Review Fractal Design North Review: Mid-Century Mid-Tower

[Admin]

Combining a unique wood-and-mesh front and lots of airflow-focused features at an affordable price, Fractal's North case stands out both in design and airflow performance.

Fractal Design North Review: Mid-Century Mid-Tower : Read more

 

[brandonjclark]

That's actually really tasteful! I'm liking it a lot.

 

[hannibal]

True. This is living room quality aesthetically!

 

[helper800]

You could probably even fool someone and tell them its an apple product.

 

[RichardtST]

Rockin' the 1970's pretty hard!

Love the overall airflow.
Love the side-fans.
Minor nit: No love for the power-supply.

 

[Colif]

best part is they finally using pwm fans. Its a little late for my case but maybe next time.

 

[richardvday]

I'm available for hire as a spell checker you need one 😀
Nice review otherwise.

 

[OldWalter____IsMyDog]

I've live in a mid century modern house, and this is like crack for me. Already ordered the white with tempered glass, shows up tomorrow!

 

[Co BIY]

Looks even better in black with glass in my opinion.

 

[OldWalter____IsMyDog]

Looks even better in black with glass in my opinion.

All depends on how the rest of the room is furnished lol!

 

[helper800]

All depends on how the rest of the room is furnished lol!

I could imagine people furnishing entire rooms around these types of computer cases. To be fair all the versions of this case are quite pleasant to look at, and the fact that they are decent cases as well makes it all the better.

 

[OldWalter____IsMyDog]

I could imagine people furnishing entire rooms around these types of computer cases. To be fair all the versions of this case are quite pleasant to look at, and the fact that they are decent cases as well makes it all the better.

I'll be re-homing my setup this weekend - pics of my desk and living room here - I think it'll go even better than the 011 Snow I currently use:

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mvL2FT

 

[helper800]

I'll be re-homing my setup this weekend - pics of my desk and living room here - I think it'll go even better than the 011 Snow I currently use:

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mvL2FT

Nice digs. Personally I would put that PC on the desk but, its a very clean build with immaculate cable management in the front.

 

[Co BIY]

I'll be re-homing my setup this weekend - pics of my desk and living room here - I think it'll go even better than the 011 Snow I currently use:

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mvL2FT

If you pull the wood off and refinish it to match the weathered deck and grey steel desk it will be 110% instead of just 100.

 

[brandonjclark]

I'm available for hire as a spell checker you need one 😀
Nice review otherwise.

The irony here is astounding.

 

[CmdrSloth]

WOW!

That Charcoal Mesh one is 100% my next case.

I REALLY want to see GPU temps in a Horizontal configuration with 2x 140mm right in front of its intakes + 3x 120mm up front.

EDIT: Wanted to add, TH's and other review sites "Standardized Testing" for niche or unique Computer Cases is completely bogus and unnecessary. Standardized noise tests showing minor Db changes between cases using their included, stock fans doesn't show anyone ANY useful information whatsoever except for the most minor pecker swinging contest. This type of case NEEDS to be tested with its unique configurations (2x 140 on the side + 3x 120 up front) to show its unique capabilities compared to other cases. Most of the time, in a well cooled case, the GPU ends up being the loudest source of fan noise. It would be REALLY usefull to see if GPU's don't ramp their fans up to the same degree with access to the side fans, especially if you use a vertical mounting kit.

 

[bit_user]

Looks even better in black with glass in my opinion.

100%

I'm really not feeling the "Chalk White" version. Either black or maybe a wood-paneled cabinet would work, though.

 

[bit_user]

The irony here is astounding.

He said nothing about checking punctuation or grammar, though.

 

[deanimate]

I salute Mr Tree

 

[RichardtST]

I'll be re-homing my setup this weekend - pics of my desk and living room here - I think it'll go even better than the 011 Snow I currently use:

https://pcpartpicker.com/b/mvL2FT

Nice build. But you know you may have problems with air bubbles due to the radiator orientation, and your GPU is sagging just a millimeter or two... Something as nice as you have there deserves to be 100% perfect.

 

[MiniITXEconomy]

The front panel married with white mesh side panels is slightly offensive, if I'm being honest, almost like it fits the "subwoofer for an expensive sound system" aesthetic. To put it bluntly: I don't want my PC to blend in with the Target furniture! But I'm really glad they're offering something different - just imagining how Thermaltake's The Tower 100 case would look with wood grain replacing some of the perforated metal gives me shivers. I'm only judging it based on the pics shown here, and maybe seeing it in different colors, patterns or even with its optional tempered glass panels would make me feel differently but right now it's only half-way decent!

 

[bit_user]

I'm only judging it based on the pics shown here, and maybe seeing it in different colors, patterns or even with its optional tempered glass panels would make me feel differently but right now it's only half-way decent!

According to the article: "Fractal Design’s new case retails for $130 and comes in Charcoal Black or Chalk White."

See @Co BIY 's post, for the charcoal black version.

 

[Co BIY]

The front panel married with white mesh side panels is slightly offensive, if I'm being honest, almost like it fits the "subwoofer for an expensive sound system" aesthetic. To put it bluntly: I don't want my PC to blend in with the Target furniture! But I'm really glad they're offering something different - just imagining how Thermaltake's The Tower 100 case would look with wood grain replacing some of the perforated metal gives me shivers. I'm only judging it based on the pics shown here, and maybe seeing it in different colors, patterns or even with its optional tempered glass panels would make me feel differently but right now it's only half-way decent!

I think the pictures in this article over-accentuate the side angle of the case in an unflattering way.

White mesh is not a winner with me. At best it looks off-white or grey. At worst it looks and becomes grungy. YMMV.

I also think the side angle begs for some modular IO like the LIAN LI 216.

 

[richardvday]

The irony here is astounding.

I think you missed the point.
There were a lot of spelling and grammatical errors that was the point.
I don't really want a job doing that I'm not qualified for it. It's called sarcasm

 

[digitalgriffin]

TLDR: mesh side panels can raise thermals. Linear flow is better than open flow.

So here's your protip:

Most agree, if you can't have balanced pressure, positive pressure is better. However do the following experiment:

Take a dryer vent tube and put a fan at the head of it to create a positive pressure situation inside the tube. Now let's pretend your GPU is at the end of that tube. Now punch that tube full of holes. The air tries to escape the soonest it can. And unless you have a negative pressure GPU (blower style) the air will likely escape before it reaches the GPU.

The same is true with mesh sides. Not only do they allow fresh air to escape but they allow for more noise. If you insist on a mesh side, make sure the side has a fan which blows fresh air below and inward on the GPU.

If you have to make a choice with what's more important to cooling effectively, always choose the GPU. They are more sensitive to heat and usually the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

In terms of cooling, chimney style is by far the best. Fresh cool air brought in from bottom. CPU radiator up top and venting.

Second best config on the list is 3 front and 1 back and 2 top with radiator up top or front. (Or 3 intake from side like loan li O11). The problem with this config is the fresh air in the lower left corner where your GPU is doesn't flow at great as rate. Air doesn't just flow straight back and then bend upward hard at the GPU. It starts curving upwards towards the exit fans almost immediately as it's the shortest path. If you are running radiators on CPU and GPU this isn't a problem.

Third best config is three side intake or front intake and then 3 top. The disadvantage in this design is the top fan and front top exhaust fan will vent before any fresh air has any chance of hitting the components. If you are running 100% radiators on GPU and CPU this isn't a problem.

Summary:
In terms of noise, side intakes (ie: loan li O11) will always produce less noise than similar front intake configuration and mesh. Avoid mesh side panels unless you have an intake fan pointed right at the GPU. It will still be noisier than a glass side panel. In terms of performance and noise, sealed Chimney configurations are superior.