With the Era ITX, Fractal Design is taking on a lot. After all, the case experts try to offer the customer a Mini-ITX case that can convince in several points. For example, it should not only convince through flexibility and as a home for high-performance hardware. Furthermore, Fractal Design has obviously attached great importance to the appearance. Thus, the manufacturer offers the case not only in many different colors, but also with optional lid inserts. In our test, we would like to check whether Fractal Design’s plan was successful.
Technical data
| Material | cover of aluminium, frame of steel |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 166 mm x 310 mm x 325 mm |
| Weight | approx. 4 kg |
| Form factor | Mini-ITX |
| Drives |
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| Fans |
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| Raditor | top: 120/240 mm or 2x 120 mm (max. 125 mm width, 67 mm thickness with fans, depending on position/type of power supply) |
| Length graphic card | 29.5 cm (21/19 cm with low mounted SFX/ATX power supply) |
| Cooler height of the CPU | 120 mm (70 mm recommended with 3.5-inch side-mounted hard drive) |
| I/O ports | 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, 1x 3.5 mm TTRS (audio combi) |
| Dust filter | top, bottom, side |
| Price | 164.99 Euro (UVP) |
The scope of delivery
In addition to the case itself, a practical box with accessories is included in the packaging. Here you will find, among other things, practical material for assembly. In addition, a suitable manual is of course included. We were pleased with the included cable ties. We were also positively surprised that Fractal Design included two inserts for the lid.
An exotic among the Mini-ITX cases
With the Era ITX, Fractal Design clearly wants to distinguish itself from the other products in the case segment. This does not only apply to products of other manufacturers. Furthermore, the Mini-ITX case does not have much in common with Fractal Design’s own products. If you take a look at the Define Nano S, for example, it becomes clear that it is quite simply a shrunken version of the classic Dolphin by Fractal Design. With the Era ITX, Fractal Design is now taking a bold step. They have created a completely new design and have not reissued an existing one.
High quality and flexible
With the Era ITX Fractal Design has developed a completely new design. Here the manufacturer obviously tries to unite different aspects. So the case should not only look high-quality and elegant. It should also offer the user a high degree of flexibility. The Mini-ITX case achieves a high degree of flexibility through its slim dimensions of 166 mm x 310 mm x 325 mm alone. This should allow the Era ITX to find a suitable place in almost any setup. Fractal Design also gives the user extensive freedom in the choice of the right power supply. So one can choose between an ATX power supply and an SFX power supply. The same applies to the available drive slots. Here one has the choice between different sized hard disks. Even the installation of two large 3.5 inch hard disks is no problem here. Even a large radiator with a proud 240 mm finds room in the small case.
Individual design
The new Era ITX is by no means boring. Besides the curved shapes it also offers a variety of customizable designs. So you can choose between five different colours. Apart from the case in matt sandblasted aluminum that we tested, Fractal Design also offers versions with a little more color. In addition to fine gold, the buyer can also choose a cool cobalt blue, for example. But it’s not just the case that offers different colour tones. The Era ITX can also be fitted with different lid inserts. You can choose between classic mesh, tempered glass and even wood.
Fractal Design Era ITX Silver – White Oak – Mini-ITX Gehäuse – Small Form Factor – kompatibel mit Wasserkühlungen – USB Typ-C - Aluminium - Silber price comparison
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