If you want to build a system with a full size ATX motherboard but want a compact case, this is a very good option. It has a few quirks.
Pros:
- Small size for a case that supports a full size ATX motherboard
- 2x 120mm fans included (not 1 as Amazon suggest)
- Smart simple design, not too fancy
- Plenty of fan mounting options
- Plenty of internal drive bays - 3x 3.5", 3x 2.5", extra 1x 2.5" (behind motherboard
Cons:
- Front ventilation is via side mesh only (slightly restrictive)
- Cannot use all 3.5" drive bays with GPU installed
- Case side panels are slightly flimsy
- HD Audio cable is very short
Build quality is reasonable for a case at this price point - you wont find many sharp edges but some parts feel a little thin or flimsy. Everything you need is included in a small box inside the case - you get a couple of zip ties, all of the screws you could need and a special motherboard standoff installation tool that lets you screw them down with a philips screwdriver (nice touch).
Before fitting your motherboard take note that an extra 2.5" SSD mount is hidden behind the motherboard tray; you cannot access it once the motherboard is screwed down.
Building inside this case is not difficult, there is ample room for cable management but it is slightly cramped. The HD audio cable is too short for some motherboards and I had to buy an HD audio cable extension to be able to route it neatly without the GPU getting in the way.
The drive mounting system is very unusual yet clever as it saves space. A drive tray is mounted vertically and holds 3x 3.5" drives on one side, and 3x 2.5" on the other side. It works well but keep in mind that the middle 3.5" position will block a large GPU. Managing cables neatly around this drive tray can be fiddly.
2x 120mm fans are included one on the rear and one on the front. These fans use a 3 pin cable so are voltage controlled not PWM. There are many fan positions:
- Rear 120mm
- 2x front 120mm or 140mm
- 2x top 120mm or 140mm
- Side panel 120mm
- Bottom 120mm or 140mm (blocks bottom most 3.5" bay if fitted)
I recommend installing 2 fans in the front and keeping the rear fan - this will suit most people. If you need more cooling consider adding a top fan towards the rear.
The 5.25" bays are fine, but keep in mind clearance is a little tight if you use a full size ATX motherboard. I had no issue but if you have a very old blu-ray drive that is longer than average keep this in mind.
I was able to fit an Asrock X370 Taichi board inside along with an MSI 970 GPU, 2 mechanical hard drives, 2 SSDs and a blu-ray drive.
| Manufacturer | FRACTAL DESIGN |
|---|---|
| Brand | Fractal Design |
| Model Number | FD-CA-CORE-2300-BL |
| Product Dimensions | 45 x 19.5 x 43.1 cm; 5.2 Kilograms |
| Material Type | Aluminium |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 2300 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | FD-CA-CORE-2300-BL |
| Item Weight | 5.2 kg |
