Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for the RX 9070 XT
Six cases compared for RX 9070 XT cards around 300mm long, on airflow, size and radiator support.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
ASRock's RX 9070 XT Steel Legend is rated at 298mm, and most RX 9070 XT cards are around 300mm. That leaves a wide choice of cases.
We compared the GPU length, cooler height and radiator limits the case makers list; we did not build in these cases ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Fit for an RX 9070 XT
ASUS Prime AP201338mm of GPU room with mesh panels.
Best for: Budget mATX builds.
Check price for ASUS Prime AP201 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Smallest Case Here
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh)358mm of GPU room in 21.3 litres.
Best for: Compact builds.
Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Pick
Cooler Master Q300L V3366mm of GPU room with a 178mm cooler limit.
Best for: Air-cooled budget builds.
Check price for Cooler Master Q300L V3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Glass Pick
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX400mm of GPU room with a full glass front.
Best for: Showcase builds.
Check price for be quiet! Light Base 600 DX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Full Tower
Fractal Design North XL413mm of GPU room with a 420mm radiator.
Best for: Radiator-heavy builds.
Check price for Fractal Design North XL on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Airflow Pick
Lian Li LANCOOL 216392mm of GPU room with two 160mm fans.
Best for: Warm-running cards.
Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 216 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Fit for an RX 9070 XT1 of 6
ASUS Prime AP201
The Prime AP201 wraps a 33-litre frame in fine mesh for airflow on every side.
Best for
- Budget mATX builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if GPU clearance matters most to you; the North XL offers 413mm.
Why we like it
It takes 338mm graphics cards and a 360mm radiator, with a 32mm gap behind the tray for cables. Mesh panels with over 57,000 holes keep airflow high, and it supports 280mm and 360mm radiators with up to six fans. It is a compact Micro-ATX case.
Its compact Micro-ATX body suits a small desk without giving up a 360mm radiator. On GPU clearance it trails the group at 338mm, while the North XL comes in at 413mm. It matches the B4-mATX, the Light Base 600 DX and the Lancool 216 on largest radiator size (360mm).
Its 180mm PSU length limit ranks second of 3 here, behind the Q300L V3 (200mm) and ahead of the B4-mATX (140mm). Like the Q300L V3, it has micro-ATX motherboards, while the B4-mATX uses mATX motherboards. GPU limit in the Prime AP201: 338mm, before front fans. It was priced above the B4-mATX and below the Lancool 216 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 338mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 180mm
- Volume
- 33L
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Mesh panels with over 57,000 1.5mm holes
- 32mm cable gap behind the tray
- Mounts for up to six fans
Cons
- GPU clearance trails the North XL (413mm)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on GPU clearance, where the North XL comes in at 413mm.
Smallest Case Here2 of 6
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh)
The B4-mATX is the smallest case here at 21.3 litres and still takes a 358mm graphics card.
Best for
- Compact builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: power supplies are limited to 140mm long.
Why we like it
Choosing an SFX power supply frees room for a 360mm AIO; an ATX unit must be 140mm or shorter. Its 358mm GPU clearance ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the North XL (413mm) and ahead of the Prime AP201 (338mm). On largest radiator size it ties with the Prime AP201, the Light Base 600 DX and the Lancool 216 at 360mm.
On PSU length limit it trails the group at 140mm, while the Q300L V3 comes in at 200mm. You get mATX motherboards here, which sets it apart from the Lancool 216 and its ATX motherboards. It also offers two slim 120mm fans and a 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU.
GPU limit in the B4-mATX: 358mm, before front fans. The B4-mATX takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 140mm is the B4-mATX's PSU length cap.
Boards: mATX. Its price falls between the Q300L V3 and the Prime AP201, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 358mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 140mm
- Volume
- 21.3L
- Fans included
- 2
- Motherboards
- mATX
- PSU type
- SFX, or ATX up to 140mm
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- A compact 21.3L footprint
- Two slim 120mm fans
- 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU
Cons
- Power supplies are limited to 140mm long
- PSU length limit trails the Q300L V3 (200mm)
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed CPU cooler clearance should compare it with the Q300L V3, which comes in at 178mm.
Best Budget Pick3 of 6
Cooler Master Q300L V3
The Q300L V3 is a Micro-ATX case that still fits a 366mm graphics card and a 178mm tower cooler.
Best for
- Air-cooled budget builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: radiators top out at 240mm.
Why we like it
Its radiator support stops at 240mm, the trade for its size and price. On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 366mm: the North XL comes in at 413mm, and the Prime AP201 comes in at 338mm. Its 240mm largest radiator size is the smallest in this group; the North XL leads at 420mm.
Nothing else here matches its 200mm PSU length limit; the Prime AP201 comes closest at 180mm. Like the Prime AP201, it has micro-ATX motherboards, while the B4-mATX uses mATX motherboards. You also get mounts for six 120mm or 140mm fans and a movable front I/O panel.
GPU limit in the Q300L V3: 366mm, before front fans. The Q300L V3 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. 200mm is the Q300L V3's PSU length cap. It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the B4-mATX the next step up.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 366mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 178mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Max PSU length
- 200mm
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
- Glass
- Tempered glass side
Pros
- Takes tower air coolers up to 178mm tall
- Tempered glass side
- Mounts for six 120mm or 140mm fans
- Movable front I/O panel
Cons
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- Largest radiator size trails the North XL (420mm)
The catch
It gives ground on largest radiator size, where the North XL comes in at 420mm.
Best Glass Pick4 of 6
be quiet! Light Base 600 DX
The Light Base 600 DX pairs a full glass front and side with dual 360mm plus 240mm radiator support.
Best for
- Showcase builds.
Skip if
- Its PSU length limit is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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 6 here, behind the North XL (413mm) and ahead of the Prime AP201 (338mm).
On largest radiator size it ties with the Prime AP201, the B4-mATX and the Lancool 216 at 360mm. It shares ATX motherboards with the Lancool 216; the Prime AP201 goes with micro-ATX motherboards. 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 fifth of 6, between the cheaper Lancool 216 and the pricier North XL, at the time of writing.
Key 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
- No published PSU length limit
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its PSU length limit; if that figure matters, the Q300L V3 comes in at 200mm.
Best Full Tower5 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
- Radiator-heavy builds.
Skip if
- Its PSU length limit is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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.
Nothing else here matches its 413mm GPU clearance; the Light Base 600 DX comes closest at 400mm. On largest radiator size it leads this guide at 420mm, ahead of the Prime AP201 (360mm). GPU limit in the North XL: 413mm, before front fans.
The North XL takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Light Base 600 DX and the rest.
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
- No published PSU length limit
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its CPU cooler clearance; if that figure matters, the Q300L V3 comes in at 178mm.
Best Airflow Pick6 of 6
Lian Li LANCOOL 216
The Lancool 216 is built around two large 160mm front fans and a clear path to the graphics card, with 392mm of GPU room.
Best for
- Warm-running cards.
Skip if
- Its PSU length limit is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm mount on top or at the bottom, which leaves the front free for intake. The motherboard tray switches between air-cooling and water-cooling layouts, and three Velcro straps behind the tray bundle cables. Fine mesh front and top panels feed airflow.
Its 392mm GPU clearance ranks third of 6 here, behind the North XL (413mm) and ahead of the Prime AP201 (338mm). On largest radiator size it ties with the Prime AP201, the B4-mATX and the Light Base 600 DX at 360mm. It shares ATX motherboards with the Light Base 600 DX; the B4-mATX goes with mATX motherboards.
It also comes with a removable top radiator bracket and mounts for up to ten 120mm fans. The Lancool 216 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Prime AP201 and the pricier Light Base 600 DX, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 392mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 3 fans included
- Two 160mm front fans
- 360mm radiator mounts on top and bottom
Cons
- No published PSU length limit
- Costs more than the Q300L V3 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its CPU cooler clearance; if that figure matters, the Q300L V3 comes in at 178mm.
How We Chose These Cases for RX 9070 XT
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 six cases on GPU clearance, CPU cooler clearance, largest radiator size and PSU length limit as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while CPU cooler clearance and PSU length limit have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Prime AP201 to the Lancool 216, state GPU clearance, largest radiator size and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Prime AP201, the B4-mATX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 give no CPU cooler clearance; the Light Base 600 DX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 give no PSU length limit.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Q300L V3 ($50 to $100) to the North XL ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Case for RX 9070 XT
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
GPU clearance
Here GPU clearance runs from 338mm on the Prime AP201 to 413mm on the North XL, a 22% spread. For less, the Light Base 600 DX is the runner-up at 400mm ($100 to $150 tier).
How much largest radiator size you need
The North XL tops largest radiator size at 420mm and the Q300L V3 sits lowest at 240mm. The Prime AP201 comes second at 360mm, in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 for the North XL.
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off How much PSU length limit you need
Across these 3 picks PSU length limit spans 140mm (the B4-mATX) to 200mm (the Q300L V3). If PSU length limit is your first filter, the Q300L V3 sets the ceiling at 200mm. The Light Base 600 DX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 give no PSU length limit figure, so 3 of 6 picks are compared here.
What to check at home
GPU limit in the Prime AP201: 338mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the B4-mATX: 358mm, before front fans. GPU limit in the Q300L V3: 366mm, before front fans.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk Features beyond the spec table
The Light Base 600 DX: a GPU anti-sag bracket. The North XL: a 360mm top radiator alongside a 420mm front one. The Lancool 216: 360mm radiator mounts on top and bottom.
How to Choose a Case for RX 9070 XT
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget mATX builds | Prime AP201 | 338mm of GPU room with mesh panels |
| Compact builds | B4-mATX | 358mm of GPU room in 21.3 litres |
| Air-cooled budget builds | Q300L V3 | 366mm of GPU room with a 178mm cooler limit |
| Showcase builds | Light Base 600 DX | 400mm of GPU room with a full glass front |
| Radiator-heavy builds | North XL | 413mm of GPU room with a 420mm radiator |
| Warm-running cards | Lancool 216 | 392mm of GPU room with two 160mm fans |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The North XL leads on GPU clearance at 413mm, ahead of the Light Base 600 DX at 400mm. "Not listed" marks CPU cooler clearance where the Prime AP201, the B4-mATX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Max PSU length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime AP201 | 338mm | Not listed | 360mm | 180mm |
| B4-mATX | 358mm | Not listed | 360mm | 140mm |
| Q300L V3 | 366mm | 178mm | 240mm | 200mm |
| Light Base 600 DX | 400mm | 170mm | 360mm | Not listed |
| North XL | 413mm | Not listed | 420mm | Not listed |
| Lancool 216 | 392mm | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Q300L V3, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the North XL at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Q300L V3, B4-mATX, Prime AP201, Lancool 216 |
| About $100 to $150 | Light Base 600 DX |
| About $150 to $250 | North XL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest GPU clearance: the North XL or the Light Base 600 DX?
The North XL tops GPU clearance at 413mm; the Light Base 600 DX follows at 400mm, 3% apart. The spread runs down to the Prime AP201 at 338mm.
How does the Prime AP201 compare with the North XL on largest radiator size?
Between the top two, it is 420mm on the North XL against 360mm on the Prime AP201, a 17% difference. The Q300L V3 is at the other end of this group with 240mm.
Is the Q300L V3 ahead of the Prime AP201 on PSU length limit?
The Q300L V3 leads at 200mm, with the Prime AP201 at 180mm. The B4-mATX is at the other end of this group with 140mm. The Light Base 600 DX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 are left out of this ranking because their PSU length limit isn't stated; 3 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the North XL worth paying more than the Q300L V3?
On paper it adds GPU clearance (413mm against 366mm) and largest radiator size (420mm against 240mm). The Q300L V3 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the North XL in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if GPU clearance and largest radiator size decide your purchase.
What makes the North XL the Best Full Tower?
It carries the badge for 413mm of GPU room with a 420mm radiator. The Q300L V3, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at radiator-heavy builds.
Do the Q300L V3 and the Light Base 600 DX differ on glass?
The Q300L V3 uses Tempered glass side; the Light Base 600 DX uses Full glass front and side. The makers of the Prime AP201, the B4-mATX, the North XL and the Lancool 216 don't state glass, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
Bottom Line
ASUS's Prime AP201 is a well-priced fit for an RX 9070 XT. Pick the B4 for a small footprint, the Lancool 216 for airflow and the North XL for big radiators.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best PC Cases
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- Related guideThe Best CPUs for the RX 9070 XT
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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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