Fractal Design
North
$129.99
Released 2022-12
Best PC Cases · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. North is cheaper at $129.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Fractal Design
$129.99
Released 2022-12
NZXT
$129.99
Released 2024
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129.99 | $129.99 |
| Brand | Fractal Design | NZXT |
| Released | 2022-12 | 2024 |
| Form factor | Mid-Tower (ATX/mATX/ITX) | Mid-Tower (ATX/mATX/ITX/E-ATX) |
| Max GPU length (mm) | 355 | 410 |
| Max cooler height (mm) | 170 | 185 |
| Included fans | 2 x 140 mm Aspect PWM | 3 x 120 mm F120Q (non-RGB variant) |
| Radiator support | Front: 360 mm; Top: 240 mm; Rear: 120 mm | Front: 420 mm; Top: 360 mm; Rear: 140 mm |
| Side panel | Tempered Glass (TG variant) or full mesh (Mesh variant) | Tempered Glass (dark tint on Black; ultra-clear on White) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 447 x 215 x 469 | 468 x 244 x 544 |
| Release | 2022-12 | 2024 |
Sources — North: fractal-design.com (verified 2026-06-15). H7 Flow (2024): nzxt.com (verified 2026-06-15).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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.
One whitelisted tester's quotes survived verification. Tom's Hardware tested this exact model (H7 Flow 2024) and rates it a solid, airflow-focused mid-tower that is very easy to build in, with room for up to 10 fans and large radiators, but flags conservative styling, no dust filters, and the need to add your own fans to exploit the improved airflow. A TechPowerUp review of the same case was dropped because only its intro page could be fetched, so none of its conclusion quotes could be verified. Numeric temp and noise results sit in image charts, so no measured values could be extracted verbatim. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Super easy to build in, with room for up to 10 fans and large radiators; Mesh-front, airflow-oriented design keeps thermals solid.
Flagged: Design feels a bit boring; NZXT played it safe with the update; Ships without enough fans; you must add your own to exploit the airflow; No dust filters.