Phanteks has a new case series for users who want to build a clean PC (with GPU hidden)
We have first footage from Computex thanks to Hardware Canucks who visited Phanteks. The company had an interesting idea for a modern case. The new EX series splits the PC into separate zones for the motherboard, GPU, power supply and cooling. The GPU gets its own chamber at the front, which can either show the card through glass or hide most of it, depending on the model. This is perhaps the first case design where the graphics card looks like it has been sent to its own little room to think about cable management.
Source: Hardware Canucks
The EX5 is the entry model at $109. It is a chassis-only version with exposed AIO tubing, so users can install their own cooling. The EX5 Plus raises the price to $159 and adds a pre-built 360S25-SE AIO with hidden tubes. The EX5 Max costs $229 and adds the same pre-built AIO with a 6-inch pump screen.
The EX6 series is the more covered design. The EX6 Max is listed at $329 and includes a custom X30 360mm AIO and a 10-inch high-resolution IPS screen. This model hides more of the hardware and turns the upper section into a display area for system data.
The cases support standard ATX layouts, and the GPU chamber supports cards up to 358mm long. The EX5 models can take up to 3.5-slot cards in some layouts, or 4-slot cards if the motherboard allows the top PCIe slot to be used. The EX6 line is aimed at thicker GPUs, which is useful now that many high-end cards are closer to small appliances than expansion cards.
Phanteks EX series pricing:
- Phanteks EX5: $109, chassis only, exposed tubing
- Phanteks EX5 Plus : $159, pre-built 360S25-SE AIO, hidden tubes
- Phanteks EX5 Max : $229, pre-built 360S25-SE AIO, 6-inch pump screen
- Phanteks EX6 Max: $329, custom X30 360mm AIO, 10-inch high-resolution IPS screen
Phanteks is clearly moving away from the standard glass-box layout. The EX cases still show the hardware, but they do not put everything in one large visible chamber. For users with clean builds this may be a new way to separate airflow zones. For users with ugly GPUs, it is also a $109 starting point for a shame box.
Source: Hardware Canucks
