The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower offers many features and the accustomed first-class workmanship you are used to from the Dutch case manufacturer. The latest model in the Evolv series features tempered glass side doors, addressable RGB LED lighting, space for two 360mm radiators and three pre-installed 140mm fans. The airflow has been optimized by larger inlets and the housing offers space for graphics cards up to 435 mm long, which can also be installed vertically. With optional accessories, a second system can also be accommodated in the Mini-ITX form factor.
Technical Details
| Model: | Enthoo Evolv X |
| Housing type: | Midi Tower |
| Dimensions: | 240 x 520 x 510 mm (WxHxD) |
| Weight: | 15 kg |
| Material: | Steel, Plastic, Tempered Glass, |
| Color: | Black, Grey, Silver |
| Front connections | 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, 1x speaker, 1x microphone, 2x RGB control |
| Drive bays: | 10x 3,5″/ 2,5″ (4x included) 9x 2,5″ (6x in scope of delivery) |
| Extension slots: | 10 (7x horizontal, 3x vertical) |
| Form factors: | E-ATX (up to 280 mm), ATX, mATX, mini-ITX |
| Ventilation: | Front: 3x 120/ 3x 140 mm Cover: 3x 120/ 2x 140 mm Rear: 1x 120/ 1x 140 mm Installed it: Front: 2x 140 mm Rear 1x 140 mm |
| Radiators: | Front: 240 / 280 / 360 / 420 mm Lid: 240 / 280 / 260 mm Rear: 140 mm |
| Max. CPU cooler height: | 190 mm |
| Max. Graphics card length: | 435 mm |
| Place for front radiator | 95 mm |
| Place for lid radiator | 65 mm |
| Max. Power supply length: | max. 195 mm (with HDD cage) max. 250 mm (without HDD cage) |
| Cable management space: | 30 mm |
| Price: | 199,90 € |
Packaging & Scope of Delivery
The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower is the successor of the Enthoo Evolv ATX and as a premium chassis the Evolv X offers numerous accessories that are included:
- 3x 140mm fan (pre-installed)
- Fan stroke
- 4 stackable HDD mounts
- vertical graphics card holder
- Anti-Sag holder
- 1x Airflow cover
- Box with screws
The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower can be extended with optional accessories:
- Additional HDD mounts
- Additional SSD mounts
- ITX Upgrade Kit
- PCIe-Riser cable
- addressable RGB-LED-Strips
- Halos fan frame with addressable RGB LEDs
The case is also delivered very well packaged, so transport damage is a rarity. The excellent workmanship of the high-quality materials contributes to the fact that the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower is very stable.
Design & Equipment
The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower is a successful upgrade of the popular case series. The tempered glass side panels sit on two hinges and can now be opened easily without having to loosen any screws. The doors can also be completely removed for system construction. The side panels can also be bolted to the front so that they can be additionally secured during transport, for example. Rubber seals on the edges of the side panels ensure that the case is completely closed, improving airflow. Magnets keep the hard glass side doors closed.
The front can also be removed quickly and without tools. The addressable RGB LEDs on the front panel are powered and controlled via three gold-plated contacts.
The airflow has been significantly improved, as the air inlets on the front and top of the case are now 30 mm wide, allowing more air to enter the case. The whole case is also a bit higher and wider than its predecessor (Evolv ATX). The Evolv X offers a surprising amount of space for cable management and the two removable side panels also impressed me. The case offers plenty of space for the drives and takes up to 9 SSDs (6 mounting slides included) and 10 HDDs (4 mounting slides included), whereby the HDD cages are fully sliding and removable.
On the back of the mainboard tray, there is a fan hub in the upper area to which the three existing 140mm Phanteks Premium fans and other fans can be connected. Two addressable RGB LED strips are also pre-installed in the front. The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Midi-Tower has two USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type C port. Surprisingly, the Evolv X not only supports vertical installation of the graphics cards, but also the installation of a second system, should you decide to do so. For the second system, which can be installed inside at the top, you have to get the required Mini-ITX-Bracket. Since no second power supply can be installed, you must also use a Revolt X power supply from Phanteks.
System Construction
The housing is perfect for systems with custom water cooling. A radiator of max. 360 mm can be installed in the cover, 140 mm at the rear and 420 mm at the front. Which one to pair with which one depends on the thickness of the radiators.
In the system I have a 5.1 GHz overclocked Intel Core i7-8086k Processor and two GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards built in and everything with sufficient cooling power in the form of a custom water cooling. As for the radiators, I installed two 360 mm heat exchangers, both 38 mm thick, front and top. Besides I have the Glacier R220 expansion tank taken from Phanteks and placed in this one DDC 3.2 PWM Elite pump from EK Water Blocks installed. The fittings and fans come from XSPC. I have installed the following hardware:
- Mainboard: Asus ROG Maximus X CODE
- Main memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB, DDR4-3000 (16 GB)
- Data memory: Samsung 970 EVO SSD (500 GB)
- Power supply: Seasonic Prime 80 Plus Platinum (1000 Watt)
I didn’t have any difficulties with the construction, because the large space in the interior, as mentioned before, makes the installation of a water cooling system very easy. Phanteks has even thought of an opening for a fill port under the removable lid and a recess for a drain port behind the front panel. This facilitates the maintenance of the custom water cooling system.
Conclusion on the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X Review
I can safely say that the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X is one of the best midi towers of 2018, if not the best. Phanteks has made numerous changes and improvements to the popular case and also implemented new features, such as the ability to mount a second system and the vertical installation of the graphics card. The quality of the tower is extremely good and very high quality, just like the predecessor model. In summary, it can be said that Evolv X will not disappoint!
Advantages
- very practical if you want to install a water cooling system
- can record a dual system
- very much space available (e.g. for SSDs and HDDs)
- better airflow due to the greater distance at the front and top side
- open page window very easy and fast
- the best cable management I’ve ever seen in a case
Disadvantages
- there is a risk that the connection cables for SSDs may be bent if they are installed on the covers
- the fan/radiator bracket on the front could be slightly stronger
- the acquisition costs are relatively high, especially if you still need the optional accessories for the dual system
Phanteks Enthoo Evolv X
Workmanship
Design
Features
Cooling
Value for Money
First class PC case with great design, great hardware compatibility and very good options for air and water cooling!
