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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 logo

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 Review

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Very good

Revainrating 4.5 out of 5  
Rating 
4.6
🎒 Computer Cases, ⌨️ Computer External Components

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Details

BrandFractal Design
ColorBlack
MaterialAlloy Steel
Cooling MethodWater
Fan Size140 Millimeters
Motherboard CompatabilityMini ITX
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Description of 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

Key Features

The Fractal Design Node 304 in black is a compact computer case that offers an impressive range of options despite its small size. With its intelligent design, this case provides hybrid functionality, making it suitable for various purposes. It boasts three fully removable drive caddies, each capable of supporting two HDDs or SSDs. Whether you're building a cool-running file server or a stylish home theater PC, the Node 304 offers ample drive mounts to meet your storage needs. Equipped with two 92mm Silent Series R2 intake fans and a 140mm Silent Series R2 exhaust fan, this case delivers high-performance cooling straight out of the box. With its small footprint, the Node 304 provides the perfect balance between size and versatility.

Wide Range of Applications

The Fractal Design Node 304 is not only suitable for computer enthusiasts, but it also finds utility in the realm of video projector accessories and computer external components. Thanks to its compact size and modular interior, this case can serve as a convenient housing solution for video projector accessories, ensuring easy and secure storage. Additionally, the Node 304 offers compatibility with various computer external components, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a sleek and functional enclosure to house their essential devices.

Efficient Design and Cooling

The Fractal Design Node 304 addresses the common problem of limited space by providing an intelligently designed case that optimizes interior room while maintaining a small form factor. This allows users to work comfortably inside the case, even with restricted space. The inclusion of three fully removable drive caddies further enhances convenience, allowing for easy installation and maintenance of HDDs and SSDs. With its two 92mm Silent Series R2 intake fans and a 140mm Silent Series R2 exhaust fan, the Node 304 ensures efficient and effective cooling, keeping your components running smoothly and preventing overheating issues.

Important Parameters

The Fractal Design Node 304 emphasizes key parameters that contribute to its exceptional performance. The case supports Mini ITX (mITX) motherboards, making it an ideal choice for compact system builds. The high airflow design guarantees proper ventilation and heat dissipation, ensuring the longevity of your components. The Node 304 also features a USB 3.0 port for fast and convenient data transfers, catering to the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity. Its modular interior provides flexibility for customization and efficient cable management, resulting in a clean and organized build.

A Versatile Solution for Various Users

The Fractal Design Node 304 caters to a diverse range of users who can benefit from its compact size and versatile design. Computer enthusiasts looking to build small form factor systems will appreciate its intelligent layout and ample storage options. Video projector enthusiasts can rely on the Node 304 for convenient storage of accessories, ensuring easy access and organization. Moreover, those seeking a reliable enclosure for their computer external components will find the Node 304's functionality and aesthetic appeal highly desirable. Whether you're a tech-savvy user or a home theater enthusiast, the Node 304 offers a versatile solution to meet your specific needs.

  • Compact gaming PC builds
  • Home theater PC setups
  • File server configurations
  • Mini ITX system builds
  • Video projector accessory storage
  • The Node 304 may be small in size, but it is big on options. The intelligent design allows for hybrid functionality. Three fully removable drive caddies support two drives each, either HDDs or SSDs. If you are looking to build a cool-running file server or stylish home theater PC, you have plenty of drive mounts. The included two 92mm Silent Series R2 intake fans and 140mm Silent Series R2 exhaust fan, the Node 304 provides high performance cooling right out of the box!. The Node 304 offers a small footprint while still allowing you the room you need to work inside your case. If you are looking to build a cool-running file server or stylish home theater PC, you have plenty of drive mounts. If you want a powerful gaming system, you can mount up to a 12.2" graphics card and still have room for 4 HDDs or SSDs. If you want to push the extremes even further the Node 304 can support single-fan liquid cooling systems or high-performance Tower-style CPU heat sinks (up to 165mm).

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    Reviews

    Global ratings 42
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    Type of review

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Reliable purchase, guaranteed to be a good purchase.

    There's no need to worry; the structure is rock solid (avoid reading crazycomments). If your PSU's fans don't start at idle, you should get a new one. When the arms are straight, the wiring may be routed without a tangle. Fractal Design Silent Series R2 fans, with a maximum of 18.5 dBA (140mm) and 12.5 dBA (92mm) noise, are used in the thecomoling system. Forcomparison: A human whisper (at a distance of 1 meter) registers at 20 dBA. But I think it's silly to run them at top speed; instead, I…

    Pros
    • High tower coolers (up to roughly 170 mm) are appropriate; there is room for 6 discs; the cooling mechanism is effective; the design is clean and minimalistic in a classic Scandinavian style; and the case can accommodate a height of up to 170 mm.
    Cons
    • Video card and power supply length restrictions, especially in modular designs. You need to give serious thought to their selection (compare reviews).

    Revainrating 4 out of 5

    I like everything, the price and quality are acceptable.

    My build under FreeNas: - ASRock H370M-ITX/ac; - Intel core I3-8100; - SNOWMAN MT4 (no fan); - TANBASSH DDR4 2 x 16GB 2666MHz - KingSpec M.2 256 GB (cache); - 6 x 2TB 3.5' HDD WD20efrx; - PSU Thermaltake Ural 650w.

    Pros
    • - Compact body with the ability to place 6 3.5' HDD; - 3 built-in quiet coolers; - Bays for HDD with rubber vibration dampeners; - Built-in reobas; - Minimalist design; - Built-in filters.
    Cons
    • No more flaws, but design features: - In assemblies with 6 x 3.5' HDD, a very dense layout is obtained. If you need to replace one of the disks, I'm afraid you will have to dismantle all 3 trays. - It is not very convenient to work with a monolithic 3-section housing cover.

    Nothing shakes, the body is durable (do not read crazycommments. ) Fans start at minimum speed (if not, then throw away your PSU and buy a normal one). With straight arms, all wires fit normally and neatly. Thecomoling system uses Fractal Design Silent Series R2 fans with a maximum noise level of 18.5 dBA (140mm) and 12.5 dBA (92mm). Forcommparison: 20 dBA is the whisper of a person (at a distance of 1 meter). But as for me, it makes no sense torun them at maximum speed, quite low and…

    Pros
    • + space for 6 discs + competent cooling system + strict Scandinavian design, without show off (as is often the case in Chinese and Taiwanese cases) + high tower coolers (up to about 170 mm) are suitable.
    Cons
    • Limitation on the length of the video card and power supply, especially if it is modular. You need to carefully consider their choice (see reviews and other reviews).

    - I did not find any problems with the vits. There is one problematic screw that holds the cover. Small drive cage screws are no problem. - I embled a home server on it: ASUS P8H77-I + Intel Xeon E3-1245 v2 + Corsair CWCH90 + 6 disks + one more network card. Everything fit, especially the 140mm water-cooled radiator. Everything is quiet. The eye rejoices, the ear does not strain at all. I don't think there is a better option available today. - Turned off the HDD light. Well her. I would also

    Pros
    • - Small - Quiet – Aesthetic - Comfortable on the inside - Very convenient drive power cables - 3 on one side for one turn of the HDD connector, 3 on the other for another turn. Although, probably, this is from the power supply, because. originally collected in the store.
    Cons
    • - The power supply is completely inside: there is no power off on on the outside. But it is rather a feature. - Not a lack of a case: there are no motherboards for 6 disks with two steve cards on sale. Or 2 network, or 6 disks. - With the minimum fan speed set by the switch on the case, they really may not start. And in random order. second speed starts.

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    The best price for such a product, I will buy more!

    Pros include their small size, ample airflow, three coolers with three rotational speeds, and elegant appearance. The 258 cm long, two-slot GTX 660 video card fit without any issues. Cons: Well, maybe just the case's lack of room for a CD or DVD drive.

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    The best thing I've ever used, I recommend it to everyone!

    Different pros: Compact, roomy, very well thought out ventilation, 3 coolers and 3 speeds of their rotation, stylish design. A two-slot video card 258 cm long (GTX660) fit without any problems. Different cons: Well, maybe only the lack of space for a CD / DVD drive in the case.

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Great quality, did not expect at all for the price.

    I also have another Fractal Design case, and I've had the same issue with the included screws. In the end, a little gas wrench and a screwdriver were the only tools needed to remove them (including the knurled ones). Once you've gotten past the screws, though, the case is sweet =). Advantages: It's easy and useful in everyday life. Able to hold up to six discs. It's possible to cram in an extra pair of people if you really try. The level of noise is acceptable. noiseless and humming-free…

    Because of the potential for size differences, the components for such a compact computer must be carefully chosen. On English-language smoking forums, you can find discussions about to The case will go down well with you if you are willing to fiddle around in order to acquire a treat at the end. There are advantages, such as the ability to fit an ATX power supply, a dual-slot graphics card, and a tower cooler in the compact case. Built a compact, potent, and silent desktop PC. There are a few

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    I am amazed at how well the product is made, just magically!

    When I compared the pricing of this case to the price of Fractal's ATX equivalents, I was shocked and dismayed to see that the former did not include a noise absorber. I'm an irritated person who hears every unpleasant little thing, but since my NAS doesn't make any noise in this "coffin," it doesn't keep me up at night. - One of the baskets will have to be removed in order to lay the wires over the PSU. This is totally unacceptable to NAS. Instead, I reversed the process and slid the cables…

    Pros
    • Everything inside is fractal, and that's all there is to it. A feature that not every comparable product, or even the standard ATX case, has. It has space for six hard disk drives. This is significant to me because. In this instance, I built a NAS for personal use. The HDD's future-proof storage is crucial. Putting the 7th hard requires a lot of motivation. - Space for a standard ATX power supply, so you won't have to go on a fruitless hunt for an obscure model like an in-win's-figs-you'll-understand-what-size PSU. The hard disk drive's activity diode has lit up, so SLOW DOWN! BOTTOM UP! I can't believe it! Not least because the server only operates at night. Of course, many people could reply, "sure, just flip the diode off, and you're done." But it's on, and that makes me extremely pleased, since I need it. - Two front-facing 92mm fans and one rear-facing 140mm fan are included in the package to circulate air throughout the entire case and, hence, blow all six hard disk drives (HDDs). The standard Fractal reobas are linked to all three record players. During the day, I could barely make out any sounds even at top speed. Reduce the brightness to medium or low at night.
    Cons
    • A glob of tar on a spoon. We've established that using flat head screws is a pain. It's as if someone wrapped them up and shot them with an air gun. When I unscrewed something, I used two screwdrivers and turned them. For that price, they could have Fractal noise absorber glued to the walls, just like in their ATX cases. PSU Management Cable. As a general rule, it is not there. No amount of using a modular power supply helped. - It doesn't make sense to have a reobass switch on the back wall of a mini-server enclosure. - Minor point, but the kit would be perfect if it included an angled power chord to attach to the case (because the case doesn't fit on a shelf because the cord sticks out from the wall).

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    I am delighted, the product is really worthy.

    My personal view is that the case is well worth the asking price of 4000 rmb. It was a small, quiet, and powerful computer that exceeded expectations. Here is how I have it set up: CPU Intel Core i5 4670; CPU cooler CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO; power supply Seasonic G360 Gold; solid-state drive Samsung 840 EVO 250GB; memory (2x4GB) Kingston HyperX Genesis blu; motherboard ASRock Z87E-ITX The case fans in my computer are always functioning properly, even when set to the lowest possible speed…

    Pros
    • Attractive, high-quality casing; it has a sleek appearance and contains nothing dangerous like sharp corners or burrs. — There are three separate, easily accessible baskets that may hold either six 3.5- or 2.5-inch disks (depending on your preference). The number of baskets can be reduced if necessary. Power cords and adapters are compatible. — Ability to accommodate tower coolers of up to 165mm in height. The fan's speed can be adjusted by a switch on the back wall (3 fixed positions). It is silent when the case fans are set to their lowest speed. - Screws, ties, and three fans (2 x 92mm and 1 x 140mm) are included. Two USB 3.0 ports and earphone jacks can be found on the front panel. Dust filters that can be easily removed.
    Cons
    • Minor issues only: - one of the motherboard racks required a lot of force to be screwed in ("threading"). If you turn the case fans up to full blast, they make a lot of noise. Unfortunately, there is no "reset" button.

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    A really necessary purchase, Im glad I found this product.

    The maximum length that the video card can be is 310 millimeters, as stated in the specification. It was a perfect match for my Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X, which has a length of 305-310 millimeters and measures 305-310 millimeters. I believe that it is possible for you to install a longer video card if you give it a shot. According to what is said, the largest size that modular power supplies can be is 140mm. This is not quite accurate; you will need to unscrew four screws, remove the…

    Pros
    • compact, aesthetically pleasing, able to accommodate extended video cards, and offering vibration isolation for hard drive baskets. excellent, quiet stock valves. In general, a great choice for a home gaming system or for a network attached storage (NAS) (but not at the same time).
    Cons
    • - an inconsiderately little area under the power supply unit (or, to be more specific, under the wires coming out of it); - the absence of a "reset" button; - the inability to even install a slot drive; - valves that do not begin operating at the initial speed;

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Just super, the product is made wonderfully, very satisfied.

    Paid 4500r for it to use as a server in my home. I've heard that the fans in this scenario don't begin in the reobas' "silent" position. Here is where I begin. It's possible that the PSU's quality affects how severe this start-up problem is. I installed a mother board, a Celeron G1820 processor, five drives (WD Green and Red), and a low-profile cooler in the case. Aside from the boards already there, no others were added. Stress tests and operations including moving terabytes of data from drive

    Pros
    • Compact\sStylish Inaudible at low fan speeds In a word, perfect. Case has a built-in fan speed controller and allows for easy internal component installation. There are anti-vibration pads and six screws for hard drive baskets. Inclusion of anti-dust filters
    Cons
    • There is no cancel or undo button Disk cages' outer screws are inconvenient to remove.

    Revainrating 3 out of 5

    I thought it would be better, but overall not bad.

    As compared to the Define series produced by the same manufacturer, this is nothing short of an embarrassment. If everything appears to have been carefully considered and planned out there, then everything appears to be very depressing here. It is only recommended for people who are not planning to alter the contents of their body very frequently and exclusively because of its outward appearance. With all of its perks. 1. Having a relatively small volume. 2. It is possible to install a maximum…

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    A good quality product, I rate this purchase perfectly.

    Very useful native fans, very quiet I hung a dust collector light on the native fan controller. 11 fans fit easily. Cooling: Noctua NH-U9DX i4 with NF-A9 5V PWM + NM-i115x + ARCTIC MX-4 + Noctua NF-A8 PWM fans on ssd heatsink and Noctua NF-A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM common.

    Pros
    • Everything will fit! very tough and reliable
    Cons
    • Missing completely

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Great value for money, one of the best offers.

    Configuration: - ASUS Z170I PRO GAMING - Intel Core i7 6700K - Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2400 2x16gb - Deepcool Maelstrom 120 - the simplest water cooling [. After six months, the pump began to chirp quite noisily. Changed to Scythe Kotetsu SCKTT-1000 turret.] - Cooler Master V650 - 650W semi-modular unit 140cm long [2. The block was covered after a year with a little. Changed to Corsair TX650M.] - GeForce GTX 1070 MSI Gaming X - SSD Samsung 850 EVO 250Gb SATA (M.2 did not dare to take because…

    Pros
    • - Small size - something like a 15" laptop with a height of 20cm - Thoughtful layout of components - free space inside the case is used very efficiently - Good cooling and ventilation - Dust filters [. Strong thing! For more than six months, the amount of dust inside is minimal - it is removed with an ordinary breath, and no dust clouds fly in the face.] - Ability to install a cooler up to 165cm high - Possibility to install a two-slot video card up to 310mm long (at the same time, however, you will need to think about choosing a power supply - according to the data on the manufacturer's website, it cannot be longer than 160mm, and if modular, it is better to choose shorter than 160mm; in fact, I strongly recommend 140mm - so part of the wires will fit between the unit and the video card) - Ability to install a standard ATX power supply (taking into account the remarks above) - Three good and quiet (at low and medium speeds, of course) included fans (140mm on the rear wall and two 92mm in the front; all 3-pin) - Handsome
    Cons
    • There are probably three shortcomings: - Screws. Not that it’s a direct disaster - everything is spinning, but sometimes with some effort - Peeling paint around the screw on the disk basket (apparently, it was overtightened, as a result, part of the paint in this place cracked and fell off) - The front fans did not start through the regular reobas at the minimum speed either [. In some reviews they write, they say, "your power supplies are crap, therefore they will not start." Let me disagree with this thesis, because the power supply is quite decent.] The rest are not cons, but features that you need to know about before buying (you can read about all this on the manufacturer's website): - As noted above, a short power supply is desirable for a long video card - There is not much space in the case, so it will be much easier with a modular or semi-modular power supply - The coolers are powered by a reobas located on the back wall. Reobas is powered by molex, so you will have to pull a bundle of wires that is not needed for anything else from the power supply. Therefore, when buying a case, I recommend immediately thinking about 4-pin -> 2x4-pin adapters so that you can power the fans on the case from the motherboard. At the same time, they will be regulated normally through the BIOS, and there will be no problems with their launch

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Perfect purchase for me, exactly what I was looking for!

    Components for such a small computer have to be carefully selected due to possible size discrepancies. Or smoke forums in English, there are topics about 304 If you are ready to tinker to get a sweetie in the end, then the case will please you very much. Got pros: A small case that can accommodate a tower cooler, a dual-slot graphics card, and an ATX power supply. Assembled a small, powerful and quiet computer. Has some cons A video card with a length of more than 170 mm and a power supply…

    Revainrating 4 out of 5

    I am not disappointed, the quality is satisfying.

    As for the tight screws, there is a lot of paint on the thread, so it's tight for the first time. And we must try not to screw in the screws at an angle (the metal is soft - ditch the thread either on the screw or in the case). I got married. I installed a motherboard, a power supply unit, a hard one . I plug it into the network, the mother starts and stops after a few seconds. I danced around with a tambourine for two hours, stuck everything I could, and even removed the power supply from…

    Pros
    • Compact. Sophisticated cooling system (the most competent of all I have met among cases of this class). The workmanship of the case is top notch (nothing dangles or rattles). Possibility to install a tower radiator (up to 165 mm). The presence of dust filters. Rubber inserts on HDD cages.
    Cons
    • There is very little space for wires, you need to tinker properly to lay the wires, while not blocking the path to the air flow. Too bright LEDs (with constant operation, it will work as a standby light and interfere with sleep). Limitations on the size of the PSU and video card (depending on the priorities of use, something will have to be abandoned: either any PSU and 6 hard drives, or a full-fledged gaming video card with 4 hard drives and a short PSU).

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    The right product for me, there were no problems.

    The chicest corps, unfortunately, has been waiting since the New Year, was not waiting, they were brought from England. I used a 200 watt power supply from Aopen, with the cover removed, just bolted to the bottom using the existing holes. Under the front fans, there is still room for two 92 mm fans, if suddenly there is not enough cooling. With its pros. With such dimensions, the best platform for a SOHO server. I consider the lack of a department for sidirom to be the best solution, due to the

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    Wonderful quality, one hundred percent satisfied!

    Bought over a year ago. I chose for a long time, I was looking for a compact body for a high-performance machine. As a result, an Asus Impact VII mother with a 4 GHz core i7 4790K processor, MSI GF970 video and 2 HDD + SSD drives is installed in the system. The system is completely silent - I connected all the fans to the board, set the control via software in the settings. I recommend, excellent body, will pull most of the tasks.

    Pros
    • Excellent layout Excellent ventilation Quiet Quality build Design
    Cons
    • The installation of the power supply is not very convenient - not everyone will enter. I just put my FSP and clamped it with components - it won’t move. Not a convenient fan speed switch - as a result, it was completely disabled and removed. Over time, the screws for fastening the HDD cages began to break, but this happens with many manufacturers.

    Revainrating 5 out of 5

    I'm impressed! Exactly the product deserves your attention.

    I managed to install two i9 9900k monsters and be quiet! DARK ROCK PRO 4. In this case, use an ATX power supply. Surprisingly good breathability. Surprisingly, when the case is closed, the cooling is no worse than when it is open, and even the VRM temperature is a couple of degrees lower ! (see photo tests on a 30-minute render). To be honest, I'm happy as a boa constrictor ! True, I replaced the 140mm fan with my be quiet! and removed all the rudiments (mounts for the HDD are clearly not…

    Pros
    • Excellent cooling, quality workmanship, compactness
    Cons
    • I wanted USB 3.1 and USB C on the front panel.