# Design-First PC Cases The Fractal Design Era 2 is Coming Soon for ITX Builds By Colin Smith | Published 2024-06-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/era-2 References: [fractal-design](https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/era/era-2/charcoal-gray/)  The Fractal Era 2 is the latest iteration in the company’s line of [small form factor cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pure-base-501), known for blending design innovation with engineering prowess. It is an evolution of the iconic Era ITX chassis, wrapped in aluminum and offering a variety of top inserts that range from premium wood to [tempered glass](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nv5-mkii), allowing it to integrate seamlessly into various environments. Despite its modest 16-liter footprint, the Era 2 is designed to accommodate dual-slot GPUs, AIO water cooling units up to 240 mm, high-end processors, and up to four storage devices. The case also supports ITX motherboard compatibility, has a total of five fan mounts, and includes USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C among its front ports. The Fractal Era 2 is set to be available later in Q3 of 2024. It will come in three color variants: Silver, Charcoal Gray, and Midnight Blue, each priced at $199.99. The case’s launch follows Fractal’s tradition of creating compact, sophisticated, and stylish PC cases that do not compromise on the power and functionality of professional-grade hardware. Image Credit: Fractal ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.3/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 98% | Freshness: 24% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Compact High-performance PC Cases:** Blending small form factors with powerful hardware capabilities represents a shift toward more versatile computing solutions. - **Design-integrated Technology:** The inclusion of premium materials like wood and tempered glass in tech products signals a move toward aesthetics-driven design in electronics. - **Customization in Consumer Electronics:** Offering features like interchangeable top inserts for PC cases reflects a growing demand for personalized and modular tech products. ### Where This Applies - **Computer Hardware Manufacturing:** Enhancing engineering with innovative case designs provides a competitive edge in the evolving hardware market. - **Consumer Electronics:** High-end design elements in electronic products show increased convergence between tech functionality and consumer lifestyle preferences. - **Home Office Solutions:** Stylish and compact PC cases meet the rising need for sophisticated and space-efficient setups in modern home offices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Small Form-Factor Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/era-2-1.md) - [Design-First PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evolv-x2.md) - [Miniature Vertical PC Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fractal-mood.md) - [Alternative Material PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fractal-north.md) - [Natural Airflow-Enhancing PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fractal-epoch.md) - [Airflow-Focused PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fractal-design-pop-air.md) - [Functional Design-Conscious PC Chassis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pc-chassis-designs.md) - [Compact PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/m1evo.md) - [Minimalist Mini-ITX PC Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ncore-100-max.md)