Fractal Design Epoch RGB TG

[Darksaber]

The Fractal Design Epoch builds upon the foundation of the North, pairing its refined structure with a minimalist exterior crafted from premium materials. A sleek mesh front, soft curves, and optional glass side panels give it an elegant and modern appeal. Notably, three high-performance Momentum 12 RGB fans are included — impressive for such a compact case.

Show full review

 

[Onasi]

It’s… meh. Seems like an underwhelming pseudo-successor to Meshify maybe? I am not sure about the conclusion of “recommended especially to those planning on air-cooling” when Torrent exists and is still by far the best line Fractal has and ever had for air cooling.

 

[Chaitanya]

It’s… meh. Seems like an underwhelming pseudo-successor to Meshify maybe? I am not sure about the conclusion of “recommended especially to those planning on air-cooling” when Torrent exists and is still by far the best line Fractal has and ever had for air cooling.

North without wood.

 

[Hyderz]

I quite like it! That design needs to be in white color to stand out... black versions seems subpar in my point of view

 

[TheLostSwede]

It’s… meh. Seems like an underwhelming pseudo-successor to Meshify maybe? I am not sure about the conclusion of “recommended especially to those planning on air-cooling” when Torrent exists and is still by far the best line Fractal has and ever had for air cooling.

I really like my Torrent, despite some odd design limitations.

 

[Fungi]

honestly not really sure why this case exists... at least they were trying to innovate with era and mood

 

[MrDweezil]

honestly not really sure why this case exists... at least they were trying to innovate with era and mood

Yeah Fractal has always made solid cases, but with some distinctive visual flair. There's no flair here.

 

[wheresmycar]

Thats the 'North' without the wood-work on the front. I have one of them. Mines in white with black internals. The Epochs gone with an all-white finish which is nice to see, and mesh/perforated front and i think the case feet are different.

I kinda like the North, but that big side panel next to the glass somewhat blocks the 'full' view of the internals compared to other cases. At the time of purchase it didn't seem bothersome but eventually it was. The way we have it positioned on the desk kinda makes it worse. Luckily its not my main gaming or work build. Yeah yeah, thats right, aesthetics nowadays is a performance/feature measurement too, lol i take it dead-serious. I like the sculptural aesthetic-like subtle curves around the case, the clean lines - it just feels/looks more premium. The negatives: rear PSU dust filter, 240mm top rad limitation and i'm growing heavily in favour of case designs which adopt more PSU shroud fan mounts and greater ventilation points below the case or on the side (under the tampered glass) for intake - something the North/Epoch doesn't do.

 

[Makaveli]

I really don't like the direction they are going with the design on these 3rd generation cases.

1st and 2nd gen just look so much better and premium.

 

[yfn_ratchet]

I'd say the price is the most stomach-souring part of this case. If this were made to slot in slightly above the Focus/Pop series, this would be incredibly enticing. Fractal's looks tend to please, especially for people with more 'modern'-styled furnishings. As is however, for $120? There are a lot of options around or even below that point, especially from the likes of Lian Li/Antec's new wood-accented cases.

 

[Caring1]

They should have sent out the white one for testing.
The black case makes it hard to see internally when built.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I really don't like the direction they are going with the design on these 3rd generation cases.

1st and 2nd gen just look so much better and premium.

Just FYI, the guy that used to be in charge of their cases left a few years ago, but he's about to pop up again, working for a different company that among other things, make cases.
It was a Swedish guy living in Taiwan, but there were "creative differences" which you're now seeing the effect of.

 

[Ruru]

Is it just me, or does Fractal simply have too much case models on the market? I miss those times when there were just Defines and few cheaper entry level cases.

 

[Exactomundo]

Hello,
Why is the Lancool 217 TEMPS disappeared from the charts in this review?

 

[Makaveli]

Just FYI, the guy that used to be in charge of their cases left a few years ago, but he's about to pop up again, working for a different company that among other things, make cases.
It was a Swedish guy living in Taiwan, but there were "creative differences" which you're now seeing the effect of.

Did not know this great info thanks!!

 

[TheLostSwede]

Did not know this great info thanks!!

I only know this because I know the guy.

 

[Makaveli]

I only know this because I know the guy.

ah you got the inside hookup

Tell him I love his designs.

And whoever the person or persons in upper management that disagreed with him they were fools the newer cases look cheap monotone.

 

[TheLostSwede]

ah you got the inside hookup

Tell him I love his designs.

And whoever the person or persons in upper management that disagreed with him they were fools the newer cases look cheap monotone.

It obviously wasn't a single person effort, but he was the guy pushing for practical things and he has experience from two other case manufacturers and is pretty good at what he's doing.
Unfortunately, I don't really know anyone else at Fractal.

I ought to know some people in the industry after 25+ years of working in tech and 15 of those in Taiwan, so hardly an inside hookup, as I got to know this specific person after a couple of years in Taiwan, but I can't say we're close friends or anything like that. That said, you don't always find out about why someone left a specific company or where they ended up next and I've lost touch with a lot of good people over the years too.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

It’s… meh. Seems like an underwhelming pseudo-successor to Meshify maybe? I am not sure about the conclusion of “recommended especially to those planning on air-cooling” when Torrent exists and is still by far the best line Fractal has and ever had for air cooling.

The Epoch/North platform is smaller than even the Torrent compact, yet supports more drives. I really like my TC Compact for its cooling design, but the build quality is underwhelming compared to my Define 7C.

Thoughts on this variant: Dislike continued cutting of FP functionality. No drive LED no RST switch, no USB2 ports. Like that there's a solid variant, but would also like an optional solid top panel. Prefer the aesthetics to the North or Torrent. I'm somehow in the market for a case again, and this one's on the shortlist.

 

[Onasi]

The Epoch/North platform is smaller than even the Torrent compact, yet supports more drives. I really like my TC Compact for its cooling design, but the build quality is underwhelming compared to my Define 7C.

Supporting a ton of drives was never the point with the Torrent series, so that tracks. Not really a drawback, more of a trade-off. I do kinda agree on the build quality - the plastic parts on the Torrent feel weirdly cheap. It’s not really an issue, but something to note, yeah. Doesn’t really bother me, but it IS lacking compared to Define, especially older ones that were built like tanks.

 

[Parn]

Not a fan of the side panel with 1/3 solid and 2/3 TG. Looks ugly to me. Pop, Meshify, Torrent and Define all look better.