New case. Fractal North or Lian Li A3 wood

inflames

inflames

inflames

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I am loving the looks of both these case will have to be with glass side. I have watched a few reviews on both on YouTube.

I have a ITX motherboard, cryorig h7 air cooler, rx9060xt and think the ITX may look a little lost in the North. Would get some good air circulation and would only need to purchase 1 or 2 exhaust fans.

The A3 wood, is a decent size. Cable management looks a potential issue but with careful planning will be ok. Would need to purchase 3 intake fans to sit along the bottom and exhaust fans.

Anything else I should consider, before I purchase one of these two cases?
 
Depending on the PSU, I would suggest the A3. Had both, including the North XL. Using the A3 now. The only scenario the A3 wouldn’t be an option is if the user really need an ATX motherboard.
To make cable management tidy, a SFX makes easier, but that is if the user wants to use a 360 AIO at the top. As you’re using an air cooler, that won’t be an issue. Also won’t require a SFX PSU to make things easier. I was able to fit slim fans (can fit regular 25mm thick ones but that will be almost supporting the GPU and I prefer to leave a gap) under the 9070 XT Nitro + (glad MSI offer a first slot nice motherboard, MSI B850M Mortar, 3 NVME, no line share) but again, as you have an ITX motherboard, will be “first slot” GPU too.
I would suggest to order the regular one (mesh) and spend an extra tenner for the glass panel if you want it. If down the line you want the mesh, I don’t remember it available to order separately.
 
Drumroll said:
Depending on the PSU, I would suggest the A3. Had both, including the North XL. Using the A3 now. The only scenario the A3 wouldn’t be an option is if the user really need an ATX motherboard.
To make cable management tidy, a SFX makes easier, but that is if the user wants to use a 360 AIO at the top. As you’re using an air cooler, that won’t be an issue. Also won’t require a SFX PSU to make things easier. I was able to fit slim fans (can fit regular 25mm thick ones but that will be almost supporting the GPU and I prefer to leave a gap) under the 9070 XT Nitro + (glad MSI offer a first slot nice motherboard, MSI B850M Mortar, 3 NVME, no line share) but again, as you have an ITX motherboard, will be “first slot” GPU too.
I would suggest to order the regular one (mesh) and spend an extra tenner for the glass panel if you want it. If down the line you want the mesh, I don’t remember it available to order separately.
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What made you get rid of the north xl, I bet you didn't have to worry about GPU sizes with that.
A3 any good in that regard, I have a similar case the Asus ap201 and it fits my 7900xtx but not much bigger.
 
bakes0310 said:
What made you get rid of the north xl, I bet you didn't have to worry about GPU sizes with that.
A3 any good in that regard, I have a similar case the Asus ap201 and it fits my 7900xtx but not much bigger.
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Wanted/needed a smaller case. But again mesh, no glass. Tried M-ATX a while ago and no motherboard ticked the boxes for me, at least nothing reasonable priced.
The A3 needs some planning, but thermals are fantastic. Going for a 360mm AIO and ATX PSU would limit the GPU to 330mm give or take. A SFX PSU would make things much easier. The 3D printed mounting bracket for the PSU, even if expensive (guy from Canada selling on Etsy) would make things tidier and allow a bit more flexibility.
I was thinking of brute force and install side fans, but no need. At least for me.
Aircooler would pretty much allow most ATX PSUs without limiting GPU size, or most of them to be fair.
Bottom intake is an option, some people dislike, I don’t. System runs really quiet and cool. The only thing noticeable is some coil whine every now and then, but not always. Much better than my previous GPU, anyway.
 
I just built in an a3 yesterday and cable management is none existent. You would wasn’t a psu was short cables. Most sfx psu have this.
But the look and feel on the case is solid for the cost.
 
I've got two Fractal North Mesh cases, no complaints, you can even get custom stuff on the web for them e.g. I've got 4 fans drawing air in from the side, rather than the front due to where mine is located.
 
WARburton said:
I just built in an a3 yesterday and cable management is none existent. You would wasn’t a psu was short cables. Most sfx psu have this.
But the look and feel on the case is solid for the cost.
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I have a Corsair Shift PSU where the cables come out the side, would you happen to notice if there's much space for this to be compatible?
 
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