INTRODUCTION

   Some PC towers in the market are so spacious that they are called super towers while others focus so much on looks that they are the number one choice for enthusiasts, gamers and yes, even modders. Of course, there are also PC towers that offer a large number of useful features primarily aimed towards system builders and professionals alike. Still rarely do PC towers combine all of the above and so people like myself who are after something unique are always on the lookout for anything that could fit the bill. Needless to say, things become even harder when build-quality also gets on the list. Well as it so happens the latest Meshify 2 XL Computer Case by Fractal Design seems to tick all boxes and today with me i have the TG Light Tint version.

   Fractal Design is a leading designer and manufacturer of premium PC hardware including cases, cooling, power supplies and accessories. Based in Gothenburg and with offices in the US as well as Taiwan, Fractal Design has gained a global reputation for innovative design, elegant aesthetics and solid build quality. Fractal Design products are available in over 45 countries worldwide, and are still growing.

   The Meshify 2 XL is currently available in two versions (Dark and Light tempered glass side panel - check above picture) and even though it's not quite the size of a super tower its interior space puts most full towers currently in the market to shame. To be more precise the interior of the Meshify 2 XL can accommodate up to nine drives (4x3.5" trays, 2x2.5" trays, 1x2.5" mount and 2x3.5/2.5" trays - up to 18 drives with optional mounts), eleven fans (9x140mm or 11x120mm) and/or 3 radiators (240/280/420/480mm), 185mm tall CPU coolers, 549mm long graphics cards (524mm with a front fan and 359mm with front drives) and 250mm long power supply units (over 300 with both drive cages removed). Moving to available features the Meshify 2 XL comes ready with a premium left side tempered glass panel, tool-less latching side panels, detachable air filters (front, bottom and top - top also has a magnetic air filter), 3 Dynamic X2 GP-14 LLS-bearing fans (140mm/1000RPM/68.4CFM/0.71mm-H2O/18.9dBA), Nexus+ fan hub (support for up to 9 fans), dual GPU placement (vertical and horizontal), removable drive cages, vertical drive mounts and even a USB 3.1 type-C connector. So is this the dream tower? Let's find out together.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Fractal ships the Meshify 2 XL inside a plain cardboard box that has a product drawing at the front along with the company logo and its specifications.

The included version is indicated by a small sticker located on top left side.

An exposed drawing of the Meshify 2 XL is located at the rear and is used to showcase the various features/parts of the case in 4 languages.

As usual the case is wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed between two thick styrofoam spacers (the company logo printed on the interior of the box is a nice touch by Fractal).

Contained inside the box are also 2 extra 2.5/3.5" drive trays, cleaning cloth, 8 cable ties, 6 plastic bags filled with screws/spacers/drive rubber pads and standoffs, warranty information paper and the user guide.

THE MESHIFY 2 XL EXTERIOR

The Meshify 2 XL is a large tower that measures no less than 566mm in height, 600mm in length and 240mm in width.

As with the majority of cases today the entire left side panel is made out of tempered glass.

The removable/detachable fascia features a mesh design for improved airflow levels.

Fractal has placed their logo on a small brushed aluminum plate.

The entire front can be removed to reveal the two Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans.

As usual the I/O is located at the top of the fascia and includes the typical headphones and microphone 3.5mm ports, USB 3.2 Type-C port, power on/off button, reset button and two USB 3.0 ports.

Most of the top area is covered by a magnetic air-filter.

The top can actually be removed to access the fan/radiator mount which has another air-filter over it.

At the rear of the case, we find the two latches for the side panels, 3rd Dynamix X2 GP-14 140mm fan, 9 horizontal PCI expansion slots, 3 vertical PCI expansion slots and the PSU area.

As you can see the entire base of the Meshify 2 XL is covered by a yet another removable air-filter.

THE MESHIFY 2 XL INTERIOR

Just by taking a quick look at the interior of the Meshify 2 XL you know it can fit everything you can throw at it.

Here we see the two Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans and the plastic cover on the left which can be replaced with optional drive cages.

Both plastic covers seen above can be removed, one to allow for mounting of 420/480mm radiators and the other to allow mounting of another 2.5" drive on top of the drive cage.

The Meshify 2 XL is a dual-chamber design tower and as you can see the PSU cover also has room for a 240/280mm radiator on top of it.

With a total of 8 rubber grommets on the motherboard tray and two on the PSU cover should simplify cable routing/management.

All of the expansion slots are secured in place by regular thumbscrews.

Turning the Meshify 2 XL around we find two vertical 2.5/3.5" trays (remember, this area can be replaced with optional horizontal drive trays/cages), two vertical 2.5" trays, removable bottom cover, two drive cages, PSU area and the Nexus+ fan hub (at the top).

All 8 of the drive trays located at the rear are made out of aluminum.

BUILDING THE SYSTEM

As always, the purpose of this section is not to build a functional system but rather to showcase what you can expect from the case at hand in terms of interior space.

The default PSU area of the Meshify 2 XL is among the most spacious I've ever seen with a case (and not a super tower model).

Fractal has made it so that you need to first attach the rear bracket on the PSU in order to slide it back in.

Without removing any of the two drive cages there's still more than enough room for PSU's up to 1KW in output.

I decided to house the Intel Z490 test system in the Meshify 2 XL and as you can see a rather large E-ATX motherboard like the Z490 DARK by EVGA is dwarfed by it.

Of course, as some of you already know i also decided to pair the 10900K with the EK AIO 360 D-RGB which is a rather large tri-fan model.

Having plenty of interior space also means zero interference with motherboard components and parts (in this case the RAM since the Z490 DARK has them on top).

NOISE LEVEL TEST

After giving it much thought, we decided on performing noise tests with each PC Case we receive by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically on top of each case to measure the noise levels emanating from the pre-installed fans at both 50% and 100% with the help of a fan controller (if the case doesn't have one, we use our own).

CONCLUSION

   I’m quite picky when it comes to PC towers, whenever i need to choose one to house one of my test rigs that is. Just imagine that the previous tower to house my Intel Z390 test rig (and probably my Z590 system which I’ll be replacing it with) was the be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Rev.2. Well, the Meshify 2 XL actually delivers the same and more and so aside excellent build quality and interior space enough for even the largest hardware components around it also looks very nice and packs several useful features (such as the side panel latching mechanism, Nexus+ fan hub, the versatile - although optional - drive tray configuration and the removable air-filters). My sole objection with Fractal is over the non-RGB fans used which is a shame since the Meshify 2 XL would look great with A/RGB fans.

   Right now, the Meshify 2 XL Computer Case by Fractal Design retails for USD210.28 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 201.90Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is actually very balanced, especially compared to its competition. Overall, there’s nothing bad i could say for the Meshify 2 XL. Yes, the lack of A/RGB fans is something some potential buyers may not like but they can always swap the bundled fans for something more to their liking. Interior space, excellent build quality, impressive cooling potential, available features and even looks, the Meshify 2 XL by Fractal Design has them all and for that it deserves the Platinum Award.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality
- Latching Mechanism (Side Panels)
- Available With Dark And Light Tint Tempered Glass
- Can Support Up To 11 Fans
- Radiator Space (Bottom 240/280mm, Front & Top 240/280/360/420/480mm)
- Room For 6x3.5" & 3x2.5" Drives (18 Total With Optional Trays)
- 2 Removable Drive Cages
- Space For 185mm Tall CPU Coolers, 250mm Long PSUs and 549mm Long Graphics Cards
- Removable Air Filters (Top/Bottom/Front)
- Fan+ Fan Hub (Supports 9 Fans)
- 3 Preinstalled 140mm Fans

CONS

- Non A/RGB Fans (For Some)
- Price Difference Between Versions