Buying Guide
The Best Phanteks PC Cases
From the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) to the Enthoo Pro 2 Server: five PC cases ranked on radiator size and fans included, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Phanteks makes airflow and showcase cases from the XT to the NV series. Every pick is a Phanteks case.
We sorted these picks by largest radiator, fans included and motherboards, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips largest radiator, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Phanteks XT Pro SilentThe cheapest way into this group, below the XT View Matrix.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix.
Check price for Phanteks XT Pro Silent on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-TowerA 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Best for: Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Check price for Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber CaseA multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air.
Best for: Buyers who want multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air.
Check price for Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIOA 360mm AIO cooler included.
Best for: Buyers who want 360mm AIO cooler included.
Check price for Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Radiator Size
Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server V2 Full TowerThe largest radiator size here (480mm).
Best for: Buyers who put largest radiator size first.
Check price for Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server V2 Full Tower on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Phanteks XT Pro Silent
The XT Pro Silent adds sound-dampening foam to the front and side panels of Phanteks' budget mid-tower.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: largest radiator size of 360mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm).
Why we like it
It includes three fans, a front USB-C port and support for rear-connector motherboards. It fits the largest graphics cards and takes a 360mm radiator at the top without restrictions. It matches the EX5 and the EX5 Plus on largest radiator size (360mm).
Confirm GPU length for the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) with its maker. The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the XT View Matrix. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the XT View Matrix the next step up.
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
- Sound-dampening foam on the front and side panels
Cons
- Largest radiator size of 360mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm)
The catch
What it gives up: largest radiator size of 360mm, behind the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm); by contrast, the Enthoo Pro 2 Server comes in at 480mm.
Also Consider2 of 5
Phanteks XT View Matrix Mid-Tower
The XT View Matrix is built around a 600-LED matrix display on the front, with support for rear-connector motherboards on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front.
Skip if
- Its largest radiator size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
A 600-LED fabric matrix screen shows system stats and animations on the front. It supports rear-connector motherboards, and glass on the front and side shows off the build. It ships with three D-RGB fans and has room for nine 120mm fans.
The top takes a 360mm radiator without restrictions. Confirm GPU length for the XT View Matrix with its maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the pricier EX5, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its largest radiator size; if that figure matters, the Enthoo Pro 2 Server comes in at 480mm.
Key specs
- Motherboards
- ATX, rear-connector ATX
- Glass
- Tempered glass front and side
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Tempered glass front and side
- A front USB-C port
- 600-LED matrix display on the front
- Support for rear-connector motherboards
Cons
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Phanteks EX5 ATX Multi-Chamber Case
What the EX5 brings to the table is a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air, plus one S25-120 fan included.
Best for
- Buyers who want multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 1 fan in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 360mm largest radiator size and offers a 1 fans included. Its front USB-C port runs at 20Gbps, and it clears GPUs up to 4.6 slots thick depending on the board. On largest radiator size it ties with the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the EX5 Plus at 360mm.
It also offers support for 360mm AIO coolers. Confirm GPU length for the EX5 with its maker. The EX5 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper XT View Matrix and the pricier EX5 Plus, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 1
- Motherboards
- ATX, Micro-ATX
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air
- One S25-120 fan included
- Support for 360mm AIO coolers
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- Costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Phanteks EX5 Plus with 360 AIO
What the EX5 Plus brings to the table is a 360mm AIO cooler included, plus a multi-chamber layout.
Best for
- Buyers who want 360mm AIO cooler included.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: only 1 fan in the box.
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.
On largest radiator size it ties with the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the EX5 at 360mm. 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper EX5 and the pricier Enthoo Pro 2 Server, at the time of writing. The trade-off is largest radiator size; for more, the Enthoo Pro 2 Server comes in at 480mm.
Key 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
- Largest radiator size trails the Enthoo Pro 2 Server (480mm)
- Costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
Largest Radiator Size5 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 put largest radiator size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) cost less when we checked.
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. Its 480mm largest radiator size is the largest here; the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) comes next at 360mm. You also get room for up to 10 HDDs or 11 SSDs.
Confirm GPU length for the Enthoo Pro 2 Server with its maker. 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 EX5 Plus and the rest.
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 XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
How We Chose These Phanteks PC 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five cases on largest radiator size, fans included, motherboards and front USB-C as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 0 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while largest radiator size and fans included have gaps.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XT View Matrix gives no largest radiator size; the XT View Matrix and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server give no fans included.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) ($50 to $100) to the Enthoo Pro 2 Server ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Phanteks PC Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Largest radiator size across these picks
Across these 4 picks largest radiator size spans 360mm (the EX5 Plus) 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. The XT View Matrix gives no largest radiator size figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
Confirm GPU length for the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the XT View Matrix with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the EX5 with its maker.
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off Features beyond the spec table
The EX5: one S25-120 fan included. The EX5 Plus: a multi-chamber layout. The Enthoo Pro 2 Server: support for 480mm and 360mm radiators and 11 PCI slots.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the XT View Matrix; $100 to $150 buys the EX5; $150 to $250 buys the EX5 Plus and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server at our last check.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix: the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks). Buyers who put largest radiator size first: the Enthoo Pro 2 Server.
How to Choose a Phanteks PC Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix | XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) | The cheapest way into this group, below the XT View Matrix |
| Buyers who want 600-LED matrix display on the front | XT View Matrix | A 600-LED matrix display on the front |
| Buyers who want multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air | EX5 | A multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air |
| Buyers who want 360mm AIO cooler included | EX5 Plus | A 360mm AIO cooler included |
| Buyers who put largest radiator size first | Enthoo Pro 2 Server | The largest radiator size here (480mm) |
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 XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at 360mm. "Not listed" marks largest radiator size where the XT View Matrix leaves the figure out.
| Case | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards | Front USB-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) | 360mm | 3 | Not listed | Yes |
| XT View Matrix | Not listed | Not listed | ATX, rear-connector ATX | Yes |
| EX5 | 360mm | 1 | ATX, Micro-ATX | Not listed |
| EX5 Plus | 360mm | 1 | ATX, Micro-ATX | Not listed |
| Enthoo Pro 2 Server | 480mm | Not listed | Up to SSI-EEB | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Enthoo Pro 2 Server at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), XT View Matrix |
| About $100 to $150 | EX5 |
| About $150 to $250 | EX5 Plus, Enthoo Pro 2 Server |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest radiator size: the Enthoo Pro 2 Server or the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks)?
The Enthoo Pro 2 Server tops largest radiator size at 480mm; the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) follows at 360mm, 33% apart. No largest radiator size figure is published for the XT View Matrix, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Enthoo Pro 2 Server worth paying more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks)?
The spec sheets show largest radiator size (480mm against 360mm) in its favour. The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if largest radiator size decides your purchase.
What makes the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the XT View Matrix. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the XT View Matrix.
Which of these cases have front USB-C?
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the XT View Matrix have it. The makers of the EX5, the EX5 Plus and the Enthoo Pro 2 Server don't state front USB-C, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the XT View Matrix?
Confirm GPU length for the XT View Matrix with its maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the XT View Matrix apart?
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks): sound-dampening foam on the front and side panels. The XT View Matrix: a 600-LED matrix display on the front. The EX5: a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the XT View Matrix. Look at the XT View Matrix for a 600-LED matrix display on the front, the EX5 for a multi-chamber layout that feeds each component fresh air and the EX5 Plus for a 360mm AIO cooler included if those matter more to you.
Check GPU length and radiator support against your parts list.
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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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