Keeping your PC’s temperature under control is a task that can’t be overlooked. Gamer or not, if you are a person who uses their Pc at full potential, you might know how important water cooling is. Many people associate water cooling with gaming PCs, as it gives your PC an aesthetic look. Your PC looks like a beast with blood running through its veins. For competitive gamers, water cooling can help processors work better under heavy load and give extra fps that are needed for the edge in gaming. All in all, custom water cooling is a premium choice for heavy Pc users that need to push their build to its limits.
If you want to install water cooling in your rig then you might be needing a case that can accommodate it. We can’t miss the fact that water cooling takes extra space and care in order to fit it inside a case. That is the reason why we need a case that can do that without any hassle. Aesthetics might be an important factor if you are a streamer or gamer who likes to show off his PC with flashy water cooling, or you might want a water cooler installed in a functional case. We are making this user-friendly guide to help people in choosing the best cases for water cooling.
Table of Contents
Things to consider before buying the casing
Space: First thing you might want to consider is the radiator size. There are different sizes of radiators available in the market. Make sure the PC case you are getting is compatible with the size of radiator you have in your mind. Water coolers comes in different sizes. The size can vary from 120mm to 480mm. Smaller radiators usually generate more sound compared to larger ones. We have mentioned radiator compatibility in the specifications tab of every casing listed in this guide.
Form factor: You might want to consider the form factor of your chassis. Form factor defines the size of the tower. The full tower is the biggest, while SFF (Small Factor Form) is the smallest size of the casing. Full tower chassis, mid-tower chassis, mini-tower, and SFF (Small Factor Form) are the available options in the market. A small motherboard will look out of place in a big casing. On the other hand you cannot fit an ATX motherboard in a mini-tower.
GPU Clearance: If you are looking at this guide, the chances are you might be getting a high-end GPU. Make sure the chassis you are getting has enough space to hold the GPU. Space is crucial as you want to add water cooling and other parts comfortably in the chassis.
Aesthetics: Aesthetics play an important role as it is the identity of your whole PC. Imagine you have a professional-looking room, but it will look unsuitable with a funky chassis. Or you might have a gaming room but a simple casing will just ruin the look. As mentioned earlier, if you are a gamer or a streamer, RGB lights and good design are a must.
Connectivity: Lastly, you might want to check what kind of slots are provided at the front panel of the casing you are considering. USB 3.1 or Type-C can make your day a whole lot better. These little things are a plus point for the users, so you might look at the connectivity options.
List of 10 Best Cases for Water Cooling in 2023
Thermaltake Core P5
Best Mid-Tower Case for Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 480mm
Thermaltake Core P5 is a casing that looks clean and sleek with an eye-catching design. Core P5 is an open case with a side tempered glass panel and a panoramic view from the top. Any gamer will appreciate the design and it will look good in your gaming room. With the chamber design that hides your cables and rubber grommets that keep everything tidy and clean. Furthermore, you can mount the casing on the wall if you want, or if you want you can put it horizontally or vertically if that’s your thing. Modular design makes this casing a playground for PC enthusiasts. You can install water cooling pretty easily in Thermaltake Core P5, and the GPU can be mounted vertically. All these attributes make this chassis a good recommendation from our side.
The disadvantages of an open-frame design are numerous. The casing can get loud as the bench is open and there is nothing between you and the source of the noise. This demands low-noise components, which are typically more expensive than regular-priced products. The drives can be installed at the backside of the casing. Because of the limited space and lack of ventilation, your storage discs are likely to overheat. There isn’t much room for the radiator, therefore, installing an AIO cooler can be difficult. A Type-C connection, which is now commonly used by brands, is also lacking from the front panel. But we believe this case has more positives than negatives.
Pros:
- Fully Modular
- Good cable management
- Aesthetics
Cons:
- No Type-C connection on the front panel
- High noise
Cougar Conquer ATX Gaming Case
Best Distinctive Case for Water Cooling
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Mid-Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 360mm
Cougar Conquer ATX Gaming is an eye-catching chassis with an unique design and functionality. This casing’s design is like a supercar, and it gives a feeling that it’ll boost your rig’s performance. The design and aesthetics make this casing the best unique case for water cooling. Cougar’s chassis can support up to 360mm radiator and it allows custom loops. You can be creative with water cooling in this casing. Although we would like to mention that the casing has a complicated structure. The casing feels shaky until built fully. But once you get your way around building it, the chassis feels sturdy and looks great.
Because the chassis is semi-open, airflow is not an issue. The maximum GPU length allowed is 350mm, which is long enough to fit an Nvidia RTX 3090-Ti, a top-of-the-line GPU for consumer use. The construction of Cougar’s chassis is solid once built. The thick tempered glass ensures that this chassis can withstand anything. You’ll never see a case with such spectacular curves constructed out of sheet metal. To make the case stand out, Cougar used a bracket-like structure with a colorful scheme. So, what do you think about this casing?
Pros:
- Unique Design
- Good Airflow
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- No Air filters
- Complicated construction
- Heavy
CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D
Best Modular Case for Water Cooling
Specs:
Form Factor: Super Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX | Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 480mm
Corsair is the brand you can trust and Corsair’s Obsidian 1000D is truly a beast. This super tower can house two motherboards simultaneously, which is a deal breaker. This case is so huge that it can take every bit of space on your table. This chassis can hold four full-sized radiators at the same time. If you are a person who has the budget and wants to go all-in should opt for this casing. Corsair Obsidian takes the award for being the best super case for water cooling from us. This super tower is made for the best components in the market that will compliment Corsair’s Obsidian 1000D.
Installing custom water cooling can be a little tricky if you are a new PC builder. You might have to look at YouTube videos while building this rig, but with some dedication, it will be done. A huge plus is that the case comes with software-controlled fans and an RGB controller preinstalled. It has four temperature sensors and two USB 2.0 headers under its control. The casing has filters that may be simply removed for cleaning. Four USB 3.0 ports, two Type-C connectors, headphone jacks, power, and a reset button are all found on the front panel. There is a glass side panel on both sides, which shows the beauty of your rig. That is why this case is the best case for water cooling.
Pros:
- Supports 4 480mm radiators
- Pre-installed fans with a controller
- Rich front panel
Cons:
- No preinstalled fans
- Huge size
Corsair Crystal 570X RGB
Best Premium Case for Water Cooling
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 360mm
Another great case by Corsair in this guide is the Crystal 570X RGB. The good thing about Corsair is that the brand makes products for each segment of the market. This particular case has 4 sides of tempered glass making it the best overall PC case for water cooling. The case offers up to 360mm radiator support, which is a good deal looking at the price. Imagine your rig with water cooling running through the case that can be seen from every angle. We bet it will steal all the looks. Corsair Crystal 570X comes with 3 fans pre-installed. Moreover, 3 fans can also be added later, making airflow better.
The case is well built and offers great features. The downside of this chassis is that there is no restart button on the front panel. Also, there is no 5.25” drive bay, so, if you are planning to put that, you might want to consider some other option. Although the aesthetics of Corsair Crystal 570X is the unique selling point of this tower. The case has high-quality dust filters to ensure appropriate airflow, and the honeycomb-like structure on the front gives it a distinctive appearance. For all the good reasons we think this case is the best overall PC case for water cooling.
Pros:
- Aesthetics (4 sides tempered glass)
- Great Airflow
- Removable fan tray
Cons:
- Complex cable management
- No restart button
Thermaltake Core P8
Best PC Case For Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Full Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 480mm
Do you want a case that can house anything you want to throw at it? Then Thermaltake Core P8 is the best choice for you. This beast of a case supports up to 5 radiators at a time. What else do you want? You can rock any kind of custom water cooling in Thermaltake’s Core P8. You can install any high-end hardware in this bad boy without thinking. There is so much space that you can add up to 14 fans. Thermal performance and aesthetics are some of the positives of this chassis. If you are looking for the best super tower for water cooling, then this casing is definitely for you.
You can use 5 different cooling kits, meaning you can cool two GPUs at the same time with different cooling kits. Better thermal performance is the USP for this chassis. Two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, audio ports, and the much-desired Type-C port are all available on the front panel. The 4mm thick glass ensures that your computer diagnostic LEDs and RGB placed for aesthetics are visible. The material is tough and makes the entire setup feel like a tank that can take a beating. Also, the cable management is excellent.
Pros:
- Can house 5 cooling kits
- Aesthetics
- Vertical GPU Mount
Cons:
- No USB 3.1
- Huge Size
Corsair Crystal Series 680X RGB
Best Durable Case for Water Cooling
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 360mm
Corsair is dominating the list of best water-cooling cases. And we cannot let Corsair crystal Series 680X slide as this chassis offers the best combination of features. Let’s start with the design. We loved the design of the chassis and we think it will look good on the tabletop. The wide range of water-cooling compatibility makes it the best option for people who are looking for a mid-tower premium case. 680X comes with 4 pre-installed fans, out of which 3 are RGB. You can add a radiator of 360mm in this beautiful casing. The airflow is good too but the casing can get loud under heavy loads.
The casing offers a clean look because of its dual-chamber style that ensures better cable management. One on the front, one on the top, and one on the bottom, the case can house up to three multi-fan radiators. The Design of 680X is such that it allows air to flow from the bottom to top, which is why this chassis provides efficient ventilation. The software allows you to control all of your RGB and fans from a single application. All of these features make this tower the best high-quality chassis for water-cooling.
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
Best Unique Design Case for Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Full Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 420mm
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M looks like a casing from the future. That is right! The unique design with the curved design coupled with the neon-like lights look like a chassis that looks ahead of its time. When we first looked at the casing we were stunned by the design and the quality of the tower. 420mm radiator support is what took our attention as this guide is about cases that are best for water-cooling. You can put a 420mm radiator on either side of the chassis. With the side glass panel, your Pc will look stunning. Cooler Master Cosmos C700M takes the award of the best full-sized premium case for water cooling.
This is a beautiful work of art case with a handle-like structure on top for transportation. The front panel I/O supports USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C, which is the most up-to-date technology available. A four-pole headset connector, four USB 3.0 ports, an ARGB button, and a pulse width modulation fan speed control button are all included. There aren’t many curved side panel cases; it’s a one-of-a-kind design. Furthermore, you can add custom-designed GPU supports to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Pros:
- Unique Design
- Comes with 4 preinstalled fans
- Modular Design
Cons:
- Chassis is heavy
- PCI-E 4.0 Support lacking
Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
Best All-Around Case for Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Case Form Factor: Full | Motherboard Support: E-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX | Radiator Compatibility: 360mm
Lian Li’s products are quickly taking the market with their quality and a price you can’t beat. We bring you Lian Li 011 Dynamic XL a full tower case that can handle your needs. This chassis has two side glass panels. These panels offer a great view of your Pc parts. The modular design lets you upgrade your Pc just the way you want. You can add up to three radiators in this huge case for your CPU and GPU or GPUS. The space for GPU clearance in this case is so much that you can fit the biggest GPU available in the market without any issue. The downside of glass panels is that they can get scratches easily. To access the front panel, you will have to remove the top panel first. That is why if you are new to building PCs you might want to consider something else.
The combination of features and design makes this casing the best all-rounder full-sized casing for water-cooling. It boasts one of the most user-friendly cable management systems, allowing you to spend more time streaming on Twitch or YouTube instead of cleaning up your hardware. The case is composed of high-quality materials, and the stylish design adds to the appeal. All of the intake points in the casing include filters. However, no preinstalled fans included in Lian Li’s 011 Dynamic XL.
Pros:
- Good cable management
- Vertical mount support for GPU
- Beautiful Design
Cons:
- Glass Panel is scratchable
- Complicated panel construction
Thermaltake Core P90
Best Performance Case for Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Form factor: Mid-tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Radiator Support: 480mm
Thermaltake takes creativity to another level. The Thermaltake Core P90 is a work of art, the angular design makes this casing one of a kind for water-cooling. This casing will rock your gaming room with the custom water-cooling installed in it. Core P90 is a modular casing with two thick glass side panels. All the components are isolated which makes the thermal performance of the case better. You can add custom loops, but it can be a challenge. This casing can hold up to a 480mm radiator for your water-cooling. You can mount this casing horizontally or vertically or you can even mount it on the wall.
We believe Thermaltake Core P90 can give better features for the price of the casing. It lacks RGB lighting, fan controllers, and USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity out of the box, all of which are standard on competing cases. The radiator also infringes the hard drive, leaving only one 2.5″ SSD and one 3.5″ hard disc available”. Instead, the Core P90 distinguishes itself by its design and unique mounting and placement choices. Its two-way GPU installation allows for vertical GPU placement.
Pros:
- Unique Design
- Eye-Catching Design
- Great Thermal Performance
- Best Showcase Casing
- Good Quality and Sturdy
Cons:
- No dust filters
- No Type-C port
- Less space for storage
Asus ROG Strix Helios
Best Quality Case for Water Cooling
(image credit: Amazon)
Specs:
Form factor: Mid-tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Radiator Support: 120, 140, 240, 280, 360, 420mm
Asus ROG Strix Helios is the last but not the least casing in this guide. Helios Offers a casing that looks like an Autobot from transformers. This mid-tower chassis surprisingly offers EATX motherboard support. Some people might think this casing is a full tower because of its size. Asus Rog Strix Helios Comes with four preinstalled fans and can support up to seven more fans. You can add 420mm radiators in this big casing. You can add open-loop water cooling, which looks aesthetic from the side glass panel.
Overall, the Helios is a fantastic mid-tower, especially if you plan to use water cooling. It offers more space than you’ll ever need and all the necessary mounts to allow you to create any configuration you choose. It can handle larger and heavier components than its competitors while remaining cool. We believe this case offers a good number of features. The Helios stands out among its competition with its motherboard support and storage capacity”. EATX motherboard support and up to nine storage drive options aren’t common in mid-tower cases, but Asus has you covered. Although we think Asus could offer a better-looking case in this price range.
Pros:
- Rich I/O Panel
- Good quality and durable
- Dual vertical GPU mount support
- Spacious
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy and large
Conclusion
So, what do you think is the best case amongst the recommendations? We primarily focused on cases that are best for water cooling. We want cases that look good while giving extra fps that are needed for the competitive edge in games. Some people might need a case that they can showcase in their streams or they want a gaming room with an eye-catching tower. Whatever the needs, water-cooling looks aesthetic and works like a charm. We agree that building custom water-cooling can be a little tricky. Though, In the end, the results are worth it. The liquid running pipes look stunning and give the PC its beastly appearance. If we have to pick a case, we would pick “Obsidian 1000D” as this case fulfills all the requirements one might want in their build. In the end, we wish you luck in finding the best case for water cooling.
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