Two mounting points for a radiator inside one shell do not perform identical jobs, and choosing the wrong one for your build's heat load wastes a mount that could be doing better work elsewhere. Any atx mid-tower case with both a front and a top radiator bay forces an early decision: chase maximum cooling surface, or keep the front open and let the roof carry a smaller loop.

Quick Answer

The Antec NX410 prices at R1,199 and splits radiator duty two ways: the forward bay tops out at 360mm, while the overhead position caps at 240mm, and both can run at once if your CPU and GPU justify it. Filling only the front maximises raw cooling surface; leaving the front for fans or drives and using the roof instead keeps the front clear for other jobs.

🔥 What the Forward Bay Is Built to Handle

Sitting behind the mesh, this bay takes the case's biggest radiator, a full 360mm unit running three fans in a row. Because that same zone typically doubles as primary intake, a radiator here becomes the first thing incoming air passes through, turning your main airflow route into your main cooling route in one move.

The Trade-Off of Committing the Front

Once the front is given over to a radiator, it stops pulling unrestricted air the way open fan mounts would. Loop temperatures usually drop as a result, but general case airflow through that zone gets a little more restricted, which is worth weighing before committing the space.

🌡 What the Roof Position Is Built to Handle

Overhead, a 240mm unit fits instead of the larger front option, suiting builds where the mesh up front stays free for storage or plain intake. Heat rises on its own, so a radiator mounted here works with the case's natural convection rather than against it, pushing warm air straight out the top instead of letting it linger.

🧭 Running One Loop or Two

Plenty of builds fill just one bay and cover the rest with air cooling or ordinary fans rather than committing both spots to liquid. The right call depends on combined CPU and GPU heat output, and on what is left in the budget for the fan range this case draws from once a radiator or two is factored in.

Full mounting dimensions for this exact model are worth checking against your parts list, and browsing Antec's other case sizes makes sense if a different front-to-roof balance would fit your build better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big a radiator fits at the front of this case?

Up to 360mm, the largest single mounting option the case offers.

How big a radiator fits on the roof?

Up to 240mm, sized for builds that keep the mesh up front free for storage or plain fans.

Can I use both radiator positions in one build?

Yes. Whether it makes sense comes down to how much heat your CPU and GPU produce together and how much you want to spend on two loops instead of one.

Should the front always get the radiator if I am only fitting one?

Not always. The front suits maximum cooling surface, while the roof suits builds that want the mesh kept open for drives or standard airflow instead.

Ready to decide where your radiator goes? Head to the white NX410 through Evetech tagged at R1,199. It supports both front and top radiator mounting, so plan your loop properly first.