Some time ago, we reviewed the North PC case. So today, we will discuss another option in our Fractal Design North XL Review.
The original North was the only case in this series from Fractal. Thankfully, the company decided to add another product to their lineup.
The North XL is massive enough to house E-ATX motherboards and additional fans and has optimised cooling capabilities. It comes in two colour options: Charcoal Black and Chalk White.
Both colours look excellent. However, we will discuss the Charcoal Black version with a mesh side panel for our Fractal Design North XL Review.
Fractal Design North XL Packaging
The packaging is simple because Fractal ships its PC case in a minimalist cardboard box. The company branding and model name are visible on the larger sides of the package. The Fractal logo is on the smaller sides.
You will see a little sticker on the box to identify which colour and variant is in the package.
Inside the box, you will notice a printed pattern to add to the aesthetics and unboxing experience. The chassis will not wobble or move unnecessarily during transit thanks to the foam spacers keeping the product in place. Fractal included a plastic bag to protect the case from fingerprints and scratches.
Inside the box, the North XL ships with the following:
- An assortment of screws
- Some zip ties
- A multilingual user manual
- The red warrant pamphlet from Fractal
Fractal Design North XL Review – Design and Functionality
When we unboxed it for our Fractal Design North XL Review, we realised it looked exactly like the original North. The North XL integrates the new design style of Fractal, which features wooden elements and softer curves. These aesthetics offer a warm, cosy visual flow.
Although there are plastic elements on the chassis, it is less evident since Fractal wraps everything in steel.
The front of the case features authentic wooden strips, which is the attraction of this chassis. Since we have the Charcoal Black version for this review, it features dark walnut wooden slats in front.
Like the previous model, the wood on North XL is functional instead of cosmetic. Removing the plastic panel displays three 140mm retail-grade Aspect fans that work by pulling air into the case.
Lastly, the product houses a detachable dust filter for convenient cleaning.
The rear of the North XL features the PSU at the bottom, like in its conventional chassis layout. You will also find the leather pull tab on the top for removing the top panel from the chassis here. Its colour matches with the wood in front.
The PSU bay has a mounting frame, allowing you to slide the unit in through the back. Above that, you will find seven expansion slots with reusable protective covers.
The topmost portion of the rear panel features a mounting option for a fan measuring up to 140mm. You will find an elongated air vent that works as mounting locations for the screws.
The model we are using for this Fractal Design North XL Review features the mesh side panel. This mesh design contributes to more ventilation, maintaining lower temperatures when the system runs.
We appreciate the convenient attachment of the side panels. When removing these, slide the panel open and pop it off with the integrated tab.
As we mentioned, the top panel features another perforated cover secured by the leather tab on the rear. The ceiling offers room for three 120mm or two 140-180mm fans.
It marks a noticeable upgrade from the original North limited to two 140mm units. The XL model offers space for a liquid cooling system in the ceiling. It accommodates lengths of up to 600mm.
The IO configuration is comprehensive, featuring one USB-C port with two audio and two USB-A ports. Notably, the Charcoal Black version features golden IO, while the white version opts for silver.
Underneath, Fractal maintains consistency in design and colour throughout the chassis. A dust filter shields the PSU from debris and is easily removable for cleaning. Additionally, there are five potential mounting spots for the floor-mounted 3.5-inch drive trays.
Key Features of the Fractal Design North XL
What makes the North XL better than the original North PC case? Our Fractal Design North XL Review will discuss its primary features to learn more about its upgrades and improvements.
Versatile, Gaming-Ready Build
The intuitive interior layout of the North XL makes your building experience more convenient and enjoyable. It is also compatible with mITX, ATX, and E-ATX motherboards.
Extensive Cooling with the Fractal Design North XL
This PC case is compatible with up to 413mm GPUs or a 380mm GPU with a 420mm front radiator. It also works with up to 360mm top radiators.
Natural and Unique Design
The North XL has a sophisticated design that integrates perfectly into your living space. Its front panel bars are FSC-certified oak or walnut, offering a unique finish to the PC case. With wood and alloy details, you can enjoy the elegant aesthetic of your gaming station.
Type-C Interface
The North XL has three front USB ports. One is a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, offering up to 20 Gbps speeds.
Excellent Ventilation
With integrated mesh, the North XL can help keep your components cool. The PC case also has three 140mm Aspect PWM fans.
We conducted various tests to test its cooling and ventilation. Later in our Fractal Design North XL Review, we will discuss its performance and thermal results in different scenarios.
Specifications
- Front Radiator: up to 420mm or 360mm
- Top Radiator: up to 280mm or 360mm
- Compatible Motherboards: E-ATX (330 mm), ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX
- Total 120 mm Fan Mounts: 9x
- Total 140 mm Fan Mounts: 8x
- Maximum Graphics Card Length: up to 413mm
- Front Interface: 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, audio jack, microphone jack
- Dedicated 2.5-inch Drive Mounts: 2x
- Combined 3.5/2.5-inch Drive Mounts: 2x included
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Top Fan: 3x 120mm, 2x 140mm or 2x 180mm
- Rear Fan: 1x 120mm or 140 mm
- PSU Type: ATX
- Cable Routing Space: 29 mm
- Net Weight: 9.7 kg
Hands-on with the Fractal Design North XL
We built a PC with the North XL and conducted various tests to see its thermal and acoustic performance. But before we discuss our test results, our Fractal Design North XL Review will focus on our building experience.
Installing a motherboard in the North XL starts with a conventional process since it requires screws and spacers. The chassis has grommet-covered openings aligned with the board, like the openings in the shroud.
Unlike the original North, offering room for 355mm GPUs, the North XL can hold GPUs up to 415mm. You can also install the GPU in the default configuration.
Installing an SSD is straightforward since you can easily mount it onto the detached tray and secure it with screws. Once finished, return it to the position on the motherboard tray.
Each 3.5-inch HDD tray can hold a 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drive simultaneously. With this capability, it means the North XL can accommodate six drives.
Screws keep the drives secure, and Fractal also includes rubber rings for anti-vibration. These allow you to install two drive trays next to each other.
Installing the PSU requires screwing the frame first and sliding it into the chassis through the rear.
The finished look of the North XL with all components installed is a clean PC case. Its well-placed grommets made assembly and cable management easy and convenient.
In our testing of the Fractal Design North XL, we observed impressive results in both thermals and noise.
The case’s design provides effective thermal management, maintaining a CPU temperature of 27°C in idle mode, which is an excellent baseline for any system. Under load, the temperature peaked at a reasonable 58°C, ensuring stability and performance even during intensive operations.
Similarly, the GPU temperatures remained well-controlled at 41°C in idle and peaked at 77°C under load, highlighting the case’s ability to handle high-performance components without overheating.
Acoustically, the North XL also stands out. It maintained very low noise levels which were barely noticeable in a typical room environment.
Under load, the noise level increased slightly but still remained practically inaudible.
This balance of quiet operation and effective cooling is a testament to the thoughtful engineering behind the Fractal Design North XL, making it a suitable choice for both power users and those sensitive to noise.
Fractal Design North XL Review Summary
The original North was a unique offering from Fractal Design that we loved. We appreciate the company for increasing the size of this PC case with the North XL. Unlike the predecessor, the North XL is compatible with E-ATX motherboards and the longest GPUs, making it ready for gaming.
We enjoyed building a PC with this chassis when we tested the product for this Fractal Design North XL Review. It has adequate grommets and Velcro strips, making cable management a breeze. Also, it has sufficient ventilation and room for cooling fans to maintain low temperatures and noise.
The North XL is an excellent PC case for gaming builds that will suit your home aesthetics. It offers everything you need in a high-quality chassis, making it easy to recommend.
Visit the official Fractal Design product page for more information about the North XL.
