Dynamic GP-12 et Fractal Design Define S: Review | Test | Specs |Hashrate | Set-Up | Config
Test – Fractal Design Node 304: Review | Specs | Price | CPU Performance| Setup| Configuration | Advantage (Pros) and Disadvantages (Cons) and other important features that will help you make better decision.
Today is a big day because it heralds the arrival of another great brand at Conseil Config, Fractal Design! Well known for its high-end boxes studied for the silence Fractal Design also makes in power supplies, fans as well as the AIO kit of Watercooling. It is a box in mini-ITX format that I will test today, the Node 304! Available in white or black with a standard ATX power supply compatibility, 6 slots for hard disks and offered at a price of around 70 € let’s see what it has in the belly
| Fractal Design Node 304 | |
|---|---|
| Motherboard compatibility | Mini-ITX |
| Materials | Metal and Plastic |
| Available colors | White black |
| Number of berries | 6 x 3,5″ / 2,5″ |
| Fan location (s) | 1 x 14 cm at the back 2 x 9.2 cm at the front |
| Fan (s) supplied | 1 x 14cm rear (1000 RPM) 2 x 9.2cm front (1300 RPM) |
| Expansion slots | 2 |
| Front connectors | 2 x USB3 2 x Jack 3,5 mm |
| Compatible power supply | ATX up to 16cm in length (graphics card 17cm maximum) ATX 14cm to not interfere with large graphics cards |
| Maximum graphics card length | ~ 31 cm when a disc cage (2 places) is removed. |
| Maximum CPU cooling height | 16,5 cm |
| Additional features | Dust filters at the front and below Disk cages with Rheobus 3-speed anti-vibration system for 3 fans |
| Dimensions | 37,4 (l) x 21 (H) x 25 (L) cm |
| Weight | 4,9 Kg |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
| Price | ~ 70€ |
As I have just told you, we are therefore in the presence of a mini-ITX compatible box with a slot for an ATX power supply and 6 slots for the disks against a 5.25 peripheral point here! Fractal Design wanted to make it a modular box as much as possible, indeed it will be possible to install a power supply up to 16cm long if the graphics card does not exceed 17cm in length in which case it will be necessary to turn to a 14cm feed. Likewise, if a graphics card of more than 17cm is installed, one of the 3 disc cages (2 discs) will have to be removed.
The ventilation is entrusted to 3 fans delivered as standard, 2 of 9.2cm at the front rotating at a maximum speed of 1300RPM and 1 of 14cm 1000RPM at the rear, so there will logically be a good flow of air which is really a good thing, it is not always the case!
There are 2 expansion slots (for a dual-slot graphics card), 2 USB3 ports and 2 3.5mm jack ports on the front. In terms of the cooler for the processor, the Fractal Design 304 is rather well off with 16.5cm of maximum height which should give free rein to your imagination, as long as the layout of the motherboard allows it!
In terms of functionality, the Node 304 is equipped with a dust filter at the front, one below the power supply and one in front of the graphics card in order to reduce dust accumulation as much as possible, the hard disks will be installed on anti-vibration mounts and a 3-speed rheobus capable of managing the 3 original fans is part of the game. As we can see these functions are really very practical, especially the rheobus which is often absent in this type of box but which is nevertheless so practical for the health of our small ears.
The dimensions are rather generous while remaining compact with 37 in length for 25cm in width and 21cm in height for a weight of 4.9kg which is quite high for a case of this type, the use of steel requires but should make the whole thing. rather solid. Let’s take a closer look!
The cardboard is the most classic, on one side we can see an exploded view of the beast with a detailed listing of all the features in addition to the model and the brand, on the other a profile view of the beast as well as a quick note saying that the Node 304 has a modular interior allowing it to be adapted to all types of use, whether it is HTPC, file server or even “gaming”.
2 cuffs are present to facilitate transport, a listing of technical specifications is present (dimensions, cooler compatibility, power supply and graphics card as well as a detail of the fans supplied, everything is there!).
The cardboard is quite strong and should therefore survive transport without problems, a good point!
When opening the box we find the Node 304 packed in its plastic bag and between 2 polystyrene molds, we do not say no to protections and with that it should arrive in one piece!
Here is the Fractal Design node 304 white fresh out of its packaging! The first thing that comes to mind when you see it is its sobriety, the lacquered white is the most beautiful effect and the paint is of very good quality, it will go very well with a clean white interior, let’s see all this in detail .
The front panel is foolproof, white and again lacquered white with only the Fractal Design logo at the bottom right next to the power-on LED:
Below the logo we can see an LED which is none other than the disk activity LED and will therefore illuminate the support on which the box is placed.
Behind the front panel, which is easily removed, unlike most of the other boxes, is the 9.2cm removable fan dust filter.
Above again, sobriety is the key word, lacquered white throughout. A grid is present on the right (front face) which will be used to send the air to the 2 9.2cm fans.
Below we see the removable dust filter which covers a honeycomb grid serving to bring fresh air directly to the power supply. An opening is also present at the front to provide additional air flow to the fans on the front. There are also 4 rubber feet which will be welcome to isolate the vibrations of the case as much as possible from the surface on which it is placed.
On the graphics card side we are entitled to a black grid placed in front of a dust filter, the card can therefore take in fresh air directly from the outside.
On the other side a small ventilation grid is present in order to evacuate the hot air from the supply to the outside, Fractal Design has thought of everything in terms of ventilation. On this same side we find the connections as well as the start button:
We are entitled to 2 USB 3.0 ports as well as 2 3.5mm jack connectors (headphones and microphone) as well as a start button which is the same color as the rest of the button and is therefore very discreet.
At the rear of the classic, a honeycomb grid behind the fan, the 2 expansion slots are fitted with black brackets, a connector for the mains socket is offset from the power supply which is at the front of the case. The rheobus is present and very discreet, it is located at the top right in the form of a 3-position switch (Low, Medium and High).
It’s high time to see what node 304 has in store for us inside, let’s go!
Seen from above we can see the 3 cages of 2 discs fixed by 2 hand screws as well as a small screw. Each cage is engraved with the brand’s logo and is this time not white but black, the mix is not lacking in charm! The disks are actively cooled by the 2 fans on the front which is really a very good thing and unfortunately often obscured. On the left we can see the connections of the rheobus, namely 3 3-pin connectors for the fans accompanied by its molex power supply.
For a mini-ITX case the node 304 is rather spacious, especially in terms of the height between the motherboard and the top of the case.
Each cage can accommodate 2 3.5 ″ discs via rubber silentblocs or 2 2.5 ″ discs to be fixed in the corresponding holes.
Once the 3 cages have been removed we can see the location that will accommodate the power supply and the 2 9.2cm fans.
A reinforcement is present in order to fix the power supply to the frame, 2 small rubber pads are also present in order to attenuate any vibration of the latter. The extension cord is long enough to accommodate all power supplies.
The 2 brackets are black and perforated to allow air to pass through.
The rear fan is a Fractal Design R2 14cm rotating at a maximum speed of 1000RPM and given for a sound level of 18.5dB maximum. Its weight is 149g and has a 3-pin connector, the cable is sheathed!
At the front still R2 models but 9.2cm this time, maximum speed of 1300RPM for weight of 84.2g and a sound level of 12.5dB. The cables are once again sheathed.
We find the classic wires to connect to the motherboard, 1 power LED, 1 disk activity LED, 1 power button as well as the front audio connectors and USB3.0. Note that the USB 3.0 connector is also USB 2.0 compatible via a connector in its extension, do not of course connect the 2, either USB 3.0 or USB 2.0!
The configuration used during the tests is as follows:
The Fractal Design Node 304 will be tested once in each position of the rheobus, namely “Low”, “Medium” and “High” with only the SSD connected. Another test will take place in “Low” with the Raptor hard drive connected, it being literally hell in terms of its vibrations, which will allow the effectiveness of the silentblocs to be seen. The power supply chosen is not due to chance but given that the length of the power supplies in my possession were all 16 cm (see more) there was only the Corsair CS450M of “compatible”.
The assembly of the test configuration went rather well, no particular concerns when the components are chosen with care (in particular the power supply). However, rigor is required so as not to have a too messy editing. Let’s take a closer look at everything.
First, do not forget to install the spacers between the frame and the motherboard, otherwise you will not be able to install the latter and still beg to burn everything out because of a short circuit.
With the available space, the installation of the motherboard goes without the slightest problem, we put it on the freshly installed spacers and screw it in, quickly well done!
The graphics card is also installed without difficulty, on the other hand I do not like me the first time and install there after the power supply, otherwise you are good to remove it 😉
And here once the power supply is in place, note that the Corsair CS450M is only 14cm deep, 2cm more and it will not be possible to install a graphics card with a modular power supply. However, it might be possible to install a non-modular power supply that lets the cables escape to the right with the fan facing down, but in this case the problem of cables to be stored inside the tower may be unmanageable.
The installation of the disks also does not pose the slightest problem, we put them, we screw and voila! Be careful, however, to orient the connectors on the motherboard side, otherwise it will not be possible to connect them.
Here is the Fractal Design Node 304 once mounted!
In order to test the box, I will carry out an OCCT Power Supply test for 30mins and then take the temperatures of the main components such as the processor (average of the 4 cores), the motherboard, the graphics card as well as the hard drive.
Regarding noise pollution, I will proceed as in the file on silent PCs, namely 1 raised in front, to the right, to the left, to the rear and above with the box in a vertical position.
At rest the temperatures of the components are very good in Fractal Design Node 304, whether at minimum or at maximum the air flow manages to cool very well. There is no problem getting Node 304 would have no problem keeping all these little people cool. Once the Raptor is added nothing changes except a confirmation that the airflow is very good, the fans directly in front of the drive cages are certainly no stranger to this.
Ambient sound level: 31dB
In terms of noise pollution at rest, the Fractal Design Node 304 is also doing very well, at least the case is really very quiet and will not really disturb those around you, that’s for sure. Once the rheobus is set to medium the noise pollution increases somewhat but while remaining at a very pleasant level, at most, however, the rear fan can be clearly heard even if it does not produce parasitic noises, only a breath is made. hear. Do not forget that the readings were taken 15cm from the case in all directions so it is normal to see the figures fly away quickly.
Once the Raptor is plugged in, the Node 304 unfortunately cannot contain the vibrations of the beast, this is not really a surprise because it manages to be heard even in the best ATX boxes, so you will have to pay attention to the type of selected hard drives!
PWM fans spin at their minimum here whether the box fans spin at minimum or maximum.
Under load the temperatures are quite good, the graphics card and with 84-85 ° is within the standards in view of the cooling system, the motherboard as well as the processor benefit the most from the increase in air flow to the temperature. ‘inside the case from 68 ° to 62 ° for the processor and from 59 ° to 54 ° for the motherboard from minimum to maximum setting. All of these temperatures are right up there and node 304 does its job very well.
Niveau sonore ambiant: 31dB
Le niveau sonore de la bête ne change pas beaucoup que ce soit au minimum ou au maximum, et pour cause le bruit généré par les composants internes (la carte graphique principalement) couvre tout le reste. Le node 304 ici n’est aucunement en cause et cela prouve juste que les composants internes doivent être choisis avec soin pour ne pas se retrouver avec une soufflerie. Le tout n’est clairement pas silencieux mais reste acceptable pour un produit de ce type, sans compter que OCCT représente vraiment la charge maximale qui n’est pas vraiment atteignable en conditions réelles.
Les ventilateurs PWM tournent à la même vitesse que ce soit au minimum ou au maximum des ventilateurs du boitier d’où les nuisances sonores observées au dessus.
Here we are at the end of this test, what about Fractal Design Node 304?
More and more people are looking for a small PC configuration for various types of use, whether it is HTPC, office automation or “gaming” the Fractal Design Node 304 is flexible enough to accommodate all tasks with its removable hard drive cages allowing the installation of a large graphics card.The design is sober and neat as possible, the manufacturing quality is very good, the 3 fans supplied are silent, the dust filters and the rheobus are a more significant.
The only small problem to note is the particular attention to be paid to the size of the power supply in the case of “gaming” use with a large graphics card because it must not exceed 14cm in length on pain of not being able to install it.
Offered at around € 70 in white or black, the Node 304 is a mini-ITX box that will adapt to all types of configurations you want!
A big thank you to Federica from Fractal Design who allowed me to do this test.
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