Fractal Terra Mini ITX SFX Gaming Case Review: FD-C-TER1N-01 | Small But Mighty?
The Fractal Terra is a compact Mini ITX SFX case that promises to pack a punch despite its small size. Designed with gamers in mind, it aims to deliver a powerful and visually appealing build experience. In this review, we’ll dive deep into its features, performance, and overall suitability for a range of users.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fractal Design, a renowned name in the PC hardware industry, brings the Terra to the market, aiming to provide a compelling solution for those looking to build a compact and stylish gaming PC. The case’s key selling points include its Mini ITX form factor, support for SFX power supplies, and a plethora of features designed to optimize airflow and provide a user-friendly building experience.
Features
The Fractal Terra is packed with features, making it a compelling choice for Mini ITX enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:
- Compact Design: The Terra boasts a small footprint, measuring just 343 x 153 x 218 mm, making it ideal for small desks or tight spaces.
- SFX Power Supply Support: The case accommodates SFX and SFX-L power supplies, offering a wider selection of power supply options for a smaller form factor.
- Spacious Interior: Despite its size, the Terra provides ample space for components. It supports GPUs up to 322mm in length, ensuring compatibility with most high-end graphics cards.
- Dedicated 2.5″ Drive Mounts: With two included 2.5″ drive mounts, the Terra makes it easy to add storage solutions.
- Tool-less Design: The Terra features a tool-less design for its side panels and top panel, offering a convenient and quick way to access the interior for component installation or upgrades.
- Versatile Front Interface: The front panel houses a USB Type-C 20Gbps port (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2) for fast data transfer speeds, a USB Type-A 5Gbps port (USB 3.0) for general connectivity, and a power button.
- Airflow Optimization: The Terra is designed with airflow in mind, featuring a 120mm fan at the bottom and a 120mm radiator mount on the side.
- Adjustable Motherboard Spine: The case’s motherboard spine is adjustable, allowing you to optimize the placement of the GPU and CPU cooler for maximum compatibility and clearance.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dedicated 2.5″ drive mounts | 2 (included) |
| Expansion slots | 3 (Max GPU Mode), 2 (Max CPU-Cooler height mode) |
| Front interface | 1x USB Type-C 20Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2), 1x USB Type-A 5Gbps (USB 3.0), Power Button |
| Total fan mounts | 1x 120 mm |
| Bottom fan | 1x 120 mm |
| Tool-less push-to-lock | Both side panels and top panel (can also be locked with screws) |
| Motherboard compatibility | mITX |
| Power supply type | SFX-L/ SFX |
| PSU max length | 130 mm |
| Side radiator | 1x 120mm (121 mm wide if max 200 mm GPU and no SSDs) |
| GPU max length | 322 mm |
| GPU max width (if GPU height is lower than 131 mm) | 72 mm (Configured for Max GPU) / 43 mm (Configured for Max CPU-Cooler) |
| GPU max width (if GPU height 131-145mm) | 62 mm (Configured for Max GPU) / 33 mm (Configured for Max CPU-Cooler) |
| GPU max height | 145 mm (Configured for Max GPU) / 131 mm (Configured for Max CPU-Cooler) |
| CPU cooler max height | 48 mm (Configured for Max GPU) / 77 mm (Configured for Max CPU-Cooler) |
| Additional comment | Motherboard Spine is adjustable, which affects the min/max GPU width and CPU cooler height. If GPU width is increased, CPU cooler height will decrease and vice versa. The max width of the GPU is also dependent on the height. There are two different scenarios (H<131mm, H>131-145mm). See manual for detailed info. |
| Case dimensions (LxWxH) | 343 x 153 x 218 mm |
| Case dimensions w/o feet/protrusions/screws | 343 x 153 x 198 mm |
| Package dimensions (LxWxH) | 394 x 215 x 292 mm |
| Net weight | 3.1 kg |
| Gross weight | 4.0 kg |
| Volume | 10.4 liter (excluding feet), 11.4 liter (external dimensions) |
Performance
The Fractal Terra excels in terms of airflow and cooling. The bottom-mounted fan and side radiator mounting points create a strong airflow path, keeping internal temperatures under control even with high-performance components. During our testing with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, the case demonstrated excellent thermal performance, with both components remaining cool and stable during demanding workloads and gaming sessions.
The adjustable motherboard spine allows for optimized component placement, maximizing airflow and minimizing obstructions. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who want to ensure their GPU receives adequate cooling.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact design, perfect for small spaces
- Excellent airflow and cooling performance
- Spacious interior for components
- Tool-less design for easy access
- Versatile front panel with USB Type-C 20Gbps
- Adjustable motherboard spine for optimized component placement
- Supports SFX and SFX-L power supplies
Cons
- Limited expansion slot options
- May require careful planning for component compatibility
- Limited storage options, only two 2.5″ drive mounts
Final Verdict
The Fractal Terra is a fantastic Mini ITX SFX case for gamers and PC enthusiasts who value compactness and performance. Its excellent airflow, spacious interior, and user-friendly design make it a joy to build in. While the limited expansion slot options and storage limitations might be a drawback for some, the Terra’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. If you’re looking for a high-quality, compact case for a powerful gaming PC, the Fractal Terra is definitely worth considering.