The specifications and features are extensive. This is mainly because the designers have successfully catered to what seems to be the wishlists of the masses. There is a lot to like and most hardware configurations of an M-ATX nature should be possible – the notable exception being water cooling with a 5.25″ ‘bay style’ reservoir but there is room for an internal cylinder style reservoir if water cooling is your passion.
| Model | Node 804 |
| Part Number | FD-CA-NODE-804-BL-W |
| Case Type | Micro ATX |
| Dimension (HxWxD) | 344 x 307 x 389 mm |
| Net Weight | 6kg |
| Side Panel | Transparent Window |
| Colour | Black |
| Fan Cooling | Front: 4 – 120mm fans (included is one hydraulic bearing 120mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed)
Rear: 1 – 120/140mm fan (included is a hydraulic bearing 120mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed) Rear: 1 – 120mm fan slots (included is 1 hydraulic bearing 120mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed) Top: 4 – 120x140mm fans (not included) Fan controller: 1 – Integrated fan controller for up to 3 fans (included) |
| Water Cooling options | Front (right chamber) – 240 mm radiator configurations up to 60 mm thick (with fans) and 278 mm tall are allowed.
Front (left chamber) – 240 mm radiator configurations up to 60 mm thick (with fans) and 278 mm tall are allowed. Using a radiator in this position prevents the use of a fan in the top position just next to it. Top (right chamber) – 240/280 mm radiators up to 130mm thick (with fans) may be fitted if the HDD drive bays are taken out or placed elsewhere. No limitation to thickness. Top (left chamber) – 240 mm radiator configurations up to 130 mm thick (with fans) will fit. Radiators in this position limits the height of memory modules to 48 mm tall. Maximum radiator configuration: 1x240mm,1x280mm and 2x120mm radiators simultaneously. |
| Drive Bays | 8 – 3.5″ HDD positions 2 – 2.5″ dedicated SSD unit positions 2 – Extra positions for either 3,5″ or 2,5″ drives |
| Expansion Slots | 5 |
| Motherboards | Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboard compatibility |
| I/O Ports | 2 – USB 3.0 Audio in/out Power button with LED (blue) HDD activity LED (white) |
| PSU | ATX PSUs up to 260 mm deep |
| Other | 10 – Fan positions (3 x 120mm Silent Series R2 fans included) Filtered fan slots in front, top and bottom CPU coolers up to 160 mm in height Graphics card compatibility: Graphics cards up to 320mm in length. Graphics cards up to 290 mm in length may be installed if a fan is installed in the lower position in the front. Velcro strap for easy cable management |
Key Features
- Highly effective dual chamber case layout for best possible cooling.
- Minimalistic design with an elegant brushed aluminium front panel
- Unique hard drive mounting system, fitting up to 8 x 3.5″, 4 x 2.5″ or up to 10 x 3.5″, 2 x 2.5″ drives HDD/SSD
- Three Fractal Design Silent Series R2 fans included with the case and space for an additional 7 fans.
- Excellent water cooling support with space for up to 4 radiators simultaneously.
- All intakes feature removable dust filters providing a dust-free interior.
- Featuring a window side panel to show off your set up in style.
- Additional space in the front to mount a slim optical bay drive and 2 x 2.5″ drives.
- Fan controller included.
- Five expansion slots that allows for multiple GPU setups.
Some of the features such as the capability to run 4 simultaneous radiators or the ability to cram it with up to 12 hard drives or SSDs will only appeal to a small section of the target market but the options are there. No matter what your purpose is, the Node 804 does seem to tick all the practical boxes for a Micro ATX case.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Node 804 review sample we received was perfect and well protected in its packaging. I couldn’t fault the quality of construction. I had expected to have issues with fingerprints/smudges on the case panels as I worked with it but whilst my fingers left smudges, they were not obvious and wiped clean very easily.
The acrylic window is protected by plastic film on the inside and outside of the panel.
All the panels lined up without any gaps or uneven join lines – I couldn’t fault it. The manual is worth mentioning as well, it’s more detailed than most and adds to the premium feel of the Node 804 experience.
