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Thread: Fractal Design R3

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    Fractal Design R3

    Hi all

    Just wondering what peoples thoughts on this case are?

    I'm currently using a Coolermaster Cosmos which has been great, but I'm thinking I want a smaller quieter case.

    How does it handle Overclocking? I've got my i7 920 running at 3.5GHZ with one of them Corsair H50 coolers.

    So anyone got one? Thoughts?

    Thanks in advance.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    I don't have experience with the R3, but have built into an R2 (it's predecessor) and it was a very positive experience:

    Build quality and design - although predominately plastic, it was very high quality with a good texture and not at all brittle, and anything that moves was well damped. I did find that the acoustic foam wasn't as well secured to the side panels as it might have been, but this only became an issue when trying to stuff PSU cables behind the motherboard tray - a consideration if using a non-modular PSU.

    Acoustic and cooling performance - it is marketed as a quiet case and fulfils this brief well - the default fans are inaudible when more than a few feet away and the damping foam isolates other noise well, especially HDD emissions.

    The R3 has received positive reviews so should be a safe bet, as long as you don't need more than two 5.25" bays. Also, be sure to get one of the recent models with the addition of USB3.

    EDIT: regarding overclocking, it kept a 4GHz i5 750 under a Titan Fenrir (with low fan speed) at 80C or under. A GTX 470 (albeit one with a custom cooler) was also perfectly happy.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Thanks Skulltrail

    I actually picked up the White one yesterday while it was one of Scans today only deals. Should be delivered tomorrow, so will report back on my findings.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    I have the XL which is absolutely huge, too big in fact
    You won't regret getting the R3; Fractal make fantastic cases which are a joy to build in!
    PC4Free
    I never finish anyt

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Will start with the bad. It turned out to be a real challenge to get one in intact order. I had to RMA three Define R3 in pearl black until gave it a last try with titanium gray. As the cardboard box was never damaged I suspect quality control issues at Fractals plant. Other interesting thing - few online retailers seem to use the same stockist/wholesaler - initially ordered from one shop and RMAed, then ordered from other shop, arrived damaged again, asked to swap for a good one. Once opened the replacement, I realized that it's the one that I RMAed to the first shop. Asked to swap it again, this time for titanium gray (hoping that it may be a bad batch of black pearls) and yes, finally lucky.

    Nonetheless, having finished (apart from GPU and TV pci) my first build in Define R3 (will post build log pictures later this week) I must say that I'm absolutely delighted with this case:
    *good build quality,
    *good cable management (rubber grommets little fiddly, but no biggie),
    *rich accessories pack (fan speed controller, spare screws, even cable ties!!),
    *expandable (as far as know it can accommodate any GPU on the market, there is space for 5 extra case fans, 8 hdd bays)
    *fantastic looks outside/inside,
    * and quiet (not silent), moduvents and sound dampening materials certainly do the job.

    Personally I would swap 2 hdd bays for one extra 5.25/3.5 inch bay.

    I was lucky to get it for for 67.99 on 'daily deal' type of offer, however even at 75 quid nothing comes close to this case.

    Highly recommended!

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    What was wrong with the case you had to RMA?

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    What was wrong with the case you had to RMA?
    first case,
    twisted chassis, one side panel was bent in the middle and at the back and didn't align nicely

    second case,
    front plastic door hinges as well as vent doors were broken

    third case,
    see the first case

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    I seem to remember this happening once when the original define came out, it was a dodgy batch damged in transit, basically the container they where shipped in got shook up and the boxes where not secure in the container.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Well I've finally finished my build in a white R3.

    The case looks fantastic. And is extremely quiet, infact when just running desktop apps I can slow the fans down enough that it's almost inaudable. (well my Sky+HD box makes more noise!). I'd say temps are only a few degrees hotter than in my Cosmos.

    There does seem to be some problems with Fractal Designs quality checking though as I've found with mine that both the top and bottom panel's are slightly bowed, which made installing the PSU really difficult. Plus the rubber gromet's on the cable management holes are useless as they just fall off.

    It does an amazing job of keeping my three HDD's quiet though.

    It's definently not got the quality build of the Coolermaster Cosmos, but on the flip side, it's alot better than Thermaltake's Level 10 that I wasted alot of money on!

    Another little negative is the padding on the door closes right on to the front of the case so theres no room for a fan controller or anything with knobs.

    It is a great case though, just a shame Fractal Design weren't a bit more careful manufacturing them!

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Ummm I hope you mean the level 10 GT (£200) and not the full level 10 which is around £500
    The full level 10 is a pricey design statement/sculpture that also happens to be a pc case.
    The level 10 GT is an overpriced case designed to look a bit like the full level 10 and cash in, not terrible but sure as heck not worth £200

    Although they both seem to follow the overall TT goals of style over function.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    No, I mean the full level 10! Great idea for case, looks great, just amazed at the lack of attention to quality.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Recently built into a R3 over summer and had the same problem as mastermind with one of the panels being bowed out in the middle and on the top removable vents the acoustic foam has not been glued squarely onto the vent so the foam has been chewed up by the screw threads a bit. Fractal havn't quite got the quality control spot on yet but its still a lovely case.

    With reguards to a fan controller you can try recessing fan controllers with dials on to get them to fit or you go for a touchscreen one of which there are a few about.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    I've been planning on building a new system in the next couple of months using an R3 Define case (either the Arctic White or Titanium version). I liked the sound of pretty much every aspect of this case line (my only minor complaint is they can't accommodate the tallest 165-170mm CPU coolers, and I ideally would have chosen a Thermalright Archon or something similar).

    However I've seen several posts now on various forums about people receiving them damaged due to shipping/handling issues, and other minor quality control issues. I'm starting to wonder now whether I should wait for the Antec P280... it does sound like F-D must be using cheaper thinner steel panel thicknesses if case panels are getting distorted/damaged during shipping.

    Or maybe it's just the usual story of only hearing bad news on internet forums

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    I think the issue with the bowed panels is down to where the holes are cut for the fans. Possible the metal is a bit weak. It's the first time I've seen it on a case and I've used some properly cheap ones in the past! Could also just be related to the white one.

    I also noticed last night that there seems to be a slight orange tinge round the grill on top, almost like burn marks. Doesn't bother me much though as my portable hard drive sits on top.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Thats all to common with Fractal cases these days, hear it so often, arriving damaged, dented etc. Pitty as it's put me off buying one.

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    Re: Fractal Design R3

    Shipping does seem to kill all too many of these cases. If you can it might be worth picking it up yourself so you can check it out there and then.

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