"Best" Case for a Front Mounted Radiator?

[Quixotic]

Heya, LTT community.

 

A buddy of mine is looking to upgrade his system for overclocking, and I'm helping him out with it. He's getting an AIO, and I'm trying to find a good case for a front mounted system. I used quotations in the title because obviously this is pretty subjective and there's no real "best" case.

 

The only things it really needs are front mounted radiator support and the ability to hold at least one or two 3.5" drives.

 

I thought about the H440, but from my experience you have to pull out all of the HDD cages, and I'm not sure where a 3.5" drive can go in that. I was also considering the Enthoo Evolve ATX TG, but it doesn't seem like it has much room for 3.5" drives.

 

Any ideas?

[Ensho]

Fractal Design Define S.  There is plenty of space in the front for a thick radiator and the case itself has good airflow.

[Aytex]

The h440 and Evolv both have restricted front panels 

You want to go for an open with mesh instead of a fully closed with mesh

Something like the 780t for example 

[The Sloth]

air 540 

[arnavvr]

Why do you specifically want a front mounted radiator? Many cases are not mesh and will be very restrictive in terms of allowing airflow into the front of the case.

 

[Zusafek]

look at the Coolermaster master case or case maker series.  Can support front and has lots of room.

 

The Phanteks P400 can support up to a 360MM rad in the front but a 240 would fit nicer as you don't have to open the basement on the case at all nor mess with the drive area.  But I think you can slide the drive area back.  Can check on that in the morning for you as I have 2 p400's here.

[Quixotic]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into the cases that have been posted here. I'm leaning towards the Define S suggestion, as I've heard great things about Fractal Design and I've been wanting to work with one of their cases.

 

5 hours ago, arnavvr said:

Why do you specifically want a front mounted radiator? Many cases are not mesh and will be very restrictive in terms of allowing airflow into the front of the case.

 

I find it better for cooling.

[TVwazhere]

Fractal Design Define S https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352055

They do have a new version (Define C) but C is for compact. This one gives you more option for both storage and AIO solutions (like if you wanted to do push pull and still fit a full size GPU)

Corsair Air 540 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139022 (This is a "dual chamber" design, its twice as thick as a normal case but offers best in class air flow)

Cooler Master MasterCase Pro 5 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119306

And now for my personal recommendation, the Corsair 460x https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811139085 ( i suggested the RGB version because they use Corsairs "Static pressure" RGB fans)

 

All of these cases are really great and you basically cant go wrong with any of them. It just depends on your tastes!

[Crossbred]

Don't go with the h440 unless it is a 240mm rad, as only one drive spot will be available.

The s340, 400c, 460x, and define s are all great.

[vladonizer]

I personally use the 400c with the H115i AIO in the front and it keeps my 6800k in the 30s and 40s C

[MidnightBanshi]

Define S has a great setup for putting in your AIO in the front.  The S340 likewise supports a 240 or 280mm rad up front.