Fractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh) / Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB

Fractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh): FD-C-NOR1C-03: Chalk White, oak front panel, perforated steel (mesh) left side panel. The Charcoal Black and tempered glass (TG Clear/TG Dark) versions of the North share the same internal layout; the side panel and weight differ.

Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB: LANCOOL 216 RGB, black (216RX). It ships with two 160 mm ARGB front fans and one 140 mm rear fan. The white version and the non-RGB LANCOOL 216 have separate codes; the LANCOOL 215 and 217 are separate cases.

SpecificationFractal Design North Chalk White (Mesh)Lian Li LANCOOL 216 RGB
Release year20222022
MotherboardATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX Fractal DesignE-ATX (under 280 mm wide), ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX; high and low mounting positions

The low position leaves 63 mm at the top for a radiator and fans; the high position is meant for air cooling.

Lian Li
Dimensions, volume and weight447 × 215 × 469 mm; 42 L; 7.6 kg net Fractal Design—
MaterialsReal oak front panel with brass accents; perforated (mesh) left side panel, steel right panel

Fractal says the wood is sustainably sourced. The mesh side panel lets air in directly to the side fan mounts.

Fractal Design		—
Graphics cardUp to 355 mm; 300 mm with a 360 mm front radiator Fractal Design—
CPU coolerUp to 145 mm tall

The spec table published by TechPowerUp says coolers up to 170 mm fit with the side fan bracket removed; Fractal’s product page gives only 145 mm.

Fractal Design		—
Power supplyATX, up to 255 mm long Fractal Design—
Fans2 × Aspect 14 PWM front; front 3 × 120 or 2 × 140 mm, top 2 × 120/140 mm, side 2 × 120/140 mm, rear 1 × 120 mm

Only the two front fans are included; extra fans are needed for rear and top exhaust.

Fractal Design		—
RadiatorFront 120/140/240/280/360 mm; top 120/240 mm; side 2 × 120/140 mm; rear 120 mm

The largest top option is 240 mm; a 360 mm radiator fits only at the front and reduces graphics card length to 300 mm.

Fractal Design		—
Front I/O1 × USB-C 20 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2); 2 × USB-A 5 Gbps; headphone and microphone jacks; power button

The 20 Gbps speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 front-panel header on the motherboard; with a slower header the port runs at that header’s speed. There is no reset button on the front panel.

Fractal Design		Power, reset, 2 × USB 3.0, 1 × USB Type-C, audio; relocatable Lian Li
Expansion and drive bays7 expansion slots; 2 × 2.5-inch brackets, 2 × combined 3.5/2.5-inch brackets Fractal Design—
Cable management and filters30 mm behind the motherboard, cable grommets and Velcro straps; front and PSU dust filters; captive thumbscrews

The top panel is open without a filter; dust entry can increase in builds without top fans.

Fractal Design		—
Warranty2 years Fractal Design—
Size and materials—480.9 (D) × 235 (W) × 491.7 (H) mm; steel and 4 mm tempered glass Lian Li
Included fans—Front 2 × 160 mm ARGB PWM (two lighting channels, rim and hub); rear 1 × 140 mm PWM

Large fans can move the same air at lower speeds, so they can run quieter. The fans connect to a SATA-powered hub for 4 fans.

Lian Li
Fan mounts—Top 3 × 120 / 2 × 140 mm; front 3 × 120 / 2 × 140 / 2 × 160 mm; PSU shroud 2 × 120 / 2 × 140 mm; rear 1 × 120 / 1 × 140 mm; PCIe bracket 1 × 120 mm

The PCIe bracket fan blows air at the graphics card from outside the case. A UNI FAN SL-INF 140 does not fit the rear mount.

Lian Li
Radiators—Front 360 / 280 / 240 mm; top 360 / 280 / 240 mm; bottom 240 mm Lian Li
Clearances—GPU 392 mm; CPU cooler 180.5 mm; ATX PSU up to 220 mm Lian Li
Storage and slots—Cage 2 × 2.5" + 2 × 3.5"; PSU shroud 2 × 2.5"; behind tray 2 × 2.5"; 7 expansion slots

The slot panel rotates for vertical GPU mounting; this needs a PCIe riser cable sold separately.

Lian Li
Optional—ARGB controller module; magnetic dust filter

The ARGB controller is not in the box; lighting is controlled from the motherboard or with the separately sold module.

Lian Li