Fractal Design North PC Case Review UK 2026: Premium Airflow Meets Scandinavian Style

The Fractal Design North PC Case has been turning heads since its release, combining genuine wood panelling with serious airflow credentials. After building multiple systems in this chassis over the past year, I can confirm it’s one of the most refreshing takes on PC case design in recent memory. But does the stunning exterior translate to a practical building experience, and is the premium price justified when excellent mesh cases cost half as much?

Fractal Design North Charcoal Black - Wood Walnut front - Mesh side panels - Two 140mm Aspect PWM fans included - Type C USB - ATX Airflow Mid Tower PC Gaming Case

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 (2,795 reviews)

£126.99

• Enhance the look of your gaming station with sleek wood and alloy details
• Designed for ATX / mATX / ITX motherboards
• Enjoy natural ventilation through an open front and stylishly integrated mesh.
• Choose a GPU up to 355 mm, or up to 300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator
• Get a head start on your build with the two included 140 mm Aspect PWM fans

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Price checked: 09 Jan 2026 | Affiliate link

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Fractal Design North PC Case Specifications Overview

Before diving into the build experience, let’s establish what you’re working with. The North supports standard ATX motherboards alongside mATX and ITX, making it versatile enough for most builds. Fractal has been sensible with dimensions, offering generous clearances without the case becoming unnecessarily massive.

The case measures 428mm (H) × 225mm (W) × 463mm (D), which is reasonably compact for an ATX chassis. Fractal includes two 140mm Aspect PWM fans out of the box, mounted at the front. At this price point, I’d have liked to see a third exhaust fan included, but the two provided are quality units with decent static pressure.

One detail that immediately impressed me: the wood panels are genuine walnut or oak (depending on variant), not vinyl wrap. You can feel the difference the moment you touch it. The grain pattern is natural, meaning each case is slightly unique. The metal frame is steel with a powder-coated finish that feels substantial without adding unnecessary weight.

Fractal Design North PC Case Airflow and Thermal Performance

This is where the North absolutely shines. Fractal has designed an open front with integrated mesh that provides unrestricted airflow whilst maintaining the aesthetic. The wood panels are spaced away from the mesh, creating an attractive visual whilst allowing air to flow freely around the sides. It’s clever engineering that doesn’t compromise performance for looks.

I’ve tested the North with a 7800X3D and RTX 4080 build, and thermals were exceptional. GPU temperatures sat 5-7°C cooler than the same components in a NZXT H9 Flow, which is already a solid airflow case. CPU temperatures with a Noctua NH-D15 were similarly impressive, never breaking 75°C during extended gaming sessions.

The magnetic dust filters are easy to remove and clean, though the top filter can be slightly fiddly to reattach properly. The front filter is accessed by removing the front panel, which pops off with gentle pressure on the top clips. I’d recommend cleaning these monthly if you have pets or carpeted floors.

One minor criticism: the PSU intake sits directly on the surface if you don’t use the included rubber feet. The feet add about 15mm of clearance, which helps PSU fan breathing. I’d have preferred slightly taller integrated feet, but it’s a minor point. According to testing by Gamers Nexus, the North ranks among the best-performing cases for thermals in 2025.

Component Compatibility and Clearances

Fractal has been generous with clearances, though there are some considerations depending on your component choices. The 355mm GPU clearance is excellent, but this reduces to 300mm if you install a front-mounted 360mm radiator. For most builds, this isn’t an issue, but it’s worth noting if you’re planning a custom loop or large AIO with a massive GPU.

The 169mm CPU cooler clearance is spot-on for tower coolers. I’ve installed NH-D15s, Dark Rock Pro 4s, and various 280mm AIOs without issue. The motherboard tray has a large cutout for cooler backplate installation, which is genuinely helpful when you’re wrestling with mounting brackets.

PSU clearance is standard – up to 200mm length, which covers virtually every consumer PSU. The shroud design is clean, with a perforated section allowing PSU fan breathing. Cable routing space behind the motherboard tray is generous at 25mm, though you’ll still need to be somewhat tidy with thick custom cables.

Build Experience and Cable Management

This is where Fractal’s experience shows. I’ve built in dozens of cases over the years, and the North is genuinely pleasant to work in. The side panels use a simple latch mechanism – press the button, slide back, lift off. No screws, no fiddling with clips that feel like they’ll snap. The panels are substantial enough that they don’t flex, but light enough to handle easily.

Standoffs are pre-installed for ATX motherboards, with additional standoffs included for mATX and ITX configurations. Fractal includes a proper accessory box with labelled screws – M.2 standoffs, fan screws, cable ties, and velcro straps. It’s the little things that separate premium cases from budget offerings.

Cable management is straightforward thanks to generous routing channels and multiple tie-down points. The back panel closes without excessive force, even with a fairly chunky cable bundle. I’ve built in cases where closing the back panel feels like forcing a suitcase shut – the North isn’t one of them.

One detail I appreciated: all metal edges are rolled. No sharp edges, no blood sacrifices to the PC gods. After years of cheap cases with edges that could double as weapons, this is genuinely refreshing. The powder coating is durable and doesn’t scratch easily during installation.

Front I/O and Storage Configuration

The front I/O panel sits on top of the case, angled slightly forward for easy access. It’s a sensible layout that works whether the case is on your desk or on the floor. The power button is satisfyingly tactile with a subtle LED indicator.

The USB-C port is a welcome inclusion at this price point, though it requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C header on your motherboard. Most modern boards include this, but it’s worth checking if you’re using an older platform. The audio jack is a combined headphone/microphone port, which is standard for modern cases.

Storage is adequate rather than excessive. Two 3.5-inch HDD bays sit behind the PSU shroud, using tool-less mounting trays. Three 2.5-inch SSD mounts are positioned on the back of the motherboard tray. For most modern builds relying primarily on M.2 NVMe storage, this is plenty. If you’re building a media server or need extensive storage, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

The drive trays are sturdy plastic with rubber dampening to reduce vibration noise. They slide in and lock with a simple lever mechanism. I’ve had no issues with drives coming loose or rattling, even during transport.

Alternatives and Competition

The North sits in a peculiar position – it’s premium priced but competes on airflow with cases costing half as much. Your decision essentially comes down to whether the aesthetic and build quality justify the premium. Let’s look at the realistic alternatives.

The Lian Li Lancool 216 offers similar airflow performance at nearly half the price. It lacks the premium materials and aesthetic appeal, but if pure performance per pound is your metric, it’s hard to argue with. The Fractal Meshify 2 offers similar build quality in a more conventional design, though it lacks the wood panelling that makes the North special.

The be quiet! Pure Base 500DX is worth considering if you want excellent airflow with better sound dampening. It includes three fans out of the box and costs less than the North, though the build experience isn’t quite as refined.

Ultimately, the North’s competition isn’t really other airflow cases. It’s competing with premium aesthetic cases like the NZXT H7 Flow or the Lian Li O11 Dynamic. In that context, the pricing makes more sense – you’re paying for design and materials, not just performance.