Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case vs NZXT H5 Flow (2024)

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The NZXT H5 Flow (2024) scores 7.7/10 overall, ahead of the Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case at 5.1/10.

The NZXT H5 Flow (2024) leads on airflow and cooling, build and ease of building, space and compatibility, noise and value.

The biggest difference is noise, where the NZXT H5 Flow (2024) scores 8/10 to the Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case's 3/10.

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

5.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The Corsair 3500X ARGB is for builders who want a glass-fronted mid-tower with room for large radiators and a big graphics card. It suits people who care about looks and liquid cooling more than the lowest possible GPU temperatures. Buyers sensitive to fan noise should read the owner feedback on the stock fans first.

Typically about £119.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

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NZXT H5 Flow (2024)

7.7/10verdict: buy

The NZXT H5 Flow (2024) is for builders who want a compact, mesh-fronted case with room for a long graphics card and a 360 mm radiator. It suits people who value quiet stock fans and tidy cable management in a 45-litre mid-tower. Anyone who needs plenty of front USB ports or lots of 3.5-inch storage will find it limiting.

Typically about £59.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case	NZXT H5 Flow (2024)
Airflow and cooling	30%	5/10	8/10
Build and ease of building	20%	5/10	7/10
Space and compatibility	20%	7/10	8/10
Noise	15%	3/10	8/10
Value	15%	5/10	7/10
Overall		5.1/10	7.7/10

Specifications

Spec	Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case	NZXT H5 Flow (2024)
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)	Mid-Tower, 460 × 240 × 506 mm (L × W × H), 10.54 kg	Compact Mid-Tower, 465 x 225 x 430 mm, 45.0 L
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX (up to 305 × 277 mm)	E-ATX (up to 277 mm wide), ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX; back-connect boards not supported
Maximum graphics card length (mm)	425 mm (manufacturer UK page). Conflict: US explorer guide lists 410 mm	Up to 410 mm (a front radiator can reduce this by up to 60 mm)
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)	170 mm	Up to 170 mm
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)	ATX only; maximum PSU length 180 mm	PSU length up to 200 mm; form factor not stated
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)	Top 360, 280, 240 mm; side 360, 280, 240 mm; rear 120 mm; front none; bottom none	Front up to 360 mm (120 mm fan base) or 280 mm (140 mm base); top up to 240 mm (120 mm base) or 280 mm with low-profile memory only; top radiator plus fan thickness up to 55 mm
Fans included and fan mounts	ARGB edition includes 3× RS120 ARGB; top 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; side 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; rear 1× 120 mm; bottom 3× 120 mm and 1× 140 mm; front none	Included: 1 x F120Q front and 1 x F120Q rear (Case Version). Mounts: front 3 x 120 mm or 2 x 140 mm; top 2 x 120 mm or 2 x 140 mm; bottom 2 x 120 mm; rear 1 x 120 mm
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)	2× internal 3.5 inch and 2× internal 2.5 inch; removable drive plate takes up to 2 HDDs and 2 SSDs	2.5" x 2 and 3.5" x 1

Strengths and weaknesses

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

+ Two 360 mm radiator positions, top and side
+ Takes E-ATX boards and 425 mm graphics cards
+ Three RS120 ARGB fans included
− Glass front with no mesh and no front fan mount
− Owners report loud, high-pitched stock fans
− Only two 3.5 inch and two 2.5 inch drive spots

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a quiet build with the stock fans
Anyone after the lowest GPU temperatures from a mesh front
Builders who need many 3.5 inch drive bays

Read the full Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case review ›

NZXT H5 Flow (2024)

+ Mesh front, side and PSU shroud with good reported thermals
+ Fits a 360 mm front radiator and 410 mm GPUs
+ Stock fans reported as quiet, with good cable management
− Only one USB-A and one USB-C on the front
− Cable routing is tight near the PSU shroud
− Only one 3.5-inch drive bay

Skip it if:

Buyers who need many front USB ports
Builders planning a large 3.5-inch drive array
Anyone using a back-connect motherboard or wanting a vertical GPU mount

Read the full NZXT H5 Flow (2024) review ›

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