Fractal Design defreshes North Cases with darker look and quieter cooling

Fractal Design is targeting users who prefer a darker, more understated aesthetic with its updated North lineup. Both the North and North XL Momentum Edition models now feature black oak wood inserts and ship with quieter cooling fans out of the box.

In addition to the visual update, Fractal Design has expanded functionality on the North XL Momentum Edition. The case now supports motherboards with rear-facing connectors, making cable management cleaner and easier in modern PC builds.

Quieter cooling with momentum fans

In the standard Fractal Design North Momentum Edition, the company replaces the original two 140 mm fans with three 120 mm Momentum fans. These fans use liquid crystal polymer (LCP) blades combined with hydrodynamic bearings to improve efficiency and reduce noise.

As a result, maximum noise levels drop from 46.1 dBA to 42.4 dBA, according to Fractal Design. At the same time, average internal temperatures fall by roughly 2 degrees Celsius. The North XL Momentum Edition includes the same Momentum fans by default.

Case compatibility and clearances

The Fractal Design North Momentum Edition supports ATX motherboards and accommodates graphics cards up to 355 mm in length. It also provides clearance for CPU coolers up to 170 mm tall.

Meanwhile, the larger North XL Momentum Edition targets E-ATX systems. It supports graphics cards up to 413 mm long and CPU coolers up to 176 mm in height, offering additional flexibility for high-end builds.

Pricing for the refreshed lineup starts at $180 for the Fractal Design North Momentum Edition. The North XL Momentum Edition is priced at $210.

Source: Fractal Design