Fractal Define Nano S ITX Case Review

Up Close:  Interior

Popping off the side panels shows us that the acrylic window is held in with metal pegs.  This might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re into modding this sort of thing is nice to know.  The right hand side panel though is lined with sound absorbing material.

       

 

After seeing so many M-ITX cases with weird and wonderful layouts, it actually feels a little odd to see one laid out as a smaller version of an ATX format case.  We’re not sure whether this represents, as Fractal would claim “A new way too look at the ITX form factor” though.  OK, so let’s get down to the detail shall we.  There’s a decent sized CPU cut out, which has a large removable panel across most of it’s area.  This as we’ll see later is for mounting SSDs on the rear of Motherboard area.

       

 

The Nano S has a fair few grommeted cable management holes although they are on the small side.  Of particular concern is the bottom most hole which is intended for the PSU cables to leave on their way rearward.  Now Fractal say that a PSU of up to 160mm will be fine here, but we can’t help thinking that it will obscure some of this management hole.  Guess we’ll see when it comes to the build

        

 

The vertical slots in the side of the motherboard panel are actually to allow reservoirs to be mounted and located in the optimum position for the user.  Fractal have certainly given us plenty of choice.  At the front of the case we find a 140mm GP14 fan, although should you wish you can mount either a pair of 120s or a pair of 140s.  Again, Fractal provide slots to enable the fan positions to be altered if needed.

       

 

Down in the base of the case lurks a bracket that is intended to enable mounting of a variety of pumps (including DDC and D5 types) or a solitary HDD.  Again, the position can be altered using the slots.  The PSU lives at the rear and sits on four slim foam pads. 

       

 

At the rear there’s the 140mm GP12 fan, the same as in the front but smaller.  Up in the roof we see a pair of small grommeted cable management holes and the plastic studs that retain the ModuVent roof panel.