Fractal Design has been around for quite some time now and is known for its clean, minimalist Scandinavian design. The Epoch is their latest release, which shares a lot of design language with the North but without the wood on the front panel. It keeps the same elegance and modern styling, now with even more streamlined finishes and options for different types of tempered glass and RGB configurations.
First Impressions
The Epoch is one of those cases that still feels more like a piece of furniture than a regular PC case, and that’s not a bad thing. Available in multiple variants, including solid panel and tempered glass options, with light or clear tint and even RGB models, there’s definitely a version that suits your aesthetic. We got our hands on the TG Light Tint variant in black, which I think is easily one of the best-looking cases I’ve worked with recently.
The top panel features a removable mesh, ensuring easy cleaning. This area accommodates up to three 120mm case fans or a 360mm AIO liquid cooler for those preferring liquid cooling solutions. Similarly, the bottom of the case includes a removable dust filter. However, accessing and removing this filter is a bit more challenging due to its tighter fit compared to the easily sliding top panel.
The front IO is what you’ll find on most PC cases nowadays – two USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port, and a combo audio jack.
As for the front, you’ll get three pieces of 120mm cooling fans, the Momentum 12. As this is the non-RGB version, the RGB version will probably come equipped with the Momentum 12 RGB instead.
Moving to the rear, the case sports the familiar mesh design seen on the North series. Although I typically dislike external PSU brackets, this one significantly eases power supply installation given the limited space beneath the PSU shroud, making it a justifiable feature.
While I typically avoid tempered glass panels, the slide-lock mechanism in this design is a substantial upgrade from standard ball-joint systems. This thoughtful feature makes panel removal considerably easier and effectively reduces any concerns about accidentally damaging the tempered glass.
The interior of the case offers generous space, supporting up to an ATX form factor motherboard. This ample room extends to component clearance; there’s plenty of space for AIO liquid coolers at the top, which simplifies their installation and the routing of EPS cables towards the front.
Crucially, it also has an excellent clearance for graphics cards, capable of easily accommodating even large models such as the RTX 4090 Founders Edition.
Turning to the back of the case, users will appreciate the generous clearance dedicated to cable management. This space is further enhanced by numerous strategically placed tie-down points, facilitating a truly clean and organized build.
For added convenience, Fractal Design has also integrated three pre-installed velcro straps along the primary cable management channel. In a market where 3.5″ HDD bays are increasingly rare, the Epoch stands out by providing two dedicated brackets for traditional hard drives. The design of its 2.5″ SSD brackets differs from the North series, yet they offer comparable functionality and excellent cable routing possibilities.
Build Experience
Internally, the layout is very similar to the North. It supports up to ATX motherboards, and there’s ample clearance for GPUs up to 355mm in length. We installed an RTX 4090 FE without issues. For cooling, we opted for a Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black air cooler instead of an AIO, just to see how well the airflow holds up.
Cable management is excellent, with Velcro straps and clean routing channels at the back. There’s decent space behind the motherboard tray and a dedicated area to route GPU power cables for a clean look. The removable top panel continues to be a nice touch for easier installation.
Out of the box, it comes with three pre-installed 120mm front fans. We tested with an Intel Core i9-11900K and the RTX 4090, cooled by the Noctua NH-U12A. Under load, CPU temps averaged around 86°C while GPU temps stayed under 72°C, which is very respectable for an air-cooled setup. The airflow design still holds up well even without liquid cooling.
Noise levels were minimal, especially with the Noctua fans doing their job quietly, along with the three front panel fans which come with dampening pads that help with noise dampening as well.
Final Thoughts
The Fractal Design Epoch takes the same principles that made the North great and modernizes them further. By dropping the wood accent and offering RGB and tempered glass options, Fractal broadens the appeal of this clean and practical chassis.
As for the price, it depends on the model. While there’s no official local price for Malaysia yet, here’s what Fractal is offering internationally:
- Epoch Black Solid: $109
- Epoch Black TG Light Tint: $109
- Epoch White TG Clear Tint: $109
- Epoch Black TG RGB Light Tint: $129
- Epoch White TG RGB Clear Tint: $129
For what it offers in design, airflow, and overall build experience, the Epoch makes a strong case for itself, especially if you’re into minimalist setups that still prioritize airflow and function. It might not be as eye-catching without the wood front panel like what we see on the North, but it’s every bit as capable and versatile.
