The Phanteks NV5 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing five category wins against the two held by the Fractal Design North. The most impactful advantage for the Phanteks NV5 is its inclusion of fans, which represents a 100% improvement over the alternative. While the Fractal Design North offers a significant benefit in storage capacity, the superior fan configuration makes the Phanteks NV5 the more comprehensive option based on the measured specifications.

Users who prioritize out-of-the-box cooling performance should select the Phanteks NV5 for its included fan advantage. Conversely, the Fractal Design North is the better choice for builders who require extensive storage support, as it provides a 100% advantage in 3.5" bay count. Choosing between these two cases depends entirely on whether your specific build requirements lean toward integrated cooling hardware or a higher capacity for mechanical hard drives.