The BEST case got SMALLER! - Fractal Torrent Nano
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Promos
Buy a Seasonic TX 1000 PSU On Amazon: geni.us On NewEgg: geni.us Last year, the Fractal Torrent case received high praise from reviewers and people who have bought them for its stunning design, but most crucial airflow. But, what happens if you want it but your desk space is limited? The Nano and Compact addresses those problems while maintaining airflow and looks. So, let's see how it is to build a PC in the Nano. Buy a Fractal Torrent Nano: geni.us Buy Noctua NH-D15 Amazon: geni.us Newegg: geni.us B&H Photo: geni.us Buy ASUS x470-I Gaming Amazon: geni.us Newegg: geni.us Buy AMD Ryzen 7 2700 Processor Amazon: geni.us Newegg: geni.us Buy Crucial Ballistix RGB 3600MHz DDR4 Amazon: geni.us Newegg: geni.us B&H Photo: geni.us Buy ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Amazon: geni.us Newegg: geni.us B&H Photo: geni.us Buy Seasonic Prime 850w Amazon: geni.us B&H Photo: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - It got SMALLER! 0:15 - Unboxing 0:28 - Overview 1:11 - Disassembly and accessories 2:33 - Sponsor - Seasonic! 3:03 - Time to build! 3:28 - Will the GPU fit? 3:48 - Fitment impressions 4:20 - Installing all the parts 6:53 - Cable management first impressions 7:10 - Front I/O ports 7:40 - HDD problems 8:21 - GPU install 8:38 - Airflow thoughts 9:08 - Managing the cables 9:45 - Finishing touches 10:36 - Powering it on 10:49 - Outro
The video presents an in-depth look at the Fractal Torrent Nano, a compact yet capable case designed for high airflow and flexible component layouts. It opens with an unboxing and an immediate-impression tour of the exterior design, highlighting its white finish, large front grill, and the 180 mm front fan capability. The host explains the case’s positioning in Fractal’s lineup as a smaller alternative to the original Torrent, noting its affordability and ability to accommodate a standard 335 mm graphics card as well as a 3.5 inch drive, which are important constraints for small form factor builds. The segment also touches on the included accessories and the concept of tool-free assembly, setting the stage for a real-world build that mirrors the host’s own future upgrade path. The narrative then pivots to a first build attempt inside the Nano using a familiar hardware set, including a high-end air cooler and a D15, to evaluate how well the compact chassis accommodates a larger CPU cooler, a premium GPU, and a conventional power supply while maintaining accessible cable routing and a neat appearance. The host discusses potential clearance challenges, particularly around the cooler height, the GPU length, and the complex cable management required to keep the system tidy under the shroud of the front I/O and the power supply positioning. By the end of the build sequence, the video provides concrete impressions on airflow strategy, the effective wind tunnel created by the configuration, and the practicality of using the Nano for ambitious air-cooled builds, while acknowledging some compromises like tight cabling access and the effort needed to reconnect headers after initial motherboard re-seating. Overall, the video blends setup details, aesthetic commentary, and practical build tips to convey whether the Fractal Torrent Nano can deliver high performance in a compact footprint without sacrificing usability or airflow control.
Topics · technology · hardware · pc-builds · case-mods
Questions answered
- What are the key airflow advantages of the Fractal Torrent Nano in a compact build?
- The Nano supports up to an 180 mm front fan and multiple fan configurations, including potential for three fans in front, two at the bottom, and a rear 120 mm, enabling a DIY wind tunnel approach that emphasizes directed intake and exhaust for improved thermals in a small footprint.
- Can a large air cooler like the Noctua NH-D15 fit in the Nano while keeping the GPU installed?
- Yes, the case can fit a large cooler and a 335 mm GPU, but clearance may be tight and cable management becomes more challenging, potentially requiring careful motherboard and power-supply positioning.
- Does the build demonstrate easy component installation or are there notable hurdles?
- The build showcases that while tool-free features exist, some steps require patience, particularly cabling behind the front panel and around the power supply area, where space is tight and certain headers are hard to access once components are installed.