Fractal Design Node 304 Case Review @ HH

***craig5320*** · Feb 14, 2013, 10:30 PM

Fractal Design Node 304 Case Review

"For those looking to build a mini-ITX system, maybe as a HTPC, server or just as a compact desktop Fractal Design recently released the Node 304. With support for standard PSUs, six hard drives and graphics cards up to 310mm in length this could make for a very flexible mini-ITX build..."

mkk · Feb 15, 2013, 12:29 AM

I like this for being a bit roomier ITX case than most. The first sample I saw in the wild had a bit rough fit for the power button and I spotted that in some early review as well, but that was apparently fixed after the first manufacturing batch.

The odd-at-a-glance dual 92mm fans in the front are fine, especially with the controller at its low speed setting. In non-gaming builds one could also remove them and run with just the 140mm exhaust. With the 92mm fans running more air will be filtered though, and even most builds with todays relatively frugal graphics cards will be able to keep the fan speed at low to mid level.

If wanting to mount a lot of harddrives together with a long graphics card, it's possible to squeese in an SSD as a fifth drive on the outside of the second drive bay, screwing it on from the inside of the drive cage before fitting two drives inside it. That way it clears the back of the graphics card. A tweak I saw on some build on the net, for the odd ITX gaming rig with five drives. :P

Feb 14, 2013, 10:30 PM	#1
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 9,117 Rep Power: 492 System Specs	Fractal Design Node 304 Case Review @ HH Fractal Design Node 304 Case Review "For those looking to build a mini-ITX system, maybe as a HTPC, server or just as a compact desktop Fractal Design recently released the Node 304. With support for standard PSUs, six hard drives and graphics cards up to 310mm in length this could make for a very flexible mini-ITX build..." __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Feb 15, 2013, 12:29 AM	#2
mkk HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,944 Rep Power: 244 System Specs	Re: Fractal Design Node 304 Case Review @ HH I like this for being a bit roomier ITX case than most. The first sample I saw in the wild had a bit rough fit for the power button and I spotted that in some early review as well, but that was apparently fixed after the first manufacturing batch. The odd-at-a-glance dual 92mm fans in the front are fine, especially with the controller at its low speed setting. In non-gaming builds one could also remove them and run with just the 140mm exhaust. With the 92mm fans running more air will be filtered though, and even most builds with todays relatively frugal graphics cards will be able to keep the fan speed at low to mid level. If wanting to mount a lot of harddrives together with a long graphics card, it's possible to squeese in an SSD as a fifth drive on the outside of the second drive bay, screwing it on from the inside of the drive cage before fitting two drives inside it. That way it clears the back of the graphics card. A tweak I saw on some build on the net, for the odd ITX gaming rig with five drives. :P