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For our tests we will be using an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro to cool the Intel Core i7 3770K CPU in the Fractal Design Node 605. Our test system also features an AMD Radeon HD 7950 graphics card. We overclocked the system to 4.4 GHZ for our tests using a voltage of 1.25V.
Test System:
- Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K.
- Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX.
- Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.
- Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2.
- Memory: 4GB (2x 2GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis.
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7950.
- Power Supply: Corsair GS800.
- System Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K 240 GB.
- Monitor: Viewsonic VX2260WM.
Software:
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).
- CPUID Hardware Monitor.
- Prime95 64-bit.
- Furmark V1.9.2.
To test the thermal performance of the Fractal Design Node 304 we loaded our test system for 15 minutes using Prime95 and Furmark and recorded the maximum temperatures reached using CPUID Hardware Monitor. We then restarted the system and left it for 15 minutes before recording idle temperatures.
Room temperature was maintained at 16 degrees C for the duration of our tests.
The thermal performance of our test system was quite good, although it could be improved considerably with a performance air cooler. Those looking for decent overclocks should definitely look into the high-end C-type coolers from Noctua and Phanteks.
To conduct our noise level tests, we replaced the graphics card in our system with a AMD Radeon HD 5550 Silence which was passively cooled. We also momentarily disconnected the fans on the CPU cooler so we were only taking into account the noise generated by the fans in the case.
The case was quiet in our tests but not silent. Even with the fans running at full speed, it recorded less than 30 dBA on our noise level meter so we cannot publish a certain result.
The inbuilt fan controller can reduce the noise down to almost silent too which is great for those who want the quietest possible HTPC.
excellent, I love the appearance of this case, looks fantastic.
I always wanted to build a system like this to fit inside my hifi rack for connection to the tv and fast enough to handle anything, even some gaming.
This looks like a good option. need to work out the cost now.
Very very sexy. im sold.
shame it wasnt all aluminum, id pay extra for that. so much lighter too.
Just a note on the video card situation, i’ve got a matx board in the case and am able to stick a powercolor 6970 inside without the hard drive bays being a hindrance and i’ve still got room to run cables, etc in front of the video card.
I don’t think I’d be able to crossfire the 6970s (don’t know who would want to in an htpc case) there is room between the card and the hard drives (if you mount the hdd facing the other way) but considering the width of the card i dont think 2 could fit
Second, The fan controller in the case has 3 Fan connectors but they only fit 3pin connectors (i bought 3, 4pin fans -_-)
I know Fractal includes 2 Fractal fans but even at high speed they’re only pulling 40cfm (they’re the FD Silent R2 fans) and that wasn’t enough imo so I replaced them with some Cougar Vortex fans.
I contacted Fractal Designs about the 3pin connectors and I must say their customer service is amazing, they sent me a step by step email including pictures on how i could cut the 3pin fan connector to accommodate a 4pin fan which they said would work with the fan controller as they’ve tested it.
Instead of going that route though I found some 4 to 3 pin fan connectors online, even 3pin extension cables that could support a 4pin connector.
Also the molex connector for the fan controller, in my case, was loose so it was a big hassle getting it connected to the power supplies female molex
Third, The slim optical disc drive, Fractal supplies a mounting kit but no slimline sata connection to power your drive you’ll have to buy that yourself you can find them online for as low as a dollar.
The mounting kit is a bit difficult to install, it was for me anyway, since i left it for the last thing to install -_- and because the screws supplied were larger than the holes on the mounting kit (ever so slightly) so I really had to use some force to screw it in
Fourth, CPU cooling, There is not much height to the case to attach a large heatsink, Fractal recommends no higher than 125mm if the fans are attached on the sides; this was difficult for me to find a suitable cooling unit,, hydro cooling units won’t fit btw there’s no room to mount the rad+fan unless you do some modding like having it stick part way out of the case. I was fortunately able to find the Noctua NH-U9B SE2 which fit perfectly inside the case with both fans mounted.
Lastly areas for improvement:
I wish that there was a fan on top of the case to help suck air out (like silverstone does, i believe) I’m not sure on what my temps will be like since I haven’t gotten it up and running yet but it would certainly ease my mind as that whole right side of the case is really congested with hard drives the gpu and psu and there’s only that 1 fan blowing in on the right side but its completely restricted with the grill/the hard drives and the cables; again I don’t know what my temps will be like but it would certainly ease the mind and there is certainly room for a fan in that area.
There’s also room, believe it or not, to stick more hard drives in the case and it would be nice if Fractal had included mounting brackets for this but I can understand why not. I bought a pci expansion slot hard drive mount to mount my SSD and a 2.5″ drive and there’s still plenty of room; there’s even room for a 3.5″
Also the aforementioned lack of a slimline sata cable, it would be nice if Fractal had included this considering the price of the case and Fractal needs to improve Quality Control (the loose molex and mounting holes)
Overall though I’m impressed with the build quality and the looks of the case and I can’t wait to start using it, but i’ve been very frugal in my build using hand me down parts and waiting for all my cables/parts from different vendors.