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Fractal Design Terra vs Montech X3 Mesh: Comparison
Fractal Design Terra vs Montech X3 Mesh cpu cooler clearance compared
On cpu cooler clearance the spread is 59%, Fractal Design Terra 65 mm against Montech X3 Mesh 160 mm, so Montech X3 Mesh takes it. Add included fans to that, 2 on the Fractal Design Terra versus 3 on the Montech X3 Mesh, and the pattern holds. There is a split on case type as well, SFF / Mini-ITX on the Fractal Design Terra versus Mid-Tower on the Montech X3 Mesh. There is a split on panel type as well, Anodized aluminum side panels, tempered glass top window on the Fractal Design Terra versus Mesh front panel, tempered glass side on the Montech X3 Mesh.
Which should you buy, Fractal Design Terra or Montech X3 Mesh?
The Fractal Design Terra suits desk-visible SFF builds and living room or studio PCs, though it is not the pick for tall air-cooler builds and E-ATX or ATX motherboards. Buy the Montech X3 Mesh for entry-level gaming builds on a tight budget and builders who want ARGB fans included at a low price, though it is the wrong buy for large flagship GPUs needing 380mm+ clearance and 360mm radiator builds. Our rating of the Fractal Design Terra (8/10): the best-looking SFF case on a desk, with real thermal tradeoffs to match its layout. Our rating of the Montech X3 Mesh (7/10): A genuinely solid budget pick if you want three ARGB fans and USB-C without spending much, but not built for large GPUs or big radiators.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Fractal Design Terra and Montech X3 Mesh differ on gpu clearance?
Yes. GPU Clearance reads 326 mm on the Fractal Design Terra versus 335 mm on the Montech X3 Mesh.
Is the Front USB-C the same on the Fractal Design Terra and Montech X3 Mesh?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Motherboard Support
- Fractal Design Terra
- Mini-ITX
- Montech X3 Mesh
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Case Type
- Fractal Design Terra
- SFF / Mini-ITX
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Mid-Tower
Panel Type
- Fractal Design Terra
- Anodized aluminum side panels, tempered glass top window
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Mesh front panel, tempered glass side
GPU Clearance
- Fractal Design Terra
- 326 mm-3%
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 335 mmBest
CPU Cooler Clearance
- Fractal Design Terra
- 65 mm-59%
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 160 mmBest
Included Fans
- Fractal Design Terra
- 2-33%
- Montech X3 Mesh
- 3Best
Radiator Support
- Fractal Design Terra
- Top up to 240mm
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Front 240mm, Top 240mm
Front USB-C
- Fractal Design Terra
- Yes
- Montech X3 Mesh
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose Fractal Design Terra if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Montech X3 Mesh if you want the higher GPU clearance (335 mm vs 326 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (160 mm vs 65 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 2).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Fractal Design Terra | Montech X3 Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Fractal Design Store | $210.00 View on Fractal Design Store | |
| Montech | View on Montech |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Fractal Design Terra
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The best-looking SFF case on a desk, with real thermal tradeoffs to match its layout.
Montech X3 Mesh
7 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely solid budget pick if you want three ARGB fans and USB-C without spending much, but not built for large GPUs or big radiators.