PCWorld tears down Fractal’s beautiful Period 2 case

As a PC builder, I do know you may’t beat the pliability and utility of a full-sized, customary ATX construct. But in addition… small kind issue desktops are simply so fairly. Fractal makes among the prettiest SFF instances, together with the super-compact Terra — and PCWorld’s video crew bought their fingers on the newest Fractal Design, um, design, the Period 2.

The unique Period SFF case was beautiful with its curved steel exterior and wood-accented high (a pattern we see continued on the North and others), however 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 good 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 instances that prioritize being the smallest doable dimension. This additional room helps you to use as much as a 280mm all-in-one cooler (double 140mm followers) on the high. Contained in the body is utilizing a cut up inside structure with an included PCIe 4.0 riser and room for as much as 4 2.5-inch drives.

Small kind issue instances usually assume that you simply’re going to construct it, shut it, after which regulate issues as occasionally as doable. 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 difficult, however it’s undeniably slick.

Our crew has solely been in a position to take a look at an engineering pattern up to now, so whereas there’s loads to interrupt down within the close to 40-minute video, we’ll have to attend for a last verdict. Subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube and take a look at our devoted channel for The Full Nerd podcast, too!