Biggest let down of this is that it is bigger outside than meshify 2 compact it is same size inside, and it doesn't take most top of the line big GPUs with this size, and don't start with all "reference cards fit just fine and bla bla bla) it is not sff case it is not even called mini or compact, meshify 2 was is still able to take ANY GPU on the market. And meshify 3 XL is WAY to big even for biggest GPUs on planet.
Fractal is not ready for the entrance of Thermalright with the quality and value right now, and it's honestly a shame because if they canned the over segmentation and streamlined a bit, they'd still be able to compete.
Like if I was designing a Torrent II series, I'd take GN's criticisms to heart, and breed in a lot of the Define's feature set, such as the multibracket system that could be custom cooling or more HDDs in the front area, but have it built into the structure, maybe with a cover inside the case to control noise when not mounted there - I would probably drop the 180mm fans of that series as a failed experiment and design around the standard form factors.
I would or/also accept an increase in height to accommodate a larger attic in the case in the name of expanded utility, including adding in the foremost area a multipurpose niche which could be anything from more hard drives to one of those LCDs to a 5.25 bay - it's a niche, but with hard media coming back into fashion into some circles, it's a customer base that will stick with you. Overall, I would try to use the same grade of materials as the Pop or Focus G, maybe accept a bit more weight to improve resilience. For the front fans, I'd use the lineup in this series, but also break with tradition and offer a fanless model aimed at a similar price bracket to the Pop series. Since color seems to be coming back into fashion, I'd also consider - given the Torrent's sport car inspirations - expanding the external color pallet, drawing from the Focus and Pop's options, but this time on the outside, with a standard neutral black interior. The objective would be to create a streamlined general purpose SKU set that would be able to target a large number of segments quite well, as it would be a mesh blowthrough alternate to the Define that would improve economy by reducing the number of fans needed for good thermal performance. Existing components in their design library would be used whenever possible to save R&D, such as the type D tray for HDDs, and I'd design it to be expandable with accessories, but overall quite good from the box.
Because this thing? Thermalright will put out something that beats in price, utility or both.
Man that sucks because even if the North is beautiful I felt like it was probably as close to the lowest quality I'd accept as a true Fractal case. The difference in quality between the North and the Meshify 2 was noticeable.
I have a Fractal North XL, and although I love the look and airflow. It's one of the cheapest built cases I have ever used for the money.
Price/Performance = Great
Price/Quality = HORRIBLE
I have been building computers since the late 90's, and have worked in Comp Engineering since 05.
Hopefully that puts it in perspective.
I had the define and it was quite poor in this manner. Really flimsy panels, rattly plastic front, horrible resonance with HDDs. The quality feel of the Lian Li that replaced it is a much higher difference than the price would suggest.
I love the focus G and know there are build complaints; if what I am hearing is right this thing is somehow behind that 7 year old design while costing as much as two!
You can see the extent of the flex in the KitGuru review. It's quite noticeable.
The lack of quality and the weird sizing would be so much more palatable were it not for the awkwardly, in-between high price. It still seems like a compelling case, but it's perhaps not the foregone conclusion it appeared in the initial coverage.
And if you actually want some storage capacity on the thing so as to both economize on internet plan and allow general purpose use... well, for a serious user I fail to see where this thing has any compelling advantage over the Define 7.
Name a major Fractal series in the last little while (that isn't the Mood) and I can point out how this thing is a step backward in value from it, from the Torrent to the Pop to the north, to the old reliable Defines.
I really like the look of the Meshify 3 and the lightning is cool without going overboard. The web browser control is also a neat idea for those that dislike having to install software.
However, I think they’ve really handicapped its appeal by sizing it like a “compact” Fractal case. The fact it can only accommodate a 280mm radiator on top and a 349mm GPU limits its general appeal. Sure, you could step up to the 3XL but that thing is huge and overkill for those who just want a little more room in the regular 3.
They should rename the 3 the 3 Compact and release a version that is sized between the current 3 and the 3XL.
They also need to lower the pricing on all tiers. I know Fractal has always positioned itself as a more premium brand, but those prices are ridiculous for what you get, and there is just too much competition for them to be raising prices while lowering build quality.
They artificially created a problem with the GPU size limitations and are selling people the solution in an even more expensive XL version of the case.
Which is why I am in disagreement with those who think of longer case having "wasted space". That space is for longer gpus, radiators, etc.
If I wanted something compact, I would get a matx/itx build.
Which if you're not in the HDDs market STILL comes ahead in value! Hell, after the aftermarket shit you'd need to add for 3 HDDs and full fan complement, a fucking *FOCUS G* comes ahead there and is compatible value!
Bad rads, bad drives, and if you don't care about drives, get a Torrent Compact, after the twopack of whatever good bang for buck 140mm case fans you slap in the bottom - AN140s are good if they're in stock again - you're still coming ahead in price. Hell, I've seen eLoops on sale where you'd probably come slightly ahead slapping a pair of those in the bottom of a Torrent compact over this undergrown and overpriced thing!
I always really liked the looks of the Meshify cases, but this one doesn't do it at all for me. Good to hear it's solid from a feature perspective, but I think it's much rather get the Meshify 2 just for the looks.
I went to Lian Li instead, the Lancool 207/217 have the same idea but with the fans at the bottom of the GPU too boot. Only shortcoming for the 207 is the lack of drive bays.
SATA is pretty much dead to the general consumer, especially 3.5".
One 3.5 HDD + two 2.5" SSDs would satisfy 95% of all gamers. Hell, even just two 2.5" SATA is enough.
When the 5090 can push 600 watts + the CPU having huge loads, you have to prioritize cooling and sacrifice space for cooling (ramps, so hot right now).
I think it sucks that 3.5" space is vanishing, but the PC space is a long ways away from when Define R5 was peak. Kinda just need to bite the bullet and make/get a NAS.
At that point, you're better off giving serious consideration to either a Define or an Ethoo, because a goddamn NAS box is going to cost more and take up more of your living space then a full tower and fans and be more cumbersome.
Have you taken a look at the dimensions? Pop XL is larger, pretty much all Phanteks cases are huge.
So yeah, you got me on huge cases having a lot of HDD spots... like the Define R5.
But the Torrent had less spots and smashed the Pop Air in air cooling despite being very similar in size.
I don't disagree. The other commenter is correct, but I'd like to see a way to load the XL up with drives instead of simply extra fan/radiator space. Even if it were an additional accessory to purchase.
With the Define series and Meshify 2, Fractal had quite a footing with people building home servers and NASs. Considering the Meshify 2 and Define 7 were basically siblings, and they've not mentioned anything about the Define 8, it's possible that Fractal is leaving that customer base behind.
It makes sense given the decline of that market, but still disappointing.
It was a trend that GN called out with the Torrent and frankly, with something this pricy, shit like that starts to hurt the price preposition against the Ethoo, because sure it may be cheaper before having to add your own fans, but with this poor a capacity, the actual savings against it, space AND cash made start to look like hot air if you have to buy and house a god damn NAS box.
There's aftermarket fan to HDD adapters and they work fairly well even with the fan in, but you shouldn't god damn need those on something that costs this much!
I threw mine out because Windows regularly froze my explorer when it tried to wake up a HDD that was asleep. Every time it decided too much time had passed since it had last updated the drives registry, it just feoze my PC
The only solution at the time was letting the HDD spin without pause even in idle.
No idea if that's still a thing in Windows 11 but it was awful when I removed my HDD in 2020 on Windows 10.
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