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Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
Model | Fractal Design Node 804 |
Case Type | Mini-tower |
Dimensions | 344 x 307 x 339 mm (L x A x P), 7.7 Kg |
Material | Steel, plastic |
Color | Black |
5.25'' drive bay | 0 |
3.5'' drive bay | 8 |
Expansion slots | 7 |
Form factors | mATX, Mini-ITX |
Cooling |
4 x 120 mm Front (1 included) 2 x 120/140 mm Rear (2 included) 4 x 120/140 mm Top (optional) |
Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
Overview |
Just like it happens with
the most PC cases, the Fractal Node 804 has been delivered in a cardboard box which has the most
interesting features of the case printed on. The case itself is being protected by a plastic wrap and two big pieces of styrofoam,
which allows it to survive even the roughest shipping. The bundle is cut to the bone
and it does not even include a manual, but it is not a big deal since we are talking about a PC case and the installation is really intuitive. |
Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
Overview |
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As you can clearly see in these images, the Node 804 by Fractal Design is one of those cubic cases that are becoming more and more popular on the market, and it features a dual-chamber layout for optimal cooling and cable management. We do not want to jump the gun, as we will talk about this a bit later. The exterior is made from quality materials and you can see the quality workmanship from the first look at it. The front panel is made out of black plastic which looks like brushed aluminum. The I/O panel is located on the far right, basically on the corner of the case. The I/O panel includes two USB 3.0 ports, audio jacks and the Power button. Under the front panel we find a mesh, which will allow a great airflow inside this little cube case. The top panel is probably the most interesting aspect of the exterior as it is almost entirely made out of mesh, and underneath it, you can install up to four 120/140mm fans. It is completely covered in a sponge-like material, which works as a dust filter. The side panels are pretty standard, but the left one features a nice plexiglass window to allow you to show off your precious hardware. The back panel is pretty standard too, it features five expansion slots for GPUs, two fans, an I/O panel opening and the PSU opening. The only unusual aspect is a little switch with 3 different positions which can control up to three fans and set them to work at different speeds. Last but not least, is the bottom panel, where we find four rubber feet, which could have been a little thicker to give more space between the case itself and the surface as well as two big duster filters, one for the PSU, and one for the fans that can be installed at the bottom of the case. |
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Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
Overview |
Installation of the components inside the Node 804 is really simple and intuitive, mostly thanks to the dual-chamber layout design. If you watch it from above, you will see that on the right part of the case is reserved for the PSU with all its cables, as well as the HDDs that are hanging from the vertical cages. Thanks to this layout, the internal space is well managed and the final result is really clean and tidy, and most importantly, you actually separate the hot PSU from the rest of the components. You can fit up to eight 3.5-inch, two 2.5" and two additional 2.5/3.5" drives behind the front panel. In the left part of the case is the area reserved for the motherboard and GPU, making the end product really tidy. This case can fit micro-ATX motherboard, as well as GPUs as long as 290/320mm, depending on where you put the front fan. It is compatible with standard ATX PSUs that can't be more than 260mm deep. On the right side, there are a few velcro straps that allows you to fix your cables and create an even more neat cable management. |
Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
Overview |
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As far as the cooling is concerned, the Node 804 offers a great number of solutions. We will start from air cooling as the case comes bundled with three 120mm Silent Series R2 fans which rotate at 1000RPM. Other than those bundled three fans, you can install four more fans on the top panel and three more fans on the front panel. The total count ends up at rather impressive ten fans, which is absolutely incredible for a case this size. Fractal, with this case, also thought about liquid cooling enthusiast too as you can fit one 240mm radiator on the top left panel, while on the top right panel you can install a 280mm radiator. Unfortunately, you can't install all of these at the same time, but Fractal noted that you can install one 240mm, one 280mm and two 120mm radiators, all at the same time. Whether you are into air or liquid cooling, the Fractal Node 804 definitely got you covered. | |
Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |
General | + | - | |
The Fractal Design Node 804 is a great PC case. Inside, we find a lot of technical solutions that are really appealing, which makes it really easy to use as well as quite tidy. The design is clean and simple, and it uses high quality materials. |
- Interior concept |
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Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics | + | - | |
The Node 804 features a beautiful front panel, made out of black plastic, that looks very much like brushed aluminum. The rest of the case is made out of solid black metal, while one of the main highlights is the top panel which is really practical and smart, mostly thanks to the black mesh. Unfortunately, the dust filter is quite hard to remove. The rubber feet under the case could have been thicker, as they would lift the case higher from the surface it is standing on. | - Mesh & Filter |
- Slim rubber feet -Dust filter hard to remove | |
Design | + | - | |
Overall, the design is clean and simple as Fractal successfully combined mesh, metal and plastic in a perfect way, and the final result is absolutely stunning. Internal solutions are really smart and the dual-chamber layout allows you to have optimal temperatures as well as a tidy PC. The end result, due to such layout, might be bit to large, especially for those keeping the case on the desk, which is probably one of tiniest flaws of the Node 804. | - Dual chamber design |
- A bit large
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Recommendation | + | - | |
The Node 804 can be used in any kind of situation: even if it is only compatible with micro-ATX motherboards. It can fit multi GPU and liquid cooling systems, which makes it great for high-end rigs as well. Thanks to its clean design, it can also fit into a modern living room as an HTPC. As we speak, the Node 804 is sold for 89 € on Geizhals.de. | -
Gaming-PC |
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Rating | |||
The Fractal Design Node 804 gets good 4.5 out of 5 stars. | |||
Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Installation |
Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Ventilation options |
Page 3 - Bundle | Page 7 - Conclusion |
Page 4 - Product overview |