Modder adds so much RGB to a Fractal Design North XL PC build that even the wooden façade lights up

Fractal Design North XL RGB PC Build
(Image credit: Zack Freedman / YouTube)

YouTube creator Zack Freedman set out to build the most RGB PC ever, and while they used several off-the-shelf RGB parts, they also made some exciting mods to their computer. But the most fantastic part of the entire build is the mods they did to the Fractal Design North XL case — the last PC case you would think of if you're going full-blown RGB inside and out.

This RGB PC of RGB PCs is designed as the creator's workstation, so it's bound to have some choice parts as well. So, before we look at their custom mods, let's check out their spec sheet.

Zack could have chosen the more expensive MEG Z790 GODLIKE, where the only difference with the ACE is the included LCD screen to display PC metrics. However, it's not an LED screen, so he chose the latter instead and bought a 5-inch 1080p Full HD AMOLED display to replace the LCD in the GODLIKE version.

The YouTuber also chose the Core i9-13900K instead of the Core i9-13900KS or the 14th-gen Intel Core i9 chips for its stability. Hopefully, they've installed the BIOS patches that Intel released recently to prevent the elevated voltages from damaging the Core i9-13900K in the long run.

I made RGB WOOD!! - Full RGB PC Part 2 - YouTube I made RGB WOOD!! - Full RGB PC Part 2 - YouTube
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You might notice that not all the items Zack acquired have RGB, like the Toshiba X300 22 TB hard drive and the Fractal Design North XL. So, to fix that, they had to do a bit of custom modding.

First off, the Fractal Design's wooden front cover had to go. Zack attempted to disassemble it to add some RGB lights behind the wood, but it was so well-built that it was next to impossible. Instead, they built a new face with aluminum RGB channels, lined them up with RGB lights, and then covered it with ultra-thin red oak edge banding — the kind used by carpenters to hide plywood edges to make wooden furniture look like they're made from solid wood.

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ProcessorIntel Core i9-13900K
Memory96 GB G.SKILL Z5 Trident RGB
GraphicsMSI RTC 4090 Suprim Liquid X
MotherboardMSI MEG Z790 ACE
Storage 1Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB SSD
Storage 2Patriot Viper VPR400 SSD
Storage 3Crucial T700 4 TB SSD
Storage 4Teamgroup T-Force Delta Max RGB SSD
Storage 5Teamgroup T-Force Delta Max RGB SSD
Storage 6Toshiba X300 22 TB
CPU CoolingSilverstone iCEMYST 420 AIO
Power SupplyCorsair RM1200x Shift ATX Power Supply
CPU CaseFractal Design North XL
Cables 1Lian Li Strimer for Motherboard
Cables 2Lian Li Strimer for GPU

But what's more astounding is how Zack replaced the metal cover of their 22 TB hard drive. They replaced the metal plate protecting the hard drive with an acrylic cover and inserted RGB lights in between, allowing everyone to see the moving arm whenever the drive is reading or writing.

They also built a system monitoring display with the 5-inch AMOLED screen using a Mobro Pi dashboard on a 3D printed mount with, you guessed it, an RGB fan for cooling. They also wrapped all the cables on the motherboard that aren't the Lian Li Strimers with white split loom and rigged it with RGB lights to get the same effect.

You won't see any part of this PC build without RGB lights; even the PSU gets an RGB fan mod. Depending on your perspective, this build is a total feast for the eyes — or the ultimate headache. Zack Freedman spent a lot of time, effort, and money building this full RGB PC, and no matter what your stance is on lights in your desktop case, we salute them for this massive accomplishment of bringing light to every nook and cranny of this desktop PC.

Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

  • vanadiel007
    This is producing at least another 5 FPS.
    Reply
  • Dr3ams
    That's a full blown migraine...and a seizure in the making
    Reply
  • ezst036
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    That is way too much RGB. To the point where its would just be distracting the glare off your monitor with that rainbow tower next to it.
    Reply
  • nocturn9x
    Poor choice of CPU, other than that, very cool :)
    Reply
  • instawookie
    I believe he missed some RGB opportunities. No backlit MB RGB or the RGB GPU brace, illuminated backplate for the GPU, RGB memory cooler, Case Under glow strips.... Novice tech tuber attempt imo.
    Reply