Fractal Design
North
$129.99
Released 2022-12
Best PC Cases · head-to-head
North vs AIR 903 MAX
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. AIR 903 MAX is cheaper at $75. Every spec and price links to its source.
Montech
AIR 903 MAX
$75Cheaper
Released 2023-06
Which is better: the North or AIR 903 MAX?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The AIR 903 MAX is the cheaper at $75.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | North | AIR 903 MAX |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129.99 | $75 |
| Brand | Fractal Design | Montech |
| Released | 2022-12 | 2023-06 |
| Form factor | Mid-Tower (ATX/mATX/ITX) | Mid-Tower (E-ATX/ATX/mATX/ITX) |
| Max GPU length (mm) | 355 | 400 |
| Max cooler height (mm) | 170 | 180 |
| Included fans | 2 x 140 mm Aspect PWM | 3 x 140 mm ARGB PWM (front) + 1 x 140 mm PWM (rear) |
| Radiator support | Front: 360 mm; Top: 240 mm; Rear: 120 mm | Front: 360/280/240/140/120 mm; Top: 360/280/240/140/120 mm |
| Side panel | Tempered Glass (TG variant) or full mesh (Mesh variant) | Tempered Glass |
| Dimensions (mm) | 447 x 215 x 469 | 478 x 230 x 493 |
| Release | 2022-12 | 2023-06 |
Sources — North: fractal-design.com (verified 2026-06-15). AIR 903 MAX: montechpc.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the North and AIR 903 MAX?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Form factor: North Mid-Tower (ATX/mATX/ITX) vs AIR 903 MAX Mid-Tower (E-ATX/ATX/mATX/ITX)
- Max GPU length (mm): North 355 vs AIR 903 MAX 400
- Max cooler height (mm): North 170 vs AIR 903 MAX 180
- Included fans: North 2 x 140 mm Aspect PWM vs AIR 903 MAX 3 x 140 mm ARGB PWM (front) + 1 x 140 mm PWM (rear)
- Radiator support: North Front: 360 mm; Top: 240 mm; Rear: 120 mm vs AIR 903 MAX Front: 360/280/240/140/120 mm; Top: 360/280/240/140/120 mm
- Side panel: North Tempered Glass (TG variant) or full mesh (Mesh variant) vs AIR 903 MAX Tempered Glass
- Dimensions (mm): North 447 x 215 x 469 vs AIR 903 MAX 478 x 230 x 493
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
North
Two whitelisted hands-on testers (Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp) reviewed the base North ATX mid-tower; both were charmed by its wood-slat design and praised its thoughtful features, but flagged airflow and noise compromises. Tom's measured 53 dB and loved the thermals; TechPowerUp found the vented side panel and price harder to justify. North XL and Momentum variants excluded. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Distinctive wood-and-mesh front that looks gorgeous and stands out from black-box cases; Thoughtful functional touches — PWM fan hub, included side fan bracket, solid 3.5-inch drive support; Exceptional CPU thermal performance in lab testing.
Flagged: Loud at full fan speed (53 dB average); Vented mesh side panel diminishes the front-intake tunnel effect unless extra side fans are added; Only two fans plus a simple hub feels high-priced for a compact ATX case.
AIR 903 MAX
Two hands-on testers (Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp) both rate the Air 903 Max a standout budget airflow case, praising strong thermals and its sub-$80 price with four fans and a PWM/ARGB hub. Tom's measured a fairly loud 48.5 dBA peak and flagged PWM noise oscillation at 40-49%; TPU's gripes were cosmetic and cable-routing (blue USB-A ports, missing grommets). No RTINGS/PCMag coverage found. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Strong thermal/airflow performance for the price; Sub-$80 value with four included 140mm fans plus a PWM/ARGB hub; Broad hardware support (E-ATX boards, long GPUs, up to 6-7 drives, 360mm radiators).
Flagged: Fairly loud 48.5 dBA peak plus PWM noise oscillation at 40-49%; Cable-management gaps: missing grommets, hard to hide wires with air coolers; Cosmetic/quality nits: blue USB-A ports, non-unified front-panel header.