Fractal Design Focus G Mini Review

[@TroyBarnes70]

I love my case so far. One of the features I chose it for specifically was the 5.25" bays. So many cases don't have them now. I still run a Blu-ray drive and the second bay may soon see a media card/e-sata/USB panel. 🙂

[@JZM006]

im gonna put a floppy drive on my second spot, just bc it's funny

[@blazzer73553]

@@JZM006 i agree i build alot of older retro xp systems as well as modern and this case and the mid tower are actually great, companies need to keep making floppy and cd drive spaces as options.

[@XwaD666]

I bought this case for a mATX Windows XP build for playing games made from 2001-2008 on natively supported hardware and software. The drive bays are 100% essential in this application since many games of this time period require the disks be inserted to play the games. The second drive bay has a floppy drive with 5.25-3.5 adapter. This is essential for loading AHCI or RAID drivers during setup when installing Windows XP from an OEM installation disk. It's nice to see case manufacturers still catering to this application.

[@FenrirTheGray]

As far as I'm concerned 5.25" are still a must have for me, but are unfortunately no where to be found on most new cases. This was a warm welcome. The dust filters here are terrible. I don't understand why can't they just make 2 long magnetic dust filters, that you just slap onto the case on front and on top, and remove them with a simple pull when you see fit. Is it that hard to make? Is it that expensive? Is it that hard to think of? I don't understand these companies.

[@Overclocknet]

I agree. Why bother put them in if they are terrible? All in all though, this Focus G Mini was a cool case, great price point!

[@LucasJodokast]

at least one 5.25" is a must have for me, I agree the dust filters on all these micro-atx cases are pathetic, I have a Cooler Master MasterCase Pro 5 & the front dust filters are so easy to remove & clean, I don't understand why these smaller cases need to have the whole front ripped off them

[@seanC3i]

True, a modern BD/DVD/CD recorder is great for making permanent backups. Also people like me like to have front-panel devices for things like SD/CF card readers, others like to have fan controllers and so on. Regarding cases in general, I find that you often have to choose between having a case that has front panel drive support and having a nice acrylic window for lighting. With this case, you don't have to choose, hence I'm going to be using it for my next rig.

[@-lae]

Now that we have 5.25" docks that support 8 hotswap SSDs and dual 5.25" that support 16...yeah, can't really consider them obsolete in any sense.

[@cazzhmir]

it's 2020 and i just bought this case specifically because it's one of the only ones that has a 5.25" bay

[@pinkmouse4863]

Indeed. Me too.

[@DeltaLima274]

yep, me as well

[@Moshe_Dayan44]

I'm about to do the same.

[@Moshe_Dayan44]

The 5.25" drive bays are perfect for an HTPC mATX build. I still get DVDs and BluRays coming my way, and I like to be able to rip them on my HTPC. The fact that this fairly small case can fit a monster MSI Radeon 6800 Gaming X Trio 324mm long card triple slot video card (by the looks of it), and the fact that I actually buy one at CanadaComputers for $70 Canadian makes it ideal.

[@davidjackson3928]

I have the non-matx version of this--the focus G non-mini. I actually love that it still has the 5.25 drive bay. It's one of the only cases that still has one. The Focus 2 removed it though, so you got your wish! I come back to this build of yours time and again because you made an open loop inside a tiny matx case that looks great. Way to go! And your cable management is great. Very well done!

[@Bunjamin27]

So glad they have 5.25" bays! a slot-loading spot would have been better though

[@metaleater9]

Drive bay reservoirs are awesome and should not be condemned to obsolescence by case manufacturers.

[@ahah1785]

the only reason i got this case is because of two 5,25 bays. Some of us still use those for blu ray burners and to rip blu ray discs. This trend of removing 5,25 bays makes me reaaly mad😎

[@XwaD666]

Same, there are plenty of cases out there without the front drive bays. Let people who want them have them.

[@troym514]

I have a question. How r people watching bluray DVD's on their PC's now that they're starting to eliminate 5.25" bays for DVD drives? Motherboard and video card software still come on CD's, as well. I'm really curious why the industry is eliminating these bays.

[@umran89]

External USB based slim drives. People do like to watch disc based movies over the big screen and its not very conventional to have your huge rig in the living room. Market for consuming bluray/dvd discs over PCs has become very limited, specially when you have services like on-demand streaming sites (Netflix, iTunes) and players such as xbox and playstation. But these days, people who do watch blurays/dvds over PC are usually making an HTPC in an ITX cases. And many cases still have a slim bluray/dvd drive bay. DVD players are very cheap and usually people pick up blurays for their AV qualities, chances are they doing justice to that quality with a proper AV setup too rather than using just a PC.

[@troym514]

Informative. thank you...all my stuff is in a small room so I try and put everything in one unit. No issue as there r plenty of options for this.

[@f4rensabri]

I use optical drives a lot for important file backups. People are forgetting that DVDs are much safer than flash drives or even cloud drives because once you write them in, they can't be modified so that prevents them from getting overwritten or infected with virus.

[@speetle3444]

Internet

[@Steveindajeep]

"just a quick and dirty job"....has zip ties everywhere, sure.

[@SDAspra]

I know right? Mostly likely someone else did it haha

[@Austin101123]

I just use a vacuum to remove the dust from dust filters without having to remove anything.

[@Moshe_Dayan44]

Stop being so intelligent and reasonable!!

[@MrBananas420]

Very professional for such a small channel nice!!!!

[@marcogarciadeleon5840]

In my opinion, you did an excelent job, i like this case, could be better on cable management, dust filters and rubber grommets. I asume that you use m.2 for storage.

[@Overclocknet]

Thank you!!

[@goddard152]

i've been looking at this case because it has 5.25" drive bay slots lmao, i still like to rip cd's and dvd's that i get for $1 each

[@markcollins6578]

what's going on with manufacturers removing front usbs - with a lot of boards with minimum usb 2.0, 3.0 and C. I want to see at least 2xusb2.0 and 2x3.0 and also a C on more cases

[@d1oftwins]

Why do they put in 5.25" bays in cases? Oh, I don't know, maybe because people are still using CDs and DVDs as a means to install an OS or using custom boot disks for system rescues, backups or repairs, because they are cheap AF and you can have as many of those disks as you like. Maybe that is the reason!? Otherwise nice and short presentation of this case, thanks!

[@thatdude034]

Spend the $30 you'd put on a cd drive on a 64gb usb drive and use it as a bootdrive (with some extra storage on the side).. Or if you want several boot drives get like 5 8gb for them $30.. Hell just download the app DriveDroid for free and have 100s of bootdrives anywhere you go on right your phone... Optical drives are dead man..

[@wolfshanze5980]

@@thatdude034 there are a LOT more uses to a DVD drive than just to boot from... but WOOSH over your head it goes... people still use them for a variety of reasons, just because YOU don't use them, doesn't mean others dont... for you there are hundreds of cases without 5.25" drives... let those of us who still use them have at least one or two nice cases that support DVD drives... you don't have to have 100% of all cases configured just the way you like. You have plenty of other choices if you dont want a 5.25" drive.

[@thatdude034]

@@wolfshanze5980 I only used the example with bootdrives because that's the argument d10ftwins used in his comment wich my reply was directed to. The only other use for dvds are media/data storage and in that regard they really do suck compared to modern storage devices in terms of storage capacity, reliabilty and, as of recent years, connectivity and even price. My argument is not that every case should be done to my liking and btw there's literally 100s of cases on the market atm with OD bays so if that's what you like in a case i don't know why your complaining about only having one or two. My argument is simply that ODs are a dying technology and it is understandable that case manufacturers is slowly phasing it out. This case wasn't made for me, nor was it made for you or even for d10ftwins for that matter. This case was made for the current pc market and the current pc market has made it abundantly clear that they don't care for OD drives (just check the steadily declining sales numbers) so in that regard it is feasible to question the addition of a OD bay when a case manufacturer releases a new case. However i'm not manufacturing this case, Fractal Design is and they can do however they damn please with it (as long as it pleases their investors/shareholders ofcourse). I don't really care since i'm not a FD shareholder and beacuse the market's practically flooded with pretty much all types of cases and where i ever in the market for a case like this and the OD drive for some reason would be a "dealbreaker" i'd just move on and look at the next of the 1000s of cases on the market, as i would do with any other "dealbreaker" for the build in mind. *EDIT* And yeah you can remove the platter from a hdd and throw it like a frisbee if you'd really like. If i've missed any other use cases for dvds please enlighten me.

[@illy984]

@@wolfshanze5980 you say "there are a LOT more uses to a DVD drive than just to boot from." Can you provide one? And using a DVD drive to boot from doesn't count, because it's an obsolete, unjustifiable use. That's like saying that you use an abacus to perform calculations. So I want to be clear that I'm asking you to provide the FIRST legitimate reason to have a DVD drive, not more reasons. Thanks in advance.

[@wolfshanze5980]

@@illy984 Watching movies, burning CDs, DVDs, BluRays for various reasons... ya, ya, you're super cool and hip and think NOBODY does that... but go on live in a bubble. It's clear your mind isn't open and you'll discount ANYTHING you hear because it's not what YOU do, so obviously nobody else on the planet earth would ever do it because you don't. Closed mind... no explanation will satisfy you. People still want and use optical drives... sorry if that bothers you and a mind unable to accept anything different than what you do.

[@XxRKDOxX]

NZXT makes a really cool LCD fan controller that'll cover both bays and give the case a really modern look. I personally use mine as a server with two HD enclosures that have built in LCD and fan controller and they fit right in. They're called "EZ Swap 4 HD Enclosures"

[@illy984]

This case is very similar to the N200 from Cooler Master. I was thinking about grabbing this for a mATX build that I could set up a custom loop in, and this has a lot going for it. The window is nice (N200 doesn't have a window), and that style of front panel is my personal favorite because it's just simple and functional, allowing for maximum airflow. It also has a little better ventilation on top than the N200, but I can't understand the 5.25" bays still lingering either. I think companies should start offering (or even just including) both front panels, one with the 5.25" bays and one without. Or even just a separate metal mesh that is one solid piece (without the bay covers) to replace that one. I don't mind the 5.25" bays on the inside of the case; I have no issue modding the case and just removing those parts. That's pretty much standard procedure at this point anyway. But what I do mind is that the front panel looks awful with those two 5.25" bay covers. It makes the case look old and obsolete, and as a minimalist there's nothing I hate more than unnecessary/unused parts. I probably won't buy this case, unfortunately, and it's a shame because that's the only thing holding me back. Those bay covers are insurmountable for me. Takes the case from a 9/10 to a 4/10. I also agree with you and another commenter here that the filtration solution seems very obvious and much simpler than these case manufacturers are making it. I would personally remove the foam filter behind the front panel (foam filters are too restrictive for use in PC cases imho) and maybe place those filters they provided for the top vents in the front. Also, regarding those top filters you decided not to use, I wasn't able to get a clear view, but from the orientation of the print on the fractal design fan, it looks like you have the two top fans set up in push, meaning that radiator is set up for exhaust. Filters should never be used for exhaust anyway. You want filters at any intake, keep dust from entering the system. If dust is already in your system, you have a problem to begin with, but furthermore, using a filter on exhaust only prevents that dust from making it's way out, and impedes airflow through your exhaust radiator. Point being, those top filters would only be appropriate if the top vents were used for intake, anyway. Thanks for the review.

[@illy984]

What's really pathetic is that I've been contemplating using a dual bay reservoir (even though I already have a Phobya balancer I intended to use) to justify buying and using the case, lol. I probably won't, but that's the only way I can consider this case.

[@Mantikal]

I'm using a Dell low profile (classic cheese grater design) case with a 5.25 drive bay front opening - in which there's an Icy-Dock rail system to quickly change between multiple OS HDs. I put in my own components. The case is just 4" thick. The only thing lacking - that I discovered later (after I was forced to re-apply CPU paste) is a 2nd removable side panel. I had to disassemble the whole thing to then be able to pull out the MoBo to then be able to get at those four big screws to remove the CPU block - a major pain in the ass. I don't want to go through that hell again when the paste dries out sometime in the future - and you know it will!! This Fractal case solves that issue - but now I'll gain all that extra case thickness. I haven't seen a slim profile m-ATX case with two removable side panels and a 5.25 drive bay opening.

[@therealboss1057]

I want to buy this case and I want to put optical drive. Can I?

[@Overclocknet]

+The Real Boss yes yes u can 😎

[@TheTruthDragonNJ09]

5 years late, but you ask this when he tells you in the video itself?

[@WavScorn259]

Hi great review for the mini, but could you help me with a few things please? You said you have a fan controller connecting the front two fans, so does that mean i will have to get something like that too? Because i dont have enough fan headers on my microatx motherboard so my only option will be to wire it to my PSU directly?.. Another question, do you think i'll need to buy a separate fractal design 120mm fan acting as the exhaust or is the airflow from the two front fans enough for it?.. Also, im going to be placing in my optical drive but do you think it will be a tight fit because its very close to the RAM module slots? and finally, can i place in those two dust filters that were on the top you were showing, and attach them to the bottom? Because that sheet for the PSU looks like its not good at all and i wont have top intake or exhaust anyway so those two dust filters will be taken off.. Sorry, its going to be my first PC build and i dont want anything to go wrong.

[@dajonjames5759]

Hey friend. There are fan header splitters you can buy as long as you don't go crazy they should work fine. An exhaust fan is needed if you want to keep your components cool. Optical drive fits perfectly :) Not sure about the last question!

[@Catcrumbs]

You don't need a fan controller to run two fans. You can use a cheap splitter instead. Bit-tech.net tested the thermals of this case in its stock configuration and it did very well without an exhaust fan. You could probably put one of the roof filters on the floor fan mount (it goes in the same place as the HDD cage), but not under the PSU. I just did my first build in this case and it went very smoothly. Don't sweat the little stuff like the provided floor filter: it's a little fiddly to fit, but I'm sure it will do the job fine.

[@wolfshanze5980]

Fan header splitters are dirt cheap on Amazon and basically function just like a multi-outlet extension cord from your wall... that one outlet can power multiple devices if you have enough plug-ins in your extension cord... fan-head splitters work much the same way... just take one case fan plug and turn it into two or three. I use them in multiple builds.

[@jasonmartin7968]

anywhere i can see those fans' led in use

[@Overclocknet]

Case www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/focus/focus-g-mini/black/ Fans www.fractal-design.com/products/fans/silent/silent-series-ll-120mm/white/

[@tofuna1319]

I’m in the middle of a build with this case and can’t get my ASUS b-450 motherboard to fit on the peg in the motherboard mount

[@Overclocknet]

Just checking, is your Asus B550 motherboard a mATX?

[@tofuna1319]

Overclock it’s a micro atx b450

[@tofuna1319]

I got it to fit but now it’s not turning on

[@Evmanifestation]

What is the measurement of the rear fan vent? Is it 120mm?

[@Overclocknet]

120mm in the rear.

[@Evmanifestation]

@@Overclocknet good, my spare 120mm fans will be put to good use

[@Ciarancondon]

I am getting his case soon but I have one question how can you put a keyboard and mouse in at the same time if you only have one usb 3.0 port?

[@Overclocknet]

Use the rear USB ports? 🤨

[@Ciarancondon]

@@Overclocknet ohhhhh hahaha sorry. Also when I buy my parts do I have to buy a separate plug to plug the actual pc into the wall or does that come with the power supply I need help with this Thank you

[@jdub8305]

@@Ciarancondon power supply comes with one

[@user-iw9hs2ln0o]

Will the masterliquid pro 120 aio fit in it having the fam on the back?

[@Overclocknet]

Yes, there shoud be enough room to accommodate the ML Pro 120.

[@user-iw9hs2ln0o]

Overclocknet is there still room for tp link wifi card on the pcie slot? Hopefully it will fit in nicely with my xfx rx 580 card before I pull the trigger on this case. The asrock ab350m pro4 is the mobo I'll be using. Thanks man

[@Overclocknet]

I would say so, as I remember the XFX RX 580 is only a 2 slot GPU, leaving at least 2 slots for that WiFi PCIe card. Personally I would get a USB based WiFi adapter if that's really an issue.

[@bobsmith674]

I wish reviewers would quit bad mouthing the 5.25 drive bays, and asking manufacturers to eliminate them. They can be very useful to those that are interested in more than just playing silly games and watching spinning/blinking lights. There are hundreds of cases out there without the 5.25 bays, so just use those, and quit complaining. You can buy some really awesome hot swap cages to put in the bays, for fast switching of HDD's, SSD's and even NVME drives. And some people still have other uses for them.

[@adams4075]

I would use 1 bay for a Blu-ray drive or burner. My PS3 would be playing games not movies (Netflix not withstanding) The rest of the space i would put unused cables or the bag of leftover cables. I use M.2 storage and a 3TB and an exos 8TBcmr drives in my B550M that will use this case. The Fractal D Focus G has been my go-to case. Edit: Use the Magnetic dust filters on the bottom of the case. I use top exhaust, or I place a magnetic rad cover the on buy at Home Depot cut to fit over top fan mesh to from a solid top

[@Yafama]

Can you replace the dust filters with better ones somehow?

[@wolfshanze5980]

the bottom one would be hard to replace because it's so oddly shaped... but the top vents are standard 2x140mm grills, and would be very easy to get an aftermarket magnetic dust filter for the top... which is really needed, because who wants dust filters that screw in, have to be unscrewed and have a bunch of PC parts (like the MB or fans/radiators) in the way of the dust filter screws? If you get this case, plan on getting an aftermarket magnetic filter for the top vents... it's really a must.

[@calewhale293]

This or the q300l?

[@Overclocknet]

There is a ton of options out on the market now. Personally I would focus on the $50 to $75 bracket.

[@microsoft1665]

no fan at the back?

[@Overclocknet]

It's not needed as it has equal pressure. 2 120mm in front intake, 2 120mm in roof exhaust.

[@microsoft1665]

@@Overclocknet but i mean in stock mode?

[@Overclocknet]

I do believe so yes.

[@microsoft1665]

@@Overclocknet is it better with 1 rear 1 front or 2 fronts?

[@Overclocknet]

Equal pressure, 1 front intake 1 rear exhaust.

[@JonathanFan187]

Will the Msi B350m pro-vdh fit? (With the Igame GTX 1050ti)

[@Overclocknet]

Looks like an mATX motherboard, so yes, it should fit no prob. :D

[@fredcrewneck]

This video was very informative, thanks. I was looking to get this case and I will. You need more views!

[@Overclocknet]

+Fred Crewneck thanks alot! Share it on your social media! ;)

[@zlabbah6523]

have you got it and is it any good? sorry very late reply.

[@fredcrewneck]

@@zlabbah6523 I ended up getting the "Corsair Air 240" instead. sorry friend.

[@zlabbah6523]

fredcrewneck nah it’s all good mate, ty for replying anyway. Ordering parts for my first build ever tonight!

[@fredcrewneck]

@@zlabbah6523 The first time you turn it on will be blissful! enjoy your PC!

[@SantaCruzOne]

Can this case support ATX motherboard?

[@TheTruthDragonNJ09]

No. It's called "mini" for a reason.

[@fijikami2546]

how do you take the front piece off Update: i watched the whole video and felt stupid i wrote this comment during the video update: thank you

[@Michael-yx3np]

People choose this one because it has 5.25 bays, it woud have been better if the review were geared towards installing an ODD or maybe a media stick panel

[@nicmonberg5974]

For the money this is a good case it does have a few issues which case doesn't that's under $50. More 2.5 drives should of been supported on the rear I do not understand how they have just the one and what is annoying is it can only be installed with psu removed (I can't understand him moaning about 3.5 drives) 5.25 option is good I am glad to see that I have so many people come to me about new builds needing a bluray or dvd drive which is hard with lots of cases no longer supporting them (I know you can get external but people do not want another item separate plus they are not as reliable also cost more) The other thing is it allows if you do go water cooling route to install things like reservoirs in that bay the only negative is they should of allowed to remove it for people not wanting it. I agree those dust filters are poor a magnetic dual one for top and bottom wouldn't cost anymore but be far better and the front one appears to be standard but annoying because those metal bits holding it snap off.

[@fouraces9137]

Jeese the 5 1/4 bay is used for optical drives or have you heard of them??? Evidently not because you don't even mention those of us who have at least one to find a place for, you're moaning about that when they put only ONE usb 3.0 up front?

[@Overclocknet]

Haven't built a rig with a 5 1/4 drive in literally 5 years, when DVD burners were a thing. Suppose a fan controller makes sense....

[@RexxReviews]

I would had never expected such cheap filters for a case under $50 ..... /facepalm

[@MicMuted]

nice video, but the background music is giving me a headache

[@Overclocknet]

Thank you and apologies.

[@MicMuted]

@@Overclocknet dont get me wrong the content is amazing but the music can improve have a nice day!

[@Overclocknet]

Yes yes. This video was done a while ago and I can assure you the background music is a bit more subtle now. 😉

[@notc9771]

HOW do I use the fans?? I can't connect them to no part I don't see where they go

[@Overclocknet]

Usually you would connect fans to the motherboard fan headers.

[@notc9771]

Overclock I only got one . The sys_fan

[@Overclocknet]

Sounds like you need a new motherboard or a fan controller.

[@lenovop9030]

do you think its possible to fit an atx mobo inside with an sfx psu thanks

[@Overclocknet]

+Lenovo P90 I will not, without some serious modding. It's entirely possible with enough fore thought!

[@RadekZielinski.]

Specifically i need front air flow and a place for a CD burner/reader. Sorry but it's easier to burn a CD and play in your car than fiddle with Bluetooth or USB crap... talking with my car? no, thanks i will use a CD. Old school is simple. Plus... not a minus. CD are always will be a cool thing to have.

[@johnpaulyates4734]

Why would you build an open loop system into that $49 case? Really? That case is best suited for air cooling. Perhaps a CLC would work, but NOT a custom open loop. Had you used a CLC, you could left the hard drive cage in place. Nice review of the case, though.

[@Overclocknet]

+John Paul Yates cause why not? I had the parts, and the case is more than capable of a custom loop.

[@illy984]

"Why would you build an open loop system into that $49 case? Really? That case is best suited for air cooling." I don't know how you came to believe that pricetag is a measure of suitability for liquid cooling. These have nothing to do with each other. Suitability for liquid cooling comes down to whether or not the case can accommodate the additional equipment (e.g. radiator/fans, reservoir, and pump) and provide adequate airflow for the radiator. This case meets those demands with ease. "Perhaps a CLC would work, but NOT a custom open loop." Doesn't take much to refute this preposterous claim, since the video literally demonstrates a custom loop inside the case. "Had you used a CLC, you could [have] left the hard drive cage in place." Who's to say he had any hard drives that needed to go in there? Not everyone needs their personal/gaming rig to double as a data warehouse. I personally use a single m.2 ssd, and keep my OS and all the files I need on it. And the counter argument to this is simple anyway. Had he used a CLC, his overclock would be limited by the very diminished capacity to dissipate heat. Not sure if you noticed, but this is an overclock.net review, lol. "Nice review of the case, though." You actually got this part right, and finished strong. Attaboy!

[@johnpaulyates4734]

Ian Lumley “Yes”, it’s an overclock. Net review .And, “yes”, you can put an open loop system in just about any case, but why would anyone spend all the money on components (two water blocks, all the fittings, the tubing, the res, a D5 pump) to put it in a cheap ass $49 case?!?! If you’ve got the money for all those extra, high-end components, you would certainly put them into a much better chassis. A $49 case is a reflection of the overall build. It’s like putting the V8 and leather seats from a Cadillac CTS into a Chevy Spark. People buying a $49 case aren’t thinking, “Open Loop System!!” This is just....logic.

[@illy984]

Not everyone who wants to maximize performance has an unlimited budget, so many of the people who want to splurge on liquid cooling are looking at what other areas they can compromise to help offset that extra expenditure. This particular case is a home run in that situation, as at $50 it appears to be of good quality, has all the features one would need to run a custom loop, vent filters, and even looks pretty good (minus the hideous 5.25" bay covers on the front panel). The problem with your "logic" is that you assume everyone who wants a high performance machine (PC, car, or otherwise) will only feel validated if it was expensive and gives the appearance of being expensive, but this only applies to those who are vain. People who are secure in their self-worth enjoy the freedom and luxury to base their decisions on the actual merits of the foreseeable consequences, through the lens of their own value system, without the burden of self-image or social expectations. It's pretty pro, you should try it.

[@eyang7]

Damn, I should have gotten this instead of the corsair c70 😑☹️

[@ZeroAlytus]

dislike for one reason . pump Out going to gpu waterblock Outlet ( where water should exit ) . Just like in cpu block is arrow where water must be going In

[@Overclocknet]

It really doesn't matter which way you oriented the flow of water. Temps will equalize regardless of order.