PC cases - anyone own one of these?

[ik9000]

Anyone got one of these? If so what did you think of it? Would you recommend it?

• Fractal Define XL R2
• Nanoxia Deep Silence 5 Rev. B
• Silverstone TJ04-E

[Mr_Jon]

I've got the XL R2. It's alright, but there are a couple of issues.

Firstly, the bottom dust filter isn't that accessible - it slides out to the rear of the case which is a no-no if the rear is against a wall (they've rectified this in some of their more recent cases, with it sliding out of the front instead of back). The dust filters also let quite a lot of small particles through, so I've doubled up the front one. And taped up the bottom one. There 5.25 bays can let dust in too - pretty sure you're planning to fill them? - but as it happens one can rig up a fan expelling air from them with cable ties.

Secondly, the mobo tray is flexible. I had to bung some washers under some of the standoffs in order for it to line up better (not perfectly though) with the expansion slots. Results in having to push the other side of the tray when installing a gpu, or it's way off when screwing it in. Not a mobo specific issue either, it's happened with three of them across different brands. Dunno if this is common in cases though, as it's the only "expensive" case I've had.

Plus side is the room. It's huge. And with that comes great airflow and a whisper quiet system (albeit with an aftermarket gpu cooler fitted). Weighs a ton too so pretty hard to knock over, it's had the better of me many times.

[ik9000]

I've got the XL R2. It's alright, but there are a couple of issues.

Firstly, the bottom dust filter isn't that accessible - it slides out to the rear of the case which is a no-no if the rear is against a wall (they've rectified this in some of their more recent cases, with it sliding out of the front instead of back). The dust filters also let quite a lot of small particles through, so I've doubled up the front one. And taped up the bottom one. There 5.25 bays can let dust in too - pretty sure you're planning to fill them? - but as it happens one can rig up a fan expelling air from them with cable ties.

Secondly, the mobo tray is flexible. I had to bung some washers under some of the standoffs in order for it to line up better (not perfectly though) with the expansion slots. Results in having to push the other side of the tray when installing a gpu, or it's way off when screwing it in. Not a mobo specific issue either, it's happened with three of them across different brands. Dunno if this is common in cases though, as it's the only "expensive" case I've had.

Plus side is the room. It's huge. And with that comes great airflow and a whisper quiet system (albeit with an aftermarket gpu cooler fitted). Weighs a ton too so pretty hard to knock over, it's had the better of me many times.

yes need all 4 5.25 bays, actually wanted 5 but needing to compromise.

I've just read similar comment on amazon US re the flimsy mobo tray. Not ideal!

Thanks, sounds like it might not be what I'm after. Annoyingly the Bitfenix Shinobi XL sounded ideal but now discontinued.... typical!