Case and Cooler recommendations

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:00

So I'm in the middle of a new build. I've purchased the following:

9800x3d
MSI B850 GAMING PLUS WIFI6E
MSI 5080 Inspire

I'm really struggling with choosing a Case and a Cooler.

I've narrowed the case down to a meshify 3 or a frame 4000d (the only thing putting me off this is the low front io since I keep my pc on the floor)

Cooler wise this is where I need your help. I'm considering one of the following:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ther...20-se-black-cpu-air-cooler-coo-tlr-03291.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-5-cpu-air-cooler-coo-beq-01057.html (I have a dark rock pro 3? I think in my current system mounting it was a pain)

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arct...all-in-one-cpu-cooler-360m-coo-arc-04932.html

Or a Montech HyperFlow Silent 360

If you had to build a new system today which cooler would you grab?

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:01

Thermelright Evo if going air
Thermelright AIO £50

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:03

hornetstinger said:
Thermelright Evo if going air
Thermelright AIO £50

This one?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/thermalright-frozen-warframe-se-360-argb-black-all-in-one-cpu-cooler-360m-coo-tlr-04551.html

Yeah the decision between air or AIO is difficult not gonna lie.

Air = less moving parts and less to go wrong
AIO = seems better performance and easier install

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:05

gilljoy said:
This one?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/thermalright-frozen-warframe-se-360-argb-black-all-in-one-cpu-cooler-360m-coo-tlr-04551.html

Yeah the decision between air or AIO is difficult not gonna lie.

Air = less moving parts and less to go wrong
AIO = seems better performance and easier install

Air is easier install, you don't have to fit rad. But both are pretty simple anyway

As for case

Antec Flux Mid Tower Case - Black

Order Antec Flux Mid Tower Case - Black now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

tamzzy · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:07

Honestly if you can avoid putting the pc on the floor, I would advise you to do so.
It's gonna get hella dusty

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:08

tamzzy said:
Honestly if you can avoid putting the pc on the floor, I would advise you to do so.
It's gonna get hella dusty

be fine I've always had PC's on the floor (carpet) case is a few inches off the floor (castors)

Gray2233 · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:09

The Thermalright Royal Pretor can be had for £40 at the moment, unfortunately I don't believe OCUK stock it.

Why buy an AIO when this exists? Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 is the new best air cooler you can buy

Once again, Thermalright raises the bar for what’s considered possible with air cooling.

www.tomshardware.com

It's pretty much the best air cooler on the market right now, it even matches/beats some entry to mid level 360mm AiO's.

Cases can very much come down to taste so recommending one is difficult, but personally I'm keen on the following for midi-towers:

My basket at OcUK:

1 x LANCOOL 217 Infinity - Black (SKU: CAS-LIA-06168) = £108.95
1 x Kolink Observatory Duo ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black Window (SKU: CA-077-KK) = £39.99
1 x Phanteks Eclipse G400A Case Tempered Glass DRGB Satin Black (SKU: CAS-PHK-03104) = £69.95
1 x Aerocool Dryft v2 Midi-Tower ATX Case (SKU: CAS-AER-00608) = £59.99

Total: £278.88 (includes delivery: £0.00)

All come with plenty of fans and offer good airflow etc.

mickyflinn · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:10

I love the antec flux case.

Antec Flux Mid Tower Case - Black

Order Antec Flux Mid Tower Case - Black now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:11

Gray2233 said:
The Thermalright Royal Pretor can be had for £40 at the moment, unfortunately I don't believe OCUK stock it.

Why buy an AIO when this exists? Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 is the new best air cooler you can buy

Once again, Thermalright raises the bar for what’s considered possible with air cooling.

www.tomshardware.com

It's pretty much the best air cooler on the market right now, it even matches/beats some entry to mid level 360mm AiO's.

Cases can very much come down to taste so recommending one is difficult, but personally I'm keen on the following for midi-towers:

My basket at OcUK:

1 x LANCOOL 217 Infinity - Black (SKU: CAS-LIA-06168) = £108.95

1 x Kolink Observatory Duo ARGB Midi Tower Case - Black Window (SKU: CA-077-KK) = £39.99

1 x Phanteks Eclipse G400A Case Tempered Glass DRGB Satin Black (SKU: CAS-PHK-03104) = £69.95

1 x Aerocool Dryft v2 Midi-Tower ATX Case (SKU: CAS-AER-00608) = £59.99

Total: £278.88 (includes delivery: £0.00)

All come with plenty of fans and offer good airflow etc.

Be careful with some cases, there isn't clearance above motherboard and top (for deep dish rads like the artic)

Gray2233 · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:12

hornetstinger said:
Be careful with some cases, there isn't clearance above motherboard and top (for deep dish rads like the artic)

Aye, obviously be sure to measure up any HSF/AiO against the case you choose.

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:14

Gray2233 said:
Aye, obviously be sure to measure up any HSF/AiO against the case you choose.

Seen the Phantek pretty tight with the ARtic.

Plenty of space with the Flux / Flux Pro.

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:16

hornetstinger said:
Be careful with some cases, there isn't clearance above motherboard and top (for deep dish rads like the artic)

The LanCool 217 instantly jumps up to the top of my interest. Side IO is really appealing. if I can fit the case behind my monitors that would be perfect

Gray2233 · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:19

gilljoy said:
The LanCool 217 instantly jumps up to the top of my interest. Side IO is really appealing. if I can fit the case behind my monitors that would be perfect

There's a guy on here who did a build in one recently and it looks gorgeous tbh:

Case Upgrade - Lian Li 217 Infinity

It's been over 5 years since I last changed my case (Enthoo Pro M). I liked the front of this case with the large fans so thought I'd give it a shot. Building was a doddle with plenty of room. I like the clip on sides and that you can remove the top to install an AIO. Here's a couple of pics...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

I'd kill for an M-ATX version.

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:21

Gray2233 said:
There's a guy on here who did a build in one recently and it looks gorgeous tbh:

Case Upgrade - Lian Li 217 Infinity

It's been over 5 years since I last changed my case (Enthoo Pro M). I liked the front of this case with the large fans so thought I'd give it a shot. Building was a doddle with plenty of room. I like the clip on sides and that you can remove the top to install an AIO. Here's a couple of pics...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

I'd kill for an M-ATX version.

Don't like the front if they made the front black. It looks a bit kiddish with the two visible fans.

Gray2233 · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:21

hornetstinger said:
Don't like the front if they made the front black. It looks a bit kiddish with the two visible fans.

Totally disagreed there, I think it's stunning and I'm usually the sort who likes a plain black box.

I really like the two big 170mm fans in the front, and the fact they're mesh with a glass surround is something I'm shocked more case manufacturers haven't done.

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 12:28

Ok I'm definately down to LanCool 217 or the Meshify 3 tbh.

Now to decide on the cooler that's the difficult question.

Dumb question but are AIO's quieter in general than an air cooler?

mickyflinn · 28 Nov 2025 at 13:05

gilljoy said:
Ok I'm definately down to LanCool 217 or the Meshify 3 tbh.

Now to decide on the cooler that's the difficult question.

Dumb question but are AIO's quieter in general than an air cooler?

As long as you set a custom fan curve either will be fine .

Aio gives a cleaner look but with the worry of water while air is hassle free but a big lump of metal .

I don't think the meshify 3 takes a 360mm aio in the top of the case.

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 13:34

Sorry yet another question.
Is it worth looking at a new PSU as well.

My Toughpower GF1 850 is coming up on 5 years old and I'm worried about using it with the new build.

hornetstinger · 28 Nov 2025 at 13:35

gilljoy said:
Sorry yet another question.
Is it worth looking at a new PSU as well.

My Toughpower GF1 850 is coming up on 5 years old and I'm worried about using it with the new build.

nah you'll get another 5 years+ out of that easily.

gilljoy · 28 Nov 2025 at 13:37

hornetstinger said:
nah you'll get another 5 years+ out of that easily.

That's what I wanted to hear, I've had zero issues with it but I was just worried about the age