The installation process of the Fractal Design Pop 2 Vision Black RGB was described as extremely straightforward and very easy for a mid-tower case. One reviewer noted installing the FSP MEGA TI 1650W power supply first, followed by other components. Despite the PSU being located behind the motherboard tray, similar to the be quiet! Light Base 600 LX, Fractal Design’s design was deemed superior because it does not block access to the motherboard backplate. The chassis supports PSUs up to 19cm, and the reviewer’s 18cm unit fit, though it nearly touched adjacent Velcro straps.
In terms of component compatibility, the case can physically fit a 21cm Seasonic PRIME TX-1300 ATX 3.0 1300W, though the cable lead out would be tighter. The reviewer found the cabling job to be easy, pointing out a 93mm gap between the motherboard tray and the right side panel. Five pre-installed Velcro straps improve the experience, although there are no zip tie anchor points available. The design features many large, appropriately placed openings around the motherboard for routing cables, whether they originate from the power supply or ARGB LED fans. Furthermore, the chassis supports various motherboard backside connectors such as Asus BTF, MSI Project Zero, or Gigabyte Project Stealth.
While the placement for cable routing is excellent, the case has one rubber grommet on the largest opening, noted as a potential cost-saving measure. The installation of hardware, such as a 160mm tall Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black heatsink, required removing the 2.5″/3.5″ drive tray, a straightforward process involving only two screws. Although the Pop 2 Vision supports up to three 2.5″ and one 3.5″ drive, the reviewer did not install any, noting that modern builds often utilize only NVMe SSDs.
The three front fans can be daisy chained, simplifying connectivity by requiring only one 3-pin voltage connection and one ARGB connector. Assembly generally requires a screwdriver, excluding thumbscrews and disk drives. The case was reported to function smoothly after initial setup, and the internal ARGB LED fans were easily seen when powered on.
Regarding acoustics, the four stock Fractal Design Aspect 12X Reverse RGB 120mm fans were measured at 39.8 db(A) at 50cm, producing an airflow speed of 7.5 km/h (4.7 mph). The reviewer, who is sensitive to perceived sound volume, rated the case reasonably well for a quiet PC enthusiast due to the fans’ smooth-running motor and lack of annoying noise. However, the chassis was noted as fully ventilated, lacking sound dampening elements, meaning it is not inherently silent.
Another assessment highlighted the Pop 2 Vision Black RGB’s premium features, including 270° tempered glass and four Aspect 12X Reverse RGB fans, for an MSRP of $100. The reviewer praised the case for offering these features at an affordable price point. They also noted the tool-free ball-and-socket panel attachment mechanism and the high-quality magnetically attached metal frame dust filter.
Compared to the Pop 2 Air Black TG RGB, the Pop 2 Vision Black RGB offers more components, including an additional fan and glass panel, while maintaining the same MSRP. The design advantage cited is that the PSU placement does not require removal to access the motherboard backplate. Minor cost-saving compromises included having only one rubber grommet and utilizing rifle bearing 3-pin voltage fans instead of fluid dynamic bearing 4-pin PWM fans. Overall, the Pop 2 Vision Black RGB was deemed a quality chassis with few compromises, particularly for those seeking a clean aquarium-style build at an affordable price.
Source: APH Networks