Phanteks is Back: Eclipse G400A High Airflow Case Review & Thermal Benchmarks Leave a comment
The case can also be elevated loads, which can assist with backside consumption (like for the PSU). That floor clearance is essential. The decrease facet panel is a ventilated strip that’s meant to feed PSU shroud-top followers, though the porosity is comparatively low.
General, Phanteks is aiming to compete within the airflow and efficiency market with this case.
Phanteks Eclipse G400A Specs
| Mannequin No. | PH-EC400GA_DBK01 |
| UPC Code | 886523303558 |
| Case Dimensions | 495 x 230 x 522 mm | 19.5 x 9.05 x 20.55 in |
| Kind Issue | Mid-tower |
| Mainboard Assist | *E-ATX | ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX *As much as 280 mm huge |
| Supplies | Metal chassis | Tempered glass |
| Aspect Window | Sure |
| PCI Slots | 7 |
| Vertical GPU Assist | 3-slots Riser Cable offered individually |
| Inner 2.5″ Bay | 2 + 1x 3.5″ HDD |
| Inner 3.5″ Bay | 2 + 0x 2.5″ SSD |
| Entrance I/O | 1x USB 3.0 1x USB-C 3.0 Gen2 Microphone | Headphone Combo Reset button Energy button + LED |
| Followers 120 | 140 | Whole Followers: 7x | 6x High: 3x | 2x Entrance: – | 3x (3x 140 Pre-Put in) Aspect: – | – Rear: 1x | 1x (1x 140 Pre-Put in) Backside: 3x | – |
| Radiators 120 | 140 | High: Max. 360 | 280 Entrance: – | – Rear: 120 | – Backside: – | – |
| CPU Cooler Peak | 184 mm | 7.24 in |
| GPU Size | 415 mm | 16.33 in |
| GPU Width | 184 mm | 7.24 in |
| Energy Provide Size | 270 mm | 10.60 in |
| High Radiator Size x Width x Peak | 360 Radiator: 415 x 138 x 60 mm | 16.33 x 5.43 x 2.36 in 280 Radiator: 360 x 147 x 65 mm | 14.17 x 5.78 x 2.55 in |
| Rear Radiator Size x Width | 170 x 132 mm | 6.69 x 5.19 in |
| Internet Weight | 8.63 kg | 19.02 lbs |
| Gross Weight | 10.50 kg | 23.14 lbs |
| Guarantee | 5 Years restricted |
| Scope of Supply | 1x Eclipse G400A chassis 4x M25G2-140 followers (Pre-installed) 1x D-RGB mainboard adapter |
| Accent Field | 30x Zip ties 4x Screw cowl nook L 4x Screw cowl nook R 4x Screw cowl bridge |
| Screws | 18x Mainboard | SSD screws 4x Energy provide screws 8x HDD screws 12x 30 mm fan screws 1x Mainboard stand-off 1x Stand-off elimination device 1x Further R-side panel screw |
Specs copied from producer supplies, please learn assessment for our personal measurements and opinions
Overview
The Phanteks Eclipse G400A has been a very long time coming. Again in early 2016 we had been initially unimpressed by the Phanteks Eclipse P400 (watch our review) with the strong panel, however we had a extra constructive opinion of the airflow-focused P400A (D-RGB) in 2019 (watch our review). With a launch MSRP of $90 and three inventory followers behind a easy mesh entrance panel, the P400A remained a robust competitor in price-to-performance for years after its launch. Over these years, Phanteks has incrementally up to date different Eclipse circumstances from P to G variations, but it surely’s held off on an important mannequin for thus lengthy that a number of the up to date G circumstances are now end-of-life. Lastly, although, the G400A is right here, and we are able to see whether or not it is a worthy successor at $110.
Key competitors to the G400A consists of the Lian Li Lancool 207 that we reviewed recently, which takes on an identical strategy to design and might at present be purchased for round $80. There’s additionally the brand new Corsair FRAME 4000D, which we’ve got in for testing already and are engaged on. We’ll cowl the opposite competitors as we work by way of this assessment.
The Construct
Moving into the construct high quality and meeting notes first:
The G400A’s entrance panel diverges from the formulation that made its predecessor so profitable: the P400A simply had a sheet of mesh with no further filtration, whereas the G400A makes use of “brick sample” mesh (with bigger rectangular holes) backed by a filter.
Phanteks advertises that the mesh is now 45% open floor, versus 32% for what Phanteks calls “normal mesh.” We’re undecided precisely what “normal” means.
Each the mesh and filter are magnetic, and the filter may be eliminated with out altering the looks of the case; we’ll take a look at that afterward. The filter has loads of clearance (>2cm away from the consumption followers), but it surely’s one of many saggiest we have ever seen. On the plus facet, the dearth of reinforcement signifies that nothing blocks the LED lighting and nothing blocks the consumption.
Phanteks has additionally revealed a G400N variant with two tempered glass panels and extra elaborate cable administration, however that model hasn’t but been launched.
The entrance panel features a plastic body that is formed across the 3x 140mm ARGB infinity mirror followers. The selection to solely help 140s within the entrance is in distinction to the P400A, which had extra entrance mounting choices, in addition to a less expensive non-Digital variant for patrons who needed to make use of their very own followers.
The uniquely-shaped plastic body would possibly assist to maintain air from recirculating by way of the entrance followers, however the followers are already sealed in opposition to the steel chassis.
In response to Phanteks it “directs airflow [and] reduces turbulence.”
The entrance followers are uniquely joined right into a single unit, which may very well be helpful in some contexts. Within the G400A, there sadly is not sufficient room to simply take all three followers out in a single piece whereas a system is contained in the case. In conditions the place that’s not potential, the remaining advantage of the uni-fan strategy is that the entrance followers are daisy-chained collectively, sharing a single ARGB and fan header. All the followers have Phanteks “LINK6” connectors and want adapters to connect with normal fan and ARGB headers, which can restrict how reusable they’re for future builds.
The G400A’s concentrate on shroud air flow with a two-part glass and mesh facet panel is much like some Antec and Lian Li circumstances we have lined, however particularly, the Lancool 207. The 207 additionally has infinity mirror followers and an identical magnetic entrance panel, however we noticed each the 207 and the G400A at Computex, in order that they had been doubtless in growth in isolation and on the similar time.
The G400A has 3x 120mm mounting areas atop the shroud, however not less than one in every of these is of restricted usefulness as a result of presence of the rear-mounted PSU. The largest distinction with the 207 is that it strikes the PSU ahead to make approach for cooling with clear outdoors entry instantly into the GPU.
The 207 led two classes in our Best PC Cases for 2024 roundup, and it is a powerful act to comply with with a gentle value of $80 on Amazon. The G400A differentiates itself by way of its bigger dimension and extra standard structure, which provides it a bonus over the 207 in cable administration (our largest criticism with the 207). The urged routing from Phanteks’ handbook labored properly even with our massive sleeved cables, though we opted to route the GPU by way of the shroud. If you happen to set up followers on high of the shroud, that is not an choice. The detachable part of the highest panel and roomy higher space makes working with EPS12V cables for the CPU and different connectors on the high of the motherboard simple. The G400A additionally helps motherboards with rear-mount connectors; Phanteks particularly mentions BTF and Challenge Zero boards as suitable.
Surprisingly, the G400A does not have higher radiator help in any significant approach than the 207. The shroud cutout on the entrance of the G400A does not go away room for radiators, and though it’d technically be potential to drive a 280mm rad in, it is not formally supported. Headroom on the high of the case is superb with greater than 7cm of clearance from the highest fringe of the motherboard to the roof, and the detachable high mesh panel makes the highest fan mount simple to entry for putting in radiators as much as 360mm.
The entire high of the case can also be technically detachable, though doing so requires eradicating 15 screws. Though it’s form of a ache to take away, we like the extra entry with out shedding rigidity of the general body. This non-compulsory function can assist with upkeep and set up.
However so far as radiators, we do not typically advocate attempting to suit 360mm open-loop radiators within the case (versus a CLC) because the fittings will come near the inventory followers. It’s doable, however would require extra effort than typical for customized loops.
There are some minor quality-of-life points that are not uncommon for circumstances on this value vary:
The highest mesh part is a little bit stiff and troublesome to seize, the metal facet panel must be pressed down on all sides to slip into place and may very well be executed higher. The PSU filter sadly ejects from the rear of the case, that means that pulling it away from a wall might be mandatory in most conditions. The one building drawback was an improperly put in rivet contained in the drive cage, however the cage nonetheless labored wonderful.
Drive help is sufficient however bare-bones, restricted to both 2x 3.5″ drives or 2x 2.5″ drives and 1x 3.5″ drive. There isn’t any built-in vibration damping, and Phanteks did not hassle chopping further slots for shifting the cage to any alternate areas.
Phanteks Eclipse G400A Thermal Benchmarks
In addition to operating our common suite of checks on the G400A, we went again and ran the P400A, in addition to the G400A with out its entrance filter in an effort to match the older case. The apparent competitor to look at in these charts is the considerably cheaper Lancool 207, however the NZXT H5 Flow 2024 is a detailed match to the G400A in each value and structure. Antec’s Flux (non-Professional) with 5 inventory followers is comparable as properly at $120, though we have not examined that mannequin. Let’s get into the benchmarks.
GPU Full Load Thermals – Noise-Normalized
The primary take a look at is for noise-normalized thermals on the GPU.
With the 4 inventory case followers slowed to hit our noise-normalized goal of 27 dBA SPL, the G400A made a very good begin with a mean GPU temperature of 45 levels Celsius above ambient in comparison with the P400A’s common of 49 levels. That is close to the center of our chart, however lots of the circumstances above it required aftermarket followers (HAVN HS420, O11D EVO facet consumption) or are from the next value tier. Essentially the most related exception is the Lancool 207, which averaged 42 levels above ambient on this take a look at with its direct GPU cooling. The Lancool 207 was constructed for this and reveals benefits in cooling. The Antec C8 (learn our review) additionally does properly right here, although is a bigger dual-chamber type.
The G400A isn’t distinctive, however is common to above common for GPU cooling.
CPU Full Load Thermals – Noise-Normalized
Transferring to CPU thermals in the identical noise normalized take a look at, the G400A once more outperformed its predecessor at 41 levels above ambient for the common all-core temperature and 45 on the P-cores versus 46 all-core and 50 P-core on the P400A. It is encouraging to see that one of many better-cooled circumstances we would reviewed as of late 2019 has been outperformed by an honest choice of new circumstances. The G400A successfully tied the 207 right here (in addition to the costlier Antec Flux Pro) and not using a strong lead in both all-core or P-core averages. Each circumstances are good right here.
CPU Full Load Thermals – Full Pace
The G400A is quiet for the extent of CPU cooling that it offers at 100% fan pace, with an all-core common of 39 levels above ambient at 37 dBA whereas some similarly-performing circumstances just like the Torrent (watch our review) and North XL (learn our review) are considerably louder. That features the 41.6 dBA Lancool 207, which nonetheless tops the chart however is lower than two levels forward of the G400A, but is noticeably louder.
Eradicating the entrance filter had barely any impact on thermal efficiency, so we advocate leaving it in place until the sagging causes issues.
GPU Full Load Thermals – Full Pace
Taking a fast look on the GPU thermals beneath full load and at max fan speeds, we are able to see that eradicating the filter additionally had minimal impact right here. So long as it is stored clear, leaving this filter put in should not harm.
GPU Full Load Thermals – Standardized Followers
Our standardized fan take a look at makes use of the identical set of three followers in each case, which is helpful right here for evaluating the air flow of the P400A and G400A whereas eradicating inventory followers as a variable. The G400A reveals particular enchancment, with a mean GPU temperature of 49 levels above ambient versus 52 levels on the unique P400A.
Neither of the Phanteks circumstances carry out properly versus the remainder of this chart, however you must plan to maintain the G400A’s inventory followers, so its efficiency with out these inventory followers is not significantly related.
CPU Full Load Thermals – Standardized Followers
In the identical standardized fan take a look at, CPU thermals improved from 41 levels above ambient all-core within the P400A all the way down to 38 levels for the G400A. It looks like Phanteks has managed to enhance cooling not simply by way of brute drive, but in addition by way of panel design, whereas not sacrificing mud filtration.
VRM & RAM Full Load Thermals – Noise-Normalized
Circling again to the unique noise normalized outcomes, the G400A had glorious VRM thermals at 28 levels above ambient, close to each the Lancool 207 and Flux Pro (learn our review) at 27 levels. Reminiscence temperatures had been equally good. This can be as a result of G400A’s excessive ceiling together with the 4 140mm followers that present airflow as much as the very high of the case.
Phanteks Eclipse G400A Conclusion
Compared to the older P400A, the G400A is a strong enchancment in thermal efficiency and it retains a lot of the really feel and stylings of a Phanteks case. In our unique assessment, we concluded that “given a selection we a lot favor a single layer of perforated steel to an ornamental mesh panel backed by a foam or cloth filter.” That is nonetheless typically true, however Phanteks deserves credit score for constructing a case with a filter that does not considerably hinder airflow.
The G400A is an effective case at a very good value, but it surely’s laborious for anybody to compete in opposition to the Lancool 207. Phanteks’ benefit is that the G400A is a bit bigger, and due to this fact it matches barely bigger parts. It undoubtedly has extra cable area than the 207, for instance, with cable administration actually being our solely huge criticism with the 207.
Phanteks dedicated absolutely to the inventory followers that it consists of with the G400A, which we agree with for essentially the most half. The largest draw back is that there is not any entrance radiator compatibility, though it is likely to be potential to get a 280mm rad put in.
At $110 with the 4 included 140mm followers, the case is total aggressive. It’s fairly good when it comes to ease of set up. The detachable high is good, although it’s a little bit of a ache to take away it.
If you happen to just like the G400A and simply needed to learn a assessment to search for any issues, we’d say go for it. Simply take into account any dimension limitations because it’s a little bit smaller for an ATX case. But when it’s inside your funds and also you prefer it greater than the Lian Li Lancool 207, we expect the G400A is a well-executed Phanteks case. It’s good to see that the corporate is again in a great way.