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PC Cases and Compatible Heatsink GPU CPU Cooler Heights

PC Cases and Compatible Heatsink GPU CPU Cooler Heights

February 11, 2015 By Brandon

PC Case Height Clearance
Ever wonder if your CPU cooler or GPU will fit into your case? Here’s a list of today’s 50 most popular cases with corresponding specs.

When you’re building a gaming computer compatibility is mostly simple because PC case manufacturers follow ATX standards. That being said there’s a couple grey areas that have always bugged me. Lack of information on manufacturer technical detail pages can leave you searching forums for an answer for a particular case and VGA or CPU cooler combo. For that reason I decided I take the 50 most popular PC gaming cases and list these specifications. For several of these I used personal experience, trial and error, and detailed searches to find the details I was looking for.  Unfortunately, less than half of manufacturers list the GPU and CPU Cooler clearance on their pages or even in their product’s manual.

Additional Clearance is Still a Good Idea:

While there are exceptions, I recommend at least a 10mm allowance for error. In other words, don’t buy a CPU Cooler / Heatsink with 160mm clearance to go with a case on here that has 160mm listed under its specification. The better practice, for that cooler, would be to go with one that’s 170mm.

If you have a case you’d like to add to this list, use the comment section below and please include any numbers from this table.

List of PC Cases and CPU Cooler / GPU Clearance by Popularity

Case
Max CPU Cooler Height
Max GPU Length
Pre-Installed Fans
Mobo
ATX
Sentey Stealth Gs 6008150mm340mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 80mmATX, M-ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Carbide Spec 02157mm420mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmATX, M-ATX, Mini-ITXMid-Tower
CM Haf 912175mm270mm / 390mm w/o cageFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmATX, M-ATXMid-Tower
Rosewill FBM-01Limited SupportFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 80mmMicro-ATXMicro-ATX
Corsair Carbide 200R165mm420mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmATX, M-ATX, Mini-ITXMid-Tower
Corsair 750D170mm450mmFr 2 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 140mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATXFull-Tower
NZXT Guardian 921144.44mm w/ fan 169.4mm wo265mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mm, Side 1 x 120mmMicro ATX / ATX / Baby ATMid-Tower
Corsair Carbide Air 540170mm320mmFr 2 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 140mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
NZXT Phantom 410170mm Total (no more than 160mm cooler)305mm wo fan 280 w removable cageFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mm, Top 1 x 140mm ATX, MICRO-ATX, MINI-ITXMid-Tower
Phanteks Enthoo Pro193mm347mm (472 wo cage)Fr 1 x 200mm, Rear 1 x 140mmATX, EATX, mATX, SSI EEBFull-Tower
NZXT S340161mm334mm to 364 wo RadiatorTop 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATXMid-Tower
Cooler Master N200160mm320mmFr 1 x 120mm Rear 1 x 120mmMicroATX, ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Carbide 300R170mm450mmFr 1 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
Corsair 450D165mm430mmFr 2 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Carbide 400R175mm318mmFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
CM Elite 11076mm210mmFr 1 x 140mmMini-ITXMini-ITX
Antec P280170mm (total no more than 160mm Cooler)330mmTop 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmXL-ATX, Standard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITXSuper Mid-Tower
Sentey Bx1-4237135mm270mm Fr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mm, Side 220mmMicro ATX / ATXMid-Tower
Rosewill Challenger / U3Est 160mmEst. 270mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mm, Top 1 x 140mmMicro ATX, ATXMid-Tower
CM Elite 13065mm343mmFr 1 x 120mm, Side 80x 15mmMini-ITXMini-ITX
Rosewill Blackhawk177mm300mm to 420mm wo cage2 x Front 120mm, 1 x Rear 120mm Fan, 1 x Top 140mm, 1 x Side 120mm Fan
Micro ATX, ATXMid-Tower
NZXT Source 210160mm230mm to 330mm wo cageRear 1 x 120mm ATX, Micro-ATXMid-Tower
CM Storm Scout 2162mm287mm / 399 wo cageFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMicro-ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Graphite 230T165mm360mmFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Carbide 500R180mm452mmFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mm, Side 1 x 200mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
Apevia X-Sniper 2330mmFr 1 x 120mm, ATX, Micro-ATXMid-Tower
Corsair Vengeance C70170mm320mmRear 1 x 120mm, Mid 2 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATXMid-Tower
NZXT H440180mm294 to 406.2 wo cageFront 3 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 140mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATXMid-Tower
Rosewill Thor V2180mm330mmFront 1x 230mm, Rear 1x 140mm, Top 1x 230mm, Side 1x 230mmMicro ATX, ATX, SSI-CEB(E-ATX), XL-ATXFull-Tower
Antec Three Hundred170mm304mmTop 1 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 120mmStandard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITXMid-Tower
CM N400164mm320mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMicro-ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Corsair 350D160mm380mmFr 1 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATXMicro-ATX
Corsair Graphite 780T200mm355mmFr 2 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 140mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATXFull-Tower
Corsair Graphite 760T170mm450mmFr 2 x 140mm, Rear 1 x 140mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATXFull-Tower
Fractal Define R5180mm310mm to 440mm wo cageATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX Mid-Tower
Corsair Carbide Air 240120mm290mmFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATXMicro-ATX
Antec One155mm266mm Top x 120mm, Rear1 x 120mmStandard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITXMid-Tower
CM Cosmos II Ultra190mm385mmFront: 1x 200 mm, Top: 1x 120 mm
Rear: 1x 140 mm, Bottom: 2x 120 mm
microATX, ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATX, SSI CEB, SSI EEBFull-Tower
CM Storm Striker186mm322mmFront: 120mm x2, Top: 200mm, Rear: 140mmx1Micro ATX / ATX / Extended ATXFull-Tower
CM HAF X190mm342mmFr 1 x 230mm, Rear 1 x 140mm, 1 x 200mm Top, 1 x 200mm sidemicroATX, ATX, E-ATX, GIGABYTE XL-ATXFull-Tower
Fractal Design 804160mm320mm3 x 120mm Silent R2 fans includedMicro-ATX, Mini-ITXMid-Tower
Corsair Obsidian 250D95mm290mmFr 1 x 140mm, Side 1 x 120mmMini-ITXMini-ITX
Sentey GS-6010 Cobra Plus135mm330mmFr 1 x 120mm, 120mm RearMicro-ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Sentey Gs-6000150mm340mmFr 1 x 120mm, 1 x 180mm Side, 1 x 120mm RearMicro-ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus315mm1 x 120mm FanMicro-ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Rosewill Gaming Galaxy 02Est 300mm1 x Front 120mm, 1 x Rear 120mm, 1 x Top 120mm FanMicro ATX, ATXMid-Tower
Sentey Ss6-2441135mm270mmFr 1 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMicro-ATXMicro-ATX
Corsair Obsidian 550D180mm318mmFr 2 x 120mm, Rear 1 x 120mmMini-ITX, MicroATX, ATXMid-Tower
Cooler Master Trooper186mm322mmFr 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm Rear, 1 x 200mm TopMicro-ATX, ATX, XL-ATXFull-Tower

How do I Know if My Computer Case is Compatible with my Graphics Card?

While this list is helpful for many cases, it certainly doesn’t have all of them. In order to find out whether or not you have the proper clearance or not for a graphics card you’ll want to visit the manufacturer page for that particular case. Pay attention to any particular details that they’ve given including whether or not hard drive cages can be removed. If that fails, you might be better off doing a Google search to find a forum where the case has been discussed in conjunction with a graphics card concerning length. Look at the length of that graphics card and compare it with the one you’re trying to fit. Customer reviews on popular retail sites like Amazon and Newegg are also a helpful source. If that doesn’t work, you’re probably better off with a different case.

How do I know if My PC Case has the height clearance for my CPU Cooler or Heatsink?

If the list above doesn’t work, your best bet is to search the manufacturer technical details page. From there the CPU Cooler clearance numbers might be listed. While, in general, this works less than half the time it is a good place to start. From there your best options are to search forums and customer reviews. You’ll want to use popular CPU coolers in your search like Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 EVO as many people are trying to install a similar cooler in their computer case. If you find someone listing a particular cooler, take a look at that cooler’s dimensions on the manufacturer’s technical specifications page to get an idea of what size heatsink you can install.

PSU and Case Compatibility

For the most part any case listed as a mid or full-sized tower will take a power supply that follows ATX guidelines. This is also true for most micro-atx cases. For any mini-itx or custom cases I highly recommend you check the manufacturer’s specification page to make sure your power supply will fit. If not, you’ll want to either choose a new case or go with a power supply that has smaller dimensions.

Water Cooling and Radiator Computer Case Compatibility

For now I’m leaving off water cooling and Radiator size compatibility off of this chart. If there’s enough interest I’ll add it along with other cooling options.

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Filed Under: Computer Cases, For The Money

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