Fractal Design Terra Jade Small Form Factor PC Case Review UK 2026

The Fractal Design Terra Jade Small Form Factor PC Case is a 10.4-litre mini-ITX chassis that combines premium materials with genuine innovation in an increasingly crowded SFF market. After building in dozens of compact cases over the years, I was curious whether Fractal’s unique sliding internal wall and walnut front panel were genuine improvements or just aesthetic gimmicks. Having spent several hours building and rebuilding in the Terra Jade, I can tell you this case offers something genuinely different for small form factor enthusiasts willing to pay for quality.

Fractal Design Terra Jade - Wood Walnut front panel - Small form factor - mITX gaming case – PCIe 4.0 riser cable – USB Type-C - Anodized aluminum panels

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.6 (600 reviews)

£184.99

• Install your choice of powerful GPU up to 322 mm in length, in a space-saving 10.4 L case
• Add natural materials to your setup with a front-facing panel cut from sustainably sourced solid walnut
• Enjoy a sleek anodized aluminum exterior including an 8 mm-thick aluminum front
• Find your build’s ideal balance with 30 mm of internal flexibility provided by a stepless, slidable central wall
• Front-facing I/O featuring an aluminum power button and two USB ports including one USB Type-C 20Gbps

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Price checked: 10 Jan 2026 | Affiliate link

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Fractal Design Terra Jade Specifications Overview

The Terra Jade sits in that interesting space between ultra-compact sandwich layouts and more traditional SFF designs. At 10.4 litres, it’s genuinely small whilst still accommodating full-length GPUs up to 322mm. The specification sheet tells only part of the story though – the real innovation here is the stepless sliding central divider that lets you adjust internal space allocation by up to 30mm depending on your GPU and PSU combination.

The case measures 255mm × 203mm × 200mm, giving it a compact desktop footprint that won’t dominate your workspace. The 8mm-thick anodised aluminium front panel feels substantial – this isn’t the thin stamped steel you’ll find on budget cases. The walnut front accent is cut from sustainably sourced solid wood, not a veneer, which explains part of the premium pricing. Fractal supports SFX and SFX-L power supplies up to 130mm in length, and the sliding divider means you can prioritise GPU space or PSU cable management depending on your specific components.

One specification that might surprise some builders: there are no included fans. At this price point, that’s a notable omission. You’ll need to budget for at least two 120mm fans for the bottom intake, and ideally you’ll want quality units given the restricted airflow paths. I’d recommend checking out our Lian Li UNI FAN SL-INF review for premium options that work well in space-constrained builds.

Airflow & Thermal Performance Analysis

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the Terra Jade prioritises aesthetics over airflow, and you need to understand that before purchasing. The solid aluminium front panel with walnut accent looks gorgeous, but it means air intake is entirely dependent on the small side vents and bottom-mounted fans. This isn’t a mesh-front case like the Lian Li Lancool 217 where unrestricted airflow is the primary design goal.

The airflow design is straightforward: two 120mm fans mount underneath the case, drawing air upward through the GPU and CPU zones before exhausting through perforations in the rear and top panels. The magnetic dust filter on the bottom is easy to remove and clean, which is essential given that it’s your primary intake. However, the restricted intake area means fan noise can become noticeable if you’re pushing high static pressure fans hard to compensate for the limited ventilation.

In my testing with a Ryzen 5 5600X (65W TDP) and an RTX 3060 Ti, temperatures remained reasonable with two quality 120mm intake fans running at moderate speeds. CPU temperatures peaked around 72°C under sustained load, whilst the GPU settled around 75°C – perfectly acceptable for this form factor. However, stepping up to a 125W CPU or a power-hungry GPU like an RTX 4070 Ti would require more aggressive fan curves and potentially undervolting to maintain comfortable temperatures.

The sliding internal divider actually helps thermal performance by allowing you to create a more direct airflow path. By adjusting the divider position, you can ensure intake fans align better with your GPU’s intake fans, reducing turbulence and dead zones. It’s a small optimisation, but in a case this compact, every millimetre matters. The perforated panels allow heat to escape reasonably well, though you’ll want to ensure the case has adequate clearance from walls to prevent heat recirculation.

Compared to more airflow-focused designs like the NZXT H3 Flow, the Terra Jade simply can’t match raw thermal performance. That’s the trade-off for the premium materials and aesthetic-first design. If you’re building a high-performance gaming rig, you’ll need to be realistic about component selection or accept higher fan speeds and noise levels.

Component Compatibility and Clearances

The Terra Jade’s 322mm GPU clearance is generous for a 10.4-litre case, accommodating most modern graphics cards including reference RTX 4080 designs. The sliding divider is the key feature here – if your GPU is shorter, you can shift the divider to create more PSU cable management space. If you’ve got a chunky three-slot card, you can prioritise GPU clearance instead. This flexibility is genuinely useful and sets the Terra Jade apart from fixed-layout competitors.

CPU cooler height is limited to 160mm, which rules out behemoths like the Noctua NH-D15 but accommodates excellent mid-height options like the NH-U12A or Scythe Fuma 2. Honestly, in a case with restricted airflow like this, I’d lean toward a quality 120mm AIO mounted to the bottom panel alongside a single exhaust fan. This gives you better CPU cooling performance and reduces heat buildup inside the case, though you’ll sacrifice one intake fan position.

PSU compatibility is straightforward: SFX or SFX-L units up to 130mm in length. The case includes an SFX bracket, and the sliding divider means you can adjust how much space you allocate to cable management behind the PSU. With a fully modular SFX unit, cable management is reasonable despite the compact dimensions. With a non-modular unit, you’ll be fighting excess cables – spend the extra money on modular if you’re building in this case.

One compatibility note that caught me out initially: GPU width matters as much as length. Some particularly thick three-slot cards can interfere with bottom-mounted fans depending on your divider position. The Terra Jade technically supports three-slot GPUs, but you’ll want to check exact dimensions and potentially test-fit before final assembly. Fractal provides detailed clearance diagrams on their official product page, which I’d recommend consulting before purchasing components.

Build Experience and Cable Management

Building in the Terra Jade is a mixed experience. The premium materials and thoughtful touches like tool-less side panels and magnetic dust filters make it pleasant to work with, but the compact dimensions demand careful planning and patience. This isn’t a case for first-time builders or anyone who gets frustrated with tight spaces.

Assembly starts with installing the PSU into its bracket, then mounting that assembly to the sliding central divider. This is where you’ll make your first major decision: how much space to allocate between GPU and PSU zones. I’d recommend doing a test fit with your actual GPU before locking in the divider position. Once you’ve settled on the optimal position, the divider locks securely with thumb screws – no tools required.

The motherboard tray is straightforward with pre-installed standoffs in the correct mini-ITX positions. Installing the motherboard requires removing the top panel for access, which comes off easily via magnetic attachment and rear clips. The I/O shield area has adequate clearance, and there’s reasonable access to motherboard headers despite the compact dimensions. Installing the CPU power cable before mounting the motherboard will save you frustration later.

GPU installation is where things get interesting. You’ll mount the GPU vertically using the included PCIe riser cable, which is a quality shielded unit rather than the cheap unshielded cables that plague some SFF cases. The GPU bracket is adjustable to accommodate different card lengths, and securing the card is straightforward once you’ve figured out the optimal position. The riser cable is PCIe 3.0 specification, which is fine for most users but worth noting if you’re running a PCIe 4.0 GPU and need maximum bandwidth for specific workloads.

Cable management in a 10.4-litre case is always challenging, but the Terra Jade handles it better than many competitors. The space behind the PSU provides some room for excess cable length, and the sliding divider means you can optimise this space based on your specific PSU and cable situation. Using short custom cables or cable extensions would improve aesthetics significantly, though the solid panels mean internal cable tidiness matters less than in glass-sided cases. I’d still recommend taking the time to route cables neatly – it improves airflow and makes future upgrades easier.

One frustration: Fractal doesn’t include any cable ties, velcro straps, or cable management accessories despite the premium pricing. You’ll want to have some on hand before starting your build. The case also lacks any cable routing channels or tie-down points, so you’re largely on your own for keeping cables organised. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it feels like an oversight on a case at this price point.

Front I/O and Storage Configuration

The front I/O panel sits atop the case, featuring an anodised aluminium power button that matches the case’s premium aesthetic. The button has a satisfying click with no wobble or cheap feel – a small detail that reinforces the quality impression. Port selection is reasonable for a compact case, though not exceptional.

The USB-C port supporting 20Gbps transfer speeds is genuinely useful and future-proofed, though you’ll need a motherboard with the appropriate header to utilise it. Many budget mini-ITX boards lack this header, so check your motherboard specifications before assuming you’ll have access to the high-speed USB-C functionality. The single USB-A port feels limited in 2026 – I’d have preferred two USB-A ports even if it meant dropping to Gen 1 speeds on both.

The combined audio jack is typical for compact cases, and quality is adequate for headphones or speakers. Audiophiles will use rear motherboard I/O or external DACs anyway, so this isn’t a significant limitation. The front I/O cable is a reasonable length and routes through the motherboard tray area without excessive tension.

Storage is limited but adequate for modern builds. Two 2.5″ SSD mounting positions sit behind the motherboard tray, accessible via thumb screws. In practice, most builders will rely on M.2 NVMe drives mounted directly to the motherboard, using the 2.5″ bays only if additional storage is needed. There’s no support for 3.5″ hard drives, which is expected in a case this compact. If you need mass storage, external drives or a NAS are better solutions than trying to cram mechanical drives into an SFF case.

The lack of drive cages or tool-less mounting systems means you’ll be using screws for any 2.5″ drives. Fractal includes the necessary mounting hardware, and access is reasonable once you’ve removed the motherboard tray side panel. It’s not the most convenient system, but it works and doesn’t compromise the compact dimensions.

Alternative Small Form Factor Cases

The Terra Jade exists in a competitive market segment with several strong alternatives. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritise aesthetics, airflow, or specific component compatibility. Here’s how the Terra Jade compares to other popular SFF options available in the UK market.

The Cooler Master NR200P remains the value champion in this category, offering excellent airflow and component compatibility at roughly half the Terra Jade’s price. However, it’s noticeably larger at 18 litres and lacks the premium materials and aesthetic refinement of the Fractal. If thermal performance and value matter most, the NR200P is hard to beat. For builders who want something more distinctive with better build quality, the Terra Jade justifies its premium.

The NZXT H1 V2 sits closer to the Terra Jade in terms of premium positioning, including a built-in PSU and PCIe riser. It’s slightly larger but offers better airflow and includes more accessories. The H1’s all-in-one approach appeals to some builders, though others prefer the flexibility of choosing their own PSU. At around £299, it’s significantly more expensive than the Terra Jade whilst offering arguably less flexibility.

The Lian Li A4-H2O offers a middle ground between the NR200P’s value and the Terra Jade’s premium positioning. It’s slightly larger than the Terra Jade but provides better cooling potential and costs less. The A4-H2O uses a more conventional mesh panel design that prioritises airflow over aesthetics. If you’re building a higher-power system and want to stay compact, the Lian Li deserves consideration. For more compact alternatives, check out our 1ST PLAYER Trilobite T3 review for a different take on space-efficient design.

Ultimately, the Terra Jade targets builders who want premium materials, distinctive aesthetics, and are willing to accept thermal compromises. It’s not the best-value option, nor the best-cooling option, but it offers a unique combination of quality and design that appeals to a specific audience. If you’re building a moderate-power system and want something that looks like furniture rather than a gaming rig, the Terra Jade delivers.