The original Era ITX is a crowd favourite based on aesthetics. Recently, the company introduced its latest masterpiece, which we will discuss in our Fractal Design Era 2 Review.
Fractal Design integrates customer feedback, thus creating a chassis offering quality and excellence. The product brings more, and we will discuss everything you need to know.
In this Fractal Design Era 2 Review, we will learn more about its appearance, functions, performance, features, and other details. So continue reading to learn more about this quality PC case from Fractal Design.
Fractal Design Era 2 Review – Design and Functionality
For our Fractal Design Era 2 Review, we are reviewing the blue-coloured Era 2. It is a vibrant shade that catches the eyes yet is still soothing.
Seeing the Era 2 will remind you of its predecessor. Fortunately, the chassis has stark and subtle changes that differentiate it from the latter.
Its ventilation cut-out patterns are more attractive than those of its predecessor. Plus, you can find these on its side panels mirroring each other.
In addition, these appear more interesting because of the wider spread, allowing more airflow in and out of the chassis.
This chassis features a minimalist design, and the addition of acute curves on its panels gives it a classier look. Fractal Design also adds ridges on each panel, giving the Era 2 a two-toned appearance. It works when light reflects differently on each half despite having a uniform shade.
The PC Case Top Panel
At the top is a magnetic walnut wood panel that contrasts nicely with the entire aluminium body of the case. Its effect is subtle in the blue version of Era 2. You can choose the silver or charcoal grey variants.
I/O Ports
The I/O ports are at the bottom of the front panel. There is a lighted power button and a headphone/mic combo jack. In addition, USB connectors include a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port and two USB-A ports.
Tool-Free Design
Accessing the interior does not require tools since the shell clings to the frame via the bottom dust filter. After removing it with a gentle tug, you can lift the chassis and access the build.
Repeating the steps in reverse lets you return the chassis. You should hear a satisfying click when securing the chassis and returning the shell.
Dimensions and Compatibility
The Era 2 measures 365 x 165 x 315mm (L x W x H) and has a 19L volume. Its movable spine has three stepped positions, affecting its capacity for each component you can install.
Position 1 can accommodate up to 70mm tall coolers, but it reduces the available clearance for the GPU to 48mm. Setting the spine to position 3 offers 55mm for CPU clearance and 63mm for the GPU.
The maximum GPU height is 137mm regardless of spine position, but other factors may affect its clearance. Cables are among the factors you may need to consider since these also need to bend within the chassis.
Fractal recommends a maximum of 4mm for the GPU backplate thickness when using the Era 2. Note that larger GPUs will restrict airflow and may cause problems with cable management
Ventilation
Fractal Design aimed this chassis at AIO users. It supports up to 280mm AIO cooler with a radiator measuring up to 140x307mm.
Two bottom-mounted Aspect 120 PWM fans handle the air intake by blowing upward. Also, the side panels have perforations, while the wooden top has long slates for exhaust flow. The improved thermal results in our tests for this Fractal Design Era 2 Review showed these ventilations worked effectively.
Key Features of the Fractal Design Era 2
The second iteration of the Era chassis comes with new and improved features. Aside from a better design, it has other elements that make PC building more convenient. Let us discuss each primary feature of this chassis and determine what makes it better than its predecessor.
Iconic Design
The Era 2 has a sleek appearance with its anodised aluminium exterior and an FSC-certified walnut top panel.
Streamlined Gaming
The Era 2 can accommodate graphics cards up to 326mm long with a 280mm radiator. You can enjoy powerful gaming, even with an SFF chassis.
With its capacity, building our PC with this chassis for our Fractal Design Era 2 Review was a breeze.
Ready to Connect
This chassis has a pre-installed PCIe 4.0 riser cable and dedicated mounts for four 2.5-inch drives. With these parts, you can readily install your PC components out of the box.
Front-Facing I/O
You can find the I/O ports in the front panel of the Era 2 for convenient access. It also has a USB-C 20Gbps for fast transfer speeds.
Superior Ventilation
Fractal Design engineered the Era 2 to direct airflow through the chassis, providing adequate ventilation. It also has two Aspect 12 PWM fans to deliver more air and reduce heat.
Smooth Access
Building our PC for this Fractal Design Era 2 Review was enjoyable due to the tool-free access. This feature provides quick interior access with its magnetic top panel that slides off easily and a push-to-release top bracket.
Specifications
Drive Mounts:
- 3.5″/2.5″ Drive Mounts: 0 total, 0 included
- Dedicated 2.5″ Drive Mounts: 4 total (2 on motherboard wall), all included
- 5.25″ Drive Mounts: 0 total, 0 included
Expansion & Compatibility:
- Expansion Slots: 3
- Motherboard Compatibility: ITX
- Power Supply Type: SFX / SFX-L
Front Interface:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C
- 2 x USB 3.0
- Audio
Cooling Options:
- Total Fan Mounts:
- 4 x 120 mm or
- 2 x 120 mm and 2 x 140 mm
(Includes 2 x 120 mm Aspect PWM fans)
- Top Fan Support: 2 x 120 mm or 2 x 140 mm
- Bottom Fan Support: 2 x 120 mm
- Dust Filters: Bottom
Radiator Support:
- Top Radiator:
- Up to 315 x 140 mm (total thickness ≤ 52 mm)
- Up to 300 x 140 mm (total thickness ≤ 58 mm)
GPU Support:
- Max Length: 326 mm
- Max Height: 137 mm
- Max Thickness: 48-63 mm (depending on motherboard wall position)
CPU Cooler Support:
- Max Height: 55-70 mm (depending on motherboard wall position)
Cable Management:
- Cable Routing Grommets: No
- Fixed Velcro Straps: Yes (2 included)
Other Features:
- Captive Thumbscrews: PCI-e Blanks
- Panels: Aluminum
- SFF-Ready Enthusiast GeForce Cards: Yes
Dimensions & Weight:
- Case Dimensions (L x W x H): 366 x 165 x 314 mm
- Without Feet/Protrusions/Screws: 365 x 165 x 314 mm
- Net Weight: 4.64 kg
- Package Dimensions (L x W x H): 455 x 250 x 408 mm
- Gross Weight: 5.74 kg
Included in the Box:
- Package Contents:
- Case
- Accessory Box
- Designer’s Letter
- Quick Start Note
- Accessory Box Contents:
- SSD Screws x16
- PSU Screws x4
- Motherboard Screws x8
- Zip Ties x4
Hands-on with the Fractal Design Era 2
We built our PC before diving into testing for our Fractal Design Era 2 Review.
The experience highlighted the chassis’ user-friendly design, which facilitated a seamless building process. Fractal Design’s commitment to simplifying PC assembly is evident in the tool-free access and thoughtful design features that eliminate unnecessary complexity.
Accessibility stood out as one of the Era 2’s strong points. The top radiator mount proved particularly helpful, as it allowed for easier installation of components with the PSU oriented upward. This design choice ensured better clearance and reduced the hassle of working in a compact space.
The GPU section was another highlight, offering a spacious and open area that accommodated larger GPUs with ease. The cut-out at the front of the chassis further enhanced this feature, allowing us to install long GPUs without difficulty.
In addition to the straightforward installation, cable management was a breeze. The inclusion of fixed Velcro straps and an uncluttered interior layout allowed us to neatly route and secure cables.
This not only improved airflow but also contributed to a clean and polished final build.
Once the PC was built, we moved on to testing, and the thermal performance exceeded expectations. Despite its small form factor, the Fractal Design Era 2 effectively maintained component temperatures within acceptable ranges.
Even during gaming sessions, the system stayed cool, which speaks volumes about the case’s airflow and thermal design.
On the noise front, the chassis performed admirably, balancing cooling performance with acoustic output. During heavy workloads with fan speeds at maximum, the noise level became noticeable, particularly in quieter environments.
However, it was never intrusive or overwhelming, making it suitable even for use in shared spaces or noise-sensitive setups.
When fan speeds were reduced during lighter tasks, the chassis operated almost silently, creating a tranquil and distraction-free environment. This quiet operation, combined with the effective thermal design, ensures the case is well-suited for a variety of scenarios, from intense gaming sessions to casual everyday use.
The thoughtful balance between performance and acoustics highlights the meticulous design of the Fractal Design Era 2.
Overall, we were highly satisfied with the results of our tests for this Fractal Design Era 2 Review. The case delivered excellent performance across the board, with optimal thermal management and reasonable noise levels.
While temperatures and noise increased under heavy loads, these remained within acceptable limits, making the Era 2 a fantastic choice for compact yet powerful PC builds.
Fractal Design Era 2 Review Summary
The Fractal Design Era 2 is a stunning evolution of its predecessor, combining elegance with improved functionality. Its refined aesthetics, including anodized aluminum panels and an FSC-certified walnut top, enhance its premium look while maintaining a minimalist design. The addition of ventilation cut-outs and acute curves demonstrates Fractal Design’s attention to detail, merging form with practicality.
Building in the Era 2 was an enjoyable experience, thanks to its user-friendly features like tool-free access, intuitive layout, and pre-installed components such as a PCIe 4.0 riser cable. The spacious interior and adjustable spine positions allowed us to accommodate a variety of components easily, including larger GPUs and AIO cooling solutions, proving that compact doesn’t have to mean limiting.
Performance-wise, the Era 2 exceeded expectations. Thermal management was excellent, even during gaming sessions, with all components staying within safe temperature ranges. Noise levels were well-controlled, with the case operating quietly during everyday tasks and remaining unobtrusive under heavy workloads, making it suitable for both gaming and professional use.
The Fractal Design Era 2 offers a perfect balance of aesthetics, performance, and build convenience. Its thoughtful design and premium features make it an ideal choice for enthusiasts looking for a compact yet powerful chassis that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.
