Fractal Meshify 3 and 3 XL cases bring the company's iconic airflow-focused design to the modern case era

[Admin]

Fractal’s new Meshify 3 and 3 XL PC cases combine airflow-focused design with unique build-friendly features. The Meshify 3 XL also supports the largest motherboards.

Fractal Meshify 3 and 3 XL cases bring the company's iconic airflow-focused design to the modern case era : Read more

 

[Albert.Thomas]

>Fractal is touting the ability to change lighting and fan speed settings through a web app, with all the settings actually stored in the hub itself.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that idea, one should be able to adjust things online without sending information to their servers.

 

[Notton]

After watching other reviews, IMO, the software free RGB is a significantly better implementation compared to vendor locked RGB software with severe security issues.

 

[JeffreyP55]

Too foofoo for me. Too much glass. Too old for the optional RGB. I don't like mounting the radiator/fans on the side.
Nice fashion statement.
I'll pass thank you.

 

[thestryker]

Too foofoo for me. Too much glass. Too old for the optional RGB. I don't like mounting the radiator/fans on the side.
Nice fashion statement.
I'll pass thank you.

This is a really confusing post that seems to be just complaining to complain, but...

don't like glass? there's a solid panel version.

don't like RGB? don't buy one of the versions with RGB...

don't like side mounting fans/rad? then just don't... it's completely optional and there's an internal panel available to minimize airflow turbulence when not in use. The predominant reason to get the XL seems to be if you want a 420mm rad in the top or are using the side panel though.

 

[thestryker]

>Fractal is touting the ability to change lighting and fan speed settings through a web app, with all the settings actually stored in the hub itself.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that idea, one should be able to adjust things online without sending information to their servers.

Yeah that's a very reasonable question to have: what's the data transfer look like?

In theory it should be fine, but I'd argue if they can make a web app then they could just make that available for offline. I very much like the idea of configuration data being stored locally without the need for software to operate though.

 

[thestryker]

The Meshify series has always been pretty good and the XL seems like a pretty good deal if you're going to leverage the advantages. There even looks to be enough room that if you wanted to DIY HDD cages you could get a fair number of them in the front of the case. The XL is certainly one I'd have seriously considered had it been out when I put together my current system (needed room for 2 rads in a case that isn't really wide).

 

[Eximo]

Interesting. Shouldn't be that difficult to make a local version of the same app then?

Unless they encrypt the traffic or do something else, it would be the first thing I would sit down and try.

 

[tennis2]

mATX when?

 

[acadia11]

I don’t care what anybody says, fractal cases are as ugly as sin!

 

[S58_is_the_goat]

Only supports two 3.5" drives? !? Wtf my meshify 2 xl has 8 now and can fit like 12 or more. Talk about a downgrade.

 

[razor512]

I don't get why they keep skimping on the 3.5 inch drive bays. Given modern needs, a typical setup these days is likely to be 2-3 m.2 SSDs, and 6-8 3.5 inch HDDs. in a desktop PC. Then for users who want to expand a bit more, they may add a 4-8 port SATA card, and add a few more HDDs.

They were on the right track with their Define 7 XL, and a good upgrade would have been to make the case a few inches deeper and then add a second column of 3.5 inch drive bays.

 

[extremepcs1]

I can't get past the front panel design. Looks really wonky to me being all wavy.

 

[Albert.Thomas]

Only supports two 3.5" drives? !? Wtf my meshify 2 xl has 8 now and can fit like 12 or more. Talk about a downgrade.

I think most users don't even use SATA devices anymore

 

[CelicaGT]

I think most users don't even use SATA devices anymore

Well, not many 3.5" ones. 2.5" SSD's are still very popular. It'd be nice if they supplied some adapter trays, although they're cheap as heck on Amazon.

 

[Albert.Thomas]

Interesting. Shouldn't be that difficult to make a local version of the same app then?

Unless they encrypt the traffic or do something else, it would be the first thing I would sit down and try.

My thoughts exactly. While I support the idea of avoiding bloatware, and maybe I'm being paranoid - but this seems more like a data grab.

This also begs the question: What happens when Fractal decides to stop supporting the servers? That's a *when*, not an *if*. How long will that support last? 3 years? 5 years? Will they then allow users to control their devices locally?

 

[JeffreyP55]

This is a really confusing post that seems to be just complaining to complain, but...

don't like glass? there's a solid panel version.

don't like RGB? don't buy one of the versions with RGB...

don't like side mounting fans/rad? then just don't... it's completely optional and there's an internal panel available to minimize airflow turbulence when not in use. The predominant reason to get the XL seems to be if you want a 420mm rad in the top or are using the side panel though.

As I stated, I wouldn't want it even without the RGB option. I want a PC case, not an ugly piece furniture. That is just my take which is worth about $0.02.

 

[S58_is_the_goat]

I think most users don't even use SATA devices anymore

And? The previous case was made for people who use those drives, upto 18 3.5" drives, the new one holds only 2. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[thestryker]

And? The previous case was made for people who use those drives, upto 18 3.5" drives, the new one holds only 2. Doesn't make sense to me.

I think the point is that if that capability was a driver of sales it would still be around. The Define series still has mass drive capability. There was clearly intent behind the change for the Meshify series and the new design seems quite good.

With the XL it might be possible to put HDD cages/mounts in the front depending on what the bottom is made out of and the clearance.

Fractal Design may even just keep the Meshify 2 around to fill that space. The Define R5 is still on the market despite coming out a little over a decade ago.