Fractal Design North

Darksaber · Dec 7, 2022

The Fractal Design North puts the focus on a beautiful design and material mix with clean curves, a silver power button and unique wood elements. On top of that, you get to pick from a TG or side-vented variant. But is there substance underneath the surface? Read on to find out!

Show full review

Pumper · Dec 7, 2022

That's one fancy looking case.

It looks like it wouldn't be too difficult to install some kind of plastic sheet on the inside of the perforated side panel to solve the airflow (and most likely increased noise) issues.

Chaitanya · Dec 7, 2022

Went through manual and under optional steps it states 80mm fan can be added to PCI slots apart from all other conventional locations plus the optional fan bracket. Quite an interesting case and might get it for aesthetic reason.

Edit: Fractal has branded their fans as Aspect not Aspekt.

AsRock · Dec 7, 2022

Nice review but it's more of the same really, personally it would look better if the case was black if you were after that 70's kinda styling.

DeathtoGnomes · Dec 7, 2022

Vented side diminishes cooling from front intake fans

I'm, not sure this is a negative as this might actually be a benefit depending on fan configuration for airflow, and case pressure, negative case pressure would really be the negative here.

mechtech · Dec 7, 2022

I think for the white one they should have used white inlay with the wood and everywhere else as well. Looks off with black.

Black all black
White all white
it’s called North. Everything should be white even the screws.

bonehead123 · Dec 7, 2022

Although I like the wood accents & a few other details, in the end it's STILL just anutha rectangular boxen...meh

Zaqq · Dec 7, 2022

Wood is now a "luxury material"? Having wooden doors or furniture is now a status symbol of upper class?

Pumper · Dec 7, 2022

Zaqq said:
Wood is now a "luxury material"? Having wooden doors or furniture is now a status symbol of upper class?

Always has been. Only luxury cars have real wood interior accents as an option for a reason.

maxfly · Dec 7, 2022

It's really disappointing that the side intakes couldn't cool the gpu any better...or anything else for that matter. I was expecting more.

Leshy · Dec 7, 2022

maxfly said:
It's really disappointing that the side intakes couldn't cool the gpu any better...or anything else for that matter. I was expecting more.

LOL it was designed for vertically mounted gpu

they tested with standard layout ...

Operandi · Dec 7, 2022

Didn't read the review yet to see how it performs but this thing looks good Good industrial design in a PC case is rare sight, Fractal is one of few that companies that gets it. Even the white one looks good with the contrast in material with the use of wood, otherwise all white cases draw too much attention to their lack of features. Good job Fractal!

MrDweezil · Dec 7, 2022

maxfly said:
It's really disappointing that the side intakes couldn't cool the gpu any better...or anything else for that matter. I was expecting more.

Pretty sure the review doesn't include any fans mounted in the side intakes.

Dirt Chip · Dec 7, 2022

Wood is good.
Beautiful sleek design.
Much like the ridge- make you want to build one just for fun.

thunderingroar · Dec 7, 2022

Fractal usually has multiple different case SKUs, so I'd like to see one with solid side panel, maybe even with sound dampening foam like those BQ cases

Pumper · Dec 7, 2022

Leshy said:
LOL it was designed for vertically mounted gpu they tested with standard layout ...

No it's not, the case does not even have vertical mounts.

SL2 · Dec 7, 2022

mechtech said:
I think for the white one they should have used white inlay with the wood and everywhere else as well. Looks off with black.

It isn't black. With white it wouldn't have the same clean look as you'd see a lot of details around the intake, fans, and parts inside. It would mess up the design.
With gray color you can't really see what's behind the front, and that wouldn't be possible with all white.

Anyway, I think the white and gray combination looks great. There are 17000 other cases to choose from if you want to show of exactly everything inside it.

pizzafartz · Dec 7, 2022

GPU temps seem high for the mesh and fan layout. I wonder if turning the front panel fans around to exhaust would help pull fresh air in through the mesh?

Very pretty at the very least and a welcome change from G4m3r-y cases like the HAF 500

mechtech · Dec 7, 2022

Mats said:
It isn't black. With white it wouldn't have the same clean look as you'd see a lot of details around the intake, fans, and parts inside. It would mess up the design.
With gray color you can't really see what's behind the front, and that wouldn't be possible with all white.

Anyway, I think the white and gray combination looks great. There are 17000 other cases to choose from if you want to show of exactly everything inside it.
View attachment 273407
View attachment 273408

Fair enough. To each their own.

however the North is white and so it remains 8 months of the year.

SL2 · Dec 7, 2022

I'm curious if we'll see smaller versions of this design. North is a subcategory of North, so a North Nano is probably not impossible.

mechtech said:
however the North is white and so it remains 8 months of the year.

Yeah, if you don't have the gulf stream nearby..

Sweden moved west:

https://www.smhi.se/en/weather/observations/snow-depth/

ymdhis · Dec 7, 2022

Would be cute if the front panel was hinged, so you could open it up, like a real wooden fence door, which I suspect is the imagery they were going for.

Leshy · Dec 7, 2022

Pumper said:
No it's not, the case does not even have vertical mounts.

mesh side is there for what ? just for looks? they have V-mount for define series .. if they wont make addon like that for this case .. its just stupid

Pumper · Dec 7, 2022

Leshy said:
mesh side is there for what ? just for looks? they have V-mount for define series .. if they wont make addon like that for this case .. its just stupid

wheresmycar · Dec 7, 2022

I'm usually in agreement with majority of aesthetic comments but that doesn't seem to be the case with this one. I weally weally weally LOVE the aesthetic appeal for both the black and white models. IMO, the best looking case i've seen in a long while. I always admired the act of subtle nature with several modded case's spread across the web... just didn't have the time and skill to produce something similar. The FD north has definitely won me over (although i'm yet to view the performance review to see if it fits nicely with my soon-to-be upgrade)

Xmas came early

HairyLobsters · Dec 7, 2022

Why wasn't the version with tempered glass side panel tested as well?

System Name	Meshlicious Monster
Processor	Intel Core i5-10600T
Motherboard	MSI Z490I Unify
Cooling	NZXT Kraken Z53 with 2x Noctua Redux 1300 RPM PWM fans
Memory	ADATA 16 GB 3200 Mhz DDR4
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio
Storage	TeamGroup 1TB NVMe SSD
Display(s)	Asus ProArt 27" 1440P, 75Hz
Case	ssupd Meshlicious with mesh side panels
Power Supply	Fractal Design Ion 660 W Platinum ATX
Mouse	Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless
Keyboard	Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
Software	Windows 10 Home

Processor	Ryzen 9 3900x
Motherboard	MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling	be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
Memory	32GB GSkill Ripjaws V 3600CL16
Video Card(s)	3060Ti FE 0.9v
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO 1TB, 2x Samsung 840 EVO 1TB
Display(s)	ASUS ProArt PA278QV
Case	be quiet! Pure Base 500
Audio Device(s)	Edifier R1850DB
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex III 650W
Mouse	A4Tech X-748K
Keyboard	Logitech K300
Software	Win 10 Pro 64bit

Processor	AMD 3900X \ AMD 7700X
Motherboard	ASRock AM4 X570 Pro 4 \ ASUS X670Xe TUF
Cooling	D15
Memory	Patriot 2x16GB PVS432G320C6K \ G.Skill Flare X5 F5-6000J3238F 2x16GB
Video Card(s)	eVga GTX1060 SSC \ XFX RX 6950XT RX-695XATBD9
Storage	Sammy 860, MX500, Sabrent Rocket 4 Sammy Evo 980 \ 1xSabrent Rocket 4+, Sammy 2x990 Pro
Display(s)	Samsung 1080P \ LG 43UN700
Case	Fractal Design Pop Air 2x140mm fans from Torrent \ Fractal Design Torrent 2 SilverStone FHP141x2
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V677 \ Yamaha CX-830+Yamaha MX-630 Infinity RS4000\Paradigm P Studio 20, Blue Yeti
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime TX-750 \ Corsair RM1000X Shift
Mouse	Steelseries Sensei wireless \ Steelseries Sensei wireless
Keyboard	Logitech K120 \ Wooting Two HE
Benchmark Scores	Meh benchmarks.

System Name	Dumbass
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard	ASUS TUF gaming B650
Cooling	Artic Liquid Freezer 2 - 420mm
Memory	G.Skill Sniper 32gb DDR5 6000
Video Card(s)	GreenTeam 4070 ti super 16gb
Storage	Samsung EVO 500gb & 1Tb, 2tb HDD, 500gb WD Black
Display(s)	1x Nixeus NX_EDG27, 2x Dell S2440L (16:9)
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Primo w/8 140mm SP Fans
Audio Device(s)	onboard (realtek?) - SPKRS:Logitech Z623 200w 2.1
Power Supply	Corsair HX1000i
Mouse	Steeseries Esports Wireless
Keyboard	Corsair K100
Software	windows 10 H
Benchmark Scores	https://i.imgur.com/aoz3vWY.jpg?2

Processor	Ryzen 5700x
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570S Aero G R1.1 BiosF5g
Cooling	Noctua NH-C12P SE14 w/ NF-A15 HS-PWM Fan 1500rpm
Memory	Micron DDR4-3200 2x32GB D.S. D.R. (CT2K32G4DFD832A)
Video Card(s)	AMD RX 6800 - Asus Tuf
Storage	Kingston KC3000 1TB & 2TB & 4TB Corsair LPX
Display(s)	LG 27UL550-W (27" 4k)
Case	Be Quiet Pure Base 600 (no window)
Audio Device(s)	Realtek ALC1220-VB
Power Supply	SuperFlower Leadex V Gold Pro 850W ATX Ver2.52
Mouse	Mionix Naos Pro
Keyboard	Corsair Strafe with browns
Software	W10 22H2 Pro x64

Fractal Design North

Darksaber

Senior Editor & Case Reviewer

Pumper

Chaitanya

AsRock

TPU addict

DeathtoGnomes

mechtech

bonehead123

Zaqq

Pumper

maxfly

Leshy

Operandi

MrDweezil

Dirt Chip

thunderingroar

Pumper

SL2

pizzafartz

New Member

mechtech

Attachments

SL2

ymdhis

Leshy

Pumper

wheresmycar

HairyLobsters

System Name	The Little One
Processor	i5-11320H @4.4GHZ
Motherboard	AZW SEI
Cooling	Fan w/heat pipes + side & rear vents
Memory	64GB Crucial DDR4-3200 (2x 32GB)
Video Card(s)	Iris XE
Storage	WD Black SN850X 4TB m.2, Seagate 2TB SSD + SN850 4TB x2 in an external enclosure
Display(s)	2x Samsung 43" & 2x 32"
Case	Practically identical to a mac mini, just purrtier in slate blue, & with 3x usb ports on the front !
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha ATS-1060 Bluetooth Soundbar & Subwoofer
Power Supply	65w brick
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2
Keyboard	Logitech G613 mechanical wireless
Software	Windows 10 pro 64 bit, with all the unnecessary background shitzu turned OFF !
Benchmark Scores	PDQ

System Name	DadsBadAss
Processor	I7 13700k w/ HEATKILLER IV PRO Copper Nickel
Motherboard	MSI Z790 Tomahawk Wifi DDR4
Cooling	BarrowCH Boxfish 200mm-HWLabs SR2 420/GTX&GTS 360-BP Dual D5 MOD TOP- 2x Koolance PMP 450S
Memory	4x8gb HyperX Predator RGB DDR4 4000
Video Card(s)	Asrock 6800xt PG D w/ Byski A-AR6900XT-X
Storage	WD SN850x 1TB NVME M.2/Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1TB NVMe M.2
Display(s)	Acer XG270HU
Case	ThermalTake X71 w/5 Noctua NF-A14 2000 IP67 PWM/3 Noctua NF-F12 2000 IP67 PWM/3 CorsairML120 Pro RGB
Audio Device(s)	Klipsch Promedia 2.1
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus PX-850 w/CableMod PRO ModMesh RT-Series Black/Blue
Mouse	Logitech G502
Keyboard	Black Aluminun Mechanical Clicky Thing With Blue LEDs, hows that for a name?!
Software	Win11pro

System Name	Dirt Sheep \| Silent Sheep
Processor	i5-2400 \| 13900K (-0.025mV offset)
Motherboard	Asus P8H67-M LE \| Gigabyte AERO Z690-G, bios F26 with "Instant 6 GHz" on
Cooling	Scythe Katana Type 1 \| Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
Memory	G-skill 28GB DDR3 \| Corsair Vengeance 432GB DDR5 5200Mhz C40 @4000MHz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte 970GTX Mini \| NV 1080TI FE (cap at 85%, 800mV)
Storage	2SN850 1TB, 230S 4TB, 840EVO 128GB, WD green 2TB HDD, IronWolf 6TB, 2HC550 18TB in RAID1
Display(s)	LG 21` FHD W2261VP \| Lenovo 27` 4K Qreator 27
Case	Thermaltake V3 Black\|Define 7 Solid, stock 314 fans+ 212 front&buttom+ out 1*8 (on expansion slot)
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT 990 (or the screen speakers when I'm too lazy)
Power Supply	Enermax Pro82+ 525W \| Corsair RM650x (2021)
Mouse	Logitech Master 3
Keyboard	Roccat Isku FX
VR HMD	Nop.
Software	WIN 10 \| WIN 11
Benchmark Scores	CB23 SC: i5-2400=641 \| i9-13900k=2325-2281 MC: i5-2400=i9 13900k SC \| i9-13900k=37240-35500

Processor	R7 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI B650 Tomahawk
Memory	2x32GB 6000CL30
Video Card(s)	RTX 3070 FE
Case	Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Power Supply	Corsair RM1000x

System Name	❶ Oooh (2024) ❷ Aaaah (2021) ❸ Ahemm (2017)
Processor	❶ 5800X3D ❷ i7-9700K ❸ i7-7700K
Motherboard	❶ X570-F ❷ Z390-E ❸ Z270-E
Cooling	❶ ALFIII 360 ❷ X62 + X72 (GPU mod) ❸ X62
Memory	❶ 32-3600/16 ❷ 32-3200/16 ❸ 16-3200/16
Video Card(s)	❶ 3080 X Trio ❷ 2080TI (AIOmod) ❸ 1080TI
Storage	❶ NVME/SSD/HDD ❷ <SAME ❸ SSD/HDD
Display(s)	❶ 1440/165/IPS ❷ 1440/144/IPS ❸ 1080/144/IPS
Case	❶ BQ Silent 601 ❷ Cors 465X ❸ Frac Mesh C
Audio Device(s)	❶ HyperX C2 ❷ HyperX C2 ❸ Logi G432
Power Supply	❶ HX1200 Plat ❷ RM750X ❸ EVGA 650W G2
Mouse	❶ Logi G Pro ❷ Razer Bas V3 ❸ Logi G502
Keyboard	❶ Logi G915 TKL ❷ Anne P2 ❸ Logi G610
Benchmark Scores	I have wrestled bandwidths, Tussled with voltages, Handcuffed Overclocks, Thrown Gigahertz in Jail