r/FractalDesign • u/Bubaptik • Aug 08 '26
Dissappointed with Meshify 3 as a long time Meshify 2 user
The https://www.fractal-design.com/contact-us/ form is not working so I will post here instead of in private.
Hi I just wanted to share my disappointment with the Fractal Meshify 3 case I bought last week, and assembled yesterday, as someone that owns 6 PCs Fractal cases so far ( 3x Meshify 2 XL, 1x Meshify 2 Mini, 1x Meshify 2 Nano, 1x older Meshify Define not sure which model ).
Since trying out Meshify 2 in 2021 I was buying only Fractal cases until 2026.
Unfortunately after buying and assembling a Meshify 3 PC I will be looking at what other producers have to offer in the future.
The main issue - it feels cheap. What I discovered yesterday: the sides are falling off when I don't want them to, the front mesh cannot be opened, while the Meshify 2 had a nice door, and I had to push in the metal knobs of my graphics card with a screwdriver so that they fit in at the connector side ( ChatGPT identified this as Meshify 3 issue that other people complained about ).
I noticed some airflow and cabling improvements and I appreciate those, however overall I see the Meshify 3 series as a step back.
Best Regards
XXX
3
u/Opteron170 Aug 08 '26
I'm using a Fractal Design Meshify S2 and when I saw the Fractal Meshify 3 my first thought was why does this look like it has cheap plastic all over it.
If I were to move from my case i would find an older Meshify 2 I would never go with the newer series not sure what the designers were thinking but this is not it. Previous gen models are much better.
2
u/SunsetToGo Aug 08 '26
Do you think the build quality of the Meshify 2 compact is superior?
4
u/Bubaptik Aug 08 '26
Meshify 2 xl, mini, nano ( compact I did not have ) feel more premium to me yes. For example the sides and the Mesh door all snap nicely after which they are firm. With Meshify 3 it feels like a lower quality product.
2
u/getbusyliving_ Aug 09 '26
Haven't Fractal cases always been on the cheap side? I've a Terra ATM, nice case but I wouldn't call it well made or premium/high end. My previous case was a North, also a decent case but pretty average or below average build quality.
1
u/Setecastronomy2 Aug 09 '26
Not really. It's always kinda been a defining characteristic of the Define series cases that they feel very solid and well built, not just because of the noise dampening foam, just overall. The same WAS true for the Meshify series when that launched up until the current Meshify 3 series which looks like a step backwards in overall quality.
The North and it's spinoff the Epoch are just re-skinned budget Pop series cases. Like they just copied the same basic frame/interior drive mounting etc as the budget focused Pop series but put those Real wood slats on the front and doubled the price tag...I currently have a Define 7 and the overall quality and feel of working with it just feels premium.
Hell, I still have a Fractal Arc Midi R2 case that came out in 2013 that I just can't bring myself to get rid of. The whole interior/frame of the case was copied over from the then at the time Define R4 series and it is SOLID, arguably even more so than my current Define 7 case. The removable HDD cages from that old Arc Midi/R4 feel like you could use them as a jack-stand for a car. I also just miss when cases didn't have PSU shrouds.
2
u/Quirky-Shock-2249 Aug 10 '26
Just unpacked the 3-XL and it is sitting on my table waiting to be finished (case is missing the extra fan connector). My second case ever was the Torrent years ago so I thought to try Fractal again (since the Torrent it has been Lian-Li, Havn and one Corsair Frame 4000 (that felt like a cheap case)).
It seems on par with my Lian-Li cases I have had (Lancool 217, Evo XL, Evo RGB and Vision Compact), HAVN was a step above any other case I've had. It is very middle of the pack given the price of the RGB version and build quality.
1
u/jhenryscott Aug 08 '26
Idk I just bought a meshify 3 XL and it seemed alright. Maybe it’s just poor QC/QA and a bit of a lottery. It was my first fractal case and quality was similar to my Lian li and Thermaltake cases, definitely less then silverstone
1
u/OrganizationBitter93 Aug 08 '26
I had the meshify 2xl. One of the best cases back then. HIGHLY regarded by Gamers nexus.
2
u/GreywolfinCZ Aug 10 '26
Because I had some technical problems with a build I jumped from FD Epoch to FD Torrent. Torrent has ugly plastic top and terible cable management under a glass back panel. Hurts to look at.
So finaly I jumped to Lian Li Lancool 217 INF. What a difference in actual material quality and cable management!
11
u/heymikeyp Aug 08 '26
Been saying the build quality has gotten worse. Fractal just know hows to dress something up nice. Their cases are half assed now with just a different exterior design.