Fractal Design Define R5

[BlueScream]

Questions:
1. can you buy another 5 bay hdd cage and use two in the front?

Did you ever find out the answer to this? I really want to know that too.

[eugenius]

Yes you can, they have a parts store but last I checked the 5bay cage wasn't available.

[BlueScream]

Thanks for letting me know. Interesting possibilities with this case.

[RFV]

seems like they left out the hdd activity light on the R5

[JoeOfJoedonia]

I am about to buy a case and was looking at the R4. I have read the review and trying to decide if the R5 is worth the extra £15, what do people think?

[Gronich26]

Having an R4 myself I see most of the upgrades as cosmetic; the off-set from the top is useful as it was pain to get the 12v power lead on/off, in the case. Don't see the point of hiding the SSD under the tray when you have 8 bays to play with. Removable bays are a good idea: it gives more direct airflow to the graphics card - strangely, this doesn't show up in the testing temps. Being able to remove the 51/2" bays as well would be useful if you intend to put a radiator in the top for watercooling.

Is it worth an extra £15 is questionable, if you don't feel any of the above is a positive point to you.

[ZaO]

Hey guys. I'm considering getting one of these cases, but I've had trouble finding good comparisons on the difference in noise levels between the regular side pannel and the windowed version. Does anyone have an R4/R5 who has tested the difference in noise levels with both panels? Thanks

[dturtill]

i have the R5 regular and have tried with the side on and off to see the difference and it is noticeable. not tested with a windowed panel but would assume the sound profing wouldn't suffer to much due to the window as its still a solid piece

i would recommend the R5 agree that the ssd round the back seems pointless however if you are planning on removing any of the drive cages for cooling reasons or whatever then it may be of more use

[ZaO]

i have the R5 regular and have tried with the side on and off to see the difference and it is noticeable. not tested with a windowed panel but would assume the sound profing wouldn't suffer to much due to the window as its still a solid piece

i would recommend the R5 agree that the ssd round the back seems pointless however if you are planning on removing any of the drive cages for cooling reasons or whatever then it may be of more use

Well I would expect it to be noticeably more noisey with no door on it But yeh, hopefully it's still very quiet with the windowed door.

I like the idea of being able to put ssd's behind the motherboard. The new Define S case also lets you put hdd's in the same area. But I prefer to R5 to the S, as the S doesn't have a door on the front (just a pull off panel) or the option to install optical drives.