Phanteks Launches EX5, EX5 PLUS and EX5 MAX PC Cases With New Airflow Design and 360mm AIO Options

Phanteks is taking a different route with PC Case design. The company has launched its new EX5 Series, moving away from the familiar dual-glass “fish tank” layout in favor of a compartmentalized internal design aimed at improving airflow and reducing the number of fans needed for a high-performance gaming PC.

First shown at Computex 2026, the EX5 lineup is the first series under Phanteks’ new EX branding. It includes three models: the EX5, EX5 PLUS, and EX5 MAX. All three are designed for modern hardware, support graphics cards up to 358 mm long, and provide dedicated support for 360 mm radiators.

The main difference is how Phanteks handles airflow: instead of relying on a large number of fans spread throughout the case, the EX5 separates key components into dedicated areas and directs fresh air toward them. A rear mainboard fan provides airflow around the VRM and RAM while also helping move heat generated by the GPU away from nearby hardware.

For builders trying to keep the total cost of a new PC under control, this could reduce the need to purchase several additional case fans. Phanteks is also leaving plenty of space for cable management, while integrated ARGB lighting provides some customization without changing the overall layout.

The EX5 is the most flexible model of the three. It includes the rear mainboard fan but allows users to choose their own AIO liquid cooler or other CPU cooling solution.

The EX5 PLUS takes a more integrated approach by including Phanteks’ new Glacier One 360S25-SE AIO. The 360 mm cooler uses concealed tubing to create a cleaner internal appearance, while its S25 ARGB fans are built into a single frame and use one cable connection. Phanteks says the cooler uses a large copper base and fin array to handle high-end CPUs.

The EX5 MAX adds a 6-inch high-resolution display to the same cooling configuration used by the PLUS. The screen can provide real-time system monitoring and display customizable visuals, making the MAX the most feature-heavy model in the lineup.

Phanteks has also confirmed pricing and availability. The EX5 starts at $109.99, while the EX5 PLUS costs $159.99 and the EX5 MAX is priced at $229.99. The Glacier One 360S25-SE will also be sold separately for $79.99. The EX5 Series is available now, giving PC builders another option at a time when case design is increasingly focused on airflow, hardware compatibility, and easier system assembly.