Fractal Design North Gaming PC Review: Intel i7 14700KF, RTX 4060 TI – Powerful Performance for Gamers
Fractal Design North Gaming PC Review: Intel i7 14700KF, RTX 4060 TI – Powerful Performance for Gamers
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Fractal Design North gaming PC is a powerful machine aimed at gamers who demand the best performance. It boasts a formidable combination of hardware, including the latest Intel i7 14700KF processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti graphics card. With its impressive specs, this PC promises smooth gameplay at high resolutions and high frame rates. In this comprehensive review, we put the Fractal Design North through its paces to see if it delivers on its promises.
Features
The Fractal Design North comes packed with cutting-edge features designed to deliver a superior gaming experience. Let’s delve into the key aspects:
Processor: Intel i7 14700KF
The heart of this PC is the Intel i7 14700KF processor. With its 20 cores and 28 threads, this CPU is a powerhouse for gaming, content creation, and demanding applications. Its high clock speeds ensure lightning-fast performance, handling even the most resource-intensive games with ease.
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti
The NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti graphics card is a beast of a GPU, capable of delivering stunning visuals at high resolutions. It features cutting-edge ray tracing and DLSS technologies, enhancing the visual fidelity and performance of modern games. The 16GB of VRAM ensures smooth gameplay even with demanding games that require high textures and graphical settings.
Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
The 32GB of DDR5 RAM ensures seamless multitasking and rapid application loading. The high-speed DDR5 standard allows for lightning-fast data transfer, minimizing loading times and enhancing overall system responsiveness. The memory clock speed of 6400MHz ensures that the system can keep up with the demanding needs of modern games and applications.
Storage: 512GB + 1TB SSD Gen 4
The Fractal Design North comes equipped with a 512GB SSD and a 1TB SSD, both leveraging the lightning-fast Gen 4 standard. This setup provides ample storage space for games, applications, and files, while the high-speed SSDs ensure incredibly fast loading times, reducing the time spent waiting for applications and games to launch. The SSDs are also very reliable and durable, ensuring that your data is safe and secure.
Power Supply: 650W PSU
The 650W PSU provides ample power for the demanding hardware inside the Fractal Design North. The PSU is certified for efficiency and reliability, ensuring that the system is stable and performs at its best. The PSU also includes robust cable management features to ensure that the internal components are neatly organized and the system runs efficiently.
Cooling: 240MM Liquid Cooler
The 240MM liquid cooler effectively keeps the processor cool under heavy load. It provides excellent cooling performance, ensuring that the processor stays at optimal operating temperatures. This is crucial for maintaining high performance and preventing any performance throttling due to overheating.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi + BT
The Fractal Design North comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This allows for a wireless connection to the internet and peripherals, providing flexibility and convenience. The Wi-Fi module supports the latest standards for fast and reliable internet connectivity, while the Bluetooth connection allows you to seamlessly connect wireless peripherals like headsets and controllers.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel i7 14700KF (20 Cores, 28 Threads) |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
| Memory | 32GB DDR5 RAM 6400MHz |
| Storage | 512GB SSD Gen 4 + 1TB SSD Gen 4 |
| Power Supply | 650W PSU |
| Cooling | 240MM Liquid Cooler |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + BT |
Performance
The Fractal Design North delivered exceptional performance in our tests, exceeding our expectations in both gaming and productivity tasks. Here’s a breakdown of its performance:
Gaming Performance
The RTX 4060 Ti graphics card handled even the most demanding games with ease. It consistently delivered smooth frame rates at high resolutions, including 1440p and 4K. The ray tracing capabilities of the card added a layer of realism to the visuals, enhancing the overall immersion in the games we tested. The high refresh rate of the monitor further improved the gaming experience, ensuring buttery-smooth gameplay without any stuttering or lag.
Productivity Performance
The powerful Intel i7 14700KF processor and the 32GB DDR5 RAM combined to provide a seamless productivity experience. We experienced lightning-fast application launch times and smooth multitasking. Even when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously, the system remained responsive and efficient, making it ideal for content creation, video editing, and other demanding tasks. The fast SSDs also contributed to a smooth and efficient workflow, eliminating any delays caused by slow storage.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Powerful hardware combination for excellent gaming and productivity performance
- Impressive gaming performance at high resolutions and frame rates
- Smooth multitasking and fast application loading thanks to DDR5 RAM
- Ample storage space with high-speed Gen 4 SSDs
- Effective liquid cooler for maintaining optimal temperatures
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for convenience
Cons
- The price point may be high for some budget-conscious gamers
- The case could be slightly more customizable for those seeking to upgrade components in the future
Final Verdict
The Fractal Design North is a top-tier gaming PC that delivers exceptional performance, advanced features, and a premium user experience. It’s an excellent choice for gamers who demand the best in terms of performance and visuals. While the price point may be a barrier for some, the performance and features justify the investment. If you’re looking for a high-performance gaming PC that can handle the most demanding games and tasks, the Fractal Design North is a compelling option.
