I've hit a snag with my PC build! After some time away from it due to personal issues, I recently discovered that the **Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB** cooler and my **Asus ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard** won't fit in the **Gamemax Nova N6** case I bought. It turns out the clearance is just not enough at 8.5 inches. I'm looking for suggestions on the best budget case that allows for good airflow and can accommodate my components without caring too much about aesthetics. Here's my full build list for reference: **Ryzen 7 9800X3D**, **G.Skill Ripjaws 96GB RAM**, **Sapphire PULSE RX 7600 XT**, and a **SeaSonic 1000W Gold Power Supply**. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
If aesthetics aren't your priority, consider looking at some basic options from brands like Cooler Master or NZXT that focus more on functionality. Just make sure they meet your clearance needs!
Just a tip for next time: Always check if the case comes with a product manual or spec sheet that includes the clearance info. It could save you from situations like this!
I think you'll find the **Fractal Meshify 2** works perfectly for your setup. I have a similar build using it, and it has fantastic airflow, plus it’s about 40mm wider, which might help you fit your cooler with no problem. Definitely give it a look!
It seems like your cooler should technically fit with 2mm to spare, so I'd say double-check the motherboard height. Sometimes they can be a bit bulky. Maybe try rotating the cooler to see if that gives you more breathing room?
Yeah, my friend had to carefully try to fit it, and it was really tight on top and bottom. I checked everything was screwed down properly, too.
Awesome, thank you! I'll look into it for sure.