Tag: Fractal Design

Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm: Low speed, “no” vibration

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

An older, even old, but still relevant fan. The selection among cheaper, 140mm models is quite small and when you look at the design of the Silent R3, it looks quite good at first glance, even technically. Moreover, it is a slower-speed fan, which doesn’t automatically mean that it avoids resonant frequencies, but it does promise to run rather quietly. And at those lower noise levels, also an attractive price/cooling performance ratio. Read more “Fractal Design Silent R3 140 mm: Low speed, “no” vibration” »

In vivo fan tests: 14 models in system positions

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Here and there we come across the opinion that it is advisable to test fans in real life conditions, which we can easily refute. At the same time, we understand that a layman can best identify with the differences in component temperatures that arise precisely due to different fan airflows. To help you see the correlations of such tests with results from “unnatural” environments, here’s something we remembered. Read more “In vivo fan tests: 14 models in system positions” »

Fractal Design Terra: 10 litres for high-end GPUs as well

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

Well, here we have something from Fractal Design to test again, something that goes beyond the usual formulas. The Terra case falls into the SFF (small form factor) category, but unlike many similarly sized solutions, there is room for a large graphics card. This makes the Terra an attractive small case for a gaming PC or a workstation reliant on the power of the GPU. But all this is traditionally discussed in more detail. Read more “Fractal Design Terra: 10 litres for high-end GPUs as well” »

Fractal Design Lumen S28 RGB – Cooler that shines with all colours

CPU coolers, Extra tests | | Pavel Sekerka

Today I would like to introduce you to the Lumen S28 RGB liquid all-in-one cooler from Fractal Design. This cooler attracts with its discreet and simple design, which can be easily enlivened with RGB LEDs and uses an atypical build with a pump in the radiator. So the question remains whether this solution is an effective enough alternative against conventional AIO coolers with a pump directly in the block, which of course I intend to test in today’s review. Read more “Fractal Design Lumen S28 RGB – Cooler that shines with all colours” »

Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Fractal Design claims the Prisma models as its most efficient 140mm fans. According to the specs, they are supposed to achieve the highest airflow at a lower noise level than the Aspect 14s. However, this is physically impossible due to the constructional differences of the two fans. The title of the article has a bit of a pejorative tone and while the Prisma AL-14 PWM is a decent fan, it already has a superior from its own ranks. Read more “Prisma AL-14 PWM: The best 140mm fan by Fractal Design?” »

FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Starting with the Fractal Design Aspect 14 RGB PWM test, we are starting to build a database of 140mm fan results. These may have a smaller market presence due to poorer compatibility, but compared to the 120mm models they have the makings of higher efficiency, which is why they are more popular among many users. The Aspect 14 RGB PWM fan, in addition to its aerodynamic qualities, also fights for customer favour with its lighting. Read more “FD Aspect 14 RGB PWM: Larger rotor, higher airflow per dBA” »

Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake

Analysis, Cooling, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

On edges of blades of some fans there are small notches forming a kind of teeth, typically on the trailing edges, closer to the motor. These elements serve to break up tonal peaks, and it’s curious that manufacturers are abandoning them rather than adding them. In some designs, however, such a modification can be seen as a backwards move; elsewhere it’s an understandable one. We have a few examples for you. Read more “Removing notches on fan blades? Sometimes a mistake” »

Fractal Design North Mesh: Case like a piece of furniture

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

North: a case that is designed to be closer to the modern home. In some places, Fractal Design has replaced plastic and metal with wood and faux leather. The tested variant of the North case, with the additional Mesh designation, not only has a perforated front, but also the side panel, which makes new cooling options available. In addition to the factory configuration, we will also test the case with fans in non-traditional positions. Read more “Fractal Design North Mesh: Case like a piece of furniture” »

Fractal Design Ridge: A small puzzle for adults

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

The latest hardware from the Swedish company is a case for Mini-ITX boards. However, thanks to the sensible interior layout, it is also possible to mount larger components. Their cooling is taken care of by the ubiquitous perforation of the outer plates and two 140 mm fans. With or without them? You’ll have to decide what you want to cool more effectively. We measured four different scenarios in our tests. Read more “Fractal Design Ridge: A small puzzle for adults” »

The Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact Lite RGB case test

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

There is no let up in the downsizing of cases and it goes on. Now Fractal Design has worked on a simpler version of the Meshify 2 Compact, to which we gave a rare editorial award a while back. The skeleton of the case has remained the same, the materials used have not changed, but in some places, cuts have been made. And in other places, improvements have been added. In our analysis we have looked at the case in the Lite RGB variant. Read more “The Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact Lite RGB case test” »

Focus 2 are Fractal Design’s new entry level cases

News, PC cases | | Ľubomír Samák

Fractal Design is not slowing down in recent days and is releasing one case after another. The line has finally made its way to the more affordable Focus cases. While you’ll pay more for the Focus 2 than the Focus G (Mini), the price increase should match the higher quality standard. And these are still cases that stay under a hundred euros. In the basic variant (without tempered glass, with two metal side panels and unlit fans) even way under. Read more “Focus 2 are Fractal Design’s new entry level cases” »

Fractal Design Define 7 Mini: Even the soundproof case now smaller

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

Fractal Design has apparently decided to roll out all of their cases in smaller designs as well. The latest in compact designs is the Define 7 Mini, which fits a Micro ATX motherboard. Even though the dimensions have shrunk, they haven’t cut corners in other ways and this new case maintains a high quality standard. The kind of quality we are used to with Define series cases. Read more “Fractal Design Define 7 Mini: Even the soundproof case now smaller” »

Sightly and efficient: the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM test

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

An old-school rotor with one small aerodynamic tweak, the shortcomings of the Dynamic series of fans removed, and the addition of ARGB LED lighting. There are negatives too, but with the right application you can neatly avoid them. Overall, though, Fractal Design’s Aspects are functionally among the most feature-rich of what’s available in the current lineup of LED fans. Read more “Sightly and efficient: the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB PWM test” »

Fractal Design Pop Air (RGB) review. Dullness aside

Extra tests, PC cases | | Martin Bednár

The Pop series is a new range of cases from Fractal Design. Pop is divided into two categories, Air and Silent, and these into three size variants. We received the Pop Air case, which is the middle sized model. It is the only one in the series to offer a wide choice of colour options. The Pop Air has a perforated front panel, and cooling should be more efficient as more of the mask area is open. Read more “Fractal Design Pop Air (RGB) review. Dullness aside” »

Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM: Fractal Design knows what works in cases

Cooling, Extra tests, Fans | | Ľubomír Samák

Sometimes they don’t even get a chance and are immediately replaced by other, “better” ones. We’re talking about fans that come pre-installed in computer cases. We are going to test one of them now and although there are reasons to replace the Dynamic X2 GP-12 (PWM), be careful not to end up being worse off. After all, these aren’t exactly ordinary fans. They even have more specific aerodynamics and acoustics modifying features. Read more “Dynamic X2 GP-12 PWM: Fractal Design knows what works in cases” »

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