I'm building a system with an air-cooled RTX 5090 and a Ryzen 9 9950X3D, using a custom loop for the CPU only. I already have the radiators and quality fans, so I'm mainly looking for a case that can accommodate the hardware without creating airflow or maintenance problems.
My ideal case would have strong GPU airflow, such as side-mounted fans with a vertical GPU or bottom-mounted fans with the GPU installed horizontally. It also needs enough clearance for a large air cooler on a horizontally mounted RTX 5090, plus a 360mm radiator that is 45mm thick with 25mm fans. A top-mounted radiator in push configuration would be preferred, though a front-mounted radiator in pull configuration could work.
I need a sensible location for the pump, preferably low in the loop, and I want filling and draining to be reasonably convenient. My Alphacool radiators have fill ports that could help with a top-mounted setup, but I'm open to other loop layouts. If the pump has to go in the PSU-shroud area, I may need to remove a drive cage.
The Antec Flux Pro is appealing because its bottom fans should help a horizontally mounted GPU, although I'm uncertain about its build quality and pump placement. The Fractal North XL Mesh offers good radiator, vertical-GPU, and side-fan support, but it costs more and would require a separate vertical-GPU kit and PCIe 5.0 riser. I'm also considering current Lian Li models, the HYTE Y70, or something such as the HAVN HS 420 VGPU. What cases would fit this combination best, and where would you place the pump and reservoir?
3 Answers
The Super Flower Zillion is another option. It is broadly mesh-based and has useful space around the PSU shroud, so you might be able to mount the pump there after removing or modifying the airflow flap. A 360mm radiator can fit at the top, but the removable mounting tray may not work with a thick radiator and standard fans; direct-mounting the radiator to the case is likely easier. The drive storage can go behind the motherboard, leaving more room in the lower chamber. Extra side intake fans should also help feed a power-hungry GPU.
The HYTE Y70 is worth considering if you like a vertical-GPU layout. It has plenty of room around the motherboard and radiator area, and the side intake can feed the graphics card directly. The main thing to verify is the exact radiator thickness and fan placement, because a 45mm radiator plus 25mm fans can consume a lot of top clearance. Pump and reservoir placement may require using the lower chamber or a compact pump/res mounted near the front rather than relying on a dedicated bracket.
Between the Flux Pro and North XL, I’d choose based on the layout you prefer rather than expecting one to be dramatically easier. Both can be made to work, but the radiator, GPU position, pump location, and fill/drain ports are really part of the loop design. Plan the drain at the lowest point and put a fill port at the highest practical point; that matters more than the case branding. If you choose the North XL, remember to include the cost and availability of the vertical-GPU bracket and PCIe 5.0 riser.
I’m specifically trying to avoid buying several cases just to discover clearance issues. The Flux Pro is considerably cheaper, while the North XL needs the extra GPU hardware. I already have the radiator, fans, and CPU block, so an AIO isn’t really an equivalent alternative for this build.