Log My Fractal Terra Build Thread!

[wykydtronik]

Hello SFF community! Over the weekend my girlfriend gave me a Fractal Terra as a birthday present! I’ve wanted a SFX case for as long as I’ve known about Dan’s Case… My only complaint about Dans case (me being in the US) was availability and how long the design process took… I watched the C4 case go through a lot of iterations from 2017-2023…

Needless to say, I never built a SFX build before. Until I heard about the Fractal Terra, announced at Computex 2023! I actually caught GNexus video about it the week of Computex, and immediately started obsessing over it. My girlfriend got the hint.

I’m glad she chose the black color, as it goes with my normal aesthetic… I tested out my MSI RTX 3080 Trio, which required removing the riser cable and mount from the case. It was a tight squeeze. While I put it back in, I managed to get the Fractal Terra spine to adjust to the 3rd position. According to the manual, this should allow for up to 67mm of clearance for the CPU cooler… originally I thought I’d only be able to have the spine set to the 4th position, with the allotment of 62mm of clearance…

For CPU cooling, I opted for the Noctua L9a-AM4, which only takes up 37mm of space… I could have gone with a Noctua NH-L9x65 which would have filled that space… Oh well! I already ordered the smaller of the two

I currently have an open bench frame as a case using a micro ATX mobo… so I had to order a mini itx mobo. I will be reusing much of the components from my original PC, such as the Ryzen 3600, 32GB of DDR4, and the m.2s and 2.5GB SSDs.

Also, since this is a new SFX build, I opted for the Silverstone SX1000 Platinum… a bit overkill, but I wanted to future proof this build in case I find a deal on a 40 series RTX card.

I’ll update this thread when I receive components to install. Feedback is welcome, I’m mostly writing this build thread for anyone curious about this case.

 

[wykydtronik]

Just received the Silverstone SX1000 Platinum and the Noctua NH L9a-AM4 in chromax.black. Size comparison to a GamersNexus coaster.

Still waiting on the GIGABYTE B550 Mobo… 3 days and it hasn’t shipped yet… not sure why, but it’s expected to arrive later this week.

 

[wykydtronik]

This PSU doesn’t work. Big sad. Even flipping it, I’d need to take the fan grill off.

 

[wykydtronik]

I wouldn’t recommend this PSU if you want the fans to face the CPU side of the case. The power cord receiver is too close to the edge for this right angle. I managed to flip the PSU to get the cord to work.


Unfortunately, the PSU inlet has to face the back of my MSI RTX 3080 TRIO… the cord might need to be repositioned to clear the corner of the GPU. Again, I’d look up the ShortCircuit video of this Fractal Terra case and go with the PSU that Adam Sondergard uses in his build.

 

[wykydtronik]

I’m going to work with what I got, this PSU should “work” but not in the ideal configuration.

So the motherboard finally shipped after 3 days… Thankfully it’s coming from Sacramento, CA. That usually means it will get to Portland in a few days.

I went ahead and took my lesser used 2.5 inch 1TB SSD out of my old rig and installed it in its new home.



I went ahead and routed the cables and installed the PSU to see how everything fit.



One drawback from buying an SFX-L in this case is you loose the area below the PSU that allows for an additional 2.5 inch drive or a 15mm fan. I will bottom mount some slim 15mm fans on this case for updraft configuration.

 

[wykydtronik]

Update, I received the motherboard in the mail. I decided to start installing the SSD and realized I ran into a little roadblock.



The SSD wasn’t sitting properly, and I realized that this small nut or offset screw needed to be removed before installing the SSD. The instruction manual, for the motherboard, didn’t specify this. So if you found this page via Google SERPs, this is how you install an m.2 SSD onto your GIGABYTE AORUS B550I PRO AX motherboard.

step 1: find a 3/16th socket

None of my iFixIt Tool kits contain to 3/16 socket. My tool kit contained the closest metric 4.5mm and 5mm attachments. I ended up having to pull out my Mechanic Gearwrench Toolset that I use for my car to find a 3/16th socket that fit this odd offset screw/bolt. Below are photos of the install procedure:

 

[wykydtronik]

The backside m.2 slot has a similar sized 3/16th offset screw. I had to tighten it down slightly to back off the mounting screw. Just figured I’d make note of that.




Next I plopped in the old Ryzen 3600 into its new home. The old mobo and components will be repurposed for a separate build I have planned in the future.



The CPU power plug was a difficult one to get, so I had to remove the motherboard and plug it in before placing it back into the case.

 

[wykydtronik]

Next up was shoehorning I’m the MSI TRIO RTX 3080. The clearances for this card are very tight. I even noticed the end of the card barely touched the SSD mounted on the front plate. I had to organize the spaghetti in a way where it could be folded and also not push out against the side panels. This was a challenge, nothing some massaging and/or light heat couldn’t solve.

 

[wykydtronik]

I decided to install Noctua NF-A12x15 fans on the bottom. There isn’t much room between the table surface and the fans. If I had a 3d printer, I’d totally craft little feet to lift the Terra case up maybe 10mm?

 

[wykydtronik]

An issue I ran into after the the build, I realized my Front panel USB-C wasn’t working. Only the USB-A port worked. I didn’t realize the front panel Type-E male cable was dedicated to the USB-C front panel. The motherboard I have doesn’t have USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 2x2. It only has the USB 3.2 Gen 1 header. It looks like there is Gen 1 to Gen 2 adapters, but then I’d sacrifice the USB-A front port.

Theres all sorts of adapters I could try… I know this Motherboard has a USB 1.1 header… I could sacrifice speed for functionality… Below are some screenshots of adapters I’ve found.

 

[wykydtronik]

Just found a Reddit post from 3 years ago. /u/Hotrodgreyhound needed additional ports for his Asus Rog Helios case. /u/cf18 suggested using an internal USB hub that takes SATA power and enables additional USB 3.0 headers to be added.

The first one he suggested is from modDIY and the second is from SABRENT.



After digging around on the modDIY website, I discovered the first option that /u/cf18 suggests is at end of life. modDIY actually sells a newer version for USB 3.2. I found this option has various configurations, and the ideal one I could use for my case would be the "19-Pin to 19-Pin + Type-E" configuration! Unfortunately, I won't be utilizing the full potential of the front USB-C header, as Fractal lists it as "USB Type-C 20Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2)"

Link to the internal USB 3.2 hub for anyone curious: https://www.moddiy.com/products/USB...eader-19-Pin-Internal-USB-Hub-Controller.html

 

[scatterforce]

Nice build! I'm trying very hard to justify my current case... I don't need a new one... I don't.....

The Terra looks so good.

Anyway, a few suggestions. Easy changes: the bottom fans should be exhaust, not intake. That will help move air the way it should: in through the sides, out through the top and bottom. Convection doesn't matter when you have active cooling. You are correct, the fans aren't going to do much in either orientation so close to the table. Some kind of elevated feet should be sued. Also, slide the spine and give your GPU some extra room. You want at least 5mm of space between the GPU fans and sides of the case to improve airflow and noise.

More involved changes: the Terra comes with standoffs to offset the PSU bracket. You really should use those to give your PSU a bit more space to breathe. The 3600 isn't particularly hot, but if you ever upgrade, you can get the Noctua fan duct and squeeze even more performance out of the L9A cooler.

Thank you for posting so many photos. My next upgrade necessitates a PCIE 4.0 riser.... My dilemma is at $80, I'm nearly halfway there to the cost of this case.

 

[wykydtronik]

Nice build! I'm trying very hard to justify my current case... I don't need a new one... I don't.....

The Terra looks so good.

Anyway, a few suggestions. Easy changes: the bottom fans should be exhaust, not intake. That will help move air the way it should: in through the sides, out through the top and bottom. Convection doesn't matter when you have active cooling. You are correct, the fans aren't going to do much in either orientation so close to the table. Some kind of elevated feet should be sued. Also, slide the spine and give your GPU some extra room. You want at least 5mm of space between the GPU fans and sides of the case to improve airflow and noise.

More involved changes: the Terra comes with standoffs to offset the PSU bracket. You really should use those to give your PSU a bit more space to breathe. The 3600 isn't particularly hot, but if you ever upgrade, you can get the Noctua fan duct and squeeze even more performance out of the L9A cooler.

Thank you for posting so many photos. My next upgrade necessitates a PCIE 4.0 riser.... My dilemma is at $80, I'm nearly halfway there to the cost of this case.

Hey thanks for the feedback! Funny you mentioned the PSU standoffs because I just realize what they were for after watching a follow up video from Gear Seeker!

I really enjoy documenting builds like this, as a car guy, it's traditional to document each step of the way towards upgrades. I originally started documenting this on the LTT forums, but realized I should probably post to SFF Network because there might be more input from the SFF community.

Update:

Today I picked up a 5800X3D based on feedback regarding bottle necking with the Ryzen 3600. I’ve been wanting to upgrade from the 3600 since I built this original AMD system a few years ago. I figured I can repurpose the 3600 and old mobo into a media server or second PC for a dedicated Assetto Corsa setup. Since the price dropped, it made it a good move to utilize the most out of the AM4 platform.


Also while I was watching Gear Seekers follow up on the Fractal Terra case, he mentioned that the Production release of the Terra included PSU offset spacers. I decided to install these to allow the PSU a little bit more room to build a negative pressure above the fan intake. Below is before:



And now after:

 

[tinyitx]

Over the weekend my girlfriend gave me a Fractal Terra as a birthday present! I’ve wanted a SFX case for as long as I’ve known about Dan’s Case… . My girlfriend got the hint.



I’m glad she chose the black color, as it goes with my normal aesthetic…

Nice build!

So, your GF got the hint and got you the right case with the right colour!

I dare to suggest, propose to her asap! A SFF case sensitive girl is hard to come by these days. First reason.

Then, judging from the first pic above, your messy desk reveals you are living your bachelorship to the full extent. This is the 2nd strong reason to marry her.

Lastly, you are lucky to get the Terra as BD gift. She could have got you some zip ties to clean up the spaghetti cabling.

 

[BaK]

Great build!
Thanks for the pics and detailed pieces of information!
I wasn't aware of this Fractal Design's case.

Next up was shoehorning I’m the MSI TRIO RTX 3080. The clearances for this card are very tight. I even noticed the end of the card barely touched the SSD mounted on the front plate.

This case looks indeed like the perfect fit for your RTX 3080!
The former seems to be well thought, from little things like the PSU standoffs, side panels opening à la DMC Delorean, wood on front or the moveable spine. Quite good for a mainstream case, even though the price is rather on the high side.
That's indeed a nice birthday present!

 

[moosh]

any idea how much room is between the backplate of the gpu and the motherboard? I have a wifi slotted into the rear m.2 in my current H1 setup. It's a super tight fit but it works and I'm curious to know if it'd work in the Terra too...

 

[wykydtronik]

Nice build!

So, your GF got the hint and got you the right case with the right colour!

I dare to suggest, propose to her asap! A SFF case sensitive girl is hard to come by these days. First reason.

Then, judging from the first pic above, your messy desk reveals you are living your bachelorship to the full extent. This is the 2nd strong reason to marry her.

Lastly, you are lucky to get the Terra as BD gift. She could have got you some zip ties to clean up the spaghetti cabling.

Yes she's a keeper! Coming up on 3 years! I decided to organize the spaghetti in the case a little more. Yeah I need to do the same for my desk lol!

Great build!
Thanks for the pics and detailed pieces of information!
I wasn't aware of this Fractal Design's case.


This case looks indeed like the perfect fit for your RTX 3080!
The former seems to be well thought, from little things like the PSU standoffs, side panels opening à la DMC Delorean, wood on front or the moveable spine. Quite good for a mainstream case, even though the price is rather on the high side.
That's indeed a nice birthday present!

I hope anyone doing research on the Fractal Terra case finds the build thread!

any idea how much room is between the backplate of the gpu and the motherboard? I have a wifi slotted into the rear m.2 in my current H1 setup. It's a super tight fit but it works and I'm curious to know if it'd work in the Terra too...

In the Fractal Terra Manual, there is fine print that states "Recommended max backplate width 4 mm" and I would believe thats about the amount of space thats back there. There probably is a little wiggle room. However, consider that they do use standard standoff screws for the mobo, and you could in theory substitute those with your own.

 

[wykydtronik]

After realizing my FPS was capped in Valorant and Apex, I went ahead and tested them out. The CPU temps were a bit spicy at the stock clocks with boost up to 4.5GHz. I decided to risk it and order the NH L9x65 and cram it in.



Previously I had the adjustable spine set to “4” but I went ahead and risked it and moved the spine to “3” position.

I also flipped the orientation of the bottom fans to pull air out of the case.

This time around, I spent time organizing the wires a bit better and used Velcro cable ties to fold the cables up neater then before.

 

[moosh]

Yes she's a keeper! Coming up on 3 years! I decided to organize the spaghetti in the case a little more. Yeah I need to do the same for my desk lol!

I hope anyone doing research on the Fractal Terra case finds the build thread!

In the Fractal Terra Manual, there is fine print that states "Recommended max backplate width 4 mm" and I would believe thats about the amount of space thats back there. There probably is a little wiggle room. However, consider that they do use standard standoff screws for the mobo, and you could in theory substitute those with your own.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[wykydtronik]

Based on feedback from another forum (user wultones), I looked into a few options for the internal power cord. Unfortunately, a left hand C13 to C14 won’t work because Fractal uses a mount design that differs from the standard.

My only option was to try a short turn down extension.

If you’re here doing research, I’d highly recommend going with a normal SFX PSU (verses SFX L). I also wouldn’t recommend this Silverstone SX1000 Platinum PSU for this case due to the right hand power cord clearance. This was a tight squeeze, and very unnecessary.