Review on Fractal Design Node 304 - Black - Mini Cube Compact Computer Case - Small Form Factor - Mini ITX – mITX - Enhanced Airflow - Modular Interior - Includes 3x Fractal Design Silent R2 120mm Fans - USB 3.0 by Toby Galbraith

I am using this case for a home server (Samba share, web server, backup target etc.). I wanted something cool and calm and found this. The assembly had a few kinks. Nothing major, but they slowed down the construction time considerably. The screws holding the hard drive trays were misaligned and overtightened at the factory, making them difficult to remove without removing them. When I tried to install the motherboard standoffs, I had trouble with the threads in the case. I had to use clamp pliers to tighten them so they were flush with the chassis (this is hardware that is easy to screw in and finger tighten). Sounds like a quality control issue according to YMMV. From an operational point of view, this is fantastic. I like the built in case fan controls. I keep it low, it's quiet, and it still offers good cooling (although my cooling needs are small with the Haswell i3). It has plenty of space for hard drives (6 x 3.5 inches) and seems designed to keep them cool, so it's a good case for a file server. - Engineered to ensure constant airflow over hard drives - Stylish, unobtrusive design. Cons: - HDD racks are secured with a combination of thumbscrews and standard screws - why?