{"id":252164,"date":"2025-07-09T15:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T13:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/?p=252164\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T15:04:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T13:04:40","slug":"fractal-design-news-epoch-affordable-cases-with-lcp-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hwcooling.net\/en\/fractal-design-news-epoch-affordable-cases-with-lcp-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"Fractal Design News: Epoch. Affordable cases with LCP fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

It may sound a bit unusual, but yes, this combination is indeed possible\u2014relatively inexpensive PC cases equipped with fans made of liquid crystal polymer (LCP). These fans have become a hallmark of Fractal Design in recent times, but the story doesn\u2019t end there. The Epoch cases deliver a simple, purposeful, and functional design that might just be the missing piece in the Swedish company\u2019s current lineup.<\/p>\n

With the launch of the \u201cEpoch\u201d series, readers are encountering a brand-new product line from Fractal Design. This range did not exist until now. At launch, FD has released five different Epoch case variants, which differ in features\u2014from the most basic and affordable model with metal panels on both sides, to a more premium version featuring a glass left side panel with integrated lighting. Size-wise, these are mid-tower cases (approximately 45 liters in volume), with dimensions of 447 \u00d7 215 \u00d7 469 mm. They support motherboards up to the ATX format, including mounting holes for smaller form factors like Micro ATX and Mini-ITX.<\/p>\n

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All Epoch case variants share a perforated front panel, as well as a trio of 120 mm fans pre-installed behind it. Whether the interior airflow will create positive or negative pressure depends largely on the CPU cooler configuration. The top of the case accommodates liquid coolers up to 240 mm. For a larger 360 mm radiator, users will need to move or replace the front fans\u2014shifting two to the top and one to the rear, for example, is a viable setup (six 120 mm fan positions in total, or four for 140 mm fans). Users opting for tower-style air coolers can install models up to 170 mm in height, according to the official specs.<\/p>\n

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Notably, the included fans are from the Momentum series\u2014the same new generation introduced with the Meshify 3 (XL)<\/a> cases, which we\u2019ve previously reviewed in depth. Whether it\u2019s the non-RGB Momentum 12<\/a> or the RGB variant<\/a>, our results confirm these fans offer outstanding cooling performance with excellent efficiency. Whether that still holds true within the context of the Epoch cases remains to be seen in our upcoming tests. We already have a sample unit in our test lab and will be conducting a detailed analysis soon.<\/p>\n

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Between the motherboard tray and the right panel, there\u2019s room for cable bundles up to 30 mm thick. This area also includes two dedicated 2.5″ drive bays. Two additional bays in the form of removable trays at the bottom of the case next to the PSU compartment (which supports power supplies up to 155 mm in length, incidentally). Each of these trays can hold either a 2.5″ SSD or a 3.5″ HDD.<\/p>\n

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The MSRP for the TG Light Tint variant (Epoch TG Light Tint) is expected to be around 100 EUR, which is quite reasonable given the inclusion of three fans\u2014each of which sells separately for about 24 EUR. This means the case itself, excluding the fans, is extremely competitively priced. Naturally, the final verdict will depend on our detailed testing.<\/p>\n

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While these cases might seem “lightweight” on paper, their overall weight (7.69\u20137.86 kg) suggests otherwise. In terms of I\/O, the case includes two external USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port (20 Gb\/s), so Fractal Design hasn\u2019t cut corners on connectivity either.<\/p>\n

English translation and edit by Jozef Dud\u00e1\u0161<\/em><\/p>\n