Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases for Water Cooling
Five PC cases ranked on GPU clearance and CPU cooler clearance, where the O11 Vision-M has the longest GPU clearance; the AURA GC1 ELITE is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Water cooling needs radiator space at the front or top and room for tubing. Every pick fits a 360mm radiator or larger, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these PC cases on max GPU length, max CPU cooler height and largest radiator using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out max GPU length, 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.
Lowest Price Here
GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGBThe lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money.
Check price for GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASUS A31BTF hidden-connector motherboard support.
Best for: Buyers who want BTF hidden-connector motherboard support.
Check price for ASUS A31 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
CORSAIR 3200D RSA built-in GPU anti-sag arm.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in GPU anti-sag arm.
Check price for CORSAIR 3200D RS on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest GPU Clearance
Lian Li O11 Vision-MThe longest GPU clearance here (410mm).
Best for: Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh)Two slim 120mm fans at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AURA GC1 ELITE costs less.
Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing. | Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money. | Check price for GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| BTF hidden-connector motherboard support. | Buyers who want BTF hidden-connector motherboard support. | Check price for ASUS A31 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A built-in GPU anti-sag arm. | Buyers who want built-in GPU anti-sag arm. | Check price for CORSAIR 3200D RS on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest GPU clearance here (410mm). | Buyers who put GPU clearance first. | Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Two slim 120mm fans at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AURA GC1 ELITE costs less. | Check price for Lian Li B4-mATX (Mesh) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
GAMDIAS AURA GC1 ELITE ARGB
GAMDIAS's AURA GC1 ELITE puts four ARGB fans behind a mesh front for under $60 at the time of writing.
Best for
- Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if GPU clearance matters most to you; the O11 Vision-M offers 410mm.
Why we like it
It fits 340mm cards and a 360mm radiator. Its mesh front holds four ARGB fans out of the box, and a full tempered glass side shows the build. It is a budget airflow case.
Its 340mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the O11 Vision-M leads at 410mm. You also get a tool-free glass side panel. GPU limit in the AURA GC1 ELITE: 340mm, before front fans.
Coolers: 160mm maximum. The AURA GC1 ELITE takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. Worth noting: 4 fans included. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the A31 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 340mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 160mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Glass
- Tempered glass side
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Tempered glass side
- Four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front
Cons
- GPU clearance trails the O11 Vision-M (410mm)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASUS A31
The A31 is built for ASUS BTF motherboards, which hide their connectors on the back, and it has glass on both sides.
Best for
- Buyers who want BTF hidden-connector motherboard support.
Skip if
- The maker gives no GPU clearance, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It has support for 360mm AIOs but does not state an included fan count. It fits 360mm AIOs and flagship graphics cards in a mainstream ATX size. Dual glass panels with no corner pillar give a clear view.
It also comes with BTF hidden-connector motherboard support, up to 80mm of AIO clearance and an 8-degree angled base. Confirm GPU length for the A31 with its maker. The A31 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
Its price falls between the AURA GC1 ELITE and the 3200D RS, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed GPU clearance should compare it with the O11 Vision-M, which comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Glass
- Dual-sided tempered glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Dual-sided tempered glass
- BTF hidden-connector motherboard support
- Up to 80mm of AIO clearance
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
CORSAIR 3200D RS
The 3200D RS is Corsair's lowest-cost mid-tower here, yet it has a front USB-C port, three ARGB fans and a GPU support arm.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in GPU anti-sag arm.
Skip if
- The maker gives no GPU clearance, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm fit in the roof. It has room for nine 120mm fans with three RS120 ARGB fans included, plus a shroud and plenty of tie-down points. It suits a first build.
Reversible panels and a built-in shroud keep cables out of sight. It takes a 360mm radiator at the top. Confirm GPU length for the 3200D RS with its maker.
The 3200D RS takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. Its price falls between the A31 and the O11 Vision-M, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed GPU clearance should compare it with the O11 Vision-M, which comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 3 fans included
- A front USB-C port
- Built-in GPU anti-sag arm
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Longest GPU Clearance4 of 5
Lian Li O11 Vision-M
The O11 Vision-M brings Lian Li's dual-chamber layout to Micro-ATX, with 410mm of GPU room and a 360mm top radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who put GPU clearance first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: only 1 fan in the box.
Why we like it
It does not take ATX or back-connect boards, and only one fan comes fitted. On GPU clearance it leads this guide at 410mm, ahead of the B4-mATX (358mm). It also comes with a pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber.
GPU limit in the O11 Vision-M: 410mm, before front fans. Coolers: 162mm maximum. The O11 Vision-M takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
182mm is the O11 Vision-M's PSU length cap. Worth noting: room for graphics cards up to 410mm long. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper 3200D RS and the pricier B4-mATX, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 410mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 162mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 182mm
- Fans included
- 1
- Motherboards
- mATX, Mini-ITX (no ATX or back-connect)
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber
- Dual-chamber layout
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
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
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AURA GC1 ELITE costs less.
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. On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 358mm: the O11 Vision-M comes in at 410mm, and the AURA GC1 ELITE comes in at 340mm. You also get 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. Only the O11 Vision-M came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
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
- Costs more than the AURA GC1 ELITE at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published CPU cooler clearance figure, whereas the O11 Vision-M comes in at 162mm.
How We Chose These PC Cases for Water Cooling
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 compared five cases on GPU clearance, CPU cooler clearance, largest radiator size and PSU length limit from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while GPU clearance and CPU cooler clearance have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the AURA GC1 ELITE to the B4-mATX, state largest radiator size.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The A31 and the 3200D RS give no GPU clearance; the A31, the 3200D RS and the B4-mATX give no CPU cooler clearance.
- Price range
- From the AURA GC1 ELITE to the B4-mATX, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PC Case for Water Cooling
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much GPU clearance you need
The O11 Vision-M tops GPU clearance at 410mm and the AURA GC1 ELITE sits lowest at 340mm. The O11 Vision-M is the pick for GPU clearance. The A31 and the 3200D RS give no GPU clearance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
CPU cooler clearance
Here CPU cooler clearance runs from 160mm on the AURA GC1 ELITE to 162mm on the O11 Vision-M, a 1% spread. Start with the O11 Vision-M if CPU cooler clearance decides it. The A31, the 3200D RS and the B4-mATX give no CPU cooler clearance figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk PSU length limit
Across these 2 picks PSU length limit spans 140mm (the B4-mATX) to 182mm (the O11 Vision-M). Start with the O11 Vision-M if PSU length limit decides it. The AURA GC1 ELITE, the A31 and the 3200D RS give no PSU length limit figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
GPU limit in the AURA GC1 ELITE: 340mm, before front fans. Confirm GPU length for the A31 with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the 3200D RS with its maker.
A PC case with red-lit glass panels next to a monitor Extras that separate them
The 3200D RS: room for nine 120mm fans. The O11 Vision-M: a dual-chamber layout. The B4-mATX: a 360mm AIO when paired with an SFX PSU.
How to Choose a PC Case for Water Cooling
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting four 120mm ARGB fans behind a mesh front for the least money | AURA GC1 ELITE | The lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want BTF hidden-connector motherboard support | A31 | BTF hidden-connector motherboard support |
| Buyers who want built-in GPU anti-sag arm | 3200D RS | A built-in GPU anti-sag arm |
| Buyers who put GPU clearance first | O11 Vision-M | The longest GPU clearance here (410mm) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the AURA GC1 ELITE costs less | B4-mATX | Two slim 120mm fans at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The O11 Vision-M leads on GPU clearance at 410mm, ahead of the B4-mATX at 358mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the A31 and the 3200D RS leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Max PSU length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AURA GC1 ELITE | 340mm | 160mm | 360mm | Not listed |
| A31 | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| 3200D RS | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| O11 Vision-M | 410mm | 162mm | 360mm | 182mm |
| B4-mATX | 358mm | Not listed | 360mm | 140mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the O11 Vision-M ahead of the B4-mATX on GPU clearance?
The O11 Vision-M leads at 410mm, with the B4-mATX at 358mm. The AURA GC1 ELITE closes the ranking at 340mm. The A31 and the 3200D RS are left out of this ranking because their GPU clearance isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the AURA GC1 ELITE compare with the O11 Vision-M on CPU cooler clearance?
Between the top two, it is 162mm on the O11 Vision-M against 160mm on the AURA GC1 ELITE, a 1% difference. No CPU cooler clearance figure is published for the A31, the 3200D RS and the B4-mATX, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Which has the longest PSU length limit: the O11 Vision-M or the B4-mATX?
The O11 Vision-M tops PSU length limit at 182mm; the B4-mATX follows at 140mm, 30% apart. The AURA GC1 ELITE, the A31 and the 3200D RS don't state a PSU length limit figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the B4-mATX add over the AURA GC1 ELITE?
On paper it adds GPU clearance (358mm against 340mm). Both sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, so the gains in GPU clearance cost little extra by tier.
Why is the O11 Vision-M our Longest GPU Clearance pick?
It carries the badge for the longest GPU clearance here (410mm). On GPU clearance it leads the B4-mATX, 410mm against 358mm, a 15% margin. It suits anyone who puts GPU clearance first.
Do the AURA GC1 ELITE and the A31 differ on glass?
The AURA GC1 ELITE uses Tempered glass side; the A31 uses Dual-sided tempered glass. The 3200D RS, the O11 Vision-M and the B4-mATX have no glass listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the AURA GC1 ELITE, chosen for the lowest price among these PC cases at the time of writing. Look at the A31 for BTF hidden-connector motherboard support, the 3200D RS for a built-in GPU anti-sag arm and the O11 Vision-M for the longest GPU clearance here (410mm) if those matter more to you.
Top-mounted radiators should exhaust; a front radiator should draw air in.
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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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