Fractal downsizes its Torrent series

A basic rule for PC builders is: if you want to install a big fan, you have to buy a big case. Fractal now wants to break this rule. The handy cases Fractal Torrent Compact and Fractal Torrent Nano are supposed to demonstrate it.

Small cases with rich airflow

Fractal’s Torrent series has always stood for very good airflow, which makes overheating hardware virtually impossible. Now the company has introduced two new cases, the Torrent Compact and Nano, which should provide very good ventilation even in a compact format.

Huge fans with a diameter of 180 mm are supposed to provide for a rich draught. At the same time, Fractal has apparently prescribed a tough diet for its Torrent series. After all, the volume in the Compact shrinks from the 70 liters of the classic Torrent to just 46 liters.

It’s not just the volume that’s getting smaller

Of course, the 24-liter reduction doesn’t leave everything as it was. Fractal had to apply the red pen and definitely demands a willingness to compromise from interested fans of the Torrent series. On the one hand, there is the reduced space for hard drives. Furthermore, the motherboard can only be a maximum of 274 mm wide. The radiators also have to be smaller than in the normal Torrent. This list could be continued for a long time. Finally, the GPU and cooling solutions also have to be smaller. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll get an ATX case here that can offer plenty of performance despite its compact dimensions.

The design of the Torrent Nano is even more drastic. Here, Fractal opted for a compact case in a mini-ATX design. Although it may not appear so visually, the volume shrinks by only 11 liters to a total of 35 liters compared to the Compact. Despite the extremely small design, it should be possible to install large coolers here without any problems. Standard GPU sizes should not be a problem either. Thanks to additional expansion slots, even models with a large cooling element should still be able to fit into the case.

Basic idea remains

Of course, the two upcoming cases from Fractal do not bear the series name Torrent without reason. They are also supposed to provide the high airflow typical for the series. Therefore, the Torrent Compact has a total of two huge fans (180 × 36 mm). There is only room for one in the Torrent Nano, but it sticks directly to the front quite presently.

In addition to the large fan(s), other design decisions ensure very good air circulation, according to Fractal. For example, the cases are designed to allow air to reach all of the hardware. This includes the GPU located at the bottom. To make this possible, the hardware experts have unceremoniously banished the power supply under the lid.

Price and availability

If you like the compact design and can live with the compromises, you’ll find Fractal Torrent Compact and Fractal Torrent Nano quite nice cases that also offer decent airflow. With both models, you have the choice between three variants. The Compact is available without side window from about 145 euros. With a side window and/or RGB fans, it gets a bit more expensive. The prices for the Nano start at about 130 Euros.