Fractal Design North XL case test: When bigger is better

Exterior

We’ve already had one case featuring a wooden front panel. But it might not be “big enough” for someone’s needs, which the XL variant now addresses. Among other things, in this article you will also find tests with two different fan configurations. And also a comparison of cooling with the smaller North Mesh model. And not only with it, we already have a total of 25 other cases in the database for comparison.

Conclusion

In the cooling tests, the case did better somewhere, somewhere about average. When cooling the CPU with the factory layout of system fans, the case does not impress but does not disappoint either. To lower its temperatures, just add one fan under the ceiling, directly above the tower CPU cooler, oriented for pull. This, of course, did a bit of damage to the graphics card’s temperatures when the bottom front fan was relocated. In both cases, however, those are in the middle ranks.

The factory workmanship of the case is of a high standard. All the exterior parts fit together like a puzzle, the sheet metal is thick and the tray can hold anything you install on it. Slightly lacking in strength are the fan/radiator positions under the ceiling, and the top of the tunnel. But the latter is perforated through-and-through, so you can’t expect a different result. You can even fit two 120mm fans on top of the tunnel, which Fractal Design doesn’t even mention as an alternate position. Another interesting feature is on the caps for PCI Express expansion card slots. You can fit a single auxiliary 80 mm fan underneath the graphics card. The positions designated for intake fans are protected by a nylon filter, so you don’t have to worry about a lot of dust in the case. The elegant oak front panel is the icing on the cake.

Installing the components inside the case was without the slightest difficulty. The double routing of the main cable bundle contributes significantly to easy cable management. Even with 29 mm of space behind the tray, you don’t have to give it much thought and the case is very forgiving. There is also plenty of room from the left side for handling even if you have chunkier hands/fingers. Every important space is open for handling.

The new and larger version of the North case also solves the smaller sister’s shortcoming. It had too little space when a fan/radiator was mounted under the ceiling and the CPU power cable interfered with the components.

The North XL is an improved version of itself. The issue with the cable colliding under the ceiling has been removed, it comes with three fans instead of two, and there are more positions for them as well as for a 420mm radiator. Fractal Design North XL leaves the editorial office with a clean slate and the “Approved” award.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

• Contents
• Exterior
• Interior
• Testing methodology
• CPU and GPU cooling tests
• Motherboard cooling tests
• SDD cooling tests and under-ceiling temperature
• Conclusion