Fractal Design Mood, Worth to Buy?
Fractal Design made a significant impact at Computex with their Mood and A2 ITX enclosures. While these models have garnered attention for their aesthetics, concerns about GPU compatibility have been raised, particularly with the Mood model due to its compact size and limited GPU clearance.
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Aesthetic Appeal and Design Details
The Mood enclosure stands out with its wraparound fabric exterior, available in both light and dark models. This fabric not only adds a tactile element but also integrates seamlessly into a living room or a minimalist desk setup. The gray fabric variant, in particular, pairs beautifully with exterior RGB lighting. However, maintaining the fabric could be challenging; Fractal Design suggests using a lint roller for cleaning. Over time, issues such as pet hair, dust accumulation, and potential damage from cat claws could arise, especially since the fabric is not user-replaceable—it is glued to the frame despite visible screws on the corner spines.
Cooling System and Performance
A notable feature of the Mood is its vertical shape with a large exhaust vent at the top, similar to the design seen in Corsair One systems. The 180mm fan used by Fractal is a smart choice, although the fan's orientation could be better to ensure the logo isn't upside down. Despite its stylish design, the Mood doesn't look like a traditional PC case, which might confuse some people into thinking it's an air purifier, humidifier, or even a fancy trash can.
The restrictive nature of the fabric has a significant impact on airflow. Although designed to allow air entry through the CPU intake and exhaust from the top, the fabric's density hampers ventilation. Testing revealed that the fabric blocks light, indicating poor airflow, which leads to suboptimal cooling performance. Removing the fabric shell improved CPU temperatures dramatically, underscoring the restrictive nature of the fabric.
GPU Compatibility Issues
The GPU compatibility in the Mood is severely limited, with only two-slot cards fitting and a maximum width of 58mm and length of 325mm. For example, the STX 380 barely fits, making it a tight squeeze that can hinder acoustic performance. The GPU cooling, however, is excellent due to the top exhaust fan. Adding additional fans introduced turbulence, worsening the temperatures. Vertical air coolers are recommended for better results.
Interior Layout and Build Concerns
The interior design of the Mood feels unoptimized, with various configuration options for CPU cooling but limited space for GPUs. The case can support somewhat high tower coolers and a 240mm or 280mm AIO on the fan bracket. The I/O placement is also inconvenient, particularly if the case is placed on the floor, making it hard to reach the power button.
Storage options are limited and poorly designed. The drive bracket blocks a fan slot, and an SSD caddy in front of the power supply restricts airflow. The Riser cable's tight fit and potential damage to the exterior shell further complicate installation and usage.
Fractal Design's Mood enclosure, despite its attractive design and innovative cooling features, falls short due to poor GPU compatibility and restrictive fabric that hampers airflow. The $49 price tag seems steep for a case with so many compromises, making it feel like an unfinished product. While the aesthetic appeal is undeniable, the functional shortcomings make it a less-than-ideal choice for enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded ITX enclosure.
