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. Read more “Fractal Design North XL case test: When bigger is better”
Venturi fans have some of the softest mounting corners. The transmission of vibrations from moving parts further away to anything (case plates, heatsink fins, …) is thus very significantly damped. Compared to other (even more modern Fractal Design models), these fans have more robust blades, which are both thicker and wider, and as a result, higher static pressure is also achieved at comparable speeds. Read more “Fractal Design Venturi HP-14 PWM: Against vibrations above all”
Since we have no use for the Flex 2 holders from our recent review and also, FD doesn’t want them back, we’re giving them away. To readers who can take advantage of vertical mounting of the graphics card. There are only two available (black and white), so speed is of the essence. The first person to respond to this challenge gets to pick the colour, the second person will be sent the one left if they wish, and the third person in row is already writing late. Read more “Fractal Design Flex 2 for free. First to write wins”
You might have thought about vertical mounting of your graphics card, which many modern cases allow. You can’t do it without the right adapter, though. This usually has to be purchased as an optional accessory. We tested one such PCI Express ×16 adapter with three differently performing graphics cards. Does it or does it not affect their performance? The bottom line with the insertion of such intermediate adapters is always that “it” works at all. Read more “Graphics card vertically. We tried the Fractal Design Flex 2”
We will also take the Fractal Design Anode PSU to the external testlab to analyze its electrical properties. This one doesn’t really fit into the mosaic of the others, as it is a power supply with support for the older ATX standard, it also has significantly lower power compared to the others, and according to the 80 Plus Bronze branding, it is expected to have lower efficiency as well, but again, it will be a good one to illustrate how such a low-budget option compares. Read more “Fractal Design Anode (550 W) or a really cheap power supply”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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?”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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