Fractal Design Node 605 review - Introduction

Name: Fractal Design Node 605 review
Brand: Fractal Design

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 08/06/2013 09:07 AM [

] 6 comment(s)

A new style of ATX HTPC chassis

We review the Fractal Design Node 605, an all black, all cool and all silent HTPC chassis for Mini ITX and even full ATX motherboards. For this HTPC chassis is all about style, storage, USB 3.0 options and an integrated three-speed fan controller. It's lovely to look at, has a decent size and sure, might be one of the better HTPC or home server chassis we have tested to date. The Node 605 ships in a wider HTPC/AV receiver style chassis that comes with full-sized ATX motherboard support. Four hard drive slots are included on this model, with an integrated card reader, USB 3.0 and Firewire connections. Graphic cards up to 280mm are supported, but that shrinks to 180mm when all drives are fitted. Cleverly hidden behind the access panel on the solid 8mm thick aluminum front panel are two USB 3.0 ports, a FireWire port and a multi-format card reader for multiple formats.

Solid aluminum front panel
Supports full ATX motherboards
Noise-dampening material
4 HDD/SSD slots
Integrated card reader
Two Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fans included
Supports graphic cards up to 280mm in length (180mm with all hard drives in place)
USB 3.0 and FireWire front connectors

Technical Specifications

ATX, microATX, Mini ITX, DTX motherboard compatibility
7 expansion slots
4 - supports either 2.5" or 3.5" HDD / SSD
1 slim-line ODD (only supported with mATX or smaller motherboards)
PSU compatibility: 180 mm (including any modular connectors) with both hard drive cages mounted or 190 mm (excluding cables and any modular connectors) with one hard drive cage mounted
CPU cooler compatibility: Approx 125mm with side-mounted fans - For coolers with top-mounted fans, Fractal Design recommends that you add at least 30 mm clearance for decent airflow
Case dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 164 x 349 mm (excluding front panel - 440 x 162 x 341 mm)
Net weight: 6,0 kg

Cooling / Ventilation

5 (3 - 120mm + 2 - 80mm)
2 – 120mm Silent Series R2 fans included
Removable air filters for side fans and PSU
Integrated three-channel fan controller

Graphics Card Compatibility

180 mm with both hard drive cages mounted
255 mm with one hard drive cage mounted
290 mm in the top two ATX expansion card slots with two hard drive cages mounted
280 mm in the top four ATX expansion card slots with one hard drive cage mounted, containing one 3.5" HDD and one 2.5" SSD

Front Interface

2 - USB 3.0
1 - FireWire (IEEE 1394)
1 - 3.5mm audio in (microphone)
1 - 3.5mm audio out (headphone)
Power button with LED
HDD LED

The Node 605 highlights a minimalistic feel to it, which is designed to integrate into your home theatre equipment. Featuring a exterior appearance accompanied by a modern, black interior with sound and vibration dampening materials, the Fractal Design Node 605 supports a full ATX motherboard as well as a graphics card up to 280mm in length. Cleverly hidden behind the access panel on the solid 8mm thick aluminum front panel are two USB 3.0 ports, a FireWire port and a multi-format card reader for multiple formats. But check that out, this thing is SHARP and has the look and feel of a high-end AV component. Next page please where we head onwards into the review.

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