Finally Something DIFFERENT - Fractal ERA ITX Case Review

[Gav]

The Fractal Era is something we've been waiting for, an ITX case that literally thinks outside the box by adding cool features. But is different better or does this small form factor case still suffer airflow problems like a lot of its competitors?

Buy items in this video from Amazon at the links below:

Fractal ERA - Coming soon!

NZXT H1 Matte Black - http://shrsl.com/24wzx
NZXT H1 Matte White - http://shrsl.com/24x00

 

[Bond007]

Thanks for posting! I just saw a post about this case elsewhere, but no review. On paper I thought it could be “the one”, sadly it appears to compromise too much.

My take after watching this review is that it can’t handle a decent GPU, which kills its only market. It is too large if you aren’t using a GPU and want a small build, and it has useless GPU airflow. Maybe a v2 will come out with a redesigned bottom to change my mind...

 

[Entz]

I agree that is too bad. I just don't understand why case manufactures insist on choking cases.

 

[nToxik]

Some are into choking.

I'll let myself out.

 

[Izerous]

Watching over it I get the impression I could modify the wood panel easily enough. But to have to remove the bottom filter and lift it up to get any kind of GPU improvement. These cases where the GPU is right on the edge of the case however don't tey work better with blower style GPU cooelrs over the mutli-fan configurations?

 

[Entz]

Even with a blower unless it is being fed from the back there just isn't any room around it to get good airflow. It is simply a design flaw. Its kinda like trying to run a GPU laying on a table fan down with a few mm spacer.

Taking off the bottom and custom making feet is a solution as per the video but that is a silly solution. They simply cheated and wen't with a plastic (??) bottom and forgot to put holes in it.

 

[CMetaphor]

Was there some sort of NDA that got lifted today? Why are there 5-6 different reviews of the same weird case coming out at the same time? Weird.

 

[gingerbee]

yup jay2cents did one too lol. nice small case but I don't itx so not for me

 

[CMetaphor]

yup jay2cents did one too lol. nice small case but I don't itx so not for me

I build ITX all the time, and could name better cases off the top of my head haha

 

[Shadowarez]

iv built in cavernous monterious cases like the corsair 1000D, iv dipped toes into itx cases i am hooked need a new one but not spending $450 usd for one with pcie bifurcation. want more then just gpu.