Introduction

The Node 605 is the first HTPC (Home Theater PC) case from Fractal Design, targeted to users who want to build a computer to be connected to their home theater systems. It supports full-size ATX motherboards. Let’s see what the Node 605 has to offer.

The reviewed case is available in only one color: black.

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Figure 1: Fractal Design Node 605 case

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Figure 2: Fractal Design Node 605 case

The case comes with one Silent Series R2 120 mm fan at each side panel. The second mesh on the left panel is for the power supply fan, while you can install a third 120 mm fan on the right panel. The case comes with a two-speed fan controller supporting three fans. The fans that come with the case work at 850 rpm/28.8 cfm/12 dBA at low speed and at 1,200 rpm/40.6 cfm/15 dBA at high speed. The product comes with air filters on all available meshes.

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Figure 3: Fan speed controller

The Front Panel

The Node 605 has an 8 mm-thick aluminum front panel, making it look like home theater equipment, which is the desired effect. A small door is available at the bottom part of the front panel, hiding the optical drive bay and the available connectors. The Node 605 supports slim optical drives, which can only be installed if your motherboard is not a full ATX model.

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Figure 4: Front panel

The reviewed case comes with a FireWire port, two USB 3.0 ports, the traditional audio jacks, and a memory card reader, supporting the CF, SD, and microSD formats. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector.

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Figure 5: Connectors

The Bottom and Rear Panels

The bottom panel is solid, as you can see in Figure 6. The rear panel and the interior of the Fractal Design Node 605 case are painted in black.

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Figure 6: Bottom panel

The case has seven expansion slots, with white vented covers.

The rear panel supports the installation of two 80 mm fans.

On the Fractal Design Node 605 case, the power supply is installed sideways.

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Figure 7: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the Fractal Design Node 605 case.

Inside the Fractal Design Node 605

To open the Node 605, you must remove the top panel, which is attached to the chassis using two regular screws. The top panel has a sheet of dampening material. See Figure 8.

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Figure 8: Dampening material on the top panel

Figure 9 gives you an overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using regular screws, but at least they are black. In its default configuration, the Fractal Design Node 605 supports video cards up to 7.1” (180 mm) long. If the first hard drive “hanger” is removed, the case supports video cards up to 9.4” (240 mm). With the two hard drive “hangers” removed, the case supports video cards up to 11” (280 mm). The Node 605 supports CPU coolers up to 4.9” (125 mm) tall; however, if your CPU cooler has a fan on its top, the manufacturer recommends it to be up to 3.7” (95 mm) tall for correct airflow.

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Figure 9: Overall look

The power supply is installed sideways with either its bottom fan facing inside the case or facing outside the case, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan on the left panel. The case supports power supplies up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep.

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Figure 10: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The Fractal Design Node 605 case has one external bay for slim optical drives, which can only be installed if you not using a full ATX motherboard. Internally, the case has two hard drive “hangers,” each one supporting two 3.5” or 2.5” devices. There are rubber rings to reduce noise and vibration of 3.5” hard drives.

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Figure 11: One of the hard drive “hangers”

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the Fractal Design Node 605 case include:

• Style: HTPC
• Application: ATX and smaller form factors
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body with aluminum front panel (8 mm thick)
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available color: Black
• Side panel: Meshed
• Dimensions: 6.4 x 17.5 x 13.7 inches (164 x 445 x 349 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 13 Lbs (5.6 kg)
• Gross weight: 15.5 Lbs (7 kg)
• Bays: One external bay for slim optical drives (only supported when a full ATX motherboard is not used) and four internal 3.5”/2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 7.1” (180 mm) or 9.4” (240 mm) if the first hard drive “hanger” is removed or 11” (280 mm) if the two hard drive “hangers” are removed
• Maximum CPU cooler height: 4.9” (125 mm) for tower coolers, 3.7” (95 mm) for coolers with a fan on top
• Fans: One Fractal Design Silent Series R2 120 mm fan on the left panel and one Fractal Design Silent Series R2 120 mm fan on the right panel (850 rpm/28.8 cfm/12 dBA at low speed and 1,200 rpm/40.6 cfm/15 dBA at high speed)
• Optional fans: Another 120 mm fan on the right panel and two 80 mm fans on the rear panel
• Extra Features: Two-speed fan controller and memory card reader supporting CF, SD, and microSD formats
• More Information: http://www.fractal-design.com
• MSRP in the U.S.: USD 160

Conclusions

The Fractal Design Node 605 is clearly targeted to users who want to build a nice-looking and quiet HTPC. It has a good set of features; however, its competitors, such as models within SilverStone’s Grandia series, cost less.

Strong Points

• Aluminum front panel
• Dampening material on the top panel
• Memory card reader supporting SF, SD, and microSD formats
• Comes with two Fractal Design Silent Series R2 120 mm fans, which are very quiet
• Two-speed fan controller
• Air filter for the side and power supply fans
• Anti-vibration rings for 3.5” hard drives

Weak Points

• Optical drive can only be installed with microATX and Mini-ITX motherboards
• More expensive than its competitors