Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear

the Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear

The Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear is engineered with precision, offering a spacious interior and advanced features to support the most demanding PC configurations.

1. Expansive Full Tower Form Factor:

The “XL” in Fractal Design North XL signifies its generous proportions, providing ample space for even the largest components and extensive cooling solutions.

• Dimensions: With external dimensions of approximately 503mm (L) x 240mm (W) x 509mm (H), the North XL is a true full-tower case. This substantial volume translates directly into improved airflow, easier building, and enhanced compatibility.
• Motherboard Support: Designed for maximum versatility, it supports a wide range of motherboard sizes, including E-ATX (up to 330mm), ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. This broad compatibility ensures you can integrate virtually any mainstream or high-end motherboard without limitations.

2. Unparalleled Airflow Design:

The “North” series is synonymous with exceptional airflow, and the XL version takes this to new heights.

• Open Front with Wood Slats: The signature front panel features an open, slatted design crafted from sustainably sourced FSC-certified real oak. This design not only provides a unique natural aesthetic but also acts as a massive, virtually unobstructed intake for cool air, making it superior to many solid or restrictive mesh fronts.
• Perforated Top Panel: The top panel is extensively perforated with a fine mesh pattern, allowing for efficient heat exhaust. It’s easily removable via an integrated tab for convenient access and cleaning.
• Pre-installed Aspect PWM Fans: The Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear (and other TG versions) typically comes with three high-quality 140mm Aspect PWM fans pre-installed in the front as intakes. These fans offer an excellent balance of airflow and static pressure, providing a powerful initial push of cool air into the chassis. PWM control allows for precise speed adjustments based on temperature, optimizing for either quiet operation or maximum cooling.
• Extensive Fan Mounting Options (TG Version):
  • Front: 3 x 120mm or 3 x 140mm fans (3 x 140mm included).
  • Top: 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm or even 2 x 180mm fans. This unique 180mm fan support for the top is a rarity and allows for incredibly efficient top exhaust.
  • Rear: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 140mm fan.
  • Total Fan Capacity (TG Version): Up to 7 x 120mm or 6 x 140mm fans. This vast capacity enables highly effective positive or negative pressure airflow configurations.
• Strategic Dust Filters: Removable dust filters are positioned at the front and beneath the PSU intake, protecting your components from dust buildup while maintaining excellent airflow. These are easily accessible for cleaning, simplifying maintenance.

3. Comprehensive Cooling Compatibility:

The spacious interior of the Fractal Design North XL is built to accommodate the most aggressive air and liquid cooling solutions.

• Radiator Support:
  • Front: Supports massive radiators up to 420mm (120/140/240/280/360/420mm). This is a crucial feature for enthusiasts running custom loops or large AIOs.
  • Top: Supports radiators up to 360mm (120/140/240/280/360mm).
  • Rear: Supports radiators up to 140mm (120/140mm).
  • The combination of front and top radiator support allows for dual radiator setups, providing extreme cooling potential for both CPU and GPU.
• CPU Cooler Height: Impressive clearance of up to 185mm for CPU air coolers (without the optional mesh side fan bracket found in the mesh version), ensuring compatibility with virtually all high-performance tower coolers on the market.
• GPU Length: Unrivaled GPU clearance of up to 413mm with front fans installed, or 380mm with a 33mm thick 420/360mm front radiator. This means even the longest and most powerful graphics cards from NVIDIA (e.g., RTX 4090) and AMD will fit comfortably, without sacrificing front cooling.

4. Advanced Component Support:

The Fractal Design North XL is designed to house a complete, high-end PC system with ease.

• PSU Length: Accommodates ATX power supplies up to 290mm in length (with 1 HDD tray installed), providing ample room for high-wattage PSUs.
• Drive Bays:
  • 2 x Dedicated 2.5″ drive mounts: Located behind the motherboard tray for SSDs.
  • 2 x Combined 3.5″/2.5″ drive mounts: Versatile mounts for either HDDs or SSDs, located under the PSU shroud. This provides flexible storage options for both traditional and solid-state drives.
• Expansion Slots: Features 7 expansion slots, sufficient for even the largest multi-slot graphics cards or additional PCIe expansion cards.
• Cable Routing Space: A generous 29mm of dedicated space behind the motherboard tray, combined with integrated Velcro straps and strategically placed routing grommets, ensures effortless and exceptionally clean cable management.

5. Modern Front I/O Connectivity:

The top-mounted front I/O panel offers convenient and future-proof connectivity.

• Includes 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port (delivering lightning-fast 20 Gbps data transfer speeds), 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a combined Audio In/Out (3.5mm headset) jack. This provides excellent compatibility with a wide range of modern peripherals and external storage devices.

6. Premium Build Quality and Aesthetics:

The Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear exudes quality and sophisticated design.

• Materials: Constructed from high-quality SGCC steel for the chassis, ensuring exceptional durability and structural integrity. The front features sustainably sourced, genuine FSC-certified oak wood.
• Chalk White Finish: A clean, elegant Chalk White powder-coated finish gives the case a pristine and modern look.
• Clear Tempered Glass Side Panel: The “TG Clear” designation refers to the clear tempered glass side panel, offering a magnificent, unobstructed view of your internal components, allowing your RGB lighting or custom build details to shine through.
• Tool-less Access: Side panels are easily removable, and the front and top panels can be unclipped for convenient access during building or maintenance.

Benefits of Use: Why Choose the Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear?

Choosing the Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear for your next PC build delivers a multitude of practical and aesthetic advantages.

• Unrivaled Airflow for Peak Performance: The standout benefit is its exceptional airflow. The open front, perforated top, and ability to house numerous large fans and radiators ensure that even the hottest components (like high-end CPUs and GPUs) stay cool under sustained loads. This translates directly to better stability, reduced thermal throttling, and maximized gaming performance or rendering speeds.
• Elegant, Non-Gamer Aesthetic: Break away from the typical “gamer” aesthetic. The Fractal Design North XL, with its real wood accents and clean lines, offers a sophisticated design that seamlessly blends into any home office, living room, or professional workspace. It makes your powerful PC a stylish piece of furniture rather than just a machine.
• Spacious for Enthusiast Builds: The XL size ensures that you won’t encounter clearance issues with the largest graphics cards, tallest air coolers, or biggest radiators. This freedom to choose top-tier components without compromise is invaluable for serious enthusiasts.
• Simplified Building Experience: Fractal Design cases are renowned for their builder-friendliness. The North XL continues this tradition with generous cable routing space, pre-installed Velcro straps, and easily removable panels, making the installation process straightforward and enjoyable, even for complex systems.
• Future-Proof Cooling Potential: With support for massive 420mm front and 360mm top radiators, the Fractal Design North XL is future-proofed for whatever cooling advancements or power-hungry components the next generations of hardware bring. Your investment in this case will last through multiple upgrades.
• Showcase Your Components (TG Clear): The clear tempered glass side panel provides a pristine window into your build. If you’ve invested in aesthetically pleasing components, custom cables, or RGB lighting, the TG Clear version allows you to display them proudly.
• Whisper-Quiet Operation (When Optimized): The excellent airflow allows fans to run at lower RPMs to maintain optimal temperatures, leading to significantly quieter operation. Combined with PWM fans, you can fine-tune your system for near-silent performance during idle or light tasks.
• Durable and High-Quality Construction: Built with premium steel and genuine wood, the Fractal Design North XL exudes quality and durability. This robust construction not only protects your valuable components but also ensures the case itself is a long-lasting part of your setup.
• Versatile Storage Options: The inclusion of both 2.5″ and 3.5″ drive mounts, strategically located, provides flexibility for all your storage needs, from lightning-fast NVMe SSDs to bulk archival HDDs.
• Modern Connectivity: The inclusion of a high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port on the front I/O ensures rapid data transfer and compatibility with the latest peripherals.

Conclusion: The Epitome of Performance Meets Style with the Fractal Design North XL

The Fractal Design North XL Chalk White TG Clear is a masterclass in PC case design. It’s a harmonious blend of natural aesthetics, exceptional thermal performance, and unparalleled component compatibility. For the discerning builder who refuses to compromise on either style or substance, this case offers the perfect foundation for a powerful, quiet, and visually captivating gaming or workstation PC.

It challenges the notion that performance cases must sacrifice elegance, proving that high-end functionality can coexist beautifully with sophisticated design. If you’re looking to elevate your next build into an art piece that performs as exceptionally as it looks, the Fractal Design North XL is the undisputed choice. It’s not just a case; it’s a testament to refined engineering and timeless design, ready to house your most ambitious computing aspirations.