Fractal Design Core 500 - Mini Tower Computer Case - Mini ITX - Optimized High Airflow and Cooling - 1x 140mm Silent Fan Included

From an undeniable veteran perspective with varied experiences, the Fractal Design Core 1100 - Mini Tower Computer Case is a sensational finding in durability and flawless operation. Having served me tirelessly for six eventful years, I can bet on its efficiency and assure you that it could easily outlast the period I held onto it.It always made a simplistic but potent design statement with its minimalistic look. It's no less than an aesthetic marvel; the brushed, black aluminum outer shell transformed my average-sized work desk into an uber-professional setup.Resilient doesn't even start to cover its reliability, owing to the compact Micro ATX Case designed for exercising extraordinary airflow and cooling mechanism, working round the clock to ensure system stability. Credit is due to the single 120mm fan that silently bosses around, amplifying the shell's cooling efficiency and positioning the rig far from overheating issues.The front panel bears a sleek, three-dimensional textured finish next to awe-inspiring. Loading up on the functionality, the Comprehensive I/O, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, and the automated available audio ports occupy the front panel granting easy reach and tripling the utility quotient. Innovation screams as you notice the vertical HDD bracket design, neatly engineered to accommodate varying drive sizes; such keen detailing ensures optimal space utilization, maintaining a clean, classy look.Indeed, maintenance is a breeze as front panel dust filters and closed top-bottom panels prevent dust intrusion, promising to keep the insides fresh and dust-free. The secret behind its longevity could be ascribed to the vibration-dampened mounting framed explicitly for the 3.5" Drive slots.I gave up on it solely to experience something new, not due to any noticeable dips in the case's functioning. It left me more satisfied than I initially thought any Mini Tower Case could be. For anyone contemplating a high-performing, long-lasting, and affordable case with an elegant design that erases the divide between functionality and aesthetics, Fractal Design Core 1100 waves the green flag.

This was my first mini-itx build, and while there were some fairly minor hassles I am very pleased with the finished product.First, building in a sff case like this is quite a chore compared to building in a tower, but I do appreciate the thought that went into this layout, and cramped spaces aside I don't think that any space was really wasted here.For starters, you can put a decent-sized CPU cooler in here. That was one of the main reasons that I went with this one over the others that I was looking at, and it pays off. My CPU is staying a crisp 42-45 degrees while gaming thanks to the cooler I was able to get in there (I'm using air). The GPU, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that it's struggling a bit with the airflow even though it's got direct access to air via the mesh side panels. It's not overheating (typically in the 65-75 degree range gaming) but that's hotter than it's run in other cases. Not a huge deal, though.BTW, that GPU is a little over 10" and even with a semi-modular psu I still had room for cables, although it was certainly a tight fit in that corner.Speaking of cable management... good luck with that. About the best you can do is try to keep them out of the central area as much as possible so as not to impede airflow, but at least you don't have to look at them.I love that you have so many options for storage and even an optical drive. I'm old school and actually put one in my build. It's got an optical drive, a ssd, and a hdd - perfect for a media center/HTPC, which is what I'll probably use this one for mostly, although it'll game, too.My few minor complaints mostly have to do with how tight some of the screws were (there's a real danger of stripping here, so be careful), and how much of a pain the outer shell is to put back on (taking it off is not an issue). These aren't deal-breakers, just annoying, and not something you're likely to have to deal with often.But the finished product is hard to knock. The form factor is great, and the flexibility of the layout is just fantastic. I mean, you can get an optical drive, a full-sized GPU, and a full sized CPU cooler in there on top of everything else, and I just haven't found any other case that lets you do that at this size. This case is *perfect* for a HTPC build, and it's also a nice desktop or living room gamer. You can really build a powerful, full-featured machine into this space.For the price, this was an easy buy for me, and I don't regret it even if the build was a little frustrating at times.