Phanteks EX5 Plus Review: Innovative Thermal Zoning With Hidden Tubing

Phanteks EX5 Plus Review: Innovative Thermal Zoning With Hidden Tubing
▲ DOCUMENTED QUIRKS
Site Score
4.3 / 5.0
Buyer Guidance: A compelling turnkey chassis-and-cooler hybrid for builders seeking compartmentalized thermal isolation and a clean, tubeless interior, provided you do not require back-connect motherboard cutouts or multi-drive 3.5-inch storage arrays.
Mizex Audit Breakdown
Engineering & Core Performance (30%) 4.4 / 5.0
Build Quality & Physical Design (20%) 4.3 / 5.0
Thermal, Power & Acoustics (20%) 4.2 / 5.0
Reliability & Stability (20%) 4.4 / 5.0
Buyer Value (10%) 4.2 / 5.0
Score Rationale
Turnkey liquid cooling integration and multi-chamber thermal isolation anchor the overall rating. Engineering & Architecture (4.4) demonstrates forward-thinking execution through isolated component chambers, a concealed-tube 360 mm radiator assembly, and a dedicated rear motherboard fan, offset only by the omission of back-connect motherboard cutouts. Build quality (4.3) exhibits solid structural rigidity across a 9.35 kg steel frame with tight panel gaps and an integrated GPU support bracket. Thermal management and acoustics (4.2) maintain controlled temperatures across separate zones, though the S25 fans generate up to 35.8 dBA at their 2000 RPM ceiling, requiring PWM curve tuning for quiet desk operation. Reliability (4.4) is backed by an extensive 5-year chassis and pump warranty alongside durable mechanical switches and reinforced ports. Buyer value (4.2) remains strong by bundling a high-performance 360 mm AIO, tempered by restrictive air cooler clearance and modest drive capacity.
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Overview

Compartmentalized airflow zoning and integrated liquid plumbing define the physical architecture of this chassis, discarding conventional single-cavity internal layouts in favor of isolated thermal chambers. By segregating the processor, graphics card, and power supply into dedicated physical compartments, the structure prevents cross-component thermal bleed while routing fresh intake air directly across primary thermal hotspots. The defining engineering integration is a factory-installed Glacier One 360S25-SE all-in-one liquid cooler whose side-mounted, concealed tubing routes entirely within dedicated chassis channels, eliminating hanging braided hoses from the visible main chamber.

Constructed around a rigid steel core weighing 9.35 kg with tempered glass viewing panels, the chassis accommodates standard ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards alongside graphics cards up to 358 mm in length. A pre-installed 120 mm S25 ARGB fan positioned behind the motherboard tray provides targeted airflow to rear-mounted M.2 solid-state drives, system memory, and VRM heatsinks while assisting graphics exhaust evacuation. Front-panel connectivity is anchored by a high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) Type-C interface, dual USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and combined audio I/O, supported by an integrated anti-sag bracket to counter GPU PCB deflection.

Acoustic and thermal operation is governed by the pre-plumbed 360 mm radiator and 120 mm fan array, whose S25 fans operate across a 300 to 2000 RPM range, producing up to 35.8 dBA under maximum thermal dissipation loads. Practical builder considerations include a restricted 72 mm air cooler height clearance that functionally binds the chassis to liquid cooling configurations, alongside the absence of cutouts for rear-connect motherboards. For high-draw systems, setting the AIO pump to a continuous 60% to 70% PWM duty cycle establishes an optimal balance between acoustic floor and thermal headroom.

Technical Specifications

Brand Phanteks
Model EX5 Plus
Chassis Type Mid-Tower
Dimensions 449 mm x 234 mm x 474 mm
Net Weight 9.35 kg (20.61 lbs)
Primary Materials Steel, Tempered Glass, ABS Plastic
Motherboard Support ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Integrated Liquid Cooler Glacier One 360S25-SE (360 mm Radiator)
Included Fans 3x 120 mm Radiator Fans (300-2000 RPM), 1x S25-120 mm Rear Motherboard Tray Fan
Maximum Fan Noise 35.8 dBA at 2000 RPM
Maximum GPU Clearance 358 mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height 72 mm
Maximum PSU Length 210 mm
Expansion Slots 7
Drive Bays 1x 3.5-inch HDD, 1x 2.5-inch SSD
Front I/O Ports 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps), 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x 3.5 mm Audio/Mic Combo
Back Connect Motherboard Support No (Incompatible with BTF / Project Zero)
Manufacturer Warranty 5 Years
✔ Pros
  • Factory-integrated Glacier One 360S25-SE liquid cooler with concealed internal tubing routing
  • Compartmentalized internal architecture eliminates cross-component thermal recirculation
  • Dedicated rear motherboard tray fan actively cools VRMs, RAM, and backside M.2 drives
  • Robust 9.35 kg steel chassis construction with integrated GPU anti-sag support
✖ Cons
  • No cutouts or routing support for rear-connect motherboards (ASUS BTF / MSI Project Zero)
  • 72 mm CPU cooler height clearance strictly commits the chassis to liquid cooling solutions
  • Fans reach 35.8 dBA at peak 2000 RPM, requiring manual BIOS fan profiling for low noise
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Primary Sources & Audited Citations

Where To Buy

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At a Glance

How reliable is the Phanteks EX5 Plus Review: Innovative Thermal Zoning With Hidden Tubing according to Mizex audits?
Mizex Composite Score: 4.3 / 5.0 ▲ DOCUMENTED QUIRKS

A compelling turnkey chassis-and-cooler hybrid for builders seeking compartmentalized thermal isolation and a clean, tubeless interior, provided you do not require back-connect motherboard cutouts or multi-drive 3.5-inch storage arrays.

What are the known quirks or drawbacks of the Phanteks EX5 Plus Review: Innovative Thermal Zoning With Hidden Tubing?

Our reliability audit identified the following documented caveats:

  • No cutouts or routing support for rear-connect motherboards (ASUS BTF / MSI Project Zero)
  • 72 mm CPU cooler height clearance strictly commits the chassis to liquid cooling solutions
  • Fans reach 35.8 dBA at peak 2000 RPM, requiring manual BIOS fan profiling for low noise
What are the key engineering highlights of the Phanteks EX5 Plus Review: Innovative Thermal Zoning With Hidden Tubing?

The top strengths recorded in our evaluation include:

  • Factory-integrated Glacier One 360S25-SE liquid cooler with concealed internal tubing routing
  • Compartmentalized internal architecture eliminates cross-component thermal recirculation
  • Dedicated rear motherboard tray fan actively cools VRMs, RAM, and backside M.2 drives
  • Robust 9.35 kg steel chassis construction with integrated GPU anti-sag support
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