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Fractal Design Core X5 Series PC Cases (Core 3500, Core 2500 and Core 1500) Unleashed – See Features, Specifications and Price

Fractal Design has recently introduced the next generation of their award-winning Core series PC cases – the Fractal Design Core X5 series. This new series includes four different model; the Core 3500, Core 3500W, Core 2500 and Core 1500. The Core X5 Series features a simple yet elegant looking design. The series also features removable HDD cage, and tray system for the 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, and also support water cooling. Check out their respective features, specifications and price below.

Meet The New Fractal Design Core X5 Series PC Cases

The new Fractal Design Core X5 series is comprised of four different models. They seem to share a similar look and feel, but they are actually different in terms of size and features.

The Fractal Design Core 3500 and 3500W are wide-body ATX Mid Tower cases, also available in a Windowed side panel version, allowing users to show off their build. High-performance features include superior liquid cooling potential with support for up to two 240mm radiators or a 280 mm radiator.

The Fractal Design Core 2500 is a compact ATX Mid Tower, modern, stylish and slim, characterized by a superior water cooling support for its size. The case is equipped with two pre-installed 120 mm fans, a built-in fan controller as well as support for a 280 mm and 240 mm water cooling radiators.

Last but not the least is the Fractal Design Core 1500; an extremely compact micro ATX Mini Tower Case, that has a small footprint but does not compromise on key features. The case comes equipped with two pre-installed 120 mm fans, an integrated three-speed fan controller as well as support for up to two 240 mm water cooling radiators for excellent cooling potential, all at an attractive price point.

Fractal Design Core 3500 / 3500 Windowed

The spacious Core 3500 offers many benefits typically only seen in significantly more expensive cases, such as great cable management, support for any CPU cooler, and superior ease of use.

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It comes with two (3500) or three (3500W) pre-installed 140 mm fans, a built-in three-step fan controller, and can support up to two 240 mm radiators or a 280 mm radiator. Up to four 3.5″ or 2.5″ hard drives can be fitted in the sturdy steel hard drive trays, with vibration dampening silicone grommets. In addition, two additional SSD drive can be placed behind the motherboard tray.

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Fractal Design Core 3500 / 3500W Features

  • A remarkably spacious midi tower case with bottom-mounted PSU, designed for exceptional airflow and cooling.
  • Brushed aluminum-look front panel with a sleek, three-dimensional textured finish
  • Superior water cooling support, supporting one 240/280mm radiator in the front and a 240mm radiator in the top
  • A large, tinted, acrylic side panel window to show off your build (Windowed Model)
  • Featuring a 140mm rear exhaust fan for optimal cooling
  • Total 6 fan slots with three Silent Series R2 140mm fans included (Windowed Model)
  • Total 7 fan slots with two Silent Series R2 140mm fans included (Non Windowed Model)
  • Smart cable management with 22mm of space behind the motherboard plate and thick rubber grommets for clean installations
  • Supports extremely tall tower CPU coolers, up to 180mm in height (185mm for Non Windowed Model)
  • Featuring an integrated three-speed fan controller
  • Multiple easy-to-clean dust filters designed into the case to help maintain a dust free interior
  • Four vibration dampening hard drive trays for up to four 3.5″ HDDs, all compatible with 2.5″ drives
  • HDD trays split into two cages and strategically positioned with a large space in between to support all long graphics cards up to a maximum length of 430mm in the top four slots, and cards up to 295mm in length in the bottom three slots
  • Two additional SSD positions behind the motherboard plate

Fractal Design Core 3500 / 3500W Specifications

  • ATX, E-ATX (up to 295 mm wide), Micro ATX, Mini ITX motherboard compatibility
  • 2 drive bays of 5.25″
  • 4 bays 3.5″- all compatible with SSDs
  • 2 -2.5″ dedicated SSD unit position
  • 7 expansion slots
  • Graphics cards up to 430mm in length may be installed in the upper four slots
  • With HDD cage in primary position, cards up to 295mm can be installed in bottom three slots
  • With HDD cage in the secondary position graphics cards up to 260mm are supported in the bottom three slots
  • Support cooling system: 6 – Fan positions (3 Silent Series R2 fans included)
  • Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
  • CPU coolers up to 180 mm in height
  • Integrated fan controller
  • ATX PSUs up to 170 mm deep when using the primary bottom fan location for a 140mm fan; when not using this fan location longer PSUs can be used
  • Including a large 270 x 290mm tinted window
  • 22 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
  • Thick rubber grommets on all holes on the motherboard plate
  • Available in Black
  • Case dimensions (WxHxD):233 x 465 x 517mm
  • Net weight: 8.6 kg
  • Package dimensions (WxHxD): 322 x 625 x 540mm
  • Package weight: 10.1kg

Fractal Design Core 3500 / 3500W Price

The Fractal Design Core 3500 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $79.99 USD or €69.99 Euro. Meanwhile, the Core 3500W has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $89.99 USD or €79.99 Euro.

Fractal Design Core 2500

The Fractal Design Core 2500 ATX case combines a clean, modern exterior design with great cooling and component compatibility. The case is equipped with two pre-installed 120mm fans, a built-in fan controller as well as support for a 280mm and 240mm water cooling radiators.

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Two hard drive cages hold up to four 3.5″ or 2.5″ hard drives on vibration dampened sturdy steel trays. An additional dedicated SSD mounting is available behind the power supply position. A beautiful build is easy to achieve with the black/white contrasted interior and well-designed cable routing capabilities.

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Fractal Design Core 2500 Features

  • A compact full-ATX case with bottom-mounted PSU, designed for exceptional airflow and cooling
  • Brushed aluminum-look front panel with a sleek, three-dimensional textured finish
  • Superior water cooling support for its size, supporting one 240/280 mm radiator in the front and a 240 mm radiator in the top
  • Featuring a 120 mm rear exhaust fan for great cooling
  • Total 7 fan slots with two 120 mm fans included
  • Extruded motherboard plate allowing space for additional cable routing; 18.5 mm around the motherboard and 13.5 mm directly behind it
  • Supports tall CPU cooler towers, up to circa 162 mm in height
  • Featuring an integrated three-speed fan controller
  • Multiple easy-to-clean dust filters designed into the case to help maintain a dust free interior
  • Four vibration dampening hard drive trays for up to four 3.5″ HDDs, all compatible with 2.5″ drives
  • HDD trays split into two cages and strategically positioned with a large space in between to support all long graphics cards up to a maximum length of 380 mm, with all hard drive trays in place
  • One additional SSD position behind the PSU area with easy installation and access

Fractal Design Core 2500 Specifications

  • Mini ITX, Micro ATX ATX motherboard compatibility
  • 2 drive bays of 5.25″ or 4 bays 3.5″- all compatible with SSDs
  • 1 -2.5″ dedicated SSD unit position
  • 7 expansion slots
  • Supports graphic card up to 380mm without any HDD removal
  • Support cooling system: 7 Fan positions (2 fans included)
  • Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
  • CPU coolers up to 162 mm in height
  • Integrated fan controller
  • Supports ATX PSUs up to 155 mm deep when using the primary bottom fan location; when not using this fan location longer PSUs can be used
  • 13.5-18.5 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
  • Extra cable routing holes for usage with mATX motherboards
  • Available in Black
  • Case dimensions (WxHxD):195 x 431 x 450mm
  • Net weight: 5.7 kg
  • Package dimensions (WxHxD): 270 x 547 x 492mm
  • Package weight: 6.9kg

Fractal Design Core 2500 Price

The Fractal Design Core 2500 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $59.90 USD or €49.99 Euro.

Fractal Design CORE 1500

The Fractal Design Core 1500 is the extremely compact micro ATX Mini Tower of the x5 Series. It has a small footprint, it does not compromise on key features. It boasts a clean, modern exterior coupled with class-leading compatibility and cooling, all at an attractive price point.

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The Fractal Design Core 1500 comes equipped with two pre-installed 120 mm fans, a built-in three-speed fan controller as well as support for up to two 240 mm water cooling radiators for excellent cooling potential. Up to four 3.5″ or 2.5″ hard drives can be fitted in the vibration dampened hard drive trays with an additional dedicated SSD mounting placed behind the power supply position.

A beautiful build is easy to achieve with the black/white contrasted interior and well-designed cable routing capabilities.

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Fractal Design CORE 1500 Features

  • An extremely compact micro ATX case with bottom-mounted PSU, designed for exceptional airflow and cooling
  • Brushed aluminum-look front panel with a sleek, three-dimensional textured finish
  • Superior water cooling support for its size, supporting up to two 240 mm radiators
  • Featuring a 120 mm rear exhaust fan for exceptional cooling
  • Supports tall CPU cooler towers, up to about 162 mm in height
  • Total 7 fan slots with two 120 mm fans included
  • Featuring an integrated three-speed fan controller
  • Extruded motherboard plate allowing space for additional cable routing; 18.5 mm around the motherboard and 13.5 mm directly behind it
  • Multiple easy-to-clean dust filters designed into the case to help maintain a dust free interior
  • Four vibration dampening hard drive trays for up to four 3.5″ HDDs, all compatible with 2.5″ drives
  • HDD trays split into two cages and strategically positioned with a large space in between to support all long graphics cards up to a maximum length of 380mm, with all hard drive trays in place
  • One additional SSD position behind the PSU area with easy installation and access

Fractal Design CORE 1500 Specifications

  • Mini ITX, Micro ATX motherboard compatibility
  • 2 drive bays of 5.25″ or 4 bays 3.5″- all compatible with SSDs
  • 1 -2.5″ dedicated SSD unit position
  • 4 expansion slots
  • Supports graphic card up to 380mm without any HDD removal
  • Support cooling system: 7 Fan positions (2 fans included)
  • Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
  • CPU coolers up to 162 mm in height
  • Integrated fan controller on backside
  • Supports ATX PSUs up to 155 mm deep when using the primary bottom fan location; when not using this fan location longer PSUs can be used
  • 13.5-18.5 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
  • Available in Black
  • Case dimensions (WxHxD):195 x 370 x 450mm
  • Net weight: 5.2 kg
  • Package dimensions (WxHxD): 270 x 547 x 432mm
  • Package weight: 6.3kg

Fractal Design Core 1500 Price

The Fractal Design Core 1500 micro ATX case has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $59.90 USD or €49.99 Euro.

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Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.