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Fractal North · Charcoal — Mid-tower
Fractal

Fractal North · Charcoal

Mid-tower

92
/ 100
From $139
VS
Fractal North · Charcoal wins by 2
Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black — Mid-tower
Lian Li

Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black

Mid-tower

90
/ 100
From $179
Specdex verdict

Fractal North · Charcoal takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Fractal North · Charcoal lands at 92 and Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black at 90. That puts Fractal North · Charcoal ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Fractal North · Charcoal if…

  • ✓Tool-less panels on most
  • ✓Cable-management channels
  • ✓Dust filters

Pick Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black if…

  • ✓Tool-less panels on most
  • ✓Cable-management channels
  • ✓Dust filters
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Airflow

Fractal North · Charcoal

Compared on the airflow sub-score

Fractal North · Charcoal leads on airflow (92 vs 90).

Build

Fractal North · Charcoal

Compared on the build sub-score

Fractal North · Charcoal leads on build (90 vs 88).

Features

Tie

Compared on the features sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Fractal North · Charcoal

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Fractal North · Charcoal more score per dollar ($139 vs $179).

Fractal North · Charcoal 92
vs
90 Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black

Score breakdown

Fractal North · Charcoal
92
airflow 92
build 90
features 84
value 86
Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black
90
airflow 90
build 88
features 84
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Fractal North · Charcoal versus Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black — full spec comparison
Spec Fractal North · Charcoal Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black
Type
Mid-tower
Mid-tower

Fractal North · Charcoal

Pros
  • +Tool-less panels on most
  • +Cable-management channels
  • +Dust filters
Cons
  • −Fan inclusion varies
  • −GPU clearance limits for triple-slot cards
  • −Weight on glass panels

Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black

Pros
  • +Tool-less panels on most
  • +Cable-management channels
  • +Dust filters
Cons
  • −Fan inclusion varies
  • −GPU clearance limits for triple-slot cards
  • −Weight on glass panels

FAQ: Fractal North · Charcoal vs Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black

Which is better, Fractal North · Charcoal or Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black? +

Fractal North · Charcoal scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Fractal North · Charcoal worth the price? +

At $139, Fractal North · Charcoal delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in airflow.

Is Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black worth the price? +

At $179, Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in airflow.

Does Fractal North · Charcoal or Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for airflow, Fractal North · Charcoal or Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black? +

Fractal North · Charcoal — leads on airflow (92 vs 90). Compared on the airflow sub-score.

Which is better for build, Fractal North · Charcoal or Lian Li Lancool III · Matte Black? +

Fractal North · Charcoal — leads on build (90 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.