Fractal North XL Case Review & Benchmarks: Wood Panels & Mesh
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Date: 2024-03-07
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Comments and reviews: 20
58long
wish they would build a real XL so i can upgrade from my define 7XL, very few cases that hold a 420mm rad, this is more and more needed with the monster power the 14900k takes. Steve thanks for the in depth objective reviewing as always. You guys are the best testers out there. one tiny suggestion might be to put some of the other XL cases in the comparison like the pop air XL and the define 7 XL. Its sad they aren't keeping the size of the other XL cases the North is a beautiful case, but there is still a market for mega towers. Bigger number intel need more bigger number fans and more numbers need more XLs I want to see (3) 180mm fans on top.
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wish they would build a real XL so i can upgrade from my define 7XL, very few cases that hold a 420mm rad, this is more and more needed with the monster power the 14900k takes. Steve thanks for the in depth objective reviewing as always. You guys are the best testers out there. one tiny suggestion might be to put some of the other XL cases in the comparison like the pop air XL and the define 7 XL. Its sad they aren't keeping the size of the other XL cases the North is a beautiful case, but there is still a market for mega towers. Bigger number intel need more bigger number fans and more numbers need more XLs I want to see (3) 180mm fans on top.
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wboyd33
Just started the video & wanted to thank you & the full team for all that you do!
That being said, I received my new hoody & now wish I had ordered 1 size larger than I normally do (ordered a large & need an extra large, which I've never had to before). It fits pretty tight everywhere, but the sleeve length. The hood seems generous in depth. I do like the feel of the material & the overall quality seems on par with all of the other products I've gotten from you, which is very nice!!! How do i go about trying to get a different size
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Just started the video & wanted to thank you & the full team for all that you do!
That being said, I received my new hoody & now wish I had ordered 1 size larger than I normally do (ordered a large & need an extra large, which I've never had to before). It fits pretty tight everywhere, but the sleeve length. The hood seems generous in depth. I do like the feel of the material & the overall quality seems on par with all of the other products I've gotten from you, which is very nice!!! How do i go about trying to get a different size
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darcsentor
I have a spare fractal design xl case in office for one purpose and that that’s to hide my snacks(chocolate, chips etc)from my wife.
She refuses to buy her own snacks, but she’s quite happy to eat mine but so far, she has never found them inside the computer case :) occasionally I will leave a snack in one of my office drawers for my wife to find, so she feels that she’s won the finding game.
I think a key component of all case reviews going forward should, be how many snacks can you hide in it
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I have a spare fractal design xl case in office for one purpose and that that’s to hide my snacks(chocolate, chips etc)from my wife.
She refuses to buy her own snacks, but she’s quite happy to eat mine but so far, she has never found them inside the computer case :) occasionally I will leave a snack in one of my office drawers for my wife to find, so she feels that she’s won the finding game.
I think a key component of all case reviews going forward should, be how many snacks can you hide in it
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emiliafriman8379
Seems like they used the same front panel design from the previous North model, I've broken a fan removing it because you're forced to remove it with one hand from the bottom meaning it always tilts forward straight into the fans, not a huge problem once I was aware of it but placing the dust filter on the chassis instead of the front panel would have been preferable to me from a cleaning perspective and the fact that it could guard the fans when removing the front panel
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Seems like they used the same front panel design from the previous North model, I've broken a fan removing it because you're forced to remove it with one hand from the bottom meaning it always tilts forward straight into the fans, not a huge problem once I was aware of it but placing the dust filter on the chassis instead of the front panel would have been preferable to me from a cleaning perspective and the fact that it could guard the fans when removing the front panel
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MartinEB72
Seems weird that you set the noise normalized to just 31db. Ideally you want the case to be a little quieter than the noisiest part(ie GPU fans). That way enough cool air comes in that the GPU fans don't need to be as strong or as loud. I feel 40db seems to be the sweet spot. You could lower the fans on the Torrent just a little and noise would go down much more than it's cooling. Meanwhile you don't even hear the fans on the Lancool 215 over the GPU.
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Seems weird that you set the noise normalized to just 31db. Ideally you want the case to be a little quieter than the noisiest part(ie GPU fans). That way enough cool air comes in that the GPU fans don't need to be as strong or as loud. I feel 40db seems to be the sweet spot. You could lower the fans on the Torrent just a little and noise would go down much more than it's cooling. Meanwhile you don't even hear the fans on the Lancool 215 over the GPU.
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x0vg5hs1
I feel like there cases really only on attractive design to sell. They have no selling feature otherwise. I use fractal define r7 with no airflow because the thick lining on the panels is perfect for isolating all the whine my blower cooler workstation GPUs make. My system running 10 degrees hotter is great compromise for the quiet workday. If you want mesh case. Just get cheapest boomermaster case you can find and run it without side pannel.
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I feel like there cases really only on attractive design to sell. They have no selling feature otherwise. I use fractal define r7 with no airflow because the thick lining on the panels is perfect for isolating all the whine my blower cooler workstation GPUs make. My system running 10 degrees hotter is great compromise for the quiet workday. If you want mesh case. Just get cheapest boomermaster case you can find and run it without side pannel.
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brei2670
After having used a case that uses 180mm fans for years now, I'm not a huge fan. (ugh... pun not intended...)
There are literally just two fans, of that size, on the market here. From Silverstone and Fractal.
I'd rather get something with 140mm fans, where I have tons of selection, and therefore much better prices and more silent options, or even something with a 200mm fan option, where I also have more to choose from.
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After having used a case that uses 180mm fans for years now, I'm not a huge fan. (ugh... pun not intended...)
There are literally just two fans, of that size, on the market here. From Silverstone and Fractal.
I'd rather get something with 140mm fans, where I have tons of selection, and therefore much better prices and more silent options, or even something with a 200mm fan option, where I also have more to choose from.
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singular9
My issue is that there are no good cases bellow 60$.
Good old days just few years ago I could get a really, really nice case for 60-70 and a decent case for 30-40$ and most came with a full set of fans! and even power supplies!
My first case I bought I paid 39$ in 2016. Per inflation, it would cost 50$. But it was an actually good freaking case, not the current garbage in the sub 60 range.
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My issue is that there are no good cases bellow 60$.
Good old days just few years ago I could get a really, really nice case for 60-70 and a decent case for 30-40$ and most came with a full set of fans! and even power supplies!
My first case I bought I paid 39$ in 2016. Per inflation, it would cost 50$. But it was an actually good freaking case, not the current garbage in the sub 60 range.
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GamersNexus
Great to be back with cases! Which ones do you want us to look at next There are a TON on the market now so we could use help narrowing it down. What's the interest in the new Corsair cases Tons of cool stuff coming up. We're adding some more tests and will also be adding some noise profiling charts (similar to our handheld reviews) soon!
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Great to be back with cases! Which ones do you want us to look at next There are a TON on the market now so we could use help narrowing it down. What's the interest in the new Corsair cases Tons of cool stuff coming up. We're adding some more tests and will also be adding some noise profiling charts (similar to our handheld reviews) soon!
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GamersNexus
Great to be back with cases! Which ones do you want us to look at next There are a TON on the market now so we could use help narrowing it down. What's the interest in the new Corsair cases Tons of cool stuff coming up. We're adding some more tests and will also be adding some noise profiling charts (similar to our handheld reviews) soon!
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Great to be back with cases! Which ones do you want us to look at next There are a TON on the market now so we could use help narrowing it down. What's the interest in the new Corsair cases Tons of cool stuff coming up. We're adding some more tests and will also be adding some noise profiling charts (similar to our handheld reviews) soon!
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upforellie
I’m really glad PC cases have kept up with my style overtime. In 2008 cargo shorts and a lot of black were the norm in my life. Now I exclusively shop at anthropology and everything in my life is covered in ornate wood- I’m glad fractal could keep up with my hero’s journey and match my asinine pretentiousness
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I’m really glad PC cases have kept up with my style overtime. In 2008 cargo shorts and a lot of black were the norm in my life. Now I exclusively shop at anthropology and everything in my life is covered in ornate wood- I’m glad fractal could keep up with my hero’s journey and match my asinine pretentiousness
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4ikibrikivdamk3
Thanks to you guys i bought Fractal Torrent, amazing looking case with insane airflow!
Really love addition of open air bench temperatures, it gives some relative performance numbers.
Using hotter more modern hardware also nice, as new metrics with VRAM, VRM etc. thoose also very nice.
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Thanks to you guys i bought Fractal Torrent, amazing looking case with insane airflow!
Really love addition of open air bench temperatures, it gives some relative performance numbers.
Using hotter more modern hardware also nice, as new metrics with VRAM, VRM etc. thoose also very nice.
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K4rgo
I like the idea that they would have to come up with an obscure name for an even larger variation like The Giga North or North Enormous. Im gonna shy away from the fact that they already solved this issue in the clothing department and just keeps adding another X as the sizes increase.
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I like the idea that they would have to come up with an obscure name for an even larger variation like The Giga North or North Enormous. Im gonna shy away from the fact that they already solved this issue in the clothing department and just keeps adding another X as the sizes increase.
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khalidacosta7133
That mesh case would be amazing if it was covered by a HEPA filter. Then you do not need intake fans, only exhaust (assuming you block off the random vents and holes, which I absolutely HATE companies putting everywhere!). It would also dampen down the sound transmission.
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That mesh case would be amazing if it was covered by a HEPA filter. Then you do not need intake fans, only exhaust (assuming you block off the random vents and holes, which I absolutely HATE companies putting everywhere!). It would also dampen down the sound transmission.
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h4mmtr0n.
Was literally thinking last night, huh it’s been a while since I’ve seen a case review by GN, then I got worried cause I thought maybe you shifted your focus away from cases, but here we are. Thank you! That was very punctual of you, GN
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Was literally thinking last night, huh it’s been a while since I’ve seen a case review by GN, then I got worried cause I thought maybe you shifted your focus away from cases, but here we are. Thank you! That was very punctual of you, GN
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dallasangler
Looking forward to the new testing methodology, maybe it is just me, but this episode's audio,compared to your other offerings, sounds off. A little over processed and echoy. Again, it could be just me. Be well.
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Looking forward to the new testing methodology, maybe it is just me, but this episode's audio,compared to your other offerings, sounds off. A little over processed and echoy. Again, it could be just me. Be well.
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christiaanguijt522
Still don't know what case i should buy. Doubting between this North XL, Antec Performance 1 FT and the Phanteks Eclipse G500A. Could you maybe do a review about those 2 cases
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Still don't know what case i should buy. Doubting between this North XL, Antec Performance 1 FT and the Phanteks Eclipse G500A. Could you maybe do a review about those 2 cases
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MrTheWaterbear
Fantastic that you are putting out a case review :)
Also extremely happy with my Fractal North. Don’t feel like I could do much more with a larger case, to be honest.
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Fantastic that you are putting out a case review :)
Also extremely happy with my Fractal North. Don’t feel like I could do much more with a larger case, to be honest.
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FrenziedManbeast
It's so funny to me that a case this large has so few internal and external bays. I must be getting old, because I'm still wanting cases that will fit 16 hard drives...
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It's so funny to me that a case this large has so few internal and external bays. I must be getting old, because I'm still wanting cases that will fit 16 hard drives...
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ventilate4267
Thermalright earning a spot in the new Case testing build is basically the highest praise they can get. Going to miss that odd MSI cooler i never knew existed though
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Thermalright earning a spot in the new Case testing build is basically the highest praise they can get. Going to miss that odd MSI cooler i never knew existed though
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