In today's review we will present the Core 1000 case, produced by the Sweden Fractal Design.This is an affordable micro-ATX format case, which incorporates within it interesting features, such as the removable anti-vibration hard drive bracket and the ability to host video cards longer than 30cm.

[VERSIONE ITALIANA]

Fractal Design aims to provide products with elegant design, without compromising quality, functionality and the final price. The company, headquartered in Sweden, focuses on the development and design of cases, power supplies, cooling systems and much more. All products were thoroughly tested before being introduced to the market. Fractal Design understands the potential of marketing and according the known firm the strategic marketing activities are key to success in today's market.

IDP is a reality born from the enthusiasm of a young group of entrepreneurs who want to take on the Italian market the best of the technology, design and quality in PC hardware and accessories. The birth of the project takes place in 2004 and, after two years of success, in 2006, became a reality finally independent, with great prospects for the future.After a first stay in Milan, the company moves in Legnano in a space that includes offices and warehouse adapted to growth prospects and the need for new logistics and distribution. IDP identifies its core business in the direct import of products and the widespread B2B country distribution.

The Core 1000 case is available through IDP here.

Bundle and packaging

The Core 1000 arrived here is contained in the classic yellow carton, in which there is an image imprinted on the front of the case and back a figure that shows the inside of the structure and 9 main features in English language.

Removing the product from the packaging, there are two layers of foam that holds and protects it with a plastic sheet in order to prevent scratches and bumps.

The bundle also includes a multilingual instruction manual, including Italian, and a box where we find everything needed to assemble our computer.

The front

The front of the core 1000 is composed of a large honeycomb grille, where in the high part, above the 2 5.25'' slot, you can see the name printed on the front.  One of the 5.25'' bay, can be converted into 3.25''slot with the adapter in the package.

The front is attached to the remainder of the structure with plastic inserts; to detach the front it will be sufficient to make a slight pull on it. We note on the image that within it there is a dust filter over the entire structure.

The included fan has a diameter of 120 mm and is capable of operating at a speed of 1200 RPM. The fan, also produced by Fractal Design, has a black body and 11 white blades.This last detail sets it apart from fans of the series "Silent" that have only nine blades. This fan will provide more air flow at the expense of a slightly higher noise. Interestingly, Fractal Design has chosen to install in air input the only fan supplied. In this way it is exploited the principle of positive pressure, which has the great benefit of restricting the entry of dust in all the fissures and the grids not fitted with filters.

On the right, from top to bottom, we find the power button, a USB 2.0 port, headphone jack, microphone, another USB 2.0 and two classic status LED.

The top of the core 1000 is simple and spartan. Has neither ventilation grilles nor the ability to mount additional fans.

Side plates

On the right side of the case there is a black bulkhead that offers the possibility of installing a 120mm fan to improve airflow inside the structure. As with most of the cases that adopt this solution, even in this case the grating is devoid of dust filter and allows the mounting of the fan through the help of 4 self-threading screws.

The possibility to install this additional fan can be a plus if you have a lot of video cards that go warm and thanks to an additional 120mm fan on the heatsink, which throws fresh air, it can lower the temperature of a few °C.

The bulkhead on the left does not have any details, as in most medium-low brand cases.

Back

At the rear of the case there is in the top the power unit compartment. We will have preferred that the compartment were in the lower side, as happens now in many cases, but considering that it is a micro-ATX case, so not particularly tall, weights balancing is still guaranteed. In the lower side, on the left, we find the space dedicated to the motherboard, while in the right a grid that allows us to mount a 92mm fan in extraction.

Below are 4-slot PCI expansion slot with white cover. It is a very different color than the rest of the case and it is a good choice over the canonical black. Alongside there is a small rectangular grid that allows you to bring out additional hot air that circulates inside the structure. Excellent aesthetic care of the back. Most of the cases in this price range usually have crude steel, with no trace of paint.

Inside and base of the case

The Fractal Design Core 1000 case is a case that can accommodate motherboards in Mini-ATX and Micro-ATX formats, therefore to use mostly for small desktop systems, home servers, or why not, HTPC systems, given its non tivasive size and its weight of only 4 kg.

The bracket that allows the mounting of the hard drive is removable and fitted with silicone grommets to absorb vibration and eliminate the noise. The hard disk will be accommodated in a vertical position and in total we are able to mount two 3.5'' or 3 2.5'' (typical size of the SSDs). The case is capable to host 21cm long video cards with the hard-disk bracket inserted, but the size extends to 35cm by removing the bracket.

It can then be mounted on the CPU heatsinks up to 13.5cm tall, so you need to take extra care before making a purchase of a tower heatsink. Its dimensions of 175 * 355 * 420 mm makes it a case not bulky, nor heavy with its only 4 kg.

The basis of the case does not present any particular, it is very sensitive and has only four large rubber pads that allow it to adhere to any surface.

Conclusions

Performance :
Quality/Price Ratio:
Overall :

The new Core 1000 of the Swedish Fractal Design has revealed to be a very interesting case given its price of just over € 30.The possibility of installing long video cards and the particular bracket for hard-disk with anti-vibration rubber, makes it an intriguing product for those who want to achieve a compact PC for the office or living room, at a very low cost.Considering the selling price we can't certainly ask for more: a 120mm fan in the air input with dust filters and a printed manual including the Italian language are included, the case has been painted in all its parts, both inside and in the back. We will have preferred the option of installing a 120mm fan on the back instead of by 92mm.Overall it is a good case for Micro ATX boards.

Thanks to Fractal Design and IDP for the sample sent.

PROs

• Attractive price;
• Mount anti-vibration hard drive bracket;
• Possibility to install 35cm video cards.

CONs

• Maximum size of 92mm for the fan on the back
• No USB 3.0