Cases Define Meshify Node Focus Core
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But if you’re looking to build the most powerful PC possible with absolute optimum cooling for a silence-focussed design, the Define 7 XL is likely the best premium PC cases on the market to achieve this. But the storage will only be a concern for high-capacity builds (think server pc cases or video editing builds) – there’s more than enough here for gaming. The R5 is perfect for a powerful gaming build with great GPU space (and the aforementioned cooling ability), you have a lot of overclocking potential here. For enthusiasts looking for an extremely versatile chassis with a dual-layout interior, the Fractal Design Define 7 is a feature packed case with outstanding thermal and acoustic performance. Fractal Design didn’t re-invent the mid-century modern wheel with its North XL. But it takes what was great about the original and sizes it up for E-ATX motherboards and the longest, largest graphics cards, while keeping the price resonable.
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Best ITX Alternative / Console Shaped PC Case: Fractal Design Node 202
When outfitted with a tempered glass side panel is priced at $170 / £154 or $150 / £144 without it. A complaint we had about the original Fractal Design North when we tested it was its high noise levels. We hypothesized that the tempered glass side panel would likely be quieter than the mesh variant. Fast-forward to today, the tempered glass variant of the XL model is, in-fact, quieter.
Acoustic Results for the Fractal Design North
Now don’t get us wrong, the Define R5 and our other top picks have excellent performance potential. And the Meshify C does just that, with some impressive quality for its price (if you are looking for something extra cheap, see our “cheapest PC case” pick further below). While not as cheap as some of our other budget PC case picks, we wanted our cheap Fractal case choice to still retain a lot of what makes the brand’s products so great. An uncluttered, small form factor case designed to integrate seamlessly into your living space and daily rituals. An evolution of the slimline format, Ridge was developed in collaboration with gaming and entertainment enthusiasts to subtly improve their homes and enhance the small form factor PC experience.
Best Fractal Design Case for Performance (High-End / E-ATX Pick): Fractal Design Define 7 XL
So it's likely the tempered glass version of the North is at least a little quieter. Case companies often take an existing design and mostly (or sometimes only) change the front panel. This isn’t the case (no pun intended) with the North, which is available in either white or black and with a mesh or tempered glass side panel. While the original North was fairly roomy inside, its GPU support was limited to 14 inches and its CPU cooler height to 6.6 inches (without the side fan bracket). The North XL bumps this up to support for air coolers as large as 7.2 inches(185mm) and GPUs up to 16.2 inches (413mm). As long as the performance is decent, there's nothing wrong with more traditional basic black PC case boxes or aggressive RGB-and-glass gamer chassis.
Wood, glass, and brass for bigger, classy builds
Speaking of the IO, the top panel features separate audio in and out jacks, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports and one USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 port. And it can be mounted in three different locations (bottom, middle, or top) to best suit the needs of your build. Behind the wood are two pre-installed Fractal Design Aspect 140mm fans, which can be replaced with fans or radiators up to 360mm.
Once again, I was blown away by the thermal performance of the Fractal Design North XL. Despite its wood-slatted front panel, plenty of air is able to flow into the chassis, thanks to the three 140mm Aspect 14 PWM fans. With an incredible balance between price, build quality, feature-set, and noise reduction, Fractal is one of the masters at providing the highest quality at an impressive price point in its line of minimalist towers. The Fractal Design North measures up at 18.5 x 8.5 x 17.5 inches (HWD), so I wouldn’t try to fit an E-ATX board in here. However, this case can fit GPUs up to 13.98 inches (355mm), and our Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC fits perfectly. The maximum CPU cooler height varies, depending on whether you install the fan bracket on the side.
Fractal Design Define 7 Chassis Review: Versatility and Refinement
But it's great to have attractive and well-performing alternatives like the North, that blend into a living room in a living room instead of standing out like an alien artifact. While the Fractal Design North XLsports a familiar look, I’m glad that the company brought a larger version to the market. Despite the thumbscrews and still-not-quiet acoustics, the unique look and attention to detail outweigh those fairly minor issues, especially with its sub-$200 MSRP. Heck no, but for $180, the price isn’t outlandish for a case of this size, especially when you consider the fact it comes with three 140mm PWM fans and the wood accents as standard. If you want wood panels on competing Corsair cases, you’ll have to spend $70 or more, with the recently launched dual-chamber 6500 case line selling for $199 with no wood and no included fans.
2022 has been a big year for Fractal Design; the Swedish case company started off with the Torrent Compact, which was an impressive start. In the summer, we saw the Pop Silent, which was refreshing, as the case market has become saturated with mesh and RGB. Then we tested the ITX Ridge, which stood out for its console-sized frame and build quality.
Specifications and Features
The panel on the opposite side of the chassis is a solid stamped steel panel with a thick layer of sound damping material and is held in place by the same push-to-lock system as the tempered glass panel. The entire bottom of the chassis is covered by a large plastic mesh filter that is removable from the front. The filter covers two mounting locations for 120mm or 140mm fans and the power supply fan opening. The four large rubber-coated feet keep the case approximately a half inch off the ground. Around the back, you'll find an opening for a bottom-mounted PSU, seven expansion card slots plus two vertical, a standard motherboard I/O area and an exhaust fan mounting location that supports both 120mm and 140mm fans. The exhaust fan mounting location features slotted screw holes that lets you adjust the position of the fan to fine tune airflow or make room for system components.
And, finally, the rear fan mount can fit a 120mm spinner, although the case only comes with the two fans up front. Staying on the topic of fan support, the North XL can fit as many fans as expected from a chassis of this size. The front of the North can fit up to 3x 120 or 140mm fans and the corresponding radiator sizes. If you don’t have the gargantuan Torrent fans as mentioned above, the top of the case can fit three 140mm fans.
The Core 1100 is a very impressive offering for its price point and would be a great choice for a very cheap budget PC. But if this case fits your spec needs better, know it is very much in the same realm of fantastic quality. And with the Mini C’s decent airflow/cable management facility, you’ll get decent mileage out of an air/water cooling solution you do go with. Which is why today’s feature on What in Tech is breaking down the best Fractal Design PC cases for gaming, production work, and more (whatever size/budget you have in mind). Many of our top picks remain the same this year, but there’s been a few fantastic releases that I’ve added as alternatives where relevant.
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