Fractal Node 804: Check the Bay Count Before You Buy

In the box

I break down the Fractal Node 804 specs for custom NAS builders. This page covers the box contents and the specific bay layout you need to verify.

By Evan Holt · Computing editor · Computing desk · Gadget Evaluator Lab

Evan's spec pass. The Fractal Node 804 is a chassis designed for eight 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives. Recent reviews often mention the lack of included power supplies for the drives.

The Fractal Node 804 is a chassis for eight drives, not a complete NAS system. You need to check if it fits your specific drive sizes and power requirements before buying.

Look at the product photo to confirm the eight-bay layout and the absence of a pre-installed power supply. This is the fine print that determines if it fits your desk setup.

01 JONSBO N5 NAS Pc Case, E-ATX,12HDD+4SSD Drive Bay GPU HP Host…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.6
Price	$249.99
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title specifies an E-ATX form factor with a 330mm motherboard limit and support for up to four GPUs, which dictates a dense internal layout. The box includes three built-in fans, but you must verify the drive bay configuration matches your storage needs, as the listing highlights 12 HDD and 4 SSD slots.

Look closely at the front panel in the photo to confirm the HDD cage layout, as recent reviews often cite cable management challenges in such high-density NAS builds. The claim of supporting a 450mm GPU is absent here, so do not assume clearance for large cards; the photo shows a compact cube design where the GPU bracket area is tight against the front drive bays.

02 Antec C6 Wood Mid-Tower Case, Three-Sided Tempered Glass, High…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	5.0
Price	$89.99
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This listing names a mid-tower with three-sided tempered glass and support for a 450mm GPU, which is a specific clearance metric you need to match against your card's length. The title also confirms three PWM fans are included, so you are not buying a bare chassis.

In the product photo, check the rear exhaust area to see if the 360mm radiator support is clearly labeled, as this is a common point of confusion in mixed-media cases. The wood grain finish is the primary aesthetic claim, but recent reviews mention that the glass panels can be difficult to align during assembly, so inspect the hinge mechanism visible in the side view.

03 Lian Li A3-mATX PC Case, 415mm GPU, 360 AIO, Wood Black Mesh…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.8
Price	$89.99
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title identifies this as an mATX case with a 415mm GPU clearance limit, which is a hard stop for many modern graphics cards. It also specifies a 360mm AIO support, meaning the front or top must accommodate a large radiator block.

Look at the mesh pattern in the photo to assess the airflow path, as the 'Wood Black Mesh' description implies a hybrid design. Recent complaints often focus on the limited space for front-mounted radiators, so verify in the image that the front panel depth allows for the specific 360mm unit you plan to install, rather than assuming standard clearance.

04 Fractal Design Node 804 – Black – Cube Compact Computer Case…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.7
Price	$134.99
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This is a cube compact case for mATX boards, and the title explicitly lists three Fractal Design Silent R2 120mm fans as included components. The 'High Airflow' claim is tied to this specific fan configuration, not just the chassis shape.

Check the photo for the modular interior rails, as the 'Modular Interior' feature allows for different drive bay placements. A common review point is the difficulty of routing cables in the tight cube space, so look at the rear I/O panel in the image to see how close the motherboard mounting holes are to the power supply shroud.

05 Fractal Design Node 804 No Power Supply MicroATX Cube Case…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.7
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title clearly states 'No Power Supply,' which means you are buying a bare MicroATX cube case without any fans or PSU included. The model number FD-CA-NODE-804-BL confirms the black finish and the specific variant that lacks the bundled hardware found in other Node 804 listings.

In the photo, verify the empty fan mounts on the front and top, as you will need to source all cooling components separately. Recent reviews for this specific ASIN often note that the lack of included fans makes the initial setup more complex, so ensure the photo shows the empty screw holes clearly to confirm no hidden accessories are included.

06 Fractal Design Node 304 – Black – Mini Cube Compact Computer Case…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.6
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This is a Mini ITX case, and the title specifies 'Mini Cube Compact' with a modular interior, which is a distinct feature from the larger Node 804. The 'High Airflow' claim is based on the specific fan layout designed for the mITX form factor.

Look at the photo to see the limited space for a power supply, as Mini ITX cases often have strict PSU length limits. A frequent complaint in reviews is the tight clearance for GPUs, so check the image for the rear exhaust area to gauge how much room is left behind the motherboard for a graphics card.

07 Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Desktop Computer Case Black

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.6
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title identifies this as a Mini ITX desktop case in black, focusing on the small form factor rather than specific included components. The 'Mini ITX' designation is the key constraint, limiting you to mITX motherboards and compact components.

In the product photo, examine the side panel to see if it is tempered glass or plastic, as this affects the aesthetic and rigidity. Recent reviews often mention the difficulty of installing a CPU cooler in such a small space, so look at the top of the case in the image to assess the vertical clearance available for a tower cooler.

08 be quiet! Light Base 600 DX Black PC Case, Fully Windowed Front…

Kind	Fractal Node 804
Stars	4.5
Price	$129.90
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title specifies a 'Fully Windowed Front and Side' design, which is a distinct aesthetic choice compared to standard mesh or solid panels. The 'DX' designation implies a specific variant of the Light Base 600, often with different internal layouts or included fans.

Check the photo for the front panel design to see if the window is a single piece or segmented, as this can affect airflow and dust intake. A common review point is the visibility of internal components, so look at the side panel in the image to ensure the glass is clear and not tinted, which can obscure the view of your hardware.