What is the purpose of this top cage ?

[venomx]

I had to remove it in order to fit another fan at the front of the case towards the bottom.
I Also had to move my HDD cage back a few inches.

Any idea why it's there in the first place ( marked with a red X )

 

[The_Arbiter]

Fractal appear to go with refining previous designs while keeping functionality/options. My old R2 mini has 6 removable trays on matx.

I can't really work out much from the pic, but i guess it's just a possible option if you opt for passive intake, or maybe a short rad on the front. Looks like it takes a 140mm also? Would be make sense there also.

They also do 120mm adapters, fan fitting to hard drive. So yeah, options.

 

[Frubeling]

Looks like it's just to give you a full sized shroud if you opt not to fit a bottom fan or a rad

 

[mickyflinn]

To make Room for fan , radiator, etc.

 

[Skilid]

It's just to give you options. If you only want 2 front fans you can leave it in, if you want 3 or a massive radiator/AIO then remove it. Same with HD cage etc.