Fractal Pop Air RGB Case Review Thermals, Build Quality, & Cable Management
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Date: 2022-06-29
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Comments and reviews: 10
carl
Lots of choices for a next gen AMD or INTEL builds. While the Corsair 5000D looks tempting, I still like the looks of my Corsair Carbide Air 540. That it also has 2 optical drive bays (a requirement for me), 2 HDD trays and a cage for 4 SSDs are all pluses. And it is easy to work in. Downside: only 2 fans and 150. Not suitable for custom loop as a 2-compartment design. I've built 5 PCs for friends and family all using the 540 and so far, I've replaced the 2 stock fans with 4 Noctua fans. Semi downside: 280 AIO and the ARCTIC LFII does fit on top, but really close fit. With GPU size increasing, a front mounted 240/280/360 AIO might not fit.
You mentioned this case several years ago, but I did not see the type of review on it you do now. Any chance of a revisit if Corsair sends you one?
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Lots of choices for a next gen AMD or INTEL builds. While the Corsair 5000D looks tempting, I still like the looks of my Corsair Carbide Air 540. That it also has 2 optical drive bays (a requirement for me), 2 HDD trays and a cage for 4 SSDs are all pluses. And it is easy to work in. Downside: only 2 fans and 150. Not suitable for custom loop as a 2-compartment design. I've built 5 PCs for friends and family all using the 540 and so far, I've replaced the 2 stock fans with 4 Noctua fans. Semi downside: 280 AIO and the ARCTIC LFII does fit on top, but really close fit. With GPU size increasing, a front mounted 240/280/360 AIO might not fit.
You mentioned this case several years ago, but I did not see the type of review on it you do now. Any chance of a revisit if Corsair sends you one?
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Eremon1
I'm really surprised it's taken this long to innovate PC case designs. I don't like everything about that Hyte Y60, but it's definitely different yet mostly practical from the look of it. I'll have to find that case review in your video library.
Fractal seems like they've got a good idea how to design and build a decent case. Not a fan of their Pop Air case. I kinda want to get the Torrent but I'm worried I'll buy it and then Fractal will make one I want more soon after. I've currently got a Corsair Carbide SPEC-6 and it's an okay case but leaves much to be desired in a couple areas.
Dying of laughter after Steve's comment; Whenever I need RGB wired up, I go to Patrick. Not because he likes it but because I hate it and I can ask him.
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I'm really surprised it's taken this long to innovate PC case designs. I don't like everything about that Hyte Y60, but it's definitely different yet mostly practical from the look of it. I'll have to find that case review in your video library.
Fractal seems like they've got a good idea how to design and build a decent case. Not a fan of their Pop Air case. I kinda want to get the Torrent but I'm worried I'll buy it and then Fractal will make one I want more soon after. I've currently got a Corsair Carbide SPEC-6 and it's an okay case but leaves much to be desired in a couple areas.
Dying of laughter after Steve's comment; Whenever I need RGB wired up, I go to Patrick. Not because he likes it but because I hate it and I can ask him.
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Blazing
I like the colored accents and the 5.25 bays. If I hadn't gotten myself a 4000D Airflow on Black Friday (when it could be had at 80), I probably would've gone for this one. The only real drawback for me is that 240mm limit on the top mount. I just barely managed to get my 280mm Arctic Freezer II top mounted in my 4000D, and it was a struggle. With how little clearance there is at the top there, I'm guessing even getting a 240 Freezer II would require low-profile RAM (same issue with the 280 in the 4000D).
Do you guys have any plans to review the XL and nano versions? I'd be interested to see how those perform.
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I like the colored accents and the 5.25 bays. If I hadn't gotten myself a 4000D Airflow on Black Friday (when it could be had at 80), I probably would've gone for this one. The only real drawback for me is that 240mm limit on the top mount. I just barely managed to get my 280mm Arctic Freezer II top mounted in my 4000D, and it was a struggle. With how little clearance there is at the top there, I'm guessing even getting a 240 Freezer II would require low-profile RAM (same issue with the 280 in the 4000D).
Do you guys have any plans to review the XL and nano versions? I'd be interested to see how those perform.
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Ingwie
Oh wow, a case with optical support? Yes, please! I work with emulated games a lot and often I want to dump a disc based game; be it for myself or helping a friend. My anime collection is also mostly on Blu-ray as I am not a huge fan of using streaming services (plus, most often, buying a Blu-ray actually supports the creators; not always though). So this is really awesome. Also, colors! Woohoo, always prefer a splash of color over a monotone box with a grill/vent holes on it.
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Oh wow, a case with optical support? Yes, please! I work with emulated games a lot and often I want to dump a disc based game; be it for myself or helping a friend. My anime collection is also mostly on Blu-ray as I am not a huge fan of using streaming services (plus, most often, buying a Blu-ray actually supports the creators; not always though). So this is really awesome. Also, colors! Woohoo, always prefer a splash of color over a monotone box with a grill/vent holes on it.
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Lukiel666
Currently watching on my custom built AMD rig in a Focus G Mystic Red case. AMD so red case. Swapped bottom front intake fan to rear as exhaust and put a 140mm fan there for better airflow overall. That little tray in the bottom can hold USB drives, never misplace the little buggers again.
I have an optical drive. Seldom used but seriously how many PC components can you get for 20 brand new?
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Currently watching on my custom built AMD rig in a Focus G Mystic Red case. AMD so red case. Swapped bottom front intake fan to rear as exhaust and put a 140mm fan there for better airflow overall. That little tray in the bottom can hold USB drives, never misplace the little buggers again.
I have an optical drive. Seldom used but seriously how many PC components can you get for 20 brand new?
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noko
we need more cases with 5.25'' bays. some of us still use optical drives or in my case, i have more hdds than i have internal 3.5'' caddies so i use my phanteks enthoo 5.25'' bays as additional hdd storage. not everyone overclocks their stuff and i could sacrifice some airflow for proper placement of external drive bays!! the addition of the drive bays here seems like an afterthought.
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we need more cases with 5.25'' bays. some of us still use optical drives or in my case, i have more hdds than i have internal 3.5'' caddies so i use my phanteks enthoo 5.25'' bays as additional hdd storage. not everyone overclocks their stuff and i could sacrifice some airflow for proper placement of external drive bays!! the addition of the drive bays here seems like an afterthought.
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AngelXjp
I like the accent color choices. The case overall looks nice. It's a pity that the USB-C isn't included. I'm one of the possibly few who still have 5.25 devices, so that's wonderful to see that this case has that functionality. This is one of the reasons that kept me from upgrading my case because I didn't want to lose the 5.25 functionality.
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I like the accent color choices. The case overall looks nice. It's a pity that the USB-C isn't included. I'm one of the possibly few who still have 5.25 devices, so that's wonderful to see that this case has that functionality. This is one of the reasons that kept me from upgrading my case because I didn't want to lose the 5.25 functionality.
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Green
27:32 I found Fractal fans to be very quiet. Not sure how they compete with e.g. Noctua for airflow or cooling, but I like Fractal fans. Had my case since 2014 and only one fan needed changing, when it developed a bit of noise. Fractal sent me a free replacement, three years after the case purchase which had a two-year warranty.
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27:32 I found Fractal fans to be very quiet. Not sure how they compete with e.g. Noctua for airflow or cooling, but I like Fractal fans. Had my case since 2014 and only one fan needed changing, when it developed a bit of noise. Fractal sent me a free replacement, three years after the case purchase which had a two-year warranty.
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Ken
As someone who still regularly uses an optical drive having it inside the tower is pointless. The price is the same and performance is comparable.
Rather than give up space on the front of a case that can be better used for air intake just get an external drive. When you need to rip a DVD to add to your PLEX just plug it in.
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As someone who still regularly uses an optical drive having it inside the tower is pointless. The price is the same and performance is comparable.
Rather than give up space on the front of a case that can be better used for air intake just get an external drive. When you need to rip a DVD to add to your PLEX just plug it in.
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Salem
I was curious about the XL variant of the case. Unfortunately, at the time of writing (8:46 a.m. GMT-7 on 6/29), it seems Fractal's website has been DDoSed, as you can barely access the website, and the backend seems to be down.
I'll try again later today, but a review of the XL variant of the Pop Air would be nice.
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I was curious about the XL variant of the case. Unfortunately, at the time of writing (8:46 a.m. GMT-7 on 6/29), it seems Fractal's website has been DDoSed, as you can barely access the website, and the backend seems to be down.
I'll try again later today, but a review of the XL variant of the Pop Air would be nice.
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