Fractal Design Announces its Core 1000 Chassis

Fractal Design has announced the Core 1000 USB 3.0, a compact aluminum Micro-ATX case that measures 175 mm by 355 mm by 420 mm and is advertised as offering "a unique combination of design, cooling performance and value." The case supports mATX, mITX and DTX motherboards and graphics cards of up to 350 mm in length because of the "innovative, vertical HDD mounting system" that includes anti-vibration silicone grommets and space for two 3.5" or three 2.5" drives.


With regards to cooling, the Core 1000 seems to be well-suited for enthusiast users with its meshed front, dust filters, and support for CPU coolers with a maximum height of 148 mm. The case comes with a built-in front 120 mm Silent Series fan and has space for an additional two 92 mm fans on the rear and side panel. Last but not least, the front panel features a USB 3.0 and 2.0 port along with the standard HD audio connectors.

Though Fractal Design has not yet released any information on the Core 1000 USB 3.0's pricing or availability, we can safely assume that it will be targeted at the mid- to high-end of the market, given the company's history and the case's premium build.

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  • anxiousinfusion
    The only real drawback to the original Core 1000 was it's lack of USB 3.0. Now if only they can fit a second fan behind all that mesh...
    Reply
  • afrobacon
    The only thing that worries me is price; I can't imagine paying much more than $70.
    Reply
  • anonymous_user
    The current Core 1000 sells for $39.99 on Newegg.com, so I wouldn't worry about it hitting $70. However it would be awesome if the new version sold for the same price. There are almost no cases with USB 3.0 under $50.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    I have a desktop based on v1 of this case. Actually quite nice and easy to work with. This is a very good budget case and I highly recommend it.
    Reply
  • Devoteicon
    innovative, vertical HDD mounting system
    Really? Innovative? My 7 year old Inspiron 530 had vertical mounted hard drives.
    Reply
  • RedundantInk
    DevoteiconReally? Innovative? My 7 year old Inspiron 530 had vertical mounted hard drives.
    Evidently Fractal Design considers it to be innovative enough to have used it in the press release :P

    Personally, I think the positioning of the mount to allow extra-long graphics cards is a smart design choice
    Reply
  • f-14
    looks like an antec 300
    Reply
  • RedundantInk
    afrobaconThe only thing that worries me is price; I can't imagine paying much more than $70.
    The venerable Antec Three Hundred V3 currently goes for about $70 - $80 online and that case is quite a bit simpler than the Core 1000. I'm expecting it to be closer to the $100 mark
    Reply
  • maigo
    Ooooh, a black box, so cool
    Reply
  • echondo
    RedundantInkEvidently Fractal Design considers it to be innovative enough to have used it in the press release Personally, I think the positioning of the mount to allow extra-long graphics cards is a smart design choice
    Would have loved to see 90 degrees rotated cages and have the ability to remove them in two separate sections, like the Corsair 600T.
    Reply