Verdict
The Fractal North Momentum Edition is beautiful. Its new fans promise performance and silence. Results in practice.
Generic tests
We perform the usual tests: OCCT, Cinebench, 3D Mark benchmarks (Port Royal, Time Spy, Extreme), and Unigine Valley.Although not very representative of real-world use, these tests allow us to make a reliable comparison with our usual configurations. Note that we used the same Ryzen 9 9950X in a Direct Die configuration under a Noctua NH-D15 G2 for the LiquidHaus ISO test. They were then in an open configuration, benefiting from virtually unlimited airflow without any constraints.
The fans and cooling tower follow a standard ventilation curve. The room temperature, as in the ISO tests, is 19°C.
Air!
The results are clear. Starting with our CPU, for which we obtained the same results as in the open-air tests. For example, we recorded a maximum temperature of 58°C on Cinebench R23 and during long-term testing at 200W on OCCT. On Time Spy Extreme, we still reached 70°C and 61°C on Fire Strike.
On the GPU side, we reached a maximum hotspot temperature of 70°C on Time Spy Extreme, Valley, and Port Royal. This is one of the best temperatures observed in stress tests for this model in our configurations. It generally tends to reach 75 or even 78°C at its hotspot. The average value is about 10°C below this hotspot.
During testing, the overall noise level remained more than tolerable. The NH-D15 G2 is audible at high speeds, but retains its pleasant profile.
Fractal North Momentum: in use
In practice, users of this type of case will be looking for a balance between cooling performance and noise. And it’s incredibly easy to achieve here. Our fans don’t need to reach their maximum speed to ensure air circulation in the case.
We establish a gentle curve while ensuring positive pressure. And what a joy! We sit next to a PC that is so quiet that we wonder if it is actually running in most cases—except for very intensive use. No noise, not a hint of RGB, it blends into the background with class.
We have fun unplugging the Noctua and Fractal fans one after the other to compare their respective contributions to the sound of the configuration. The conclusion is clear: the sound profile and performance of the Momentum has nothing to envy its Austrian counterparts. They also benefit from excellent overall operating silence and a gradual, pleasant increase in speed—a true match at the top.
Conclusion
Revising a model as iconic as the North was a challenge… one that Fractal rose to with flying colors. With subtle touches, the Swedish brand has brought a welcome maturity to its case. Without seeking to reinvent what made it successful, it has added extra style and incredibly efficient fans. This isn’t enough to prompt owners of the first North to buy a new one —for them, we recommend purchasing the Momentum fans alone—but it’s a nice update for those who want a wooden case and haven’t yet taken the plunge.
Is the North Momentum revolutionary? Absolutely not. But it’s a superb evolution and a sure bet on the market. Its MSRP of €179.99 is very close to that of the original model when it was released.