Fractal Design North XL Charcoal Black TG Dark
Fractal Design North XL Charcoal Black TG Dark
| Weight: | 11.7 kg |
| Dimensions: | 50.29 x 23.88 x 50.8 cm; 11.7 kg |
| Brand: | Fractal Design |
| Model: | FD-C-NOR1X-02 |
| Colour: | Charcoal Black Tempered Glass Dark |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Fractal Design |
| Dimensions: | 50.29 x 23.88 x 50.8 cm; 11.7 kg |
I dont do major PC upgrades very often (Though I certainly used to!!).
In fact this is my first upgrade for about 12 years..
My previous case is a Cooler Master ATC 201 which I absolutely love.
This case is definitely “Up There” when it comes to class..
Extremely well thought out. The instruction manual is second to none for clarity and ease of understanding.
I have an Oak PC workstation desk. This case will fit in very well indeed with it!
There is literally nothing I dont like about this case..
Made in Sweden so obviously very well engineered and thought out.
Not the cheapest because it isn’t “Cheap” (and nasty).
If you are a person who appreciates well designed and beautiful things in you life, then add this to your collection…
I did.
Highly recommended.
This case is a lovely addition that fits very well into my office, and I would be perfect for the living room too, as it doesn’t scream GAMING and blends in well.
It boasts an attractive wood oak front with an all-mesh top.
Initially, there was some rattling which I pinpointed to my bottom-mounted 3.5″ storage hard drive, but now it’s quiet. The front fans that come with it are quite quiet as well, but I can hear them. I use Noctua fans for exhaust but haven’t noticed a significant difference in noise levels compared to the included ones. The top ports are conveniently located, including the USB ports, which make connecting devices effortless. In summary, it’s a good looking and functional case.
Bought it for my boyfriend as a birthday present and he absolutely loves it, looks great in the room. The case is bigger than the one we had before and the improved airflow means that the components do not run as hot as they did before. He tells me that it is very well engineered and feels like quality, cable management is easy.
Purchased for larger radiator compatibility. A 520 fits but it’s tight. You can only install 2 of the three fans in the case. I put the 3rd outside and cooling has improved. This is a thermaltake air so results may vary. Case is white and looks great but my eat motherboard was a very tight fit.
Its a very nice looking case and amazing for themed builds but most importantly Its easy to build in, easy to manage, great airflow and easy to clean. The build quality is great and there no sharp edges. This case is really unique in my opinion because of the clean wood finish, beautiful aesthetics and great performance. I’ve paired this case with Noctua fans and the noise levels are very low with great airflow. I’ll be looking forward to building in this case again in the future.
My one and only complaint is that in SOME areas there seemed to be a lack of care during assembly. The screws have been overtightened and threaded on the side panels upon manufacture. The PSU casing paint chipped off slightly around my PSU. Now, these are only minor issues, but it did feel like it let the case down somewhat. I sent my feedback to Fractal and was pleased with their response. Hopefully these issues have been fixed now (I was an early adopter), but it would definitely not stop me from buying this case again.
I love this case, it looks gorgeous and I 100% intend to continue to use this, however, why there is no dust filter on the top is beyond me. I imagine the mesh on top is intended to act as a dust filter of sorts, but I can promise you it does not.
It is a somewhat small case, in that I had a fright trying to install my XFX 7800xt 319, because the card itself was longer than the width of the glass pane so I had to twist the card a bit to fit it. I would not be comfortable putting a front radiator in this case, but top radiators are better anyway.
I’d recommend 2x140mm fans in the front, not the included ones, I find the Aspect 140mm fans to be very loud for 140mm fans, as intake, a rear 120mm exhaust, and a 280mm AIO on top as exhaust.
The position the stock fans came in was great, it is almost like my cpu and gpu have their own intake fans because of this, but I find the CPU 8/16pin slot to be too small and not in a great position.
It is amazing to build in otherwise though, nice deep cable channel towards the front of the right side panel with 3 preinstalled velcro cable ties, it comes with a few(4 I think) standard zip-ties in the accessory box, the mesh model comes with a fan hub too, though the TG one does not.
It has some nice quality of life stuff with it, the middle MOBO stand-off isn’t a screw one rather a positioning one that makes installation easier, all panels are easily removable, and the HDD & SSD brackets are great, though with a Corsair SATA power cable, I had to bend the cable to plug this in.
If you are buying this case, it won’t be for price, or anything like that, it will be purely for the looks of it, and it is damned gorgeous
I was very drawn by the walnut front panel and I’m happy to say it’s solid and very good looking with the satin charcoal powder paint body. The front if the case is mostly open with two included fans mounted pulling air in. This is great for airflow as there’s not much stopping air coming in the front.
I offered to transfer his system from his old case to his new one and I’m happy to say the Fractal case is great to build a system in and is made quite easy. There is two dedicated SSD mounts and two HDD mounts in the back but I only had access to one HDD space as the PSU was too large. He has three SSDs so one had to float on some cables which is fine.
The back of the case where the wires go is quite tight even with good cable tied cables and neatly routed PSU cables; it was somewhat tricky getting the back panel to latch and slide but eventually I got it and there’s no panel buldge.
The GPU is an ASUS 3070ti, a big card and this case has plenty of space to take it. I myself have a high end Corsair smart case which is triple the price of this case and I have a similar sized card and it only barely fits so props to Fractal for ensuring we can fit our new big cards in these normal sized cases.
I really like the golden metal accents like the power button and the feet. It pairs very well and uniquely with the charcoal and walnut. The airflow was great after testing and I gave the case a positive airflow to help with dust.
In summary: The North case is a great case slightly above budget range. If you want a nice subtle case with good quality paint and building options/space but only have a small budget, I recommend putting this case at the top end of your budget as it’s worth springing for.
This computer case looks beautiful.
The wood finish on the front really makes the design.
The case is well sized, just big enough to fit an RTX 4090.
Very easy to install the parts as it’s very modular, if you need extra space or find that you don’t need the drive bays you can simply unscrew them and they can be taken out.
I think this is a very good value product as it appears to be a full metal construction, comes with decent quiet fans and removable dust filters to make cleaning easy.
The airflow in the case is more than adequate and works very well at removing the heat output of my components.
But it’s not just about looks. This case is designed with functionality in mind. It is compatible with ATX, mATX, and ITX motherboards, giving you the flexibility to choose the right one for your gaming needs. The open front and integrated mesh panels provide natural ventilation, ensuring optimal airflow to keep your components cool during intense gaming sessions.
One of the standout features of this case is its versatility. It can accommodate a GPU up to 355mm in length, or up to 300mm with a 360mm front radiator. This means you have plenty of room to install even the most powerful graphics cards, allowing you to enjoy smooth and immersive gaming experiences. Additionally, the two included 140mm Aspect PWM fans give you a head start on your build, providing efficient cooling right out of the box.
The interior layout of the Fractal Design North Chalk White case is thoughtfully designed to make your building experience a breeze. The intuitive layout allows for easy installation of components, and the generous compatibility ensures that you can fit all your desired hardware without any hassle. The case also features easy access to the interior, thanks to the removable side panels and the integrated tab that allows for quick removal of the top panel.
In terms of build quality, the Fractal Design North Chalk White case is top-notch. The alloy steel material used in its construction ensures durability and sturdiness, while the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in every aspect of the case. From the precision-cut wood front panels to the sleek steel details, this case exudes quality and craftsmanship.
While the Fractal Design North Chalk White case has numerous strengths, it’s important to consider a few potential drawbacks. Some users have reported that the case is a bit small, particularly for larger graphics cards and AIO cooling solutions. The limited space can pose challenges when it comes to cable management and fitting certain components. Additionally, the price of the case can be a bit high compared to other options on the market, but the exceptional design and quality justify the investment for those seeking a premium gaming case.
In summary, the Fractal Design North Chalk White gaming case is a standout option for gamers looking to elevate their gaming experience. With its sleek wood and alloy details, versatile compatibility, and excellent build quality, this case strikes the perfect balance between style and functionality. While it may have a few limitations in terms of size and price, its overall performance and aesthetic appeal make it a worthy choice for discerning gamers.
Pros:
– Sleek wood and alloy details enhance the look of any gaming station
– Compatible with ATX, mATX, and ITX motherboards for versatile compatibility
– Natural ventilation through open front and integrated mesh panels for optimal airflow
– Accommodates powerful GPUs and AIO cooling solutions for high-performance builds
– Intuitive interior layout and easy access for a hassle-free building experience
– Two 140mm Aspect PWM fans included for efficient cooling
Cons:
– Limited space may pose challenges for larger graphics cards and AIO cooling solutions
– Higher price compared to some other gaming cases on the marke