The Fractal Design North may just be the ultimate PC case, especially for those who prefer a more sophisticated look without excessive RGB lighting. With its sleek geometry and beautiful wood accent, it’s a top choice for anyone wanting a mature setup. The new XL version has just been released, offering extra space in all dimensions for enhanced cooling configurations and support for extra-long graphics cards up to 413mm. This allows for E-ATX motherboards and high-end cooling setups, including 420mm radiators in the front or 360mm radiators on top, along with the option for large 180mm fans like those on the Torrent model. Air CPU coolers with up to 185mm clearance can also be accommodated.
The North XL comes with an additional 140mm fan in the package, three in total compared to the standard North’s two. The key features such as the removable wood front panel, pull-tab top, top-mounted I/O ports, and brushed metal power button remain consistent. It is available in black or white color options with either a mesh side panel or tempered glass.
In terms of assembly, the extra grommets on top of the motherboard make connections to components like the CPU power supply rail and fan headers easier. The side grommets now come in two rows, although an E-ATX motherboard will cover half of them. The rear panel features two separate cable channels, providing additional space for cable routing behind the back panel.
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The increased GPU space is a major selling point for avid gamers, with the ability to fit an RTX 4090 comfortably, something not possible with the standard North case. Like the original, the XL version requires a separate adapter kit for vertical GPU mounting, which includes a replacement bracket and a PCIe 4.0 riser cable.
The Fractal Design North XL is priced at $180 for both mesh and tempered glass editions, a $40 premium over the standard North. For more insights into the latest PC hardware releases, be sure to subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube.
