Table of Contents
Personal computers with water cooling systems were once considered a niche product for hardcore gamers. But today, the use of water cooling systems has become very common. Gamers have realized the immense benefits of cooler temperatures and improved aesthetics by utilizing these cooling systems. However, it can be difficult to find good PC cases for implementing a water-cooling solution. Therefore, we have decided to review the top cases for water-cooling. These are some of the best cases for customized water cooling and AIO water cooling systems. We have included mid-tower, full-tower, and super-tower PC cases.
Contents
- Mid-Tower Cases for water cooling
- Full-Tower Cases for water cooling
- Super-Tower Cases for water cooling
PC Cases for Water-Cooling Comparison
PRODUCTFEATURESLATEST PRICE
1. Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X 
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2. Lian Li PC-O11DW 
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3. Corsair Crystal 680X RGB PC Case 
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4. Thermaltake A500 ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case 
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5. ROSEWILL CULLINAN MX ATX PC Case 
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6.THERMALTAKE LEVEL 20 Aluminum PC Case 
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7. THERMALTAKE VIEW 71 PC Case 
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8. Cooler Master Cosmos C700P Full Tower PC Case 
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9. CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D PC Case 
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10. Thermaltake Tower 900 PC Case 
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Mid-Tower Cases for Water Cooling:
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Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X
Phanteks is a very popular brand in the enthusiast PC building community. On the outside, the design is simple with a tempered glass side panel that allows you to showcase your build. On the inside, you’ve got a versatile case that has three times the airflow of its predecessor.
The case has been designed with water cooling in mind. To begin with, you can have up to a 420mm radiator inside, and there’s a very convenient radiator bracket. You’ll also get an integrated fill and drain port, so if you want to go custom, things are made easier.
On the front, you get USB 3.1 Type-C, as well as two USB 3.0 ports and mic and headphones ports. There’s also the LED control which lets you change things up when you want to. All things considered, a great premium option.
See Related Topic: 120mm AIO Cooling System
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Lian Li PC-O11DW
Arguably their most famous products are their PC desk cases, but Lian Li has excellent cases for builders who want something a bit different. Their PC-O11DW is a great pick for people who want to go with water cooling and want to display their entire build. It’s a mid-tower ATX case made of aluminum with a tempered glass front and side panel.
There are a few cooling options here, as you can go with either a 240mm, 280mm, or 360mm radiator, and there are plenty of slots for fans. You can add them to the top, to the side, or to the bottom, and you can get plenty of airflow.
You will also find an I/O panel with a USB 3.1 Type-C port, as well as two USB 3.0 ports, which might come in handy. Add to this the maximum GPU length of 420mm, and you’re getting a great case.
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Corsair Crystal 680X RGB PC Case
If you’re looking to add water cooling to your system, you’ll want a larger case. Corsair’s Crystal 680X is a great option, with plenty of room for components and easy access to all of them. The side panel has a hinge that makes it really easy to access all of your components.
The tempered glass panels at the front, side, and top let you showcase your build, and there’s a complete section behind the motherboard for clean cable management. With four fans, as well as a very well thought out airflow layout, you can rest assured that your entire build will remain cool.
In terms of design and aesthetics, the Crystal 680X looks really, really good. The included fans all have RGB, and there’s a Lighting Node PRO that lets you control RGB lights via Corsair’s iCue software. Rounded out with plenty of storage bays, you’ve got a great case for liquid cooling.
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Thermaltake A500 ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case
The Thermaltake A500 is a mid-tower case with an elegant curved aluminum frame design. It also has a tempered glass panel that allows easy access to your system’s components.
Moreover, this case has enough space for different versatile cooling options. It can accommodate a 420mm or 360mm radiator in the front, a 360mm or 280mm radiator at the top, and a 120mm radiator at the back. Which makes this case amazing for implementing a large or customized water cooling system.
Additionally, the Thermaltake A500 case has a dismantlable modular design and three dust filters with one at the top, front, and bottom. It has one Type-C, 2 USB 3.0, and additional essential ports. Lastly, this case has tool-free drive cages that can hold 6 2.5”/3.5” SSD/HDD for easy installation and removal of drives.
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ROSEWILL CULLINAN MX ATX PC Case
The ROSEWILL ATX mid-tower gaming case can accommodate a 360mm water cooling radiator at the front and a 260mm liquid cooling radiator at the top. This makes it a good case for implementing customized water cooling as well as AIO water cooling. It comes with four pre-installed, 120mm cooling fans with three located upfront and the other located at the rear. This case can also accommodate a GPU with a maximum length of 360mm.
Additionally, this mid-tower gaming case is made of a combination of plastic, steel, and tempered glass. It weighs 23 pounds with dimensions of 22 x 20.5 x 12.4 inches (height, width, and depth). The front panel has a couple of USB 3.0 ports and USB 2.0 ports as well as fan speed control and audio in/out. Dust filters are also found on the top and bottom parts of the case.
Read Related Article: CPU Coolers For Intel’s Core i7 9700k Processors
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Cougar CONQUER ATX PC Case
The Cougar CONQUER ATX gaming PC case is designed to accommodate a 360mm water cooling radiator at the top and up to 240mm water cooling radiator at its front. The case is also designed to support a couple of 120mm cooling fans up front and up to three 120mm cooling fans at the top.
It can also support a graphics card up to 350mm in size. There is also enough space to support up to three 3.5 inch HDD and four 2.5 inch HDD.
It is made of superior aluminum alloy frame and its side panels are made of a couple of 5mm thick tempered glass. It measures 10 inches wide, 22.8 inches tall and 27 inches deep.
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IN WIN TYPE-C GEN 2 PC Case
This mid-tower case has plenty of space for cooling systems. It can accommodate a 120mm radiator at the rear and a 360mm radiator at the top. There is also provision for up to three 120mm cooling fans at the bottom to go along with one 120mm fan at the rear and up to three 120mm cooling fans at the top.
Moreover, it can support both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard disk drives with a separate chamber for the PSU designed to support an ideal climate for both the motherboard and the graphics card. This case is also made of tempered glass and SECC and several ports upfront including USB 3.1 and USB 2.0.
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THERMALTAKE CORE P5 PC Case
This beautiful mid-tower case is noted for its open-frame design. It offers a three-way placement layout: horizontal, vertical, and wall-mount. The case can support three brackets and another AIO bracket for one 120mm or 140mm cooling fan.
Liquid cooling systems can be placed on the right side of the case. There’s enough space for two radiators with sizes of up to 480mm. As for cooling fans, the Core P5 can support four 120mm cooling fans or up to three 140mm fans.
It also offers superior expansion options as it can accommodate up to four 3.5inch hard disc drives. Handy ports are available with a couple of USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports and HD audio connector on the side panel.
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darkFlash Phantom Black
If you have a beautiful build with clean cable management and some RGB lights, it makes sense to want to showcase it with a case that has plenty of tempered glass. Enter the darkFlash Phantom Black, a mid-tower ATX case that has tempered glass both at the front and the side, as well as six RGB fans preinstalled.
On the inside, you’ve got plenty of room for water cooling. You can have a 280mm radiator at the front or a 120mm radiator at the rear, and you have up to 174mm of height for a CPU cooler. The GPU can be 375mm long at most, and there’s excellent airflow within the case.
Last but not least, you have plenty of USB ports and the case is perfect for ITX, micro ATX or ATX motherboards.
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FSP ATX Mid Tower PC case
This mid-tower PC case is a stunner. It features five RGB LED lights with control buttons located at the top panel for easy access. It can support up to 400mm graphics card and up to 165mm CPU air coolers.
Additionally, this mid-tower case can facilitate liquid cooling for your build. It has enough space for a water cooling radiator up to 360mm in size in the front without having to remove the preinstalled fans. It also has space for five fan mounts and there are four 120mm LED fans pre-installed in the front and rear of the case.
There’s plenty of room, too, for upgrades. The case can accommodate two 3.5-inch hard disc drives and two 2.5-inch solid-state drives. There are also seven PCI-E expansion slots in this case.
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Full-Tower Cases for Water Cooling:
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THERMALTAKE LEVEL 20 Aluminum PC Case
Like the other Thermaltake full tower case, this one offers ample space for expansion. It has up to 11 drive bays, providing space for up to six 2.5 and 3.5-inch hard disc drives, two 2.5 and 3.5-inch HDD with bracket and three HDD of the same sizes with bracket.
It also offers sufficient space for cooling systems. The front part can support one 360mm radiator and another 280mm cooling system. There’s also space for another 120mm radiator and 140mm cooling system in the rear.
This full tower case has side panel made of 4mm tempered glass. The interior is made of black while the exterior has a nice space gray color. It is made of SPCC and aluminum.
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THERMALTAKE VIEW 71 PC Case
This full-tower case from Thermaltake has tempered glass side panels for ease of access to the components. The drive bay design allows it to support up to 7 3.5-inch hard disc drives and a maximum of 10 2.5-inch HDD.
Liquid cooling is adequately supported by this tower case. The front and top parts are designed to support two radiators; one sized 360mm and the other, 420mm. The rear, on the other hand, can support one 120mm cooling system and a 140mm radiator while the bottom can accommodate one 240mm radiator. Which makes this case great for customized water cooling.
There’s also enough room to accommodate expansion. The case offers up to 10 expansion slots with four slots for 3.5 or 2.5-inch hard disc drives and up to six slots for 2.5-inch hard disc drives in its hidden drive bay.
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Cooler Master Cosmos C700P Full Tower PC Case
Cooler Master knows how to make great cases, and the Cosmos series is a great example. With a curved tempered glass side panel, as well as a futuristic design, the C700P looks stunning. This is the Black Edition, so it’s pretty much all blacked out, which lets your components shine inside.
The layout inside is very flexible, and you can have it set up just the way you like it – conventional, inverse, Chimney, anything is possible. There is an extensive cable management system as well, which lets you cover various cables in various setups. It’s also made with a reservoir in mind, so it’s certainly a great case for a custom cooling loop. You also get two brackets that can each support up to a 420mm radiator.
Add to this RGB control, a Type-C port, and solid aluminum handles to move it around, and you’re looking at an excellent liquid cooling case.
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Cougar Panzer EVO RGB
While Cougar may not be the most popular brand as far as cases go, their Panzer EVO RGB is a great case, especially if you want water cooling. It’s a full tower ATX case with four massive tempered glass panels that allow you to proudly display your build’s internals. You also get four RGB fans and an included fan controller, which is not something you’ll get with a lot of cases.
As far as the inside goes, you have up to four double slot GPUs, up to 390mm long, and it’s the radiator options that make things interesting. You can fit a 120mm radiator at the front, rear, top or bottom, 140mm at the front, top and bottom, and you can also have a 240mm, 280mm or 360mm radiator at the front or top. Talk about versatility.
With plenty of airflow and a host of water cooling options, this is a good choice, even at the premium price it comes at.
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CORSAIR GRAPHITE 780T PC Case
This case has space for dual 360mm radiators which can be placed in front or at the top. It also has provisions for smaller radiators with maximum sizes of 240 and 140mm. These can be placed at the rear and bottom of the case. Aside from the water-cooling systems, the Corsair Graphite 780T has dual 140mm fans and a 140mm exhaust fan designed to promote ample airflow.
This case features latched side panels designed for easy access to the internal components. It also has numerous ports located upfront for easy device management. An interesting feature is its three-step LED gauge that guides users on optimal noise and cooling.
There is also plenty of space for hard drives and solid-state drives inside this case with six module cages and three side-mounted bays for the SSDs.
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Be Quiet! Dark Base PRO 900 PC Case
This full-tower case is designed to accommodate four water cooling radiators with a maximum size of 420mm. The radiators can be placed at the top, front, base, and back. Aside from the water-cooling solutions, this case can also take in up to eight fans. It also features vents designed to reduce noise and facilitate full circuit airflow.
This case also offers module hard disc drive slots giving users a lot of flexibility in their storage needs. It can support up to five hard disc drives, 10 solid disc drives, and two optical drives. There are also slot covers to conceal unused hard drive slots. It also has USB 3.1 ports plus a quick charging option designed for mobile devices.
You May Also Like: Budget RGB Fans
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Thermaltake Core V71 PC Case
The Thermaltake Core V71 case measures 23 inches tall, 9.1 inches high and 22 inches deep. There’s room for four water cooling systems in this computer case. The front and top panels have provision to accommodate radiators measuring 360 or 420mm. The rear has space for one 120mm water cooling system and the bottom, one unit of 240mm radiator.
There is also enough space for multiple fans in this case. You can install up to three fans in the front and top panels while the bottom has enough space for two. The rear also has space for one 120 or 140mm fans. There are three pre-installed 200mm fans in this case.
There is also no shortage of expansion options in this case. It has provisions for up to eight 3.5- or 2.5-inch hard disc drives while there are two accessible 5.25-inch drive bays inside.
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Phanteks Enthoo Pro PC Case
The Phanteks Enthoo Pro has a couple of fans in it– one 200mm upfront and another 140mm at the back. There is also a fan hub located on the rear of the motherboard tray.
But there is also enough space, in this case, should you want to upgrade your cooling systems. There are four installation areas for radiators varying from single to triple form factors. This case can accommodate radiators up to 420mm in size.
There are eight expansion slots in this tower. It also has room to take in six 3.5-inch hard disc drives and seven 2.5-inch HDDs. There are also removable dust filters and cable management tools installed in this case for easy maintenance.
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Super-Tower Cases for Water Cooling:
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CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D PC Case
This super-tower case is massive in every sense of the word. It weighs 65 pounds and measures 27.4H x 12.1W x 27.3D inches. Such a big case also offers enough space for many cooling options. It can simultaneously accommodate up to 18 fan mounts and four 480mm radiators.
The CORSAIR Obsidian has room to accommodate two radiator mounts upfront. The radiator sizes can range from 120 up to 480mm. The back of the case, on the other hand, can hold one 240 or 120mm radiator while the top can take in one 140 to 420mm water cooling system. This case also comes with built-in control for fan and lighting. Installing fans and radiators is also easy with the telescoping radiator trays of the case.
Expanding your build should not be a problem with this super-tower case as it has room to support up to five 3.5-inch hard disc drives and up to six solid-state drives.
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Thermaltake Tower 900 PC Case
Rounding out our list is the Thermaltake Tower 900 which is made of thick tempered glass and offers superior expansion capabilities. It has a modular design that’s easy to dismantle and lets users build their systems from the ground up with integrated panels, brackets, racks, and mounting arrays.
It also has enough room for unparalleled cooling as it supports dual 560mm liquid cooling radiators. Various mounting points are located on both sides of the case for adequate space and placement of the cooling systems.
This super-tower case features a modular drive bay design that lets users easily install one 5.25-inch HDD, up to six 2.5 or 3.5-inch hard disc drives and up to two 2.5-inch hard disc drives.
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Buying Guide
Following a buying guide is a good idea for anyone new to using PC cases for water cooling. There are just a few important things to consider before choosing the right one for you.
Take a look at the section below and learn more about what you need to look for when looking for a PC water-cooling case. Take notes if you need to, and refer back to this guide as you shop around.
Radiator Mounts
Mounting the case requires care and consideration. You will need to look for the designated mounting points on the chassis. If the radiator mounts are not in an ideal area, then that could indicate placement issues further down the road.
Size
In this case, size really does matter. PC water-cooling cases need to be very large in order to be able to fit the radiator components, pump, reservoir, and other pieces inside. Don’t forget that you will need plenty of room between the motherboard and the cooling case so that you can fit in your fan.
Another important thing to remember is how you layout the components inside the water-cooling case. If all of the pieces aren’t inserted into the water-cooling case correctly, then you could have issues with the fan and motherboard further along the road.
Budget
We all have a budget to stick to, and regardless of what your budget is, there is always something appropriate for you for the price you are willing to pay. When shopping for the best water cooling case on a budget, you will need to do a bit of digging around to find cases with the features and specifications you are looking for.
FAQ:
Hopefully, this article’s information has helped you understand more about water-cooling cases and how they work. Don’t worry if you still have a few questions that need answering; this frequently asked questions section should clear them up.
Q: Do you need a special case for water cooling?
A: Yes, you should use a special water cooling case for your PC that has specifically been designed for cooling your computer components.
Q: Is water cooling your PC worth it?
A: Absolutely! Water cooling your PC is a great way way to cool your computer as water transfers heat better and faster than any other material. You should always be careful when water-cooling your PC as the water can damage your computer and even ruin it.
Q: What is the coolest PC case?
A: Most PC cases can cool computers very well, but if you are a heavy gamer or you work full time on your computer, then you should make sure you opt for a heavy-duty cooling case. The Fractal Design Define 7 is a very good cooling case for heavy usage.
Q: How can I keep my PC cooling water cold?
A: If you do not maintain your water-cooling unit properly, then your PC will not stay cool. Here are a few tips for keeping your water-cooler liquids cold:
- Keep the water levels high in your water-cooling tower. This keeps the unit working to the best of its abilities.
- Dust the unit frequently and make sure the filters are clean and dust-free.
- Maintain your cleaning loop.
Q: How much will it cost me to water-cool my PC?
A: Water-cooling PC cases vary in price. They can cost you anywhere from $200 upwards, and because of this, you need to work out a good budget and stick to it to avoid paying too much.
Q: Is Custom Loop better than AIO?
A: AIO is great for people on a budget, while Custom Loop is more aesthetically pleasing. Both are great and offer different benefits to their clients.
Q: Is liquid cooling hard to maintain?
A: Liquid cooling your PC does require some maintenance; however, maintaining your cooling system is not a daily task. Do a weekly water level check and whip down the unit to keep it in tip-top condition.
Q: Can my liquid cooling unit leak?
A: Yes, unfortunately, your liquid cooling unit can leak. This could result in damaging your PC.
Q: Do I need to install a fan into a liquid cooler?
A: Yes, fans are vital parts of liquid cooling units. Fans disperse hot and cool air around the unit, keeping it well-ventilated and running smoothly.
Q: Is it hard to install a liquid cooling unit?
A: Liquid cooling units are not hard to install. If you have a water-cooling case, you may want to ask a professional to help you to ensure you don’t damage any important components during installation.
Sources:
- https://cougargaming.com/products/cases/panzerevo_rgb/
- https://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Evolv-X.html