Phanteks Primo vs Evolv X

Soldato
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Im not sure which section would be best for this.

I'm looking for some advice Phanteks Primo vs Evolv X for cooling and the over all case which would be better ?

I've had the primo for a long time and recently got the evolve x just because I wanted a change but I'm not sure anymore.

After thinking about it both seam to have airflow issues and other issues


What are your thoughts, could some help.
 
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If air cooling id recommend the P600S, i have it and its a cooling monster with the Evolve X quality(exactly the same chassis apart from mesh front and top). That or the Fractal Torrent or North. Did you have the Primo because it has a crap tonne of drive bays? If so the P600S has the ability to take a lot of drives as well.
Thanks, I already have the primo and the X now.

My only option to get something else now would be to sell one, that's why I was wondering which to keep.
looking at reviews and phanteks elvolv x is about the same as a fractal Meshify 2 / S2 but found nothing on the primo
 
Primo seems geared towards HD capacity, id keep the Evolve X and do the mod to make it more air flow friendly. Using spacers to move the front face plate further forward to make more airflow. Google is your friend :)
Thanks mate, I was not expecting much replies on this.

Ive been thinking the same about a few mods but im a little hesitant, I dont want to make a mess of it thats why I was having 2nd thoughts.

I think the evolve X front faceplate is further forward compared evolve, I think the air flow issue could be the top, and the bottom is also now sealed off, and going by the GN review the front mesh removal improves temps.
 
Originally I was thinking of a mod like this with some mesh.
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Yeah reading about Evolv X mods it seems most people opt for a mod that cuts holes in the face plate to get more air flow. Its not horrible but if you want the best for air cooling id swap it for a P600 or Fractal Torrent.
Price was a major issue and I was not a fan of them, I did not like how they looked and thought the cheap plastic and steel would be a downgrade.
I was thinking about the G500, 011, lancool 2. 3 but the issue again was price, I got the evolv x at fair price so I got it.
 
No mods needed for the evolv x I run a artic freezer 420 mm aio in the front of mine and when I had my 12600kf @ 5.1ghz it idled 23c odd gaming 35c odd two 140mm on top and one on the rear, even upgraded all the fan filters to demefix.
Thanks mate.
How did you find the airflow at the top and are they the standard 140mm ?
Did changing the filters make a difference ?

I know the evolv X has no bottom airflow, did you have any GPU cooling issues ?
 
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Thanks, I may need to look in to some fans, I have some noctua f12s I just cant remember how many but I think it will not be many, I mostly have the standard phanteks fans.
I may need some high pressure fans
I wont be going vertical (dont have the cable)
 
My thoughts on 2 case going from Phanteks primo to the Phanteks Evolv X.



My thought on the Evolve X
The Phateks Evolve X is a really nice looking case, solid case build, no external plastic with a high end look feel and finish, simple clean RGB strips at the front no need for RGB fans. clean toolless design.
Externally the case is great but main issue is the chassis but after its all built I dont think you would need to open it very often.


The Evolv X Issues
The steal is much thinner than the Primo.

The front fan bracket is cheap and flimsy, it would easily bend when adding fans and screws would come out the other end, I wish the steal was a little thicket and the bracket was removable like Lian Li's.

The fans included are cheap, not even as good as the ones included with the Phanteks primo not sure why considering the retail cost.

I'm not sure why they use the sliding cable plastic covers, they just get in the way and some of the holes had no cover, it would have been better if they stuck with the rubber gromet light they did with the Primo,
cable covers, I'm not sure why the use plastic clips for the cable cover doors, one was already damaged when it got to me and I feel I need to be very careful when opening and closing them, I'm not sure why they did not just use steal and thumb screws.

HDD drive cages can be a pain, a little tight and adding the cables can be a problem, you cant use angled SATA cable for the bottom drives or on the SSDs due to the space and you cant really use the angled SATA end in the motherboard without loosing ports (space), you can only get 4 in the bottom, its also very tight with the PSU installed, I could almost not fit both, You will also not be able to install a 420 rad at the front with the all 4 HDD cages installed and could have some issues with a 360 but I've not tried so cant confirm. even if you have only 2 cages installed you have a issue in one are or the other.

Cable management was not great, a little tight.


What make it better, If the spaces was a cm or 2 bigger in a few directions, it would not be as tight and could do a littler more.

Thicker steal
Rubber grommets instead of the sliding covers,
Better fans.
Driver cages could do with some improvement's
cm or 2 bigger in all areas
Thumb screws for the cable cover doors




Phanteks Primo
In short I appreciate the Primo much more than before, It has some issues and does lack some modern upgrades and feature.

The case is solid well built
space for everything.
Cable management is easier compared to the Evolv X.
HDD cage is simple easy to use, can easily add and remove HDD and SSD, you can also easily add remove the cable, Come with decent fans and still has the rubber grommets,


The Primo lacks air flow, the front is mostly covered, its always blocked up with dust.
It has no TG, No RGB strips or option to show off RGB, It could have done with some feat to lift it off the floor. may not be as good for water cooling either compared to newer cases


Both have some issues
 
Phanteks has been teasing potentially a new case at CES in Jan on their socials so it might be worth waiting a few weeks.

I agree with the previous comments about the front fan rails they are super flimsy

I'm running two 120mm NF-A12x25 intake fans and three NF-F12 exhaust fans and have no issues with temps although I have been considering the Eclipse G500A just to change it up after 4 years
Unless Phanteks makes some improvements on the inside, I don't think its worth getting another phanteks, they are all the same on the inside and thats the main issue of the case, I was originally going to get the G500A but it has the same chassis, so do all the other higher end models.
 
When I had my Primo I removed the cover in center of front vent. That give it plenty of front vent area. For bottom venting I made a picture 1.5" wide frame (like a flat picture frame), about 3/8" thick, painted it black and fitted castors to it.
Thanks, I did think of that but I just did not like the 4 holes, I could have change the mesh and made some other mods but to be honest I did want a change.

I would have spent a bit on the mods, so I just thought to change the case.

The Evolv X is a very nice looking case, its the inside that needs some work but considering I'm going from a primo which has loads of room and was a fantastic case for its time, most cases would have issues.

its just getting the balance right which for some reason is very hard for case makers.


I have no idea what my next case would be but it give me a good idea of what I would consider now, I cant see anything that I would get yet that fits that gap.

A case that's not too small, has the room for all the Parts PSU/HDDs/SSDs/GPU without having to spend all the time trying to find how to squeeze everything in and not struggle with cables space and fitting.
Good air flow / good for water-cooling and easier to swap thing for upgrades.
and looks good

I'm not asking too much, am I ?

Maybe it will be another full tower case
 
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