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 |
| 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 |
- 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
- 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
Primary Sources & Audited Citations
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At a Glance
How reliable is the Phanteks EX5 Plus according to Mizex audits?
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?
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?
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