NZXT H5 Flow (2024) vs Phanteks XT Pro Ultra

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 Phanteks XT Pro Ultra at 6.7/10.

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

The Phanteks XT Pro Ultra leads on value.

They score the same on space and compatibility.

The biggest difference is noise, where the NZXT H5 Flow (2024) scores 8/10 to the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra's 4/10.

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

Phanteks XT Pro Ultra

6.7/10verdict: good, not the best

The Phanteks XT Pro Ultra is a mid-tower for builders who want a mesh-fronted case with fans already fitted. It suits people planning a large graphics card, a tall air cooler or a 360 mm radiator. It is less suited to anyone who puts quiet running or a rigid side panel first.

Typically about £76.99 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	NZXT H5 Flow (2024)	Phanteks XT Pro Ultra
Airflow and cooling	30%	8/10	7/10
Build and ease of building	20%	7/10	6/10
Space and compatibility	20%	8/10	8/10
Noise	15%	8/10	4/10
Value	15%	7/10	8/10
Overall		7.7/10	6.7/10

Specifications

Spec	NZXT H5 Flow (2024)	Phanteks XT Pro Ultra
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)	Compact Mid-Tower, 465 x 225 x 430 mm, 45.0 L	Mid-Tower
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)	E-ATX (up to 277 mm wide), ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX; back-connect boards not supported	E-ATX (up to 280 mm wide), ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX; rear-connect boards supported for MSI Project Zero, ASUS BTF and Gigabyte Project Stealth
Maximum graphics card length (mm)	Up to 410 mm (a front radiator can reduce this by up to 60 mm)	415 mm; GPU width 184 mm
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)	Up to 170 mm	184 mm
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)	PSU length up to 200 mm; form factor not stated	Maximum PSU length 270 mm; bottom mount
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)	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	Top: max 360 mm; Front: max 240 mm; Rear: 120 mm
Fans included and fan mounts	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	Four M25-140 D-RGB fans included; top 3x 120 mm or 2x 140 mm; front 3x 120 mm or 3x 140 mm; midplate 3x 120 mm; rear 1x 120 mm or 140 mm
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)	2.5" x 2 and 3.5" x 1	5x 2.5-inch plus 1x 3.5-inch HDD, or 3x 2.5-inch SSD plus 2x 3.5-inch

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

Phanteks XT Pro Ultra

+ Four D-RGB fans included
+ Roomy: 415 mm GPU, 184 mm cooler, E-ATX
+ Owners praise cable routing and value
− Owners report noisy stock fans
− Side panel flex reported by owners
− Only two 3.5-inch bays at most

Skip it if:

Buyers who put quiet running first and don't want to deal with stock fan noise.
Anyone building a storage-heavy system with several 3.5-inch hard drives.
Buyers who want a rigid side panel.

Read the full Phanteks XT Pro Ultra review ›

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