Review: Fractal Design Node 804

by Parm Mann on 14 May 2014, 15:30

Tags: Fractal Design

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Conclusion

...this sleek-looking box is dwarfed by traditional enthusiast towers yet, with the right components, will more than hold its own in regards to performance.

The Node 804 is a micro-ATX chassis that makes clever use of space. Served up in a cube form factor, this sleek-looking box is dwarfed by traditional enthusiast towers yet, with the right components, will more than hold its own in regards to performance.

We're looking forward to seeing end-users and system-integrators build rigs based around this particular frame - it really is crying out for extreme components and elaborate cooling - and the 804 has ultimately fulfilled its goal of bringing higher performance potential to the flexible Node Series product line.

Fractal has ticked a lot of the right boxes for high-end users looking to downsize, but could more have been done to further shrink the Node 804? Were it not for the ongoing reliance on ATX PSUs and large 3.5in storage devices, the rear chamber might have been halved in size to shave off a further few pounds.

But hey, we're nitpicking. Fractal Design is a chassis manufacturer on the right track and the Node 804, priced at £80, is an intriguing micro-ATX solution that enthusiasts should definitely have on their radar.

The Good

Sleek-looking cube form factor
Can house ultra-high-end hardware
Integrated three-step fan controller
Room for up to 10 storage devices
Supports multiple radiators
Liberal use of mesh filters

The Bad

Side-mounted I/O ports
Still feels a bit big on top of a desk


HEXUS.awards


Fractal Design Node 804

HEXUS.where2buy

The Fractal Design Node 804 chassis is available to purchase from Scan Computers*.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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I still don't like these Hexus reviews with only the good and bad. Give it a rating out of 10 as well please!!
This is definitely on my radar. I'm just in the market for a mATX case and this one appears to tick all of my boxes. It doesn't bother me that it's close to ATX size as the footprint is better for my home setup than the Lancool.
Shame the review didn't include a 240/280 rad setup seeing as Fractal are pushing the watercooling capabilities of this very strongly.

I'm looking also at the new Maximus VII Gene and possibly a 4790K so any reviews you want to do those 2 will be gratefully received. :mrgreen:
Attila the Bun;3275581
This is definitely on my radar. I'm just in the market for a mATX case and this one appears to tick all of my boxes. It doesn't bother me that it's close to ATX size as the footprint is better for my home setup than the Lancool.
Shame the review didn't include a 240/280 rad setup seeing as Fractal are pushing the watercooling capabilities of this very strongly.

I'm looking also at the new Maximus VII Gene and possibly a 4790K so any reviews you want to do those 2 will be gratefully received. :mrgreen:

Agreed there, actually that's something I'd like to see more of in reviews, a small feature on watercooling. Yeah you can say what it'll fit but it'd be nice to actually demonstrate it, slap a double depth radiator in there so we can see how much space there is, you don't have to hook it up.
ksdp37
I still don't like these Hexus reviews with only the good and bad. Give it a rating out of 10 as well please!!

No no no no no!

Scores are meaningless and serve no functional purpose with relation to the product.

I mean what you want? Hexus to say, “well we think this case scores an 8?”….WTF does that even mean? Do you base your buying decisions on just review scores alone? "I'm going to get this case solely because ACME Reviewers gave it an 9/10."

Far better is for the reviewer to offer his observations and objective and subjective opinions, and let the reader come to his own conclusions on whether or not this case is worth it.
Love it :-)

Its very much a modern and cheaper version of the Lian Li 343 - which was a stellar case but too big.

On my hit list