You're the first reviewer I saw that flips the bottoms fans to exhaust. I appreciate that you took the time to review and include this change. Although I have no intention of getting this case as I just got the M2, I appreciate seeing more ppl using bottom fans as exhaust as this is what I'm doing in my current air-cooled rig.
The volume of the Era 2 is indeed a bit large for an ITX motherboard, but considering that Fractal Design already has the Terra, it's somewhat understandable why they went with this size.
Great review. Thanks for covering all the configurations you could do and how it impacts the thermals. Shame this case doesn’t support matx given the height
YEP, me too, i actually would be a fractal case collector. Want the green TERA, also this one in blue. BTW, eu só achei em uma loja em Minas Gerais, sempre faço comentarios nos post da Fractal... Bom gosto não é coisa de Brasileiro médio também, não sabemos se venderia bem por aqui.
I would love to see Cases to integrate haptic feedback on buttons, i think more and more we gonna see everything became more humanoid, android like and a haptic feedback button would be a start to make it feel alive.
I think it would be a much more compelling case if it supported mATX Motherboards. I think when comparing it to the M2, it just lacks compatibility. Nevertheless, its design is so typically Fractal, which I really like, and it should be available everywhere instead of always being out of stock like the M2.
Cheers! Indeed, with sandwich style cases exhausting to encourage makeup air to come through the side panels is often the way to go. Really helps GPU temps.
I love the concept of bottom exhaust and top exhaust with the PSU and GPU pulling in the fresh air. However I am a little worried about dust in that scenario
It’s definitely a potential issue, the side panels are still unfiltered so the GPU would still bring in dust in a balanced airflow scenario. Cleaning out the case regularly would be the best way to mitigate.
really nice review of some necessary revisions. it's a looker but Fractal doing a 3 slot capable, but 2 slot appearing is going to lose sales. seriously, itx mobos are a premium, aluminum cases are a premium substantial percentages of buyers will want this for a high end system. going for four slot gpu's would've been a good call even though the motherboard tray would have to be repositioned. another thing is very few ppl are needing to have a drive cage, even though it's removable. surface mounting would improve air flow. i really like the cable mgt.
@@MachinesMore thanks! I really wanted to try this case since seeing it when it was announced but I am not sure I want to move from my Ncase M2; really loving it right now.
Would the temps follow the same pattern with an air-cooled CPU with two 140mm fans on the top panel ? It's the route I intend to take and I wonder if in this sceario I'll still need to flip the bottom fans in exhaust configuration or if the classic bottom to top conf will be good enough
Yes, for air cooling the CPU, a dual exhausting scenario for top and case fans would be best for thermals. It encourages make-up air to flow in directly to your air cooler and also the GPU cooler fans.
best example for function follows design. to much disadvantages like the psu mount with output to the bottom. but also in the gpu department getting worse temps compared to a smaller terra with the same gpu like a 4080 fe. so its more expensive, has alot functional disadvantages and all of this for: design instead of its purpose
Absolutely. With a sandwich case the flow through GPU is still doing the same thing, which is intaking through the side panel, and we want to encourage that as much as possible.
How do you think it compares to the NCase M2? As you have now worked with both I'm interested in what you think? I have a M2 on order, but they have been delayed again and I'm thinking of cancelling and getting this if it is any good
The build quality on the m2 is better, however the build experience is better with the Era 2. M2 is smaller but does more, supports more, and is way more flexible in configuration. Combined thermals are comparable but the edge would go to the M2 since you can set it up in a way that would be great for both CPU heavy and gaming scenarios, whereas with the Era 2 you have to choose between the two components to prioritize. The M2 does not require a riser cable to function, and it can use one optionally. I would say as long as you are comfortable building up the case itself, the M2 is going to be the better bet for most SFF enthusiasts.
Facts. It's smaller, yet allows use of matx boards. Itx boards are the main downside of sff to me. My next build is going to be in the M2, finally giving up my beloved M1 lol.
I just don't understand why they would make a case with this much volume (basically matx size) without allowing the utilization of a matx board. You get all the drawbacks of itx boards, without the nice look of a true sff case. I just don't who this is for.
One of the best selling SFF cases ever is the NR200 at the same volume. I do think the valine is off for a sandwich case, though. The NR200 uses a classic layout.
You're the first reviewer I saw that flips the bottoms fans to exhaust. I appreciate that you took the time to review and include this change. Although I have no intention of getting this case as I just got the M2, I appreciate seeing more ppl using bottom fans as exhaust as this is what I'm doing in my current air-cooled rig.
What I came here to say, nobody else did it, and it turned out to be pretty significant. Thank you.
The volume of the Era 2 is indeed a bit large for an ITX motherboard, but considering that Fractal Design already has the Terra, it's somewhat understandable why they went with this size.
True, tho it would have been nice if they could have squeezed an mATX in there, even if it’s not as popular
Great review. Thanks for covering all the configurations you could do and how it impacts the thermals. Shame this case doesn’t support matx given the height
I wish it could be sold here in Brazil for a...fair price. Not costing a liver...
Tnx for the usual great content!
YEP, me too, i actually would be a fractal case collector.
Want the green TERA, also this one in blue.
BTW, eu só achei em uma loja em Minas Gerais, sempre faço comentarios nos post da Fractal... Bom gosto não é coisa de Brasileiro médio também, não sabemos se venderia bem por aqui.
I would love to see Cases to integrate haptic feedback on buttons, i think more and more we gonna see everything became more humanoid, android like and a haptic feedback button would be a start to make it feel alive.
I think it would be a much more compelling case if it supported mATX Motherboards. I think when comparing it to the M2, it just lacks compatibility. Nevertheless, its design is so typically Fractal, which I really like, and it should be available everywhere instead of always being out of stock like the M2.
Great review. I'm wondering if you can also have a review of Mechanic Master case the C24 C26 and C28?
I wish you would also look at the Thorzone NanoQ S and R version. I would love for you to review it and build a PC in it
Awesome review, your setup and presentation are getting better every video, awesome vibe in this one
NR200P still wins for the price.
I wouldn't have guessed that bottom exhaust could work. Thumbs up!
Cheers! Indeed, with sandwich style cases exhausting to encourage makeup air to come through the side panels is often the way to go. Really helps GPU temps.
I wouldn't have guessed that bottom intake could work. (Edit: it doesn't.) :)
Definitely picking up this case. Will dual T30s fit in the bottom? I can't find the max fan thickness anywhere.
I love the concept of bottom exhaust and top exhaust with the PSU and GPU pulling in the fresh air. However I am a little worried about dust in that scenario
It’s definitely a potential issue, the side panels are still unfiltered so the GPU would still bring in dust in a balanced airflow scenario. Cleaning out the case regularly would be the best way to mitigate.
$200 USD. I'm gonna wait for a sale, and get a blue one.
Great review
I wish u make a review for nanoq r
As well
Best review out for the Era2 , great work!
really nice review of some necessary revisions. it's a looker but Fractal doing a 3 slot capable, but 2 slot appearing is going to lose sales. seriously, itx mobos are a premium, aluminum cases are a premium substantial percentages of buyers will want this for a high end system. going for four slot gpu's would've been a good call even though the motherboard tray would have to be repositioned. another thing is very few ppl are needing to have a drive cage, even though it's removable. surface mounting would improve air flow. i really like the cable mgt.
so with a RTX 4080 Super and a 7800X3d you are saying exhausting rad and bottom exhaust is the way to go?
Yup, in general gaming setups will be best as top exhaust. Bottom exhaust is my recommendation regardless of rad fan direction.
@@MachinesMore thanks! I really wanted to try this case since seeing it when it was announced but I am not sure I want to move from my Ncase M2; really loving it right now.
19l case with formd level of gpu support
Would the temps follow the same pattern with an air-cooled CPU with two 140mm fans on the top panel ? It's the route I intend to take and I wonder if in this sceario I'll still need to flip the bottom fans in exhaust configuration or if the classic bottom to top conf will be good enough
Yes, for air cooling the CPU, a dual exhausting scenario for top and case fans would be best for thermals. It encourages make-up air to flow in directly to your air cooler and also the GPU cooler fans.
best example for function follows design.
to much disadvantages like the psu mount with output to the bottom. but also in the gpu department getting worse temps compared to a smaller terra with the same gpu like a 4080 fe. so its more expensive, has alot functional disadvantages and all of this for: design instead of its purpose
Fractal needs fewer artists and more engineers. :)
What about with a flow through GPU? Do you still think bottom exhaust would be best?
Absolutely. With a sandwich case the flow through GPU is still doing the same thing, which is intaking through the side panel, and we want to encourage that as much as possible.
@@MachinesMore - Got it, thank you! Will definitely set mine up that way when it arrives. Appreciate how thorough you are in your reviews!
How’s this compare to the M2?
Just wish i could fit my 4090 Strix
Loving this case !!!
Nice review. Thank you.
How do you think it compares to the NCase M2? As you have now worked with both I'm interested in what you think?
I have a M2 on order, but they have been delayed again and I'm thinking of cancelling and getting this if it is any good
The build quality on the m2 is better, however the build experience is better with the Era 2. M2 is smaller but does more, supports more, and is way more flexible in configuration. Combined thermals are comparable but the edge would go to the M2 since you can set it up in a way that would be great for both CPU heavy and gaming scenarios, whereas with the Era 2 you have to choose between the two components to prioritize. The M2 does not require a riser cable to function, and it can use one optionally. I would say as long as you are comfortable building up the case itself, the M2 is going to be the better bet for most SFF enthusiasts.
@@MachinesMore Thank you!
You you you… are the best
This might be what im looking for. I am not a fan of the "gamer" look.
Taste is subjective, but I don’t understand why people like the looks of this case at all. It is absolutely horrid to me.
The M2 is superior
Facts. It's smaller, yet allows use of matx boards. Itx boards are the main downside of sff to me. My next build is going to be in the M2, finally giving up my beloved M1 lol.
I just don't understand why they would make a case with this much volume (basically matx size) without allowing the utilization of a matx board. You get all the drawbacks of itx boards, without the nice look of a true sff case. I just don't who this is for.
One of the best selling SFF cases ever is the NR200 at the same volume.
I do think the valine is off for a sandwich case, though. The NR200 uses a classic layout.
It's for those whom Terra does not satisfy (in one way or many). (I don't know who that is, save for, potentially, those with 60mm GPUs.)