm. "Not listed" marks largest radiator size where the Torrent leaves the figure out.

CaseLargest radiatorFans includedMotherboards
North XL420mm3E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
Flux Pro420mm6E-ATX
7000D Airflow420mm3Not listed
TorrentNot listed5Up to SSI-EEB and SSI-CEB
NV9 MKII420mmNot listedNot listed
9000D480mmNot listedNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The Flux Pro was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the 9000D the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierCases
About $100 to $150Flux Pro
About $150 to $250North XL
About $250 to $500NV9 MKII, 7000D Airflow, Torrent
About $500 to $10009000D
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off

Frequently Asked Questions

A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk

Which has the largest radiator size: the 9000D or the North XL?

Between the top two, it is 480mm on the 9000D against 420mm on the North XL, a 14% difference. The Torrent is left out of this ranking because its largest radiator size isn't stated; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.

What does the 9000D add over the Flux Pro?

What it brings is largest radiator size (480mm against 420mm). On our last price check the Flux Pro was in the $100 to $150 tier and the 9000D in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if largest radiator size decides your purchase.

Why is the Flux Pro our Most Fans Included pick?

It carries the badge for six fans in the box. It makes sense for builders who want a complete airflow setup without buying fans.

Will the NV9 MKII work with my setup?

Confirm GPU length for the NV9 MKII with its maker. The NV9 MKII takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fifth of 6, as our Best Showcase Full Tower pick, and fifth of 5 on largest radiator size (420mm).

What extras do the North XL and the Flux Pro include?

The North XL: three 140mm Aspect PWM fans. The Flux Pro: a 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time. The 7000D Airflow: room for three 360mm radiators at once.

Bottom Line

The Fractal North XL is the best all-round large case, the Antec Flux Pro comes with the most fans, and the Corsair 7000D Airflow suits multi-radiator builds.

The Fractal Torrent is the air-cooling pick, the Phanteks NV9 MKII is the showcase, and the Corsair 9000D is for the largest custom loops.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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