In the pursuit of maximum efficiency and airflow, the design of the new case from Fractal Design has certainly made waves in the tech community.
Fractal Design continues to impress with its innovative solutions and approaches to achieving its goals. Maximum capacity? Check. Maximum sound insulation? Present. Maximum efficiency? Absolutely. What more could we ask for?
With the launch of the completely new Torrent series of cases, Fractal Design has taken a bold step forward. The name “Torrent,” which translates to “flow” in our context, reflects the engineers’ commitment to optimizing airflow. Three models have been announced in various configurations and sizes, allowing gamers to select a case that meets their specific needs: the original Torrent, a more compact version known as Torrent Compact, and the enthusiast-focused Torrent Nano. Our team at i2hard will delve into the mid-sized model to determine if the developers have indeed surpassed themselves.
Specifications
| Motherboard Compatibility | E-ATX (up to 274 mm), ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX, SSI-CEB |
| Power Supply Type | ATX up to 160 mm with installed 3.5″ cage / up to 210 mm |
| Expansion Slots | 7 |
| Front Panel Ports | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.0, Audio I/O |
| Fan Mounts (Front) | 180 mm x 2 / 140 mm x 2 / 120 mm x 3 |
| Fan Mounts (Bottom) | 180 mm x 2 / 140 mm x 2 / 120 mm x 3 |
| Radiator Support | 360 mm / 280 mm / 240 mm / 140 mm / 120 mm (front) – / 280 mm / 240 mm / 140 mm / 120 mm (bottom) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 174 mm |
| Maximum GPU Length | 330 mm |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 1 |
| Net Weight | 7.7 kg |
| Case Dimensions (LxWxH) | 450 x 222 x 467 mm |
| Packaging Dimensions (LxWxH) | 536 x 306 x 574 mm |
Packaging and Accessories
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact arrives in a spacious box adorned with graphics that highlight the case’s contours and technical specifications prominently displayed on the front.
Two cut-out handles facilitate transportation, while the back features a schematic layout of the main panels. It’s a pleasant touch that the developers present the product’s key advantages in four languages, including Russian.
The user manual, styled in the brand’s signature blue, transforms the process of familiarizing oneself with the case and troubleshooting into an enjoyable experience.
Inside, a separate container holds two adapter frames for installing three 120 mm fans on the front panel, a GPU support bracket, and a small assortment of fasteners.
Appearance and Design
“The Torrent Compact case is engineered for maximum cooling right out of the box. Its standout features include unobstructed airflow, an open front grille, and two 180 x 38 mm Dynamic PWM fans designed specifically to achieve optimal cooling performance while maintaining a reasonable noise level. Whether utilizing a water cooling loop or not, the Torrent Compact is perfect for high-end users demanding the best from both components and cases,” states the manual’s opening page.
This new model distinguishes itself with unique and sometimes forgotten technical solutions, pushing the boundaries of conventional design.
For instance, the front panel features numerous zonal partitions reminiscent of luxury vehicles.
Take a look at the interface panel: the power button is inspired by supercars, and the reset button is thoughtfully placed away from the power button and crafted in a different scale. These design choices earn our nod of approval.
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact adheres to the standard Middle-Tower form factor, yet its elements are anything but ordinary. Measuring 450 x 222 x 467 mm, it houses an open-type front grille with a high-quality filter optimized for excellent airflow. Behind this grille are two impressively large Dynamic X2 fans, each measuring 180 mm in diameter and 38 mm in thickness, capable of moving an astonishing volume of air. The case also features a tempered glass side panel, although a model with a solid metal door will be available for purchase.
A glance at the rear reveals that the Fractal Design Torrent Compact utilizes the now less common top-mounted power supply, which has its advantages and opens up new design possibilities.
Internal Structure
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact is an intriguing case that captures attention from multiple angles. The most notable feature is undoubtedly the front grille, which is secured by two simple clips for easy removal.
The manufacturer has included a primary dust filter on a removable panel with a fine mesh. Its quality and density ensure that internal components remain clean even with prolonged use, while still allowing for adequate ventilation.
Both side panels follow the popular new-generation standard with grooves at the bottom, and two clips are located at the top. However, there are no holders at the bottom, so caution is advised with the tempered glass side panel, as it may fall into your hands if not handled carefully. This is somewhat surprising, given that more budget-friendly solutions often include such holders.
Inside the Fractal Design Torrent Compact, the upper-mounted power supply design stands out as a unique feature in today’s market.
From a practical standpoint, the bottom offers ample space for various cooling systems. For instance, a 240/280 mm radiator or three 120 mm fans can be installed here, but moving the front 180 x 38 mm fans will limit motherboard compatibility to microATX or smaller. A 360 mm radiator cannot be accommodated due to interference with the expansion slots, as we verified—just a mere 15-20 mm short.
The user manual illustrates various cooling system placement options effectively.
Weighing nearly 8 kg, the Fractal Design Torrent Compact stands firmly on four rubberized feet. However, the right feet feature a half-structure resembling cable management, though the manual does not clarify its purpose. Nonetheless, the feet are indeed removable for fan installation at the base of the case and for cleaning the second filter.
The front panel is home to two large 180 mm fans by default, another highlight of the Fractal Design Torrent Compact.
While many manufacturers have considered full-width cooling solutions, we have not encountered a case with two 180 mm fans until now.
The Torrent Compact comes equipped with new fans from the Dynamic X2 series, specifically the GP-18 PWM model, measuring 180 mm. Uniquely, the developers have increased the fan width from the standard 25 mm to 38 mm, enhancing airflow significantly. Each Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fan can move an impressive 153 CFM or 260 cubic meters of air per hour. It’s no wonder this model is dubbed “Airflow.” The label conveniently indicates a maximum speed of 1200 RPM.
To maximize airflow, the rear panel features an extensive perforation area and compatibility for a single 120 mm fan mount. Its absence may have been a cost-saving measure and does hinder airflow somewhat—there are many theories. The Fractal Design Torrent Compact supports seven expansion slots and is designed to accommodate the proprietary Fractal Design Flex B-20 riser for vertical GPU mounting (sold separately).
The main compartment for cable management in the Fractal Design Torrent Compact does not impose any special requirements. There is only 18 mm of space between the bottom and side panel, which is somewhat limited, but the inclusion of 3 + 4 ties and four harness holders should help. Additionally, there are brackets for three 2.5-inch devices.
Designed for a high number of active fans, the manufacturer has included a separate PWM-controlled hub that syncs with the motherboard. The Nexus 9P Slim hub can connect up to nine fans.
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact features four ties on the side, logically leading to securing the long CPU power cable.
However, the user manual suggests an alternative use for these ties: neatly organizing cables from the motherboard’s interface panel and GPU on the exterior. This is both convenient and practical.
Another surprising aspect of the Fractal Design Torrent Compact is the top-mounted power supply. A decade or so ago, this was commonplace: shorter cable lengths facilitated connections, and the PSU fan expelled hot air from the case. With today’s hotter components, this can pose challenges, but the design of the Torrent Compact aims to change the primary airflow direction within the case. It supports ATX power supplies up to 160 mm with a cage for one hard drive or up to 210 mm without it. Accessing the compartment requires removing the top cover, which has some drawbacks: it is easily secured and removed with a single touch. Additionally, unlike other surfaces, it is painted white but has a rough, unpleasant texture!
In the lower left corner, there is a dedicated mounting hole for the fill port of a custom cooling loop. We are not imagining this; it is explicitly stated in the instructions!
The front panel interface cables are long, flat, and flexible. Users have access to two connectors for USB versions 3.0 and 3.1 Gen 2, an audio port, a side lighting connector, and SATA power for the fan controller.
Building a Computer
Assembling a computer in the Fractal Design Torrent Compact is largely standard, with the exception of the top-mounted power supply and the subsequent cable management.
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact, aptly named “Airflow,” is best tested using passive cooling systems!
Cable management is orderly, offering a wide range of possibilities. The only issue is the limited distance to the door, which causes the stiff 24-Pin motherboard cable to frequently open it, as the two standard plastic clips are insufficient to keep the door closed. However, the developers have accounted for this, allowing it to be secured with a screw from above.
The final test setup in the Fractal Design Torrent Compact during nighttime.
The new model features a single lighting area—the power supply zone.
Compatibility with 360 mm Cooling Systems
Fractal Design claims compatibility with 360 mm radiator cooling systems on the front panel, and we are inclined to believe this. However, we encountered reports online stating that, for instance, the EKWB EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB model could not be installed in the front.
The EKWB EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB is a liquid cooling system utilizing six fans, which increases the main unit’s thickness to 87 mm! The primary assumption was that the Fractal Design Torrent Compact would not accommodate such a number of fans, necessitating a reduction to the standard three.
Nevertheless, we successfully installed the EKWB EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB system in the Fractal Design Torrent Compact. However, it was not without challenges: one of the fans interfered with the restrictive frame of the fill port for the custom cooling loop.
Testing
The assembly and testing of the case’s capabilities utilized the following components:
- Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula (Intel Z690, LGA1700);
- Processor: Intel Core i9-12900K;
- Cooling System: Noctua NH-P1;
- Thermal Interface: Noctua NH-H1;
- Graphics Card: Palit GeForce GTX 1650 KalmX;
- RAM: ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5-5200 2×16 GB;
- Storage: Western Digital Black SN750, 500 GB;
- Power Supply: be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W;
- Case: Fractal Design Torrent Compact;
- Monitor: AOC U2790PQU.
Before testing, we measured the speed range of the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fans by connecting them directly to the motherboard. The diagnostics revealed that the fans could spin within a range of 200 – 1150 RPM (the utility misidentified the upper limit as 1031 RPM, but under load, the software recorded higher speeds).
The passive CPU cooler Noctua NH-P1 is rated for a thermal output of ~90 W in fanless mode, so prior to the experiment, we artificially limited the power of the Intel Core i9-12900K processor to 125 W, ensuring the cooling system performed its task effectively: with an unlocked TDP, the i9-12900K easily exceeds 200 W.
The stress test Linx v0.9.5 served as the load test.
For the Palit GeForce GTX 1650 KalmX graphics card, there were no leniencies: it operated without pre-installed fans, with the benchmark 3DMark Stability Test, Fire Strike package running 20 iterations as the load.
The methodology for testing the Fractal Design Torrent Compact case involved evaluating the effectiveness of the stock cooling system with two Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fans, without any additional fans installed in the case, to assess the airflow and ventilation capabilities of the new model. The only fan (in the power supply) was disabled.
In passive mode, the Intel Core i9-12900K processor with the Noctua NH-P1 cooler and the Palit GeForce GTX 1650 KalmX graphics card predictably reached their maximum allowable temperatures and entered throttling mode, reducing operating frequencies and voltage due to overheating. However, even with the fans set to a low threshold, the two large Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fans allowed the components to return to operational ranges, dropping temperatures by 10-13°C and bringing them to comfortably acceptable levels.
How does this help evaluate the design of the Fractal Design Torrent Compact case? It highlighted that the manufacturer indeed considered the essential aspects of the model for cooling capability and airflow efficiency. At maximum fan speed and with significant perforation on the rear panel, temperatures for both the graphics card and processor decreased significantly, with a strong airflow of hot air felt from the rear.
However, the downside of the Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fans is their high noise level: two fans measuring 180 mm in diameter and 38 mm in thickness are no joke! This is why many similar products are limited to 800 RPM. The Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-18 PWM fans remain quiet up to 600 RPM, comfortable up to 850 RPM, and acceptable up to 1000 RPM. At maximum speed, the airflow through the filter and front grille is distinctly noticeable.
Summary
Fractal Design continues to amaze its audience by stepping beyond conventional and standard solutions, keeping the brand in the spotlight. The new Torrent series of cases aims to elevate cooling efficiency and airflow capabilities, effectively expelling hot air and cooling all components. Some solutions are unique to the Fractal Design Torrent Compact model, yet certain aspects remain questionable. Let’s begin with the positives of this new offering.
The Fractal Design Torrent Compact boasts excellent capacity and a well-thought-out design that accommodates components of nearly any size. By avoiding dense perforation and a solid front panel, and equipping the case with two massive and efficient fans, the developers have achieved commendable airflow for both the case and its components. Attention to detail is evident in decorative elements and various features like cable management ties, a separate fan controller, front panel design, effective dust filters, and more. Not to mention, the cooling efficiency is outstanding!
However, not everything is straightforward. The case has several contentious and ambiguous design choices. For instance, the weak clips on the top, side, and front panels can easily open with a simple press. The limited space for cable management raises concerns about needing to secure the side door with a screw. The top-mounted power supply may not appeal to everyone, although it alleviates issues with insufficient cable lengths. Some users may find the single 3.5-inch drive bay inadequate. Additionally, the top panel is painted a different white color, which stands out in texture and roughness (feedback suggests this issue affects only the white version of the case).
However, our biggest disappointment lies in the inability to fit a 360 mm radiator at the bottom. If the case were just 15 mm longer and 5 mm wider, it could accommodate two 360 mm radiators, allowing for excellent cable management or various combinations in that style.
Regardless, the Fractal Design Torrent Compact has proven to be an extraordinary creation from the Swedish team, willing to embrace uncompromising and unconventional solutions.
Advantages:
- Stylish appearance;
- Ample mounting options for cooling systems;
- Two pre-installed 180 mm Dynamic X2 fans;
- Effective airflow scheme;
- Simplified assembly process;
- Presence of filters.
Disadvantages:
- Relatively high price;
- Weak clips;
- Rough top panel (in the white version).
