Fractal Design Ridge

Darksaber · Nov 16, 2022

The Fractal Design Ridge is essentially the successor to the Node 202, launched all the way back in 2012. The Ridge sports an all new interior and exterior design, but also manages to squeeze in two 140 mm fans while allowing a sizeable 2.5-slot GPU to fit at the same time. So, if a unique form-factor case is your jam, the Ridge should be on your short list!

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CyberCT · Nov 16, 2022

Interesting case. Undervolting and MHz limiting modern CPUs for that clock speed / voltage sweet spot will surely play out well in this case. I wonder if some easy modding would allow a massive GPU to fit in there with the 140mm fans removed. NVIDIA founders editions that blow air right through the card and out the back should work well here, too.

Fouquin · Nov 16, 2022

I've been waiting for a proper revisit to the low profile ITX standing chassis from Fractal. Though I don't use it anymore, the Node 202 is still one of my favorite cases. Fit a perfectly powerful build in it 5-7 years ago that in turn could fit in my suitcase for traveling. It had a LOT of physical limitations and quirky design decisions (find me a 202 owner who didn't bend or break at least one of the HDD or PSU tray locking tabs) but it did a great job for the money, especially when it was one of maybe three options on the market for the form factor.

Chrispy_ · Nov 16, 2022

Nice looking little thing but Fractal could really stand to make a short-depth, consumer-standard 17" width HTPC case. The Node 202 would be great but it doesn't fit the other AV kit people likely have under their TV.

CyberCT · Nov 16, 2022

The 80mm fans for the top don't take up nearly the whole width of the case. It would have been great if they made them 92 mm fan mounts up top instead, and in the front of the case in front of the GPU (as an option).Extend the perforation too.

Dirt Chip · Nov 16, 2022

Makes me want to build one just for fan.
Such minimalistic beauty.

RegaeRevaeb · Nov 16, 2022

Chrispy_ said:
Nice looking little thing but Fractal could really stand to make a short-depth, consumer-standard 17" width HTPC case. The Node 202 would be great but it doesn't fit the other AV kit people likely have under their TV.

This is a gaming console replacement (i.e. I mean this to say GPU focused). Silverstone makes a few HTPC cases of note, though they could use fresh takes. They fit mATX boards and therefore arguably more connectivity via PCIe to fit the varied needs of the segment (and I think there could be better hybrids if we'd have seen any better LP graphics card offerings above the A2000).

Chrispy_ · Nov 16, 2022

RegaeRevaeb said:
This is a gaming console replacement (i.e. I mean this to say GPU focused). Silverstone makes a few HTPC cases of note, though they could use fresh takes. They fit mATX boards and therefore arguably more connectivity via PCIe to fit the varied needs of the segment (and I think there could be better hybrids if we'd have seen any better LP graphics card offerings above the A2000).

Yeah, Silverstone are the undisputed king of the 17" HTPC case. I'm using one right now on the machine I'm sat at (GD04)

Like you said, they're old. Many of them have optical bays and 3.5" storage mounts. Whilst not "new", the E-variants of the FTZ and RVZ cases use 90 degree PCIe risers on an mITX board to prioritise airflow and space around a GPU, exactly like in the Fractal Node 202.

When I first saw this I was hoping it was an update to the Node 202 but it's a different size class altogether.

aktpu · Nov 16, 2022

It's nice, but pricey

Garrus · Nov 16, 2022

Frankly at this point the case needs to come with the ITX board installed. Since you can't buy any reasonably priced mini ITX boards from most stores anymore...

Easy Rhino · Nov 16, 2022

Finally something powerful that can sit on your desk and not look like a child's toy.

lexluthermiester · Nov 17, 2022

Easy Rhino said:
Finally something powerful that can sit on your desk and not look like a child's toy.

I was thinking that too. This case looks very smooth and stylish. With the right selection of parts it would make for an excellent minimalist PC!

Vayra86 · Nov 17, 2022

Man I am so close to jumping on this for the next HTPC iteration... perfect place for my 1080 once it gets upgraded... and man is this box beautiful. Well designed, sturdy... The way its supposed to be.

But no dust filters?! What the... Come on FD...

_JP_ · Nov 17, 2022

@Darksaber, if you still have the case and if possible, could you please check this out for me?
By the picture you took and specs Fractal provides, I cannot tell but am curious if with the Aspect 14s installed, you can stuff 80x80x32mm fans at the top, instead of the usual 25mm depth.

konga · Nov 18, 2022

seems like it would run cooler if they opened up the ventilation a little more. it seems oddly restrictive despite the lack of a filter. that's probably well over 50% solid material in the perforated spots.

joey2shoes · Nov 18, 2022

It's beautiful, almost the perfect case for my daughter's build but I can't wrap my head around the lack of filters, this thing is going to be a dust magnet. Compared to my fractal design define running positive pressure through the filters - 3 years in and not a spec of dust in there.

Kyan · Aug 4, 2023

I will probably buy a mini itx board and put my actual system into it when I will upgrade. It look nice for a console, multimedia pc. I'm just hoping Valve will release Steam OS 3 by that time

System Name	Corsair 2000D Silent Gaming Rig
Processor	Intel Core i5-14600K
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix Z790-i Gaming Wifi
Cooling	Corsair iCUE H150i Black
Memory	Corsair 64 GB 6000 MHz DDR5
Video Card(s)	Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phoenix GS
Storage	TeamGroup 1TB NVMe SSD
Display(s)	Gigabyte 32" M32U
Case	Corsair 2000D
Power Supply	Corsair 850 W SFX
Mouse	Logitech MX
Keyboard	Sharkoon PureWriter TKL

System Name	Bragging Rights
Processor	Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard	It has no markings but it's green
Cooling	No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory	2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s)	Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage	32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s)	10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case	Veddha T2
Audio Device(s)	Apparently, yes
Power Supply	Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse	MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD	Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software	W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores	I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.

System Name	Dirt Sheep \| Silent Sheep
Processor	i5-2400 \| 13900K (-0.02mV offset)
Motherboard	Asus P8H67-M LE \| Gigabyte AERO Z690-G, bios F29e Intel baseline
Cooling	Scythe Katana Type 1 \| Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
Memory	G-skill 28GB DDR3 \| Corsair Vengeance 432GB DDR5 5200Mhz C40 @4000MHz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte 970GTX Mini \| NV 1080TI FE (cap at 50%, 800mV)
Storage	2SN850 1TB, 230S 4TB, 840EVO 128GB, WD green 2TB HDD, IronWolf 6TB, 2HC550 18TB in RAID1
Display(s)	LG 21` FHD W2261VP \| Lenovo 27` 4K Qreator 27
Case	Thermaltake V3 Black\|Define 7 Solid, stock 314 fans+ 212 front&buttom+ out 1*8 (on expansion slot)
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT 990 (or the screen speakers when I'm too lazy)
Power Supply	Enermax Pro82+ 525W \| Corsair RM650x (2021)
Mouse	Logitech Master 3
Keyboard	Roccat Isku FX
VR HMD	Nop.
Software	WIN 10 \| WIN 11
Benchmark Scores	CB23 SC: i5-2400=641 \| i9-13900k=2325-2281 MC: i5-2400=i9 13900k SC \| i9-13900k=37240-35500

System Name	Bragging Rights
Processor	Atom Z3735F 1.33GHz
Motherboard	It has no markings but it's green
Cooling	No, it's a 2.2W processor
Memory	2GB DDR3L-1333
Video Card(s)	Gen7 Intel HD (4EU @ 311MHz)
Storage	32GB eMMC and 128GB Sandisk Extreme U3
Display(s)	10" IPS 1280x800 60Hz
Case	Veddha T2
Audio Device(s)	Apparently, yes
Power Supply	Samsung 18W 5V fast-charger
Mouse	MX Anywhere 2
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys (not Cherry MX at all)
VR HMD	Samsung Oddyssey, not that I'd plug it into this though....
Software	W10 21H1, barely
Benchmark Scores	I once clocked a Celeron-300A to 564MHz on an Abit BE6 and it scored over 9000.

Processor	Intel i5-13600k
Motherboard	MSI MEG Z690i Unify
Cooling	Noctua NH-C14S
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V F5-5600J2834F32GX2-RS5W 64GB
Video Card(s)	Asus RX6800XT TUF
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro 500GB x2
Display(s)	Samsung U32H850
Case	Streacom DA6 XL chrome
Audio Device(s)	Denon PMA-50
Power Supply	Corsair SF750
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3
Keyboard	Microsoft Surface
Software	Win 11 Pro

Fractal Design Ridge

Darksaber

Senior Editor & Case Reviewer

CyberCT

Fouquin

Staff

Chrispy_

CyberCT

Dirt Chip

RegaeRevaeb

Chrispy_

aktpu

Garrus

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate

lexluthermiester

Vayra86

_JP_

konga

joey2shoes

New Member

Kyan

System Name	Jedi Survivor Gaming PC
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7800X3D
Motherboard	Asus TUF B650M Plus Wifi
Cooling	ThermalRight CPU Cooler
Memory	G.Skill 32GB DDR5-5600 CL28
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 3080 10GB
Storage	2TB Samsung 990 Pro SSD
Display(s)	MSI 32" 4K OLED 240hz Monitor
Case	Asus Prime AP201
Power Supply	FSP 1000W Platinum PSU
Mouse	Logitech G403
Keyboard	Asus Mechanical Keyboard

System Name	Desktop
Processor	i5 13600KF
Motherboard	AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling	Noctua NH-U9S
Memory	4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage	WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s)	Gigabye M32U
Case	Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s)	On Board
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse	MX Master 3s
Keyboard	Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software	The Matrix

System Name	Tiny the White Yeti
Processor	7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI MAG Mortar b650m wifi
Cooling	CPU: Thermalright Peerless Assassin / Case: Phanteks T30-120 x3
Memory	32GB Corsair Vengeance 30CL6000
Video Card(s)	ASRock RX7900XT Phantom Gaming
Storage	Lexar NM790 4TB + Samsung 850 EVO 1TB + Samsung 980 1TB + Crucial BX100 250GB
Display(s)	Gigabyte G34QWC (3440x1440)
Case	Lian Li A3 mATX White
Audio Device(s)	Harman Kardon AVR137 + 2.1
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Mouse	Steelseries Aerox 5
Keyboard	Lenovo Thinkpad Trackpoint II
VR HMD	HD 420 - Green Edition ;)
Software	W11 IoT Enterprise LTSC
Benchmark Scores	Over 9000

System Name	LenovoⓇ ThinkPad™ T430
Processor	IntelⓇ Core™ i5-3210M processor (2 cores, 2.50GHz, 3MB cache), Intel Turbo Boost™ 2.0 (3.10GHz), HT™
Motherboard	Lenovo 2344 (Mobile Intel QM77 Express Chipset)
Cooling	Single-pipe heatsink + Delta fan
Memory	2x 8GB KingstonⓇ HyperX™ Impact 2133MHz DDR3L SO-DIMM
Video Card(s)	Intel HD Graphics™ 4000 (GPU clk: 1100MHz, vRAM clk: 1066MHz)
Storage	SamsungⓇ 860 EVO mSATA (250GB) + 850 EVO (500GB) SATA
Display(s)	14.0" (355mm) HD (1366x768) color, anti-glare, LED backlight, 200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 co
Case	ThinkPad Roll Cage (one-piece magnesium frame)
Audio Device(s)	HD Audio, RealtekⓇ ALC3202 codec, DolbyⓇ Advanced Audio™ v2 / stereo speakers, 1W x 2
Power Supply	ThinkPad 65W AC Adapter + ThinkPad Battery 70++ (9-cell)
Mouse	TrackPointⓇ pointing device + UltraNav™, wide touchpad below keyboard + ThinkLight™
Keyboard	6-row, 84-key, ThinkVantage button, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight (PT Layout)
Software	MicrosoftⓇ WindowsⓇ 10 x86-64 (22H2)

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
Motherboard	MSI MPG B550I GAMING EDGE WIFI Mini ITX
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12S Chromax Black
Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) 3600MHz CL18
Video Card(s)	AMD RX 6750XT Reference Design
Storage	2.5 TB 2.5" SSD / 3 TB HDD
Display(s)	ASUS 27" 165HZ VG27WQ / Vertical 16/10 iiyama 25" 75Hz ProLite XUB2595WSU-B1
Case	be quiet! Dark Base 700 RGB
Audio Device(s)	PSB Alpha P3 / LOXJIE A30 Amp
Power Supply	EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GA
Mouse	Cooler master MM720
Keyboard	Roccat horde
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S (please Valve, release a new headset)
Software	Windows 10