Fractal Design North XL

Fractal Design North XL - Got Wood?

Рет қаралды 63,096

Күн бұрын

Leo has spent the last week with the new Fractal Design North XL before the 2pm launch today, it's an interesting review and Leo shares his thought on the design and build experience. Read more here: bit.ly/3wKn3YM
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00:00 Start
00:45 Stripped down / eATX support
04:25 Features / cooling support
05:08 Hardware for the build
07:57 Adding the cooling / system build
12:05 Leo's thoughts and testing
15:36 Worth buying?
Test System:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
CPU Cooler:
Motherboard: Gigabyte X670E Aorus Xtreme
Memory: 32GB Corsair Dominator Titanium First Edition DDR5-6000
Graphics card: Gigabyte RTX 4080 Gaming OC 16GB
Power supply: FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W Titanium ATX 3.0
SSD: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 M.2 NVMe
OS: Windows 11
Custom Loop Cooling
Pump/Reservoir: EK-XRES 100 DDC MX
CPU Block: Alphacool Core CPU Block
Radiator: Alphacool NexXxos ST30 280mm
Fans: be quiet! Silent Wings 4 140mm
Fittings: EK Quantum Torque STC 10mm/16mm
Coolant: Alphacool Ocool TecProtect Clear
Pros:
Smart styling that uses unusual materials
The three 140mm Aspect fans have PWM control
Front I/O panel includes Gen 2 USB Type-C
Decent range of storage options
Cons:
No rear fan included
PWM hub only controls four fans
The case can get noisy when the fans ramp up
The price seems a bit steep.
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#fractal #pcbuild #case

Пікірлер: 101

@gregz0u 4 ай бұрын

"Somehow, Fractal has returned" This is what I expected to hear from Leo's outfit at the beginning. Definitely knew what he was doing.

@festerleech4952 4 ай бұрын

He looked like he'd just been driving round in a fiesta xr2

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

@@festerleech4952 you guys have good imagination !

@JitHster 4 ай бұрын

10:14 Well .. talking about the lack of space for a pump/res combo when doing a custum loop and a big GPU , you might be forgetting that alot custom loopers also slap on a GPU waterblock that most likely provides the space needed 👍

@HonestHans365 4 ай бұрын

The bigger the size, the longer the wood! I would love to see a Fractal Design North Fridge!

@Jijhebtmijnnaamnietnodig 3 ай бұрын

i whoud buy one probly better made the junk cooling boxes these days

@Ruuubi 4 ай бұрын

Regarding the pump res fitting issue: This isn't really a problem with the case. Building a custom loop only for the cpu is rather pointless so trying to fit a larger pump res combo vertically with a beefy gpu + radiator on top will be problem in almost every other mid tower case as well. Including the gpu into the loop should leave plenty of space for the pump res since the blocks are way smaller than the air cooled counterparts.

@skar.696 4 ай бұрын

Agree. Not sure why talk about a custom loop but then try and pair it with a massive air cooled GPU.

@brumby92 3 ай бұрын

Then you want to add a front rad and your quickly running out of room. Certainly doable but GPU block becomes a big consideration annnd this case is noisy by design. Not my first pick for a custom loop.

@xBINARYGODx 28 күн бұрын

"Building a custom loop only for the cpu is rather pointless" no, it is not pointless - it depends on the cpu, but of course, as always - you could argue watering the cpu is worthless and always just for the fun of a loop and its the GPU that really needs it given the ridiculous heatsinks we being needed today. OCing i7/i9 13th/14th gen intel (and probably 15th to some degree) is better with custom loop - or rather, given its all mostly for the fun of it, warranted enough for the fun of it.

@xBINARYGODx 28 күн бұрын

Needs an XXL - the Meshify 2 XL is still their best water-cooling case. Even great for some of them very thick 420 AIO's!!!

@eg8568 17 күн бұрын

I'd happily purchase the XXL version in a heartbeat. Especially if they can resolve some of the noise problems too. Although having enough space for an extra rad would help with that issue too

@harleylover9446 4 ай бұрын

I really like that rich wood finish on the front. I know they did it before but it’s very 1970’s retro.

@RainbowSunset-uq2hs 4 ай бұрын

I quite like it myself. I’d probably opt for a big Bequiet black cooler in this case

@JohnMuz1 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for showing spec sheet quickly. Other reviewers missed that.

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@MeMyself-gf7fn 4 ай бұрын

I know I watched 3 videos before this just trying to figure out if a 360 aio would fit.

@hothardwareforthewin-he4fz 3 ай бұрын

Loved the review guys thanks

@KitGuruTech 3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@perdomot 4 ай бұрын

Wishing they made a mini version of the case for micro-atx users.

@TheEmrickman 3 ай бұрын

Love my glass side “normal fractal” wood. Plenty of cooling, works great on my brand new build.

@whocares0503 4 ай бұрын

Fractal tends to always make a nice case. It has some space issues but it looks great. All comes down to what you want for your build. Nice seeing alternatives to "fishtank" type cases. But who am I to saying as I have a fishtank case...

@browntrousersforsafety-el2bo 4 ай бұрын

Aquarium cases are the in thing. Bit saturated now as every man and his dog has one. Which one did you buy ?

@JC-pt5jw 4 ай бұрын

@@browntrousersforsafety-el2bo Lian Li O11 XL Evo It's a really nice case actually, it has plenty of convenient features.

@ThaEazy1 4 ай бұрын

Case looks pretty nice

@theonlyredspecial 4 ай бұрын

Good review Leo 🤘🏻

@KitGuruTech 3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@QuentinStephens 4 ай бұрын

That's a lovely case. With regards to a custom loop, surely you'd be applying a water block to the GPU so there would be much more room for the pump and reservoir? Speaking of a custom loop, is there a place up top for a fill port and a place near the bottom for a drain port?

@donkeysunited 4 ай бұрын

The product manual shows a Water Cooling Fillport in the top fan tray but it doesn't show a drain port.

@donkeysunited 4 ай бұрын

4:47 Strangely the diagram shows a 280 radiator behind the side fan bracket. Some extra things in the product manual are that the fan hub can be moved to the top of the rear panel and an 80mm fan can be mounted on the lower 4 PCI brackets.

@KitGuruTech 3 ай бұрын

Very good point about that diagram that certainly seems to show a radiator that certainly will not fit and is not part of the spec. You are quite correct about the 80mm fan and moveable fan hub however they seemed like trivial points to me. I am slightly annoyed I didn't make some fuss at the conclusion about the lack of fan racks in the roof and front of the case. Leo

@Necromancerbob-zp7us 4 ай бұрын

Great review. Weird looking loop but it suits the wacky case design. 😅

@theviewer1423 4 ай бұрын

Looks good. I've been working on a PC build lately its quite fast with a lot of cores however it was a lot of work to keep me busy it's good I have a lot of free time recently. It's a pure AMD Ryzen and Radeon build. Kind of high end.

@gravef1ghter 2 ай бұрын

Nice video Leo, thanks. What is it about Fractal and their lack of z-depth management on the backside of their cases? The Define 7, the Meshify 2, the Pop XL, of which I own all three, and now this thing. Crazy.

@freaky425 4 ай бұрын

the case looks wobbly. is it because of the table or the case is not well made of thicker material?

@Rensen_1173 4 ай бұрын

i would love a North Mini for mATX form factor

@maksymilianzajac5262 3 ай бұрын

5:05 you could throw in details like saying if its enough for playing more demanging games etc. Im just starting my pc building and Im clueless

@rhomak1955 3 ай бұрын

this is a case review

@dalle5 2 ай бұрын

So I shouldn't pair my amd ryzen 7 7800x3d with a gigabyte motherboard? I haven't ordered the motherboard yet, so would be nice to know if that is an issue. Should I go for asus for the motherboard, paired with the ryzen chip?

@MiMicheIIe 2 ай бұрын

I'd say there isn't even any other option than this, if you want a good looking case. This is it. This is the one! Nothing else looks nearly as mature and stylish. Also: It will fit a 420mm AIO! It takes a bit of finicking to get it on, but it works.

@amzadlabib7171 4 ай бұрын

1.are asus tuf gaming b650 plus wifi good enough for ryzen 9 7950x OR 7900x?? 2.msi mag b650 tomahawk wifi vs asus tuf gaming b650 plus wifi,which one berrer OR both are almost same?? can you please share your opinion....

@canarychrome7012 4 ай бұрын

Gorgeous tbh. Wasn’t expecting to get wood today. And they say I’m getting old.

@dreschaffhausen5693 4 ай бұрын

There's some really good medicine for that kind of thing.

@pixelrefresh348 4 ай бұрын

I kind of want to see an all wood case now. Maybe a mixture of wood and class with maybe a metal chassis. Or maybe a wooden chassis too.

@jamesjessenden7838 4 ай бұрын

Not a bad idea to use natural materials. Guess the ultimate would be a wooden CPU or motherboard featuring wooden transistors.

@2660MHz 2 ай бұрын

I love the design, but I am concerned about the lack of a dust filter in the rear part, that is mostly meshed: when you shut off the PC for some time, dust can enter from there.

@teemu3370 4 ай бұрын

G1/4 at the bottom no problem. Got that on a Define 6 front

@justindavis7600 4 ай бұрын

I got wood too. Love this ❤

@MeMyself-gf7fn 4 ай бұрын

I would have waited for an ATX 3.1 PSU as it does away with the 12v connector with a dual rail due to all of the problems it caused. If you are in the PSU market and plan on using an NIVIDA card, I would definitely wait.

@Happy-295 3 ай бұрын

When is the successor to Lancool 3 coming out?

@hairsprungdutchtechnique9626 4 ай бұрын

I like that case. That loop is weird mind you

@lovingthehardwarethisyea-py1xp 4 ай бұрын

It’s quite expensive but it has some nice design ideas and the wood is different. I must have missed the previous version.

@MaheerKibria 4 ай бұрын

So for custom water cooling it seems plenty long especially if you are going to water cool the GPU. Once you add a water block most of these GPUs are actually quite small. I don't like this case to be honest. I feel like the Meshify 2 and the Define 7 were kind of where Fractal peaked in chassis design. I like the wood but with most of these being the same design over and over I really think that Corsair has it right with the optional panels and bezels and if Corsair supports it with upgrades it could be really great. The 4000, 5000 and 7000 Series cases could be the last case you need since you could make it look however you want, and that IO panel is replaceable. Like I really feel like you could get most of the aesthetics of the North on the Define 7 or Meshify 2 with a pop-on front panel, top panel, replacement feet, and Front IO board. And It probably costs them less to make and ship than the entire case.

@SMMorties 3 ай бұрын

I was absolutely sure that Leo was going to talk about how this case can hold FULLY OPERATIONAL BATTLE STATION.

@gogopowerrangers6596 4 ай бұрын

It’s a big case but surprisingly inside I thought they could have done more with the space. I think Leo nailed it.

@jamesjessenden7838 4 ай бұрын

Think they waste quote a lot of space on the wood from there its for sure making it a fair bit longer.

@xBINARYGODx 28 күн бұрын

its just a regular midtower, a bit taller I suppose, but their oher XL make this look tiny in comparison - they really should do a version of this that is 600 x at-least-240 x 600

@BobMotster 4 ай бұрын

Hey look, it's emperor Waldockine reviewing a PC case.

@festerleech4952 4 ай бұрын

Do they specify what type of wood they have used at the front of that case? Can you get different wood finishes or is it all that colour?

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

Walnut on the dark version and oak on the light.

@festerleech4952 4 ай бұрын

Is it real wood or some kind of wood look material?

@kkrolik2106 4 ай бұрын

Looks nice but I still happy with my old Cooler Master HAF XB EVO

@hotandcoldrunningwater-hj2mn 4 ай бұрын

I like this case. It’s not perfect but it looks ideal for a new system I’m planning.

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

What hardware are you planning ?

@DrBreezeAir 4 ай бұрын

That getup is just pure comedic treasure.

@festerleech4952 4 ай бұрын

Leo would make.a really good grim reaper!

@andersmalmgren6528 4 ай бұрын

Love my small sized North. Takes no space and with a external 560 and internal 360 rad cooling isnt a problem

@brumby92 3 ай бұрын

Thought about it for my external 540. Would look nice and compact.

@andersmalmgren6528 3 ай бұрын

@@brumby92 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ptShaq1hks7TY4k.htmlsi=LTEYzH6aCaFpj9zV

@taomahNEGEV 3 ай бұрын

Great job Fractal Design. Now, please make a wider Torrent version for better cable management and you have the best cases out there in the market along with Lian Li. You disappointed me by not trying out the intake side fans with the mesh side panel.

@marveldemon0673 3 ай бұрын

Did anyone take notice that he routed the cable against the gpu fan. I wouldn't recommend doing that because if that does get caught in the fan that could lead to major issues.

@Linusfikfaps-ez2qg 4 ай бұрын

Hey Leo I agree. Maybe they will do a xxl double whopper version later this year.

@jamesjessenden7838 4 ай бұрын

Quite funny once the fancy wood front is removed underneath its a pretty standard case.

@jasonsworldnow 4 ай бұрын

good one Leo

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@stephanhart9941 4 ай бұрын

Now I do!

@lucifersheadscarf6988 4 ай бұрын

🤣🤣

@vlad_8011 3 ай бұрын

This or Torrent (full size)?

@Dr.D00p 4 ай бұрын

I suppose it would be good for Atari 2600 retro themed build.

@TheJjjoj 4 ай бұрын

Darth Leo: The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

Ermmm sure 😀

@thetechdevil-jn1vo 4 ай бұрын

Yay. Not an aquarium style case. Bonus points fractal !!

@Games_and_Tech 4 ай бұрын

No fans under the GPU in a case that size is a big NO for me, same thing for the lack of 420mm radiator support on the top of the case

@festerleech4952 4 ай бұрын

Its fine if you switch out the fans on the GPU with a water-cooled block instead.

@leprechaun780 4 ай бұрын

Water blocks for GPU are much smaller than air ones. Custom water cooling with a two radiators without GPU WB is just stupid.

@DJgregBrown 4 ай бұрын

I see your issue with modern GPU and water pump but surely if going water cooled loop you would spunk up £250 and get a GPU block issue sorted as most of that GPU is the cooler. Plus the odd are if you making a Threadripper type high end you could get to Water cooler GPU's in there and a res. The north the only issue was the tight fit. Price sucks and I more aimmed at the TG version as the side venting is pointless if anything will kill fan pressure making it worse. and letting more noise out and the whole point of this case is Swidish under statement fashion . like their Node range many years ago. Cooked your compensates but buy the case was sexy refined. As my office is dark wood and Black I love the black one.

@KitGuruTech 4 ай бұрын

We are firm fans of water cooling GPUs (as you will see in a video from James very soon). It would certainly make a big difference in the North XL but we have every sympathy for people who do not want to remove the cooler from their hugely expensive GPU which will also torch their warranty. Leo

@MartinOlminkhof 3 ай бұрын

Seems like a step backwards from the last Meshify cases

@taomahNEGEV 3 ай бұрын

In what sense? The North XL is superior in cooling and looks better.

@Punisher9419 4 ай бұрын

With all that airflow you probably don't need a rear fan.

@mazz85- 3 ай бұрын

Is HARD to choose materials.

@DeathHermes Ай бұрын

You look like Sith Lord Bilbo Baggins.

@larwiemcdonnel5322 4 ай бұрын

Is that real wood or just an mdf plastic finish ?

@philipjfry628 4 ай бұрын

For the money you'd hope they had bothered to saw up a bit of real wood rather than that rubbish.

@Devin7Eleven 3 ай бұрын

Real wood.

@user78405 2 ай бұрын

so get me straight...they copy the design from DIYPC vanguard v8 cases for $70 bucks for turbulence noisy case due to front obstruction that attach to the fans with filter thinks it work for $189??