Fractal Define R2 Review!

[Disturbedguy]

hahah yeah updating would be good.

Build quality is very good imo compared to the other cases I have had.

However, I wont say too much until my write up as it would spoil stuff

[Pob255]

Your cable tidying still needs work
Don't be afraid to pull it all out and start again, I find it can often take me 2 or 3 tries to get things right.

[Disturbedguy]

I probably could do a better job with my cabling but a couple of things stopped me.

1: - The 8 pin power cable is not long enough to reach up to the top hole and then connect to the motherboard, if it were I would have had to take the motherboard out again, by which time i was getting frustrated with it.
2: - I spent a few hours looking at this and cabling to the point where my back was beginning to get sore from leaning over to get a proper look.

Next time, I would run the cables BEFORE putting the motherboard in and probably get a better result.

To be fait, that picture doesnt do it justice, the cables are actually hidden down the far side of the fan you see in that picture, the main issue was the overly long Sata Cable I had.

[Biscuit]

I agree with Pob - when cabling my main system i tend to go through it a few times before im happy. My current case simply doesnt have the room to make anything really decent of it but when i get the R2 i think im gunna go all out!

Pics are review is very useful though mate, its sealed the deal...

[Disturbedguy]

Biscuit, be warned make sure you run a lot of the cables before hand as the top hole for cable management can get blocked if you put fans up there.

I really must get my write up done

[Pob255]

When I cable now I find it easiest to clear the coffee table in the lounge and stand the case up on that with both side panels off, I only put the case on it's side to fit the motherboard.
Although sometime I wish I had a turntable I could stick a case on top of, that would make it a bit easier than having to scoot around the table all the time.

I'm surprised there's not enough length to the EPS cable for it to reach.

What does it look like up at the top of the motherboard? I know with quite a few of the lower PSU cases that feeding cables through slots in the top of the motherboard can get very tricky as once fans have been fitted to the top there's very little gap between to fans and the motherboard.
There's too little space to fit the fans in after the motherboard, so you have to some how work it as Fans, then cables, then motherboard.

[Disturbedguy]

Pob, i did do it with the case on the cable, but still found myself slouching. Sucks.

It would reach if the hole was directly above the 8 pin connector, but its not, its about an inch or 2 off and yes with the motherboard installed, the fans wouldnt be able to fit in which sucked. But if you could put the PSU in and run the cable, then fit the fans it *should* be fine.

I really will get a proper write up done.

[Biscuit]

Biscuit, be warned make sure you run a lot of the cables before hand as the top hole for cable management can get blocked if you put fans up there.

I really must get my write up done

Thanks for the heads up, i plan on getting some molex tools, cable, braiding and heatshrink (probably white to match the other white bits) and actually make the cables myself. Im thinking of trying to build some kind of fan mounts near to where the fans will all be so they can be eaily unplugged... need to do some planning first though.

When I cable now I find it easiest to clear the coffee table in the lounge and stand the case up on that with both side panels off, I only put the case on it's side to fit the motherboard.
Although sometime I wish I had a turntable I could stick a case on top of, that would make it a bit easier than having to scoot around the table all the time.

Lazy Susan?
http://www.norwichcamping.co.uk/norc...azy-susan.html bit overkill but you get the idea

[Pob255]

PS Disturbedguy, what are the fractal fans like? is there any motor/bareing Ticking or Buzz?
Light weight or heavy? is there much flex in the frame?

[Disturbedguy]

Big of a dig up, apologies for the lack of proper write up and such just got lost in other stuff .

Pob, the fans, I cant say i remeber being much flex at all in the fans and the only sound I hear is the gentle huming, no tickiing and they felt pretty light, yet sturdy to me.

[Pob255]

Sounds good, you'll probably want to get your ear less than 6 inches away from one of the fans while it's out side of the case before you'll hear the motor bareing noise.
Which is good, some of the cheap fans I've tested, you can hear the motor / bearing from about a foot away.

Apparently the Factal design mini-ITX/nas box case is actually manufactured for them by Lian-Li, so it's quality is very good.
Although it cannot take full length graphics cards so it cannot be used as anything other than a media center, file storage or basic office work pc, which is a shame.

[GheeTsar]

I'm thinking about getting an R2, but then again the R3 is rumoured to be around the corner.

[Disturbedguy]

I'm thinking about getting an R2, but then again the R3 is rumoured to be around the corner.

Don't say that.

I have just got a car so need to get whatever I need sorted for that first.

But I also want to upgrade/ build a new PC so seeing a new case on the market won't help!

[Queelis]

I'm thinking about getting an R2, but then again the R3 is rumoured to be around the corner.

You mean "rumours" such as these?

http://vr-zone.com/articles/fractal-...ssis/9614.html
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...gory=2&prod=48

[DWhitley]

The Define XL is even bigger (10 HD slots). Seems to have more scope for long graphics cards.

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...gory=2&prod=55