The case can be elevated rather a lot, which is able to assist with backside consumption (like for the PSU). That floor clearance is necessary. The decrease facet panel is a ventilated strip that’s supposed to feed PSU shroud-top followers, though the porosity is comparatively low.
Total, 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 Help | *E-ATX | ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX *As much as 280 mm broad |
| Supplies | Metal chassis | Tempered glass |
| Aspect Window | Sure |
| PCI Slots | 7 |
| Vertical GPU Help | 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 | Complete 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 instrument 1x Additional R-side panel screw |
Specs copied from producer supplies, please learn overview for our personal measurements and opinions
Overview
The Phanteks Eclipse G400A has been a very long time coming. Again in early 2016 we have been initially unimpressed by the Phanteks Eclipse P400 (watch our overview) with the strong panel, however we had a extra constructive opinion of the airflow-focused P400A (D-RGB) in 2019 (watch our overview). With a launch MSRP of $90 and three inventory followers behind a easy mesh entrance panel, the P400A remained a powerful 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, nevertheless it’s held off on a very powerful mannequin for thus lengthy that a number of the up to date G circumstances are actually end-of-life. Lastly, although, the G400A is right here, and we will 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 not too long ago, which takes on an identical method to design and might at the moment be purchased for round $80. There’s additionally the brand new Corsair FRAME 4000D, which we’ve in for testing already and are engaged on. We’ll cowl the opposite competitors as we work via this overview.
The Construct
Stepping into the construct high quality and meeting notes first:
The G400A’s entrance panel diverges from the components 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 “commonplace mesh.” We’re unsure precisely what “commonplace” 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 in a while. The filter has loads of clearance (>2cm away from the consumption followers), nevertheless it’s one of many saggiest we have ever seen. On the plus facet, the shortage of reinforcement implies 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 purchasers who wished to make use of their very own followers.
The uniquely-shaped plastic body may assist to maintain air from recirculating via the entrance followers, however the followers are already sealed in opposition to the steel chassis.
Based on Phanteks it “directs airflow [and] reduces turbulence.”
The entrance followers are uniquely joined right into a single unit, which might 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 method 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 commonplace fan and ARGB headers, which can restrict how reusable they’re for future builds.
The G400A’s give attention to shroud air flow with a two-part glass and mesh facet panel is just 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 have been probably in improvement in isolation and on the similar time.
The G400A has 3x 120mm mounting places atop the shroud, however at the very least certainly one of these is of restricted usefulness as a result of presence of the rear-mounted PSU. The most important 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 Greatest PC Circumstances for 2024 roundup, and it is a powerful act to observe with a gradual worth of $80 on Amazon. The G400A differentiates itself via its bigger measurement and extra standard format, which provides it a bonus over the 207 in cable administration (our largest grievance with the 207). The steered routing from Phanteks’ handbook labored effectively even with our giant sleeved cables, though we opted to route the GPU via the shroud. In the event you set up followers on high of the shroud, that is not an possibility. 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 straightforward. The G400A additionally helps motherboards with rear-mount connectors; Phanteks particularly mentions BTF and Challenge Zero boards as appropriate.
Surprisingly, the G400A would not have higher radiator help in any significant approach than the 207. The shroud cutout on the entrance of the G400A would not depart room for radiators, and though it’d technically be potential to pressure a 280mm rad in, it isn’t formally supported. Headroom on the high of the case is great 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 straightforward to entry for putting in radiators as much as 360mm.
The entire high of the case can be technically detachable, though doing so requires eradicating 15 screws. Although it’s type of a ache to take away, we like the extra entry with out dropping rigidity of the general body. This optionally available function will help with upkeep and set up.
However so far as radiators, we do not usually advocate attempting to suit 360mm open-loop radiators within the case (versus a CLC) for the reason that 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 worth vary:
The highest mesh part is just a little stiff and troublesome to seize, the metal facet panel needs to be pressed down on all sides to slip into place and might be executed higher. The PSU filter sadly ejects from the rear of the case, which means that pulling it away from a wall shall be crucial in most conditions. The one development downside was an improperly put in rivet contained in the drive cage, however the cage nonetheless labored positive.
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 slicing further slots for transferring the cage to any alternate places.
Phanteks Eclipse G400A Thermal Benchmarks
In addition to working our standard suite of exams on the G400A, we went again and ran the P400A, in addition to the G400A with out its entrance filter to be able to match the older case. The plain competitor to look at in these charts is the considerably cheaper Lancool 207, however the NZXT H5 Move 2024 is an in depth match to the G400A in each worth and format. Antec’s Flux (non-Professional) with 5 inventory followers is analogous as effectively 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 median 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 most of the circumstances above it required aftermarket followers (HAVN HS420, O11D EVO facet consumption) or are from the next worth 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 exhibits benefits in cooling. The Antec C8 (learn our overview) additionally does effectively right here, although is a bigger dual-chamber model.
The G400A isn’t distinctive, however is common to above common for GPU cooling.
CPU Full Load Thermals – Noise-Normalized
Shifting 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 might reviewed as of late 2019 has been outperformed by a good choice of new circumstances. The G400A successfully tied the 207 right here (in addition to the dearer Antec Flux Professional) with out 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 gives at 100% fan velocity, with an all-core common of 39 levels above ambient at 37 dBA whereas some similarly-performing circumstances just like the Torrent (watch our overview) and North XL (learn our overview) 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 below full load and at max fan speeds, we will see that eradicating the filter additionally had minimal impact right here. So long as it is saved 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 exhibits particular enchancment, with a median GPU temperature of 49 levels above ambient versus 52 levels on the unique P400A.
Neither of the Phanteks circumstances carry out effectively 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 right down to 38 levels for the G400A. It looks like Phanteks has managed to enhance cooling not simply via brute pressure, but in addition via 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 wonderful VRM thermals at 28 levels above ambient, close to each the Lancool 207 and Flux Professional (learn our overview) at 27 levels. Reminiscence temperatures have 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 many of the really feel and stylings of a Phanteks case. In our unique overview, we concluded that “given a selection we a lot want a single layer of perforated steel to an ornamental mesh panel backed by a foam or cloth filter.” That is nonetheless usually true, however Phanteks deserves credit score for constructing a case with a filter that does not considerably hinder airflow.
The G400A is an efficient case at a very good worth, nevertheless it’s onerous for anybody to compete in opposition to the Lancool 207. Phanteks’ benefit is that the G400A is a bit bigger, and subsequently it matches barely bigger parts. It undoubtedly has extra cable house than the 207, for instance, with cable administration actually being our solely large grievance with the 207.
Phanteks dedicated totally to the inventory followers that it consists of with the G400A, which we agree with for essentially the most half. The most important 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.
In the event you just like the G400A and simply wished to learn a overview to search for any issues, we’d say go for it. Simply consider any measurement limitations because it’s just a little smaller for an ATX case. But when it’s inside your price range 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.
