Fractal Design Define Nano S Review 8

Fractal Design Define Nano S Review

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Value & Conclusion

  • The Fractal Design Define Nano S with a solid side panel goes for 60 euros incl. taxes. The windowed version will set you back 65 euros incl. taxes. US readers will find the chassis for 55-60 US dollars excl. taxes.
  • Excellent use of space
  • Can hold up to four drives
  • Mounting bracket for pump included
  • Mounting holes for reservoir
  • Ability to hold extensive liquid-cooling setup
  • Fan splitter included
  • Two fans included
  • Plenty of space for long GPUs and PSUs
  • Great build quality
  • Solid top cover to maximize sound insulation
  • Removable dust filters in front and on underside
  • Velcro strips for easy cable management
  • Sound dampening materials on side panels
  • Available with a windowed or solid side panel
  • PSU very close to graphics cards - some cards with dual or triple cooler setups will have their fans blocked off
  • Cable management behind the motherboard tray a bit tricky
  • 160mm maximum height for CPU cooler a bit restrictive
There are plenty of small form factor cases out there that aim to combine compact dimensions with the ability to install potent hardware within. While there are cases that are even smaller than the Define Nano S, none allow for such uncompromising use of liquid-cooling gear. Fractal Design has done an excellent job of catering to this crowd as they are also those who really tend to make the most of a case when it comes to installing high-end hardware and lots of lights and LEDs to make it all "pop" visually. If you are going for air cooling, you will not be disappointed, either, as there are plenty of top-flow coolers available that will fit within the chassis, allowing you to easily build your next gaming rig without having to compromise much when it comes to balancing noise with performance.

Fractal Design even includes all the parts to install a pump and reservoir within the Define Nano S, but also considers the fact that users may install multiple fans by offering an adapter to multiply the limited number of fan headers on modern ITX boards. All that and the thought-out interior design, excellent use of space, and plenty of mounting possibilities for fans and liquid-cooling gear make the Fractal Design Nano S a great case for those who want the DNA of the original Define S in a much smaller and mobile package.
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Oct 3rd, 2024 18:20 EDT change timezone

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