Mid-tower cases for water cooling are designed to cool your PC through a process called water cooling. Water used in this process is typically cold and the heat from the computer is transferred to it, thereby reducing temperatures of both components. It also allows more overclocking potential due to reduced temperatures from all parts of the system.
If you’ve been looking for ways to improve your PC’s performance then one way would be to invest in a mid-tower case that has built-in liquid cooling capabilities. The cases featured in this article will allow you to take advantage of liquid cooling while still offering enough space for other components like power supplies, graphics cards, hard drives and optical drives etc. These cases are not only great at keeping your hardware cool but are also stylish, sturdy and functional.
This article will cover the best mid-tower cases for water cooling, including features for each case. You can then use this information to select or narrow down the best case that suits you.
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Editor’s Choice
NZXT H510
Immediately what sprung to my mind was the NZXT H510. This is a fantastic case that can be used to house a powerful system. With this water cooling case, you won’t have to worry about how hot your computer gets because this NZXT H510 Elite is built with a smart airflow setup and water cooling for less noise and cool temperatures. The fans can be configured to either push or pull air from the chassis, depending on the situation.
Fractal Design’s Define XL R2
Fractal Design’s Define XL R2 is the best mid-tower case for most water-cooling setups. It comes with a large side panel window and nice styling that is less industrial looking than some other cases on this list. The R2 revision has a more spacious interior and includes two pre-installed 140mm fans and three 120mm fans. Installing additional fans is also easy thanks to cable routing space in the back of the motherboard tray. A built-in fan hub with five 3-pin fan headers will make running cables simple. The 5.25″ and 3.5″ drive bays are both removable providing more space for radiators and reservoirs.
Corsair Obsidian 750D
The Corsair Obsidian 750D is a full tower case that features liquid cooling support. It also has space for eight 120mm fans and two 140mm, which provides plenty of airflows. The case is pretty roomy on the inside, so it does not feel cramped even when you are building a multi-GPU setup. Corsair did not restrict you to installing fans only in the front either. The top, bottom, and side panels all have room for fans. With this number of fans, there is plenty of airflows to keep your components cool even during long gaming sessions.
NZXT H510 Elite
The NZXT H510 Elite is a full tower and the newest addition to the NZXT case lineup. It is their first step into the more premium segment of cases with regards to design and features. Featuring a fully tempered glass side panel and an interior that features an all-white look, this case has a really elegant look about it. The front I/O consists of two USB 3.0 ports, an HD audio port and four 3.5mm jacks for headphones or microphones. You can also see the status of your system through white LED lighting which illuminates the motherboard area. This case also has plenty of room so you can install multiple radiators without issue if cooling your PC is your thing.
This case is one of the best mid-tower cases for water cooling because it features NZXT’s CAM software which allows you to control RGB lighting, set fan curves and monitor temperatures across your system. This means that if you have a radiator attached to this case, you are still able to see what’s going on with your CPU temperatures or how much cooling performance you are getting through the fan curve.
The cable management options in the NZXT H510 Elite are also really comprehensive which is why this case makes it to our list of best mid-tower cases for water cooling. These include routing covers, tie-downs and plenty of room for hiding cables behind the motherboard tray. Simply put, this case is the perfect balance between functionality, performance and aesthetics.
Rosewill CULLINAN PX
The Rosewill Cullinan PX Mini is a pricey full tower PC case that’s designed for water cooling. It has a rugged design with a professional look to it. It can handle up to three 360mm radiators, offers the ability to add a D-DCTek reservoir and rail kits, and has removable dust filters.
This case has two USB ports, integrated cable management, water cooling support, and it’s compatible with ATX, m-ATX, and E-ATX motherboards. There are also eight tool-less 5.25-inch bays with one 2.5 inch bay along with six 3.5 inches hard drive cages that can house eight drives.
The Cullinan PX isn’t just about looks either; it can house any mid-to-high-end gaming PC comfortably.
Vetroo K2 M-ATX
Vetroo K2 is a mid-tower ATX PC gaming case with a competitive price. The front panel incorporates a multifunction dial and four USB ports, making it easy to control the system and access peripherals. An innovative airflow design and filtered vents keep the internal components at peak performance while remaining dust-free.
It also features the best cooling in its class including support for six 120mm fans and up to four 140mm fans, ensuring that everything is running at peak performance. The interior is well-organized, with excellent cable management made easy by strategically placed vertical and horizontal rubber grommets. The motherboard supports ATX, micro ATX and mini ITX form factors, making it appropriate for almost any configuration.
The non-corrosive powder-coated chassis is designed for durability, while the ample interior space gives you room to grow. The PSU shroud helps keep your system clean and organized while increasing airflow. It also features a bottom-mounted power supply design to provide increased stability during long gaming sessions.
Thermaltake Core P3 ATX
The Thermaltake Core P3 ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Case Chassis is one of the best cases for water cooling. It has many nice features, including LED lighting, ample room for graphics cards, convenient access to all parts, and a sleek design.
Its features make it one of the best mid-tower cases for water cooling, which can help keep your PC running at peak performance.
The Thermaltake Core P3 ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Case Chassis is made with a tempered glass front and an aluminum frame. It is designed to house mini-ITX / micro-ATX / ATX /E-ATX motherboard.
In addition, the Thermaltake Core P3 ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Case Chassis comes with a windowed side panel to show off its interior. It is equipped with a custom designed power supply shroud along with a removable top cover for easy installation and improved ventilation.
It also allows you to install up to seven PCI-E expansions. Moreover, it has three drives bays for storage drives along with two 2.5″ drive bays behind the motherboard tray. The Thermaltake Core P3 ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Case Chassis also comes with one 3.5″ drive bay and four 2.5″ drive bays in the lower part of the case.
Advantages of Water Cooling
Water cooling is typically more efficient than air cooling. This is because the water has a higher thermal conductivity than the air so it moves heat away from components quicker.
Water cooling can offer better overclocking potential due to lower temperatures, which creates less strain on your CPU, GPU and other hardware. Eliminating the strain also means that you will not have to spend as much time replacing or loosening screws in order to get enough airflow through your PC.
Water cooling gives you access to better sounding PCs without additional noise. The water naturally dissipates heat, which eliminates the need for fans to do so. This allows you to have a quieter computer without having to use additional noise dampeners or purchase silent fans.
Disadvantages of water cooling
There are also some disadvantages to water cooling. Cooling performance usually decreases over time. The pump is the most susceptible to this problem, so it needs to be cleaned or replaced periodically. Finally, water cooling requires maintenance, which means adding distilled water to the system every few months.
Final thoughts
Lastly, it is important to be aware of the features and capabilities needed for your PC and how they will be utilized. The benefits of water cooling vary from person to person but, in general, the cases that offer the best water cooling do so by having a larger volume and more channels.
The most important factor in achieving the best cooling is how many radiators you are planning on using with your PC, that is what will determine how much water volume is needed. It is important to keep in mind the flow rate of each fan and pump unit when determining which case to purchase. Most cases are designed for high flow fans but at this point, it is important to look into using low flow or no flow radiators which will help water cool the entire system with lower fan speeds.
The best mid-tower cases for water cooling can accommodate these extra features while keeping efficient airflow in mind. Each case should have a label, either written on the case or in its manual that details how much radiator space is available. The maximum amount of radiators allowed will determine which case to choose. One mid-tower case or another can have a different set of fans and radiators installed without being too noisy or restricting airflow in the case.
