Motherboard Compatibility: Whether you are going with a standard case or a water cooling case, making sure that it works with the right motherboard sizes is quite important. For the same, you can check the motherboard compatibility of your case for water cooling which includes the support for ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards in most cases which should be more than enough for most. Side Panel: Apart from performing the best in terms of cooling, you would also want your case for water cooling to look great. Because of this, many modern cases for water cooling come with tempered side panels which allow you to easily see your PC’s internal components as well as any lighting strips that you may have installed. Hardware Compatibility: If you are using water cooling, you most probably have powerful and large-sized hardware components in your computer. To ensure that these can fit your case for water cooling, you need to check things like the CPU cooler height, GPU length, and the PSU length compatibility of your case for water cooling since any case which has higher values for these ratings will be perfect for large and high-end computer components.
Best Cases for Water Cooling 2023
Best Cases for Water Cooling Reviews
1. NZXT H510 – CA-H510B-B1 – ATX Mid-Tower PC Case
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NZXT primarily focuses on air cooling cases which also happen to be a viable option for water cooling making them one of the cheaper options despite their premium construction. The NZXT H510 CA-H510B-B1 case for water cooling is present in the 1st position in this list since it is one of the most affordable options given here making it perfect for buyers on a tight budget. Even with the entry-level price tag, this case still supports ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboard. Apart from its premium construction, it also uses a tempered glass side panel. Moving to the front, you will find USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C, and an audio port for high-speed connectivity. Since NZXT is a reputable brand, the included 2-year warranty is to be expected. Talking about hardware compatibility, this NZXT case can work with up to 165 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 381 mm long GPUs with ease. Coming to the cooling options, this case supports up to 2 x 140 mm front, 1 x 140 mm top, and 1 x 120 mm rear fans. With this, you can install up to a 280 mm front, 120 mm top, and 120 mm rear radiator if needed. Because this NZXT case also has a PSU shroud, it allows you to install 3 x 2.5 inch and 3 x 3.5 inch drives for your storage needs. Best Features:
Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 2 x 140 mm front, 1 x 140 mm top, 1 x 120 mm rear fans Works with 280 mm front, 120 mm top, and 120 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 165 mm tall CPU cooler and 381 mm long GPU Offers 3 x 2.5 inch and 3 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
Highly affordable yet premium case for water cooling Wide range of storage options with multiple drive bays High-speed front panel connectivity for the best performance
Cons:
Not the best radiator support at the top
2. Thermaltake Core P1 Tempered Glass Edition Mini ITX
If you are familiar with high end computer cases, then you must know about Thermaltake which not only offers highly reliable but also some of the most unique cases out there. Thermaltake’s Core P1 CA-1H9-00T1WN-00 case for water cooling is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as it happens to be the smallest and the most compact option given here. Because this is a highly compact sized case for water cooling, it only works with mini ITX motherboards. Even though this case has an open-air design, it still features a tempered glass side panel. You will also find decent connectivity options thanks to its two USB 3.0 and a combo audio jack at the front. But the best thing about this case is that you get a 3-year warranty with it making it perfect for long term usage. Unlike what you would expect from such an affordable case for water cooling, this one supports up to 170 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 380 mm long GPUs which is on par with full-sized cases. Another great thing about this case for water cooling is that despite its open-air design, it still has 2 x 120 mm side fan support which allows you to install an up to 240 mm radiator for all your cooling needs. And while it might not be the highest, the included 3 x 2.5 inch and 1 x 3.5 inch drive bays are quite good considering its given form factor. Best Features:
Compatible with mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 2 x 120 mm side fans Works with 240 mm side radiators Compatible with up to 170 mm tall CPU cooler and 380 mm long GPU Offers 3 x 2.5 inch and 1 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features 2 x USB 3.0, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 3-year warranty
Pros:
Super compact and small form factor case for water cooling Highly compatible with hardware for given size Includes a long warranty for reliability and peace of mind
Cons:
Does not work with full-sized motherboards
3. Fractal Design Define R5 – Mid Tower Computer Case
Fractal Design makes a wide range of computer cases that are known to be highly practical instead of focusing on the aesthetics which is also true for its cases for water cooling. This Fractal Design Define R5 case for water cooling is present in the 3rd position in this article because it is not only a great option for water cooling, but also for your storage needs. As for its motherboard support, it allows you to install ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards with ease. Although, this case comes with a steel side panel which not everyone might like. While they might not be the best performing options, having two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, and an audio port on the front is always great to have. Fractal Design also offers a 2-year warranty for your peace of mind. Coming to the insides of this case for water cooling, you will be glad to know that it can be used with up to 180 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 440 mm long GPUs which is much higher than all other options out there. This case also offers excellent cooling options in the form of up to 2 x 140 mm front, 3 x 140 mm top, 2 x 140 mm bottom, 1 x 140 mm side, and 1 x 140 mm rear fans which is much better than others. With these fan mounts, you can install up to 360 mm front, 420 mm top, 240 mm bottom, 140 mm side, and 140 mm rear radiators. Similarly, this case is also perfect for your storage needs with its 2 x 2.5 inch, 8 x 3.5 inch, and 2 x 5.25 inch drive bays. Best Features:
Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a steel side panel Supports 2 x 140 mm front, 3 x 140 mm top, 2 x 140 mm bottom, 1 x 140 mm side, 1 x 140 mm rear fans Works with 2360 mm front, 420 mm top, 240 mm bottom, 140 mm side, 140 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 180 mm tall CPU cooler and 440 mm long GPU Offers 2 x 2.5 inch, 8 x 3.5 inch, and 2 x 5.25 inch drive bays Features 2x USB 2.0, USB 3.0, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2 year long warranty
Pros:
Superb case for water cooling made for heavy duty usage Excellent fan and radiator support for your cooling needs Works great with a large number of storage drive mounts
Cons:
Lacks a tempered glass side panel for design
4. Rosewill ATX Mid Tower Gaming PC Computer Case
Rosewill is one of the smaller and cheaper brands when you are talking about computer hardware and accessories which includes a few computer cases supporting water cooling. The Rosewill Cullinan MX Blue case for water cooling can be another viable pick for those who are on a budget and looking for something accordingly. This case works with ATX, micro ATX, E-ATX, and mini-ITX. Within this highly affordable option, you still get a 3-sided sleek and sturdy tempered glass side and front panel to know hardware and internal components. This air & water cooling case will include two USB 2.0, two 3.0, and audio ports on the top that let you connect all of the external devices effortlessly. Since it is an entry-level case for water cooling, it only includes a 1-year long warranty, as expected. This water cooling case offers decent hardware compatibility that supports up to 170 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 360 mm long GPUs. Coming to its cooling options, you can easily install up to 3 X 120 mm front (pre-installed), 2 X 140 mm top, and 1 X 120 mm rear pre-installed blue LED cooling fans. With these fan mounts, this case is used along with up to 360 mm radiator liquid cooling support in front, 280mm top, and 120mm rear radiators. Furthermore, this case allows you to install up to 5 X 2.5 inch, 4 X 3.5-inch drives, and 7 expansion slots in it with ease. Best Features:
Features I/O ports as 2 X USB 2.0, 2X USB 3.0, fan speed control, and HD Audio In/Out Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, E-ATX, and mini ITX motherboards Supports 3 X 120 mm front, 2 X 140 mm top, and 1 X 120mm rear blue LED fans Features a tempered glass front panel and side panels Comes with top, front, and PSU bottom dust filters to minimize particle buildup and ease of cleaning Works with 280 mm top, 360 mm front, and 120 mm rear radiators Offers 5 X 2.5 inch and 4 X 3.5-inch drive bays Supports up to 170 mm tall CPU cooler and 360 mm long VGA card Backed by a 1-year long manufacturing warranty
Pros:
Quite an affordable for budget-friendly PC builds Comes with blue LED fans Supports up to standard ATX motherboards A large number of storage drive bays Supports 360 mm AIO water cooling radiator
Cons:
Not the best build quality (especially fans) due to a cheaper price tag.
5. Segotep Phoenix T1 E-ATX Black Full-Tower PC Gaming Case
Even though Segotep is a highly premium yet fairly new brand of computer cases, it can still be a viable option for many especially when you consider its given specifications and features. Segotep’s Phoenix T1 case for water cooling can be a great option for all those who want a large size case for their PC. Being a larger PC case, it supports EATX, ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards. Even with its inverted design, this computer case still includes a tempered glass panel on the side. Another great thing about this case is that you get two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 type, and an audio port making it a great high performance option for many. Unfortunately, since Segotep is fairly new, it only comes with a 1 year long warranty despite its premium price tag which can be a bummer for many. Other than supporting large form factor motherboards, this computer case also offers great compatibility with other computer hardware which can include up to 175 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 345 mm long GPUs which should be plenty for most. Talking about the cooling support of this PC case, you will be glad to know that it features up to 3 x 140 mm front, 1 x 120 mm top, and 3 x 120 mm rear fans. As a result, you can install up to 420 mm front, 120 mm top, and 360 mm rear radiator for great cooling performance. The storage options of this PC case are also quite good since it supports up to 5 x 2.5 inch and 4 x 3.5 inch drives if needed. Best Features:
Compatible with EATX, ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 3 x 140 mm front, 1 x 120 mm top, 3 x 120 mm rear fans Works with 420 mm front, 120 mm top, 360 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 175 mm tall CPU cooler and 345 mm long GPU Offers 5 x 2.5 inch and 4 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
Amazing case for watcher coling for using large-sized motherboards Quite good cooling options with an inverted design Large number of drive mounts for your storage needs
Cons:
Warranty period could have been longer at the given premium price tag
6. Vetroo MESH6 Mid Tower Computer Case Compact ATX PC Case
Vetroo is a brand of computer which might not be as popular as other options but still manages to be a great pick for all those who want something feature-rich while offering a high value for money. This Vetroo Mesh 6 case for water cooling can be the perfect option for those who want to install RGB fans since this one comes with 6 ARGB fans installed out of the box resulting in a high value for money. As for the functionality of this computer case, you can use ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards inside it. To ensure that you can easily see its included ARGB fans, Vetroo also offers a tempered glass side panel with this case. However, one area where this case for water cooling falls behind in terms of its performance is the front panel connectivity since you only get two USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and audio ports. Being a newer brand of PC cases, the included 1-year warranty is to be expected. Thankfully, this PC case from Vetroo is still fairly decent in terms of its hardware compatibility since it can be used with up to 165 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 350 mm long GPUs. Another great thing about this PC case is that it supports up to 4 x 120 mm front, 2 x 140 mm top, 2 x 120 mm bottom, and 2 x 120 mm rear fans. Thanks to this fan configuration, you can use up to 480 mm front, 280 mm top, 240 mm bottom, and 240 mm rear radiators. Similarly, the storage options of this case for water cooling are also quite great since you can install up to 3 x 2.5 inch and 2 x 3.5 inch drives with ease. Best Features:
Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 4 x 120 mm front, 2 x 140 mm top, 2 x 120 mm bottom, 2 x 120 mm rear fans Works with 480 mm front, 280 mm top, 240 mm bottom, 240 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 165 mm tall CPU cooler and 350 mm long GPU Offers 3 x 2.5 inch and 2 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2 year long warranty
Pros:
Includes 6 ARGB fans in the box for a high value for money Quite versatile and efficient cooling options Decent internal space in terms of hardware compatibility
Cons:
Front panel ports are a bit slow and limited
7. Anidees AI Crystal XL RGB V3 Full Tower Tempered Glass PC Case
Anidees is another brand of computer cases which is a bit new and includes multiple handy accessories and components along with the computer case. The Anidees AI Crystal XL RGB V3 case for water cooling is one of the best options out there if you plan to install RGB lighting in your PC. For the same, Anidees already includes 5 RGB fans and 2 RGB LED strips which is to be expected at such a highly premium price tag. As for its motherboard compatibility, you can install EATX, ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards in it which justify its massive form factor. While it might not be the fastest, the front panel ports are still quite versatile since you get two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, and audio ports with this case. However, even at such a premium price tag, you only get a 1-year warranty with it. Fortunately, this case for water cooling still makes for a great pick thanks to its excellent hardware compatibility since you can install up to 190 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 530 mm long graphics cards. Not only that but you can also install up to 4 x 120 mm front, 4 x 120 mm top, and 1 x 120 mm rear cooling fans. As a result, this case for water cooling offers excellent radiator support since you can install up to 480 mm front, 480 mm top, and 120 mm rear radiators. Another great benefit of going with a large case like this is that you can install up to 17 x 2.5 inch and 15 x 3.5 drives which is much higher than any other option given here. Best Features:
Compatible with EATX, ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 4 x 120 mm front, 4 x 120 mm top, 1 x 120 mm rear fans Works with 480 mm front, 480 mm top, 120 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 190 mm tall CPU cooler and 530 mm long GPU Offers 17 x 2.5 inch and 15 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2 year long warranty
Pros:
Massive computer case with tons of space inside Amazing option for all your water cooling needs Excellent support for storage drivers with large number of drive bays
Cons:
Highly expensive and premium case for water cooling
8. Cougar CONQUER ATX Gaming Case
In comparison to most other offerings out there, Cougar and its computer cases are some of the most unique looking ones in terms of their design and functionality including its cases for water cooling. Cougar’s Conquer case for water cooling is the best looking option in this list while offering pretty great performance. Starting with the motherboard compatibility of this PC case, you can install ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards. Unlike other options out there, this open-air design PC case includes tempered glass side panels on both the sides for proper visibility. Coming to the front, you also get 2 USB 3.0 and audio ports which is decent if not the best. Thankfully, you do get a 2-year warranty with it which is on par with other premium options out there. A great benefit of going with an open-air design is that this PC case supports up to 190 mm tall CPU coolers and up to 350 mm long GPUs which should be quite good. Despite having an open-air design, you can still install up to 2 x 120 mm front and 3 x 120 mm top fans. Thus, you can use up to a 240 mm front and 360 mm top radiators inside this PC case. Another great thing about this Cougar case for water cooling is that it supports up to 4 x 2.5 inch drives and 3 x 3.5 inch drives. Best Features:
Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 2 x 120 mm front, 3 x 120 mm top fans Works with 240 mm front, 360 mm top radiators Compatible with up to 190 mm tall CPU cooler and 350 mm long GPU Offers 4 x 2.5 inch and 3 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features 2 x USB 3.0, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2 year long warranty
Pros:
Unique and great looking open-air design Quite good cooling supporting considering its open-air design Highly premium construction with dual tempered glass side panels
Cons:
Open air design can collect a lot of dust
9. GIGABYTE C200 Glass ATX Gaming Case
Gigabyte primarily makes PC motherboards and graphics cards but also happens to be offering a few PC cases which are generally quite affordable while offering water cooling support. This Gigabyte C200 case for water cooling is the cheapest option given here making it the perfect option for entry-level PC builds that still support excellent water cooling options. Just like much more premium and high-end PC cases out there, this case also supports ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards. Not only that but you also get a tempered glass side panel which is not so common at the given price tag. Moving to the front of this PC case, you will find two USB 3.0 and audio ports which is quite decent if not the best. Despite being highly affordable, this Gigabyte case for water cooling still comes with a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. Coming to the insides of this computer case, you can install up to a 165 mm tall CPU cooler and a 330 mm long GPU which is decent for the given price if not the best. Thankfully, this PC case does not compromise in terms of its cooling performance since you can use up to 3 x 120 mm front, 3 x 120 mm top, and 1 x 120 mm rear fans with it. With this, you can install up to 360 mm front, 360 mm top, and 120 mm rear cooling radiators if you want. As you would expect from such a compact and affordable PC case, it offers support for 2 x 2.5 inch and 2 x 3.5 inch drives. Best Features:
Compatible with ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX motherboards Features a tempered glass side panel Supports 3 x 120 mm front, 3 x 120 mm top, 1 x 120 mm rear fans Works with 360 mm front, 360 mm top, 120 mm rear radiators Compatible with up to 165 mm tall CPU cooler and 330 mm long GPU Offers 2 x 2.5 inch and 2 x 3.5 inch drive bays Features 2 x USB 3.0, headphone jack ports at the front Comes with a 2-year warranty
Pros:
Excellent case for water cooling at an entry-level price tag Pretty great cooling support for the given price tag Compact and small form factor PC case with decent space inside
Cons:
Not the best built option out there
Buying Guide for the Best Cases for Water Cooling
While water cooling is a great option to get the best performance out of your computer components by keeping them cool during use, using water cooling also requires a computer case which supports water cooling components properly. For the same, you can consider getting one of the best cases for water cooling stated earlier in this list. To ensure that you are going with the right case, we have also given their major features and specifications along with all these best cases for water cooling. That being said, if you wish to know even more, consider checking out this complete buying guide for the best cases for water cooling:
1. Motherboard Compatibility
Apart from supporting water cooling components, your computer case should also support the motherboard that you wish to use in terms of its size. For the same, you need to check the motherboard compatibility support of your case since different motherboards have different sizes. This includes sizes like EATX, ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX, and a few others. Any computer case which supports multiple motherboard sizes is going to be quite versatile and perfect for any motherboard which you wish to use.
2. Side Panel and RGB Lighting
Unlike other factors related to a computer case, the side panel and RGB lighting are purely for aesthetics rather than performance. This is due to the reason that almost all modern cases for water cooling come with a tempered glass panel instead of a steel panel. With such a tempered glass panel, you can easily see inside your computer and checkout the internal components. Speaking of the internal components, most of them come with inbuilt RGB lighting which is customisable and looks quite great. Similarly, computer cases can also come with inbuilt RGB lighting which can make your computer look even better.
3. Hardware Compatibility
Since a computer has much more than just the motherboard, you also need to check the hardware compatibility of your other computer components. This includes computer components like the CPU cooler, GPU, and the PSU which are some of the bigger computer components and may have compatibility issues. For all these computer components, you can find a maximum size rating with your case. This includes a maximum CPU cooler height like up to 160 mm or up to 1800 mm, a maximum GPU length like up to 300 mm or up to 350 mm, and a maximum PSU length like up to 140 mm or up to 160 mm. As you would expect in all such cases, having the space for large components results in better hardware compatibility with your case for water cooling.
4. Cooling Options
Because you are going with a case which supports water cooling, you would want it to offer all the possible cooling options. Regarding the same, you primarily need to check the fan support and the radiator support of your PC case. Starting with the fan support, you can find the space for multiple fans inside a single computer case. For example, you can find the space for 3 x 120 mm or 3 x 140 mm front, 2 x 120 mm or 2 x 140 mm top, 1 x 120 mm rear, and other types of fan mounts. When it comes to comparing these fan mount options, having the support for multiple and larger fans is always better. Some computer cases will also come included with cooling fans which is always a great bonus to have. Coming to the radiator support, most PC cases will have the support for the same radiator size as their fan support. This means that if you can mount 3 x 120 mm at the front, the same case will most likely allow you to install a 360 mm cooling radiator. Just like the cooling fans of your computer, having the support for multiple and large radiators is always preferred for the best cooling performance.
5. Storage and Expansion Options
To get your computer fully functioning, you will need much more than the CPU, RAM, and GPU. This includes your storage drives and any other expansion cards that you may want to install. Out of these two, checking the expansion options or expansion slot compatibility of your computer case is fairly easy since the number of expansion slots supported by it will be according to the supported motherboard sizes of your computer case. As for the storage options, you need to check the storage drive bays offered by your case. This is due to the reason that having 3 x 2.5 inch and 3 x 3.5 inch drive bays is much more practical than having just 2 drive bays in total.
6. Front Panel Connectivity
You will also find front panel input and output ports on all computer cases for ease of use and practicality while quickly connecting external devices to your computer. This includes front panel ports like USB 2.0, USB 3.0, audio ports, RGB lighting controls, and a few others. Some high end computer cases can also come with the newer USB type C port which is great for using modern devices. In any case, any case for water cooling which has multiple front panel ports will be highly versatile.
7. Warranty
Even though most cases for water cooling do not have any moving parts inside which makes them pretty great for long term usage, checking the included warranty is always a great option. For the same, entry level cases for water cooling usually offer a 1 year long or a 2 year long warranty. As for higher end options, they can even offer up to 3 year long or 5 year long warranty which is even better for longevity.
1. Is it better to go for AIO water cooling or a custom loop water cooling system?
Even though AIO water coolers offer better than air coolers, they are not as good as custom loop water cooling systems. More importantly, a custom loop water cooling system will allow you to cool both your CPU and GPU which is quite important for a high performance computer build. 2. When should I go for water cooling over air cooling in a computer? If you have basic and entry level computer components, then air cooling should be good enough for you. Although, if you have high end and flagship PC components which have high TDP values, then going with water cooling will offer better cooling which can result in better performance especially if you wish to overclock your PC components. 3. What is the primary difference between standard computer cases and cases made for water cooling? While standard and water cooling cases look quite similar, cases which are made for water cooling will have more space inside. This allows the user to install things like large cooling radiators, reservoirs, pumps, and lots of space for all the tubes required for yoru custom loop water cooling system.
Conclusion
Those of you who are familiar with high performance computers must know that water cooling is one of the best options to properly cool your computer. But for the same, you need to install a lot of water cooling components which also need to have a compatible computer case. While there are many case options out there for the same, you can consider going with something like the best cases for water cooling mentioned above.
If you are on a tight budget but still want a case for water cooling, then you can consider the Gigabyte C200 which is the most affordable option given above. And for the price, it still offers compatibility with ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards. This case for water cooling also offers a tempered glass side panel along with inbuilt RGB lighting which looks great. Despite being the smallest case for water cooling stated above, the Thermaltake Core P1 still works great with full sized water cooling components. Apart from being highly compatible, this case for water cooling is also great for long term usage thanks to its 3-year warranty which is better than others. Unlike most other cases for water cooling, this one has an open-air design that looks quite unique. However, if you want the best looking case for water cooling irrespective of your budget, then you should go with the Cougar Conquer. Other than having one of the best looking open-air designs, this case for water cooling also supports ATX, micro ATX, and mini ITX motherboards. Since this case for water cooling is supposed to be the best looking option, it even offers a tempered glass panel on both the sides.
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