Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for Large Radiators
Five PC cases ranked on radiator size and motherboards; the NZXT H7 Flow is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 360mm or larger radiator is the usual choice for hot CPUs, but it needs both the mounting length and depth above the board. Every pick fits one, ordered by the largest radiator it takes.
We ranked these PC cases on largest radiator and motherboards using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out motherboards, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server V2 Full TowerAll-metal mesh panels.
Best for: Buyers who want all-metal mesh panels.
Check price for Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server V2 Full Tower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Fractal Design Define 7 XL SolidSolid, sound-dampened panels.
Best for: Buyers who want solid, sound-dampened panels.
Check price for Fractal Design Define 7 XL Solid on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
CORSAIR 9000D RGB AirflowThe top of this price range, adding mounts for up to 18 120mm fans.
Best for: Spending more than the Define 7 XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for CORSAIR 9000D RGB Airflow on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
NZXT H7 FlowThe cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $150.
Check price for NZXT H7 Flow on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
NZXT H9 Flow WhiteA white dual-chamber layout.
Best for: Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Check price for NZXT H9 Flow White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server V2 Full Tower
What the Enthoo Pro 2 Server brings to the table is all-metal mesh panels, plus support for 480mm and 360mm radiators and 11 PCI slots.
Best for
- Buyers who want all-metal mesh panels.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NZXT H7 Flow was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 480mm largest radiator size. It takes SSI-EEB boards, 480mm and 360mm radiators, 11 PCI slots and up to 10 hard drives. Up to 15 fans fit, three of them aimed straight at the CPU and PCI area.
It is built for workstation and server systems as well as gaming. It matches the Define 7 XL and the 9000D on largest radiator size (480mm). It is the only pick here with up to SSI-EEB motherboards; the NZXT H7 Flow has ATX motherboards instead.
You also get room for up to 10 HDDs or 11 SSDs. Confirm GPU length for the Enthoo Pro 2 Server with its maker. When we checked, only the H9 Flow White and cheaper picks cost less, and the Define 7 XL cost more.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 480mm
- Motherboards
- Up to SSI-EEB
Pros
- Fits a 480mm radiator
- All-metal mesh panels
- Support for 480mm and 360mm radiators and 11 PCI slots
- Room for up to 10 HDDs or 11 SSDs
Cons
- Costs more than the NZXT H7 Flow at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
Fractal Design Define 7 XL Solid
The Define 7 XL is the full-tower version: solid, dampened panels, room for up to 18 hard drives and radiators up to 480mm in its open layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want solid, sound-dampened panels.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NZXT H7 Flow cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It takes E-ATX and SSI-EEB boards. Its brushed aluminium front door opens from either side. Multi-brackets convert unused fan positions to drive or pump mounts.
In the default storage layout it holds up to 18 HDDs and five SSDs, and the front door has reversible hinges with a magnetic latch. On largest radiator size it ties with the Enthoo Pro 2 Server and the 9000D at 480mm. Confirm GPU length for the Define 7 XL with its maker.
The Define 7 XL takes 480mm radiators; mind RAM height. Its price falls between the Enthoo Pro 2 Server and the 9000D, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 480mm
- Motherboards
- E-ATX, SSI-EEB, ATX, mATX, ITX
Pros
- Fits a 480mm radiator
- Solid, sound-dampened panels
- Room for up to 18 HDDs
- Radiators up to 480mm in its open layout
Cons
- Costs more than the NZXT H7 Flow at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 5
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
- Spending more than the Define 7 XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NZXT H7 Flow cost less when we checked.
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. It matches the Enthoo Pro 2 Server and the Define 7 XL on largest radiator size (480mm).
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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Define 7 XL the nearest cheaper option.
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 NZXT H7 Flow at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
NZXT H7 Flow
The NZXT H7 Flow stands out for 420mm radiators in the front and 360mm on top.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $150.
Skip if
- Pass on it if largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 420mm largest radiator size. It matches the H9 Flow White on largest radiator size (420mm). No other pick in this guide offers ATX motherboards; compare the Enthoo Pro 2 Server, which has up to SSI-EEB motherboards.
Confirm GPU length for the NZXT H7 Flow with its maker. The NZXT H7 Flow takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. You also get this: fits a 420mm radiator.
It makes the most sense for keeping the cost under $150, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the H9 Flow White the next step up.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 420mm
- Motherboards
- ATX
Pros
- Fits a 420mm radiator
- 420mm radiators in the front and 360mm on top
- ATX motherboards, the only one here
- The cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White
Cons
- Largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm)
The catch
What it gives up: largest radiator size of 420mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm); by contrast, the Enthoo Pro 2 Server comes in at 480mm.
Worth a Look5 of 5
NZXT H9 Flow White
The H9 Flow White is NZXT's larger dual-chamber case, with four fans included and room for up to ten.
Best for
- Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if largest radiator size matters most to you; the Enthoo Pro 2 Server offers 480mm.
Why we like it
It fits a 420mm radiator behind wraparound glass. Its dual-chamber layout hides the PSU and drives, and three F140Q fans come pre-installed. Perforated steel panels feed air to high-power builds.
The dual-chamber design separates the PSU and drives from the main components. Three F140Q fans come in the front-right and one F120Q at the rear, behind perforated steel panels. It matches the NZXT H7 Flow on largest radiator size (420mm).
Confirm GPU length for the H9 Flow White with its maker. The H9 Flow White takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. When we checked, only the NZXT H7 Flow cost less, and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server cost more. Largest radiator size is its weakest area, and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server covers it better at 480mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 420mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Glass
- Wraparound tempered glass
Pros
- Fits a 420mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Wraparound tempered glass
- White dual-chamber layout
Cons
- Largest radiator size trails the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm)
- Costs more than the NZXT H7 Flow at the time of writing
How We Chose These PC Cases for Large Radiators
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five cases on largest radiator size and motherboards, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and motherboards is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Enthoo Pro 2 Server to the H9 Flow White, state largest radiator size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 9000D and the H9 Flow White give no motherboards.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NZXT H7 Flow ($100 to $150) to the 9000D ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a PC Case for Large Radiators
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Largest radiator size across these picks
Across these 5 picks largest radiator size spans 420mm (the H9 Flow White) to 480mm (the Enthoo Pro 2 Server). If largest radiator size is your first filter, the Enthoo Pro 2 Server sets the ceiling at 480mm.
Fit and compatibility
Confirm GPU length for the Enthoo Pro 2 Server with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the Define 7 XL with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the 9000D with its maker.
A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk Extras that separate them
The 9000D: 360mm side and 240mm rear radiator mounts. The NZXT H7 Flow: 420mm radiators in the front and 360mm on top. The H9 Flow White: room for up to ten fans.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the NZXT H7 Flow and the H9 Flow White; $150 to $250 buys the Enthoo Pro 2 Server and the Define 7 XL; $500 to $1000 buys the 9000D at our last check.
Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case Start from what matters most
Spending more than the Define 7 XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the 9000D. Keeping the cost under $150: the NZXT H7 Flow.
How to Choose a PC Case for Large Radiators
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want all-metal mesh panels | Enthoo Pro 2 Server | All-metal mesh panels |
| Buyers who want solid, sound-dampened panels | Define 7 XL | Solid, sound-dampened panels |
| Spending more than the Define 7 XL costs for the fullest feature set in this group | 9000D | The top of this price range, adding mounts for up to 18 120mm fans |
| Keeping the cost under $150 | NZXT H7 Flow | The cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White |
| Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout | H9 Flow White | A white dual-chamber layout |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Enthoo Pro 2 Server leads on largest radiator size at 480mm, ahead of the Define 7 XL at 480mm. "Not listed" marks motherboards where the 9000D and the H9 Flow White leave the figure out.
| Case | Largest radiator | Motherboards |
|---|---|---|
| Enthoo Pro 2 Server | 480mm | Up to SSI-EEB |
| Define 7 XL | 480mm | E-ATX, SSI-EEB, ATX, mATX, ITX |
| 9000D | 480mm | Not listed |
| NZXT H7 Flow | 420mm | ATX |
| H9 Flow White | 420mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The NZXT H7 Flow 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 tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | NZXT H7 Flow, H9 Flow White |
| About $150 to $250 | Enthoo Pro 2 Server, Define 7 XL |
| About $500 to $1000 | 9000D |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 9000D add over the NZXT H7 Flow?
The spec sheets show largest radiator size (480mm against 420mm) in its favour. On our last price check the NZXT H7 Flow was in the $100 to $150 tier and the 9000D in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if largest radiator size decides your purchase.
Why is the NZXT H7 Flow our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White. It is aimed at keeping the cost under $150.
Will the NZXT H7 Flow work with my setup?
Confirm GPU length for the NZXT H7 Flow with its maker. The NZXT H7 Flow takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and fourth of 5 on largest radiator size (420mm).
What extras do the Enthoo Pro 2 Server and the Define 7 XL include?
The Enthoo Pro 2 Server: all-metal mesh panels. The Define 7 XL: solid, sound-dampened panels. The 9000D: mounts for up to 18 120mm fans.
Should I pick the Enthoo Pro 2 Server or the H9 Flow White?
The Enthoo Pro 2 Server suits buyers who want all-metal mesh panels; the H9 Flow White suits buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Enthoo Pro 2 Server, chosen for all-metal mesh panels. Look at the Define 7 XL for solid, sound-dampened panels, the 9000D for the top of this price range, adding mounts for up to 18 120mm fans and the NZXT H7 Flow for the cheapest way into this group, below the H9 Flow White if those matter more to you.
Check whether the radiator fits at the top with tall RAM installed.
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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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