Fractal Design North vs Fractal Design Pop Air

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The Fractal Design Pop Air scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the Fractal Design North at 6.2/10.

The Fractal Design North leads on airflow and cooling.

The Fractal Design Pop Air leads on space and compatibility and noise.

They score the same on build and ease of building and value.

Fractal Design North

6.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The Fractal Design North is an ATX mid-tower for builders who want a mesh-fronted case with good build quality. It suits people planning a front-mounted radiator, as long as they accept the GPU length limit that comes with it. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants a quiet build without adjusting fan settings.

Typically about £119.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Fractal Design Pop Air

6.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The Pop Air is for builders who want a mesh-fronted ATX mid-tower with room for large graphics cards and radiators. It suits people who plan to add or swap fans for better cooling. It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet case or relies on the stock fans.

Typically about £80 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Fractal Design North	Fractal Design Pop Air
Airflow and cooling	30%	7/10	6/10
Build and ease of building	20%	7/10	7/10
Space and compatibility	20%	6/10	8/10
Noise	15%	4/10	5/10
Value	15%	6/10	6/10
Overall		6.2/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	Fractal Design North	Fractal Design Pop Air
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)	ATX mid-tower	Mid-tower ATX
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)	ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX	ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)	355 mm (300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator fitted)	405 mm
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)	145 mm	170 mm
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)	ATX only, maximum PSU length 255 mm	ATX only; PSU max length 170 mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)	Top 120 and 240 mm; front 120, 140, 240, 280 and 360 mm; rear 120 mm; side 2x 120/140 mm	Top 120, 240 mm; front 120, 240, 280 mm; rear 120 mm
Fans included and fan mounts	Two Aspect 14 PWM fans included (front); mounts: front 3x 120 mm or 2x 140 mm, top 2x 120/140 mm, rear 1x 120 mm, side 0	Front 2x 120/140 mm; top 2x 120/140 mm; rear 1x 120 mm; included 2x Aspect 12 (front), 1x Aspect 12 (rear)
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)	Two combined 3.5"/2.5" bays and two dedicated 2.5" bays; seven expansion slots	2x dedicated 2.5" mounts; 3x combined 3.5"/2.5" mounts; 2x 5.25" mounts

Strengths and weaknesses

Fractal Design North

+ Owners praise looks and solid build quality
+ Front radiator support up to 360 mm
+ Two Aspect 14 PWM fans included
− Reviewers measured 53 to 54 dB; owners complain of noise
− GPU clearance falls to 300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator
− No rear fan included

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a quiet build without adjusting fan curves
Anyone pairing a long GPU with a 360 mm front radiator
Builders who need CPU cooler clearance above 145 mm

Read the full Fractal Design North review ›

Fractal Design Pop Air

+ Honeycomb mesh front with dust filter
+ Fits 405 mm GPUs and 280 mm front radiator
+ Cable ties and pass-through holes ready to use
− Included fans criticised for weak airflow
− Only 19 mm of cable routing space
− RGB fans measured at 39 dBA at 85% power

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a quiet build without changing the stock fans
Anyone who needs a PSU longer than 170 mm
Builders who want lots of cable routing space behind the tray

Read the full Fractal Design Pop Air review ›

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