As a PC builder, I do know you’ll be able to’t beat the pliability and utility of a full-sized, customary ATX construct. But additionally… small type issue desktops are simply so fairly. Fractal makes a number of the prettiest SFF circumstances, together with the super-compact Terra — and PCWorld’s video workforce received their fingers on the newest Fractal Design, um, design, the Period 2.
The unique Period SFF case was attractive with its curved steel exterior and wood-accented prime (a pattern we see continued on the North and others), nevertheless it was knocked for its poor cable routing and cooling choices.
The brand new model of the Period SFF retains the unique’s slick styling with a way more versatile inside. Dig the extra capacious cutouts on the aluminum sides for higher airflow and the now bottom-mounted entrance IO panel that retains the look symmetrical.
The brand new design is right for a liquid cooling setup for some critical efficiency in a construct, and that’s partly why it’s a bigger bodily case (366mm lengthy, 314mm tall) versus another circumstances that prioritize being the smallest potential dimension. This additional room allows you to use as much as a 280mm all-in-one cooler (double 140mm followers) on the prime. Contained in the body is utilizing a break up inside structure with an included PCIe 4.0 riser and room for as much as 4 2.5-inch drives.
Small type issue circumstances usually assume that you simply’re going to construct it, shut it, after which alter issues as sometimes as potential. However the Period 2 nearly invitations tinkering because of a system that allows you to take away the highest fan meeting after which the aluminum “shell” with zero instruments. It’s nonetheless a bit tough, nevertheless it’s undeniably slick.
Our workforce has solely been in a position to take a look at an engineering pattern to date, so whereas there’s loads to interrupt down within the close to 40-minute video, we’ll have to attend for a closing verdict. Subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube and take a look at our devoted channel for The Full Nerd podcast, too!
