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Fractal Design Pop Air vs Montech XR Wood

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

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The Fractal Design Pop Air and Montech XR Wood both score 6.5/10 overall.

The Fractal Design Pop Air leads on build and ease of building and space and compatibility.

The Montech XR Wood leads on airflow and cooling and value.

They score the same on noise.

Fractal Design Pop Air

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 (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Montech XR Wood

6.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The Montech XR Wood is for budget builders who want a mesh-fronted ATX case with fans already fitted. It suits people planning an air-cooled or liquid-cooled gaming PC with a long graphics card and a small number of drives. It is a weaker fit for storage-heavy builds or back-connect motherboards.

Typically about £55.02 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightFractal Design Pop AirMontech XR Wood
Airflow and cooling30%6/107/10
Build and ease of building20%7/105/10
Space and compatibility20%8/107/10
Noise15%5/105/10
Value15%6/108/10
Overall6.5/106.5/10

Specifications

SpecFractal Design Pop AirMontech XR Wood
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)Mid-tower ATXATX Mid-Tower
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITXATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)405 mm420mm
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)170 mm175mm
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)ATX only; PSU max length 170 mmATX 230mm max length (conflicting sources: Vividrepairs gives ATX up to 200mm)
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)Top 120, 240 mm; front 120, 240, 280 mm; rear 120 mmFront 280mm, Top 360mm (Tom's Hardware); conflicting figures from other sources
Fans included and fan mountsFront 2x 120/140 mm; top 2x 120/140 mm; rear 1x 120 mm; included 2x Aspect 12 (front), 1x Aspect 12 (rear)4 x 120mm GF120 ARGB PWM pre-installed; accommodates up to 12 fans
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)2x dedicated 2.5" mounts; 3x combined 3.5"/2.5" mounts; 2x 5.25" mounts3.5-inch: 2; 2.5-inch: 2

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

Montech XR Wood

  • + Four 120mm ARGB PWM fans pre-installed
  • + Radiator and fan support praised by owners
  • + Takes graphics cards up to 420mm
  • − Front dust filter restricts airflow and adds noise
  • − Only two 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch drive spots

Skip it if:

  • Buyers with a back-connect motherboard
  • Builders who need many 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive bays
  • Anyone wanting a near-silent build with a solid front panel
Read the full Montech XR Wood review ›

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