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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 6
NZXT H5 Flow — Mid-tower
NZXT

NZXT H5 Flow

Mid-tower

86
/ 100
From $94
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Fractal North · Charcoal lands at 92 and NZXT H5 Flow at 86. That puts Fractal North · Charcoal ahead by 6 points — a decisive 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 NZXT H5 Flow 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 86).

Build

Fractal North · Charcoal

Compared on the build sub-score

Fractal North · Charcoal leads on build (90 vs 84).

Features

Tie

Compared on the features sub-score

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

Value for money

NZXT H5 Flow

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

NZXT H5 Flow more score per dollar ($94 vs $139).

Fractal North · Charcoal 92
vs
86 NZXT H5 Flow

Score breakdown

Fractal North · Charcoal
92
airflow 92
build 90
features 84
value 86
NZXT H5 Flow
86
airflow 86
build 84
features 84
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Fractal North · Charcoal versus NZXT H5 Flow — full spec comparison
Spec Fractal North · Charcoal NZXT H5 Flow
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

NZXT H5 Flow

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 NZXT H5 Flow

Which is better, Fractal North · Charcoal or NZXT H5 Flow? +

Fractal North · Charcoal scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. 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 NZXT H5 Flow worth the price? +

At $94, NZXT H5 Flow delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in airflow.

Does Fractal North · Charcoal or NZXT H5 Flow 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 NZXT H5 Flow? +

Fractal North · Charcoal — leads on airflow (92 vs 86). Compared on the airflow sub-score.

Which is better for build, Fractal North · Charcoal or NZXT H5 Flow? +

Fractal North · Charcoal — leads on build (90 vs 84). Compared on the build sub-score.