Fractal Completely NAILED Era 2.

[@j00st91]

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.

[@frati80]

What I came here to say, nobody else did it, and it turned out to be pretty significant. Thank you.

[@adpt_music]

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

[@MrOnlinenow]

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.

[@krokenlochen]

True, tho it would have been nice if they could have squeezed an mATX in there, even if it’s not as popular

[@darkapostledan]

I have the Terra, enjoy the aesthetic but it gets extremely hot. The Era 2 feels like if the Terra actually had cooling capabilities at the “cost” of bigger a bit bigger.

[@jmfrost86]

I wish it could be sold here in Brazil for a...fair price. Not costing a liver... Tnx for the usual great content!

[@MarceloTezza]

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.

[@nils_vmanen]

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.

[@lucaswilson9969]

Awesome review, your setup and presentation are getting better every video, awesome vibe in this one

[@t.7527]

Love what Fractal has been doing and always love Machines & More’s perspective and suggestions when giving an overview/review of cool new tech !

[@MachinesMore]

Glad you love it! Sincere thanks for the support!

[@quickset]

Best review out for the Era2 , great work!

[@PerditionVT]

Definitely picking up this case. Will dual T30s fit in the bottom? I can't find the max fan thickness anywhere.

[@QualityScrub]

Curious on this too if you find out.

[@Adel-sj4ue]

Great review I wish u make a review for nanoq r As well And may be a comparison with those new era2 and m2

[@mike80808]

The intro had me thinking I found the "Case Hub" channel. 🤣

[@EstraFX]

Thanks for the review and recommendations! - How would I orient my top radiator fans to ensure it is intake? Should its fans be facing upwards/downwards?

[@goose5462]

Fantastic review as always. Thanks for all your efforts.

[@weirdodude1173]

I wouldn't have guessed that bottom exhaust could work. Thumbs up!

[@MachinesMore]

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.

[@MarceloTezza]

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.

[@jpofficialyoutubechannel]

Great review. I'm wondering if you can also have a review of Mechanic Master case the C24 C26 and C28?

[@fabsenbmx]

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

[@MachinesMore]

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.

[@thoriig3887]

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

[@tunejunky]

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.

[@emiel255]

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

[@JackTotGaming]

so with a RTX 4080 Super and a 7800X3d you are saying exhausting rad and bottom exhaust is the way to go?

[@MachinesMore]

Yup, in general gaming setups will be best as top exhaust. Bottom exhaust is my recommendation regardless of rad fan direction.

[@JackTotGaming]

@@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.

[@aurelien_nat]

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

[@MachinesMore]

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.

[@marksulloway5669]

Nice review. Thank you.

[@notmatt5864]

no one ever talks about the original era with the vented top installed. Have you ever built on one?

[@QualityScrub]

What about with a flow through GPU? Do you still think bottom exhaust would be best?

[@MachinesMore]

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.

[@QualityScrub]

@@MachinesMore - Got it, thank you! Will definitely set mine up that way when it arrives. Appreciate how thorough you are in your reviews!

[@QualityScrub]

@@MachinesMore - Would you recommend the flow through GPU be closer or the side panel in this case?

[@t.7527]

Loving this case !!!

[@IamMotionMedia]

does this fit the Artic III 280mm?

[@CarnivoryHODL]

How’s this compare to the M2?

[@Tech2C]

NR200P still wins for the price.

[@nickxnasty]

it also wins in ugly

[@julfy_god]

19l case with formd level of gpu support

[@bobbymoss6160]

$200 USD. I'm gonna wait for a sale, and get a blue one.

[@Crunkmaster]

i miss when fractal did $80 cases with function over form. i just built a system in an ugly little fractal node 304 case from ten years ago

[@bobbymoss6160]

@@Crunkmaster That was a good case. The increased ego caused their prices to go up, it has nothing to do with inflation. 😅

[@Crunkmaster]

yup. i like their designs but $200 for a case that introduces absolutely nothing new and fills no gap in the market is unreal

[@chrisrussellca]

You you you… are the best

[@martinmacleod-brown4134]

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

[@MachinesMore]

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.

[@martinmacleod-brown4134]

@@MachinesMore Thank you!

[@Paul-if1jq]

Just wish i could fit my 4090 Strix

[@matthewrezuke8130]

The M2 is superior

[@robertmajors1737]

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.

[@viperx7262]

This might be what im looking for. I am not a fan of the "gamer" look.

[@rasmusvedel]

Taste is subjective, but I don’t understand why people like the looks of this case at all. It is absolutely horrid to me.

[@robertmajors1737]

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.

[@rasmusvedel]

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.

[@bosco9028]

2005 called and they want their Xbox 360 back. There is nothing stylish about this case and it is just a rip off of the 2005 Xbox 360. This case today is ugly and there are a million better ITX cases stylistically and quality wise than this case. Fractal make some great cases but this ain't one of them sorry.

[@nickxnasty]

me and my over powered xbox resent this comment