Fractal Design Node 804, is it really SFF?

[Darth Bobo]

I've been eyeing the Fractal Design Node 804, does anyone have any experience with the case?

Specifically:

Is it "small" form factor or is it just not ATX compatible? I would like to be able to have the PC on the desk as opposed to on the floor.

How is the quality of the case?

What are the smaller (if there are any) alternatives, seeing that the case should fit a full size modular PSU, full size graphics card and a (preferably thick / push/pull) 240mm closed loop radiator?

Thanks for your insights.

 

[WiSK]

The Intel definition of SFF is under 20 litres, and the Node 804 is over twice that volume, so no.

It might still fit on your desk. What footprint / height do you have available? Other case suggestions can depend on that.

 

[Darth Bobo]

It's not so much if I can clear the desk space, more that I'd prefer actually doing something "small" if I go mATX og even better mITX.

Ofcause I realize that "small" is a relative term, but at 40+ liters the Node comes of to me as large, but I haven't yet been able to observe it in real life, so I don't know if it is subjectively smaller than an ATX minitower.

 

[WiSK]

It's not so much if I can clear the desk space, more that I'd prefer actually doing something "small" if I go mATX og even better mITX.

Ofcause I realize that "small" is a relative term, but at 40+ liters the Node comes of to me as large, but I haven't yet been able to observe it in real life, so I don't know if it is subjectively smaller than an ATX minitower.

Mini-tower? No, it's a good 20% larger volume-wise than average mini-towers. It's the same volume as the average mid-tower: 40-45 litres. But it's obviously wider and shorter.

The issue about your hardware demands is the "thick, push/pull 240mm closed loop radiator" and the "full-sized PSU" - do you mean like a modular 180mm PSU?.

There is the Silverstone PS07 which can fit a big 240 rad in the front if you take out the drive rack, and has a separate compartment for PSU above. That's small mini-tower sized (31 litres).

 

[Darth Bobo]

Mini-tower? No, it's a good 20% larger volume-wise than average mini-towers. It's the same volume as the average mid-tower: 40-45 litres. But it's obviously wider and shorter.

I hadn't really made the comparison like that but, looking at it like that the Node is huge considering that it's mATX

The issue about your hardware demands is the "thick, push/pull 240mm closed loop radiator" and the "full-sized PSU" - do you mean like a modular 180mm PSU?.

Sorry, I meant either think or normal rad with push/pull, not that I imagine it will make a lot of difference. I was thinking along the lines of the Corsair H105 in push config OR the Corsair H100 in Push/pull config.

As for PSU i was thinking along the lines of the Corsair AX760 og the Seasonic SS-660XP2, enough to comfortably run an OC'ed i5 and any GPU i would care to pair it with.

There is the Silverstone PS07 which can fit a big 240 rad in the front if you take out the drive rack, and has a separate compartment for PSU above. That's small mini-tower sized (31 litres).

I see your point, but 31L is still a lot (the PS07 looks nice though). So no existing cases under 20L will do what I ask and only the NCASE comes close?

 

[WiSK]

So no existing cases under 20L will do do what I ask and only the NCASE comes close?

Hang on!

My suggestion of PS07 was based on thick 240 rad and push-pull and massive PSU which is what I thought you were asking for. Somehow I also presumed mATX, therefore two GPUs.

If you haven't actually bought the hardware yet, then you are not so restricted as it first appeared. For example, you mention AX760, but it doesn't at all need to be that big if there is only one GPU. Then you mention i5, so does it really need a 240 CLC? (I ran a i7-3770K @ 4.2 + GTX 660Ti together on a single 120 rad).

You have to decide how small is small enough, and then accept that there might be some compromises about hardware choices.

• There is always the Bitfenix range Phenom/Colussus for mITX/mATX. At ~26 litres and stubby, those look small even if they aren't true SFF.
• If that's too big, since you liked the Node 804, what about looking at the Node 304? That is half the size at 20 litres. You can use a H80 (thick, push-pull) in that.
• Even smaller: Hadron Air if you ditch the CLC, or Hadron Hydro if you dare to connect the water cooling tubes yourself.
• Silverstone SG08 is a nice case that can fit a ATX PSU (but you are very limited in size), and a CLC.

If you want even smaller, then there are even more compromises on choices but it doesn't mean you have to limit the power of your hardware. For example a SG05 with 300W SFX PSU can fit and power an i5 + H60 cooler, with a GTX970 short card. That's not going to be a slouchy games machine. My first SFF was SG05 with an i5 (cooled by H60) and a GTX560Ti. It was fine for gaming, but more noisy that the 970 will be.