If you follow the PC DIY market, the Meshify S2, though new for 2019, may reflect echoes of PC cases you've seen before.
That's because its design is rooted in two of Fractal Design's long-running PC-chassis lines: the Meshify and the Define.
The Scandinavian-design case maker pulled features from its Meshify C and Define S2 models to create a tower-PC chassis with plenty of cooling options and an eye-catching, clean exterior.
The result is a sturdy, dependable ATX case that is easy to work with.
At $149.99 in the model received for review, the Meshify S2 isn't cheap, and the design tends toward the minimalist, but if you want a grown-up case as the base for a cooling-heavy PC build, this model doesn't...wait for it...mesh around.
A Black-and-White Decision
Fractal Design is launching several versions of the Meshify S2, with the primary case color and the makeup of the left-side panel being the differentiating features.
If you're looking for the tamest version, you'll pick up the Meshify S2 Black, which has windowless side panels.
The Meshify S2 Black Tempered Glass (TG), meanwhile, sports a lightly tinted glass left-side panel that gives you a clear view of the case's interior.
The window on the similar Meshify S2 Black Dark TG ($149.99, the model I'm testing), in contrast, is heavily tinted.
You can also opt for a white motif.
Indeed, if you want attention, the Meshify S2 White TG may be the way to go.
Its white exterior with a black mesh front and tinted side-panel glass lets off an Imperial Stormtrooper vibe that's hard to resist.
This is the kind of case that would sync well with a power supply that has white cables, and a motherboard with silver or white highlights.
As much as I like the tempered-glass side panel, the Meshify S2's front panel is its signature feature.
Creases in the mesh panel give it an unusual look.
I'm surprised that Fractal Design opted for its own, unlit Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans behind the front panel, though, rather than LED fans that would highlight the panel's unique texture.
Still, it's easy enough to replace the 140mm fans with your own—and then you'll have two quality Dynamic X2 fans for use elsewhere in the chassis.
Fractal Design puts its ports and buttons at the top of the case, keeping the front free of clutter.
A power button is flanked by audio jacks, a reset button, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, which is a nice touch.
A flat mesh panel provides airflow at the top of the case.
Fractal Design attached a filter underneath the mesh panel and fitted it with a quick-release button that lets you instantly access the panel, the filter, and the steel frame, which up here has screw holes for a liquid cooler's radiator, should you decide to install one.
I like that you can reach all this without even opening the side panel.
It's also worth noting that the top panel is removable and has a fill port for your liquid-cooling system, should you need to access it.
The Meshify S2 stands a good 18.3 inches tall, elevated a little by four chrome feet.
Tall feet make for good airflow under a case, and Fractal Design installed a full-length filter here, too.
No buttons pop out this filter, but you can pull it out easily enough.
The case is 9.2 inches wide and a deep 21.2 inches front to back.
It sits without wobbling and doesn't budge when I push it or bump the desk.
In part, that's because it is 22.1 pounds outfitted with the tempered-glass panel.
Indeed, the Meshify S2 is heavier than most of the tower-size cases I've reviewed of late.
The interior of the Meshify S2 is roomy, thanks in part to the case's depth.
The motherboard tray supports Extended ATX boards (up to 285mm wide), along with standard ATX, Mini-ITX, and MicroATX motherboards.
Fractal Design puts a total of four grommeted passthroughs on the motherboard tray and another in the power supply (PSU) shroud, giving users plenty of options for discreetly running cables to and from the other side of the case.
The Meshify S2's depth also means that you have room for big video cards (up to 440mm, and more if you yank the front-panel fans).
Of course, liquid-cooling gear can take up some of that space, but I don't see cards interfering with any cooling hardware up front being an issue in most builds.
As for the CPU cooler, should you go with air cooling, you have up to 185mm of vertical clearance, which should be enough for all but the most titanic tower-style air coolers.
A feature worth noting is that the case can support displaying your video card through the side window on a vertical mount.
That said, you can't set that up straight out of the box; you need to pick up the optional ($39.99) Fractal Design Flex VRC-25 vertical GPU riser.
In the case of our $149.99 test sample, that would boost the total cost close to $200.
Fractal Design makes much of the Meshify S2's support for fans (120mm or 140mm) and liquid coolers.
The case ships with three Dynamic X2 GP-14 140mm fans but supports up to six more.
If you want to max out the Meshify S2 on air cooling, you can put one fan at the back, three at the top, another three at the front, and two at the bottom of the case.
Options abound for liquid cooling, too.
The back panel accepts a 120mm radiator, but the top supports 120mm-wide and 140mm-wide radiators in lengths up to 360mm or 420mm.
The front accommodates radiators up to 360mm in length, while the bottom panel supports radiators up to 280mm.
You can easily do separate or in-series CPU and GPU liquid-cooling loops in here.
Behind the motherboard tray, the Meshify S2 boasts two cable-management straps, three separate 3.5-inch drive cages, and two 2.5-inch drive sleds.
It also features a PWM-enabled fan controller hub that supports up to nine fans, which is great news for anyone planning to max out the Meshify S2's many fan mounts.
Thumbscrews secure each drive sled, making for easy removal.
I think most users will keep the two 2.5-inch drive sleds in their default locations, but you can relocate them onto the top of the PSU shroud (on the other side of the motherboard tray) if you prefer to mount your SSDs on the side of the chassis where they can be seen through a window.
Speaking of the Meshify S2's PSU shroud, it runs the length of the space, providing plenty of room for even long PSUs.
The PSU slides into place from the back of the case, rather than from the case's side, which might be a little awkward for you if you like to angle a modular PSU toward you and snap in its power cables as you work your way through the PC build.
You can angle it a little bit, or you can access the PSU by removing a plate in the PSU shroud (near the front of the case), but I always prefer to tip the PSU out of the side of the case while I work, and I wasn't able to do that here.
You may want to connect your cables to the PSU box before installing it.
The Test Build: No Major Hurdles
Fractal Design ships the Meshify S2 with an accessory box that features images and descriptions of all of the screws and parts, including the bundled three-port SATA power cable extender (an unusual inclusion).
On top of that, the case maker separates the parts into resealable bags.
The kit is an organized builder's dream.
The accessories kit features two reservoir mounting brackets that can attach to slots on the motherboard tray.
The slots give you plenty of room to find the right location for the reservoir, if you're building out a custom liquid-cooling system rather than using an all-in-one-style cooler.
I also like the manual, despite it being light on text instructions.
The graphics, many in color, do an excellent job of walking users through installing typical components.
Removing the Meshify S2's tempered-glass side panel is easy.
Rather than have users position the panel onto metal pegs, Fractal Design built the Meshify S2 so that the panel swings closed, like a door.
I had no trouble attaching either side panel.
I started my test build with an ASRock Z390 Taichi motherboard and an Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition CPU.
Once I had those in place, I installed 32GB of DDR memory and added an MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X video card.
The motherboard tray's cutout easily accommodated the backplate for my 240mm Corsair H100i Pro RGB liquid CPU cooler.
I opted to mount the cooler's radiator at the top of the Meshify S2.
The inset there is removable, though I didn't need to remove it (just the mesh layer) to install the radiator.
I installed a Corsair RM850x PSU by removing the frame at the back of the PC, which has two thumbscrews, and sliding the PSU into the case from the back.
As mentioned, I couldn't angle the PSU out of the side of the case, which was a little awkward, but a little PSU-cable foreplanning ensured that I had all of the cables I'd need routed through the appropriate cutouts before screwing the PSU into place.
Finally, I installed a Samsung SSD 860 EVO drive (a 2.5-inch SATA SSD) at the back of the system without a hitch.
The thumbscrews on the drive sleds make installation go that much faster.
A Subtle, Creature-Comforts Chassis
The Meshify S2 checks the "must have" boxes and features some nice surprises, such as the top panel that pops out at the push of a button.
The massive support for air and liquid cooling will make this case a priority for overclockers and builders who like to gear up their PCs.
And the built-in fan hub is a nice inclusion.
As I mentioned earlier, the tempered-glass version of the Meshify S2 has some heft to it.
I'd happily take it to a BYOC LAN event, though; it's a sturdy case that should be able to put up with the bumps and bangs of travel if packed properly.
How many cases with glass side panels would you feel completely comfortable traveling with?
One feature that the Meshify S2 does without is lighting.
I'm sure some buyers would rather see LED fans in the front panel, but lights might compromise the case's sleek, stealthy personality, so I can see why Fractal Design skips them.
There's certainly space to incorporate your own LED mood strips or RGB fans.
At $149.99, the Meshify S2 will take a bigger bite out of your build budget than some blingier cases reviewed lately, but you're paying for a sturdy, user-friendly chassis that strikes a unique pose without ever ranging into the tacky.
Many users—particularly, experienced ones who have worked with subpar cases before—won't blink at the price premium.
Fractal Design Meshify S2
Pros
Loads of fan/radiator mount options.
Sturdy tempered-glass side panel.
Built-in nine-fan hub.
Multiple intake-fan filters.
View More
Cons
Bulky power supplies can't slide in sideways.
A touch pricey for the feature set.
Vertical-mount video card riser not included standard.
Nifty front-panel texture, but front fans aren't lit to highlight it.
View More
The Bottom Line
Anyone can appreciate the Fractal Design Meshify S2's roomy design and quality materials, but experienced DIY hounds will adore this PC case for its massive cooling support and build-friendly features.
If you follow the PC DIY market, the Meshify S2, though new for 2019, may reflect echoes of PC cases you've seen before.
That's because its design is rooted in two of Fractal Design's long-running PC-chassis lines: the Meshify and the Define.
The Scandinavian-design case maker pulled features from its Meshify C and Define S2 models to create a tower-PC chassis with plenty of cooling options and an eye-catching, clean exterior.
The result is a sturdy, dependable ATX case that is easy to work with.
At $149.99 in the model received for review, the Meshify S2 isn't cheap, and the design tends toward the minimalist, but if you want a grown-up case as the base for a cooling-heavy PC build, this model doesn't...wait for it...mesh around.
A Black-and-White Decision
Fractal Design is launching several versions of the Meshify S2, with the primary case color and the makeup of the left-side panel being the differentiating features.
If you're looking for the tamest version, you'll pick up the Meshify S2 Black, which has windowless side panels.
The Meshify S2 Black Tempered Glass (TG), meanwhile, sports a lightly tinted glass left-side panel that gives you a clear view of the case's interior.
The window on the similar Meshify S2 Black Dark TG ($149.99, the model I'm testing), in contrast, is heavily tinted.
You can also opt for a white motif.
Indeed, if you want attention, the Meshify S2 White TG may be the way to go.
Its white exterior with a black mesh front and tinted side-panel glass lets off an Imperial Stormtrooper vibe that's hard to resist.
This is the kind of case that would sync well with a power supply that has white cables, and a motherboard with silver or white highlights.
As much as I like the tempered-glass side panel, the Meshify S2's front panel is its signature feature.
Creases in the mesh panel give it an unusual look.
I'm surprised that Fractal Design opted for its own, unlit Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans behind the front panel, though, rather than LED fans that would highlight the panel's unique texture.
Still, it's easy enough to replace the 140mm fans with your own—and then you'll have two quality Dynamic X2 fans for use elsewhere in the chassis.
Fractal Design puts its ports and buttons at the top of the case, keeping the front free of clutter.
A power button is flanked by audio jacks, a reset button, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, which is a nice touch.
A flat mesh panel provides airflow at the top of the case.
Fractal Design attached a filter underneath the mesh panel and fitted it with a quick-release button that lets you instantly access the panel, the filter, and the steel frame, which up here has screw holes for a liquid cooler's radiator, should you decide to install one.
I like that you can reach all this without even opening the side panel.
It's also worth noting that the top panel is removable and has a fill port for your liquid-cooling system, should you need to access it.
The Meshify S2 stands a good 18.3 inches tall, elevated a little by four chrome feet.
Tall feet make for good airflow under a case, and Fractal Design installed a full-length filter here, too.
No buttons pop out this filter, but you can pull it out easily enough.
The case is 9.2 inches wide and a deep 21.2 inches front to back.
It sits without wobbling and doesn't budge when I push it or bump the desk.
In part, that's because it is 22.1 pounds outfitted with the tempered-glass panel.
Indeed, the Meshify S2 is heavier than most of the tower-size cases I've reviewed of late.
The interior of the Meshify S2 is roomy, thanks in part to the case's depth.
The motherboard tray supports Extended ATX boards (up to 285mm wide), along with standard ATX, Mini-ITX, and MicroATX motherboards.
Fractal Design puts a total of four grommeted passthroughs on the motherboard tray and another in the power supply (PSU) shroud, giving users plenty of options for discreetly running cables to and from the other side of the case.
The Meshify S2's depth also means that you have room for big video cards (up to 440mm, and more if you yank the front-panel fans).
Of course, liquid-cooling gear can take up some of that space, but I don't see cards interfering with any cooling hardware up front being an issue in most builds.
As for the CPU cooler, should you go with air cooling, you have up to 185mm of vertical clearance, which should be enough for all but the most titanic tower-style air coolers.
A feature worth noting is that the case can support displaying your video card through the side window on a vertical mount.
That said, you can't set that up straight out of the box; you need to pick up the optional ($39.99) Fractal Design Flex VRC-25 vertical GPU riser.
In the case of our $149.99 test sample, that would boost the total cost close to $200.
Fractal Design makes much of the Meshify S2's support for fans (120mm or 140mm) and liquid coolers.
The case ships with three Dynamic X2 GP-14 140mm fans but supports up to six more.
If you want to max out the Meshify S2 on air cooling, you can put one fan at the back, three at the top, another three at the front, and two at the bottom of the case.
Options abound for liquid cooling, too.
The back panel accepts a 120mm radiator, but the top supports 120mm-wide and 140mm-wide radiators in lengths up to 360mm or 420mm.
The front accommodates radiators up to 360mm in length, while the bottom panel supports radiators up to 280mm.
You can easily do separate or in-series CPU and GPU liquid-cooling loops in here.
Behind the motherboard tray, the Meshify S2 boasts two cable-management straps, three separate 3.5-inch drive cages, and two 2.5-inch drive sleds.
It also features a PWM-enabled fan controller hub that supports up to nine fans, which is great news for anyone planning to max out the Meshify S2's many fan mounts.
Thumbscrews secure each drive sled, making for easy removal.
I think most users will keep the two 2.5-inch drive sleds in their default locations, but you can relocate them onto the top of the PSU shroud (on the other side of the motherboard tray) if you prefer to mount your SSDs on the side of the chassis where they can be seen through a window.
Speaking of the Meshify S2's PSU shroud, it runs the length of the space, providing plenty of room for even long PSUs.
The PSU slides into place from the back of the case, rather than from the case's side, which might be a little awkward for you if you like to angle a modular PSU toward you and snap in its power cables as you work your way through the PC build.
You can angle it a little bit, or you can access the PSU by removing a plate in the PSU shroud (near the front of the case), but I always prefer to tip the PSU out of the side of the case while I work, and I wasn't able to do that here.
You may want to connect your cables to the PSU box before installing it.
The Test Build: No Major Hurdles
Fractal Design ships the Meshify S2 with an accessory box that features images and descriptions of all of the screws and parts, including the bundled three-port SATA power cable extender (an unusual inclusion).
On top of that, the case maker separates the parts into resealable bags.
The kit is an organized builder's dream.
The accessories kit features two reservoir mounting brackets that can attach to slots on the motherboard tray.
The slots give you plenty of room to find the right location for the reservoir, if you're building out a custom liquid-cooling system rather than using an all-in-one-style cooler.
I also like the manual, despite it being light on text instructions.
The graphics, many in color, do an excellent job of walking users through installing typical components.
Removing the Meshify S2's tempered-glass side panel is easy.
Rather than have users position the panel onto metal pegs, Fractal Design built the Meshify S2 so that the panel swings closed, like a door.
I had no trouble attaching either side panel.
I started my test build with an ASRock Z390 Taichi motherboard and an Intel Core i7-8086K Limited Edition CPU.
Once I had those in place, I installed 32GB of DDR memory and added an MSI GeForce GTX 1060 Gaming X video card.
The motherboard tray's cutout easily accommodated the backplate for my 240mm Corsair H100i Pro RGB liquid CPU cooler.
I opted to mount the cooler's radiator at the top of the Meshify S2.
The inset there is removable, though I didn't need to remove it (just the mesh layer) to install the radiator.
I installed a Corsair RM850x PSU by removing the frame at the back of the PC, which has two thumbscrews, and sliding the PSU into the case from the back.
As mentioned, I couldn't angle the PSU out of the side of the case, which was a little awkward, but a little PSU-cable foreplanning ensured that I had all of the cables I'd need routed through the appropriate cutouts before screwing the PSU into place.
Finally, I installed a Samsung SSD 860 EVO drive (a 2.5-inch SATA SSD) at the back of the system without a hitch.
The thumbscrews on the drive sleds make installation go that much faster.
A Subtle, Creature-Comforts Chassis
The Meshify S2 checks the "must have" boxes and features some nice surprises, such as the top panel that pops out at the push of a button.
The massive support for air and liquid cooling will make this case a priority for overclockers and builders who like to gear up their PCs.
And the built-in fan hub is a nice inclusion.
As I mentioned earlier, the tempered-glass version of the Meshify S2 has some heft to it.
I'd happily take it to a BYOC LAN event, though; it's a sturdy case that should be able to put up with the bumps and bangs of travel if packed properly.
How many cases with glass side panels would you feel completely comfortable traveling with?
One feature that the Meshify S2 does without is lighting.
I'm sure some buyers would rather see LED fans in the front panel, but lights might compromise the case's sleek, stealthy personality, so I can see why Fractal Design skips them.
There's certainly space to incorporate your own LED mood strips or RGB fans.
At $149.99, the Meshify S2 will take a bigger bite out of your build budget than some blingier cases reviewed lately, but you're paying for a sturdy, user-friendly chassis that strikes a unique pose without ever ranging into the tacky.
Many users—particularly, experienced ones who have worked with subpar cases before—won't blink at the price premium.
Fractal Design Meshify S2
Pros
Loads of fan/radiator mount options.
Sturdy tempered-glass side panel.
Built-in nine-fan hub.
Multiple intake-fan filters.
View More
Cons
Bulky power supplies can't slide in sideways.
A touch pricey for the feature set.
Vertical-mount video card riser not included standard.
Nifty front-panel texture, but front fans aren't lit to highlight it.
View More
The Bottom Line
Anyone can appreciate the Fractal Design Meshify S2's roomy design and quality materials, but experienced DIY hounds will adore this PC case for its massive cooling support and build-friendly features.
