Fractal Design
Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black
Bottom line: The Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black ($167.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Three 140mm Momentum fans with LCP blades included, no fan kit purchase needed; main trade-off: fitting a 420 mm front radiator cuts max GPU length from 413 mm to 380 mm.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Three 140mm Momentum fans with LCP blades included, no fan kit purchase needed
- ✓ Genuine blackened oak wood front, not printed or laminated woodgrain
- ✓ Clears GPUs up to 413 mm, enough for oversized triple-slot flagship cards
- ✓ Front supports 420 mm radiators, top supports 360 mm for custom loops
Cons
- ✗ Fitting a 420 mm front radiator cuts max GPU length from 413 mm to 380 mm
- ✗ XL form factor needs more desk or floor space than a standard mid-tower
- ✗ Open wood front plus mesh means dust reaches filters faster than a solid panel
- ✗ All-black alloy and oak limits it to dark builds; no light wood or white option
Manufacturer description
The Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black takes the North design language into a larger, airflow-first form factor built for big builds. Its genuine blackened oak wood front panel pairs with dark alloy accents and a glass side panel for a fully black look that suits a living-room gaming station as easily as a desk. Behind that iconic open front sits fine-patterned mesh ventilation and three 140mm Momentum fans with LCP blades, so you get high-volume, quiet airflow out of the box instead of budgeting for a fan kit. Inside, the North XL supports ATX and E-ATX boards and clears GPUs up to 413…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the pc cases category. Fractal Design's pc cases lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for pc cases of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 4090 or 5090 fit in the North XL Momentum?
The case clears graphics cards up to 413 mm long, which covers current oversized triple-slot flagship cards. If you mount a 420 mm radiator in the front, that clearance drops to 380 mm, so check your card's exact length against both numbers.
How many fans come with the North XL Momentum Black?
Three 140mm Momentum fans with LCP blades are included and pre-installed for airflow out of the box. Fractal Design specs them for quiet, efficient movement of air through the open front and mesh ventilation.
What size radiators does it support?
Front mounts take radiators up to 420 mm and the top supports up to 360 mm. That covers 360 mm AIOs in either position and leaves room for a 420 mm front radiator in a custom loop, with the GPU-length tradeoff noted above.
Does this case support E-ATX motherboards?
Yes. The North XL Momentum supports both ATX and E-ATX motherboards, which is the main reason to pick the XL over the standard-size North. Confirm your specific board's width on the product listing before ordering.
Is the wood front panel real wood?
Fractal Design lists it as genuine blackened oak, paired with dark alloy accents for a fully black finish rather than a printed woodgrain. It fronts an open design with fine-patterned mesh behind it, so the wood does not block airflow.
Key Features
- Experience enhanced cooling with three powerful Momentum 14 fans featuring LCP blades
- Elevate your gaming station with a blackened oak front and dark alloy design details
- Maintain strong airflow through the iconic open front and fine-patterned mesh ventilation
- Support GPUs up to 413 mm, or up to 380 mm when using a 420 mm front radiator
- Enable advanced cooling with support for front radiators up to 420 mm and top radiators up to 360 mm
Full Specifications
| Brand | Fractal Design |
|---|---|
| Color | Black TG |
| Material | Alloy Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Case Type | Full Tower |
| Model Name | North XL Momentum |
| Unit Count | 3 Count |
| Model Number | FD-C-NOR1X-07 |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Mfr Part Number | FD-C-NOR1X-07 |
| Antenna Location | Gaming |
| Compatible Devices | E-ATX, ATX, mATX, mITX motherboards, GPUs up to 413 mm, 3.5-inch storage drives, multiple cooling systems |
| Enclosure Material | Alloy Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Total USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
| Warranty Description | 2 year |
| Supported Motherboard | Extended ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| Internal Bays Quantity | 1 |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 19.8"D x 9.4"W x 20"H |
| Motherboard Compatability | Extended ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| Power Supply Mounting Type | Front Mount |
| Full listing title | Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black - Glass Side Panel - Genuine Blackened Oak Wood Front - High Airflow PC Gaming Case - Three Powerful 140mm Momentum Fans Included - ATX/E-ATX Support |
Ready to buy?
Fractal Design North XL Momentum Black - Glass Side Panel - Genuine Blackened Oak Wood Front - High Airflow PC Gaming Case - Three Powerful 140mm Momentum Fans Included - ATX/E-ATX Support is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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