Reviews - Fractal Design Define R4

[HEXUS]

Is Fractal's latest one of the best sub-£100 chassis on the market?

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[Roobubba]

That looks superb - all the things I want in a case with the performance to match it. I'd be sorely tempted to rebuild my current rig into one of these, as the Lian Li I have is too noisy (despite being allegedly built for quietness...).
Great job, Fractal! For me, this deserves more than the 4* you've given it here! I guess I should reserve that statement until I've actually used one though.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

That looks superb - all the things I want in a case with the performance to match it. I'd be sorely tempted to rebuild my current rig into one of these, as the Lian Li I have is too noisy (despite being allegedly built for quietness...).
Great job, Fractal! For me, this deserves more than the 4* you've given it here! I guess I should reserve that statement until I've actually used one though.

Did a build for a mate using the R3 - its a lovely case and has very clean looks.

[freedomzero]

Very attractive indeed. Wish they have other colours though.

[Willzzz]

Is the 'unsightly' toggle switch a big deal when it is behind a closed door?

[MrJim]

Seems like a decent case, but still a bit too much money for what you get IMHO. I've recently put together a system with an Antec Three-hundred Two case, which offers pretty much the same features (albeit without the sound-proofing) for about half the money. For budget systems, I think Antec are hard to beat.

[cptwhite_uk]

I've built into an Antec 300, and I've just built my new rig in the Fractal R4....they are not in the same league, the R4 is better all around. That's not to say the 300 series are bad but they're obviously a cheaper case.

[edzieba]

we want to see Fractal rip-up the Define rule book for the eventual R5

I certainly bloody hope not! Antec did that to the wonderful P180 series, and ended up with the butt-ugly P280 redesigned as a jack-of-all trades: sub-optimum cooling, sub-optimum silencing, and nasty aesthetics. The whole appeal of the Rx cases are: they're quiet, and they're plain unobtrusive boxes.

[Willzzz]

Seems like a decent case, but still a bit too much money for what you get IMHO. I've recently put together a system with an Antec Three-hundred Two case, which offers pretty much the same features (albeit without the sound-proofing) for about half the money. For budget systems, I think Antec are hard to beat.

Cases are one of those components where it makes sense to spend a bit extra because you can reuse the case again and again.

[AGTDenton]

Very attractive indeed. Wish they have other colours though.

With the R3 there was a white edition and after seeing a video wish I had gone for it.
However, the black R3 I have now is still good looking.

It is a very practical and functional chassis. It isn't the best looking but it is better than my Lian-Li at 3 times the price. And for its price it is way ahead of the competition.
Im contemplating swapping my chassis to have the Fractal as my gaming rig and Lian-Li as backup server.

[ajax2061]

For budget systems, I think Antec are hard to beat.

Only had the old superlanboy 2 case but I used to love that case right until the moment I brought a 280gtx which was too long for the case. In the market for a new case soon as my new current case too big and heavy, while this one looks nice I probably will look at Antec again, not sure yet gotta do lots more reading up before I decide

[kidbest100]

One of the worst things "silent" cases are known for, is keeping your computer quiet, right up until it catches of fire, and starts roasting your thanksgiving turkey for you.
However, the R4 seems to be almost the best of both worlds.
They done an ok job of balancing Cooling with noise cancellation

[MrJim]

Cases are one of those components where it makes sense to spend a bit extra because you can reuse the case again and again.

I couldn't agree more. I recently bought a Silverstone FT02 case for my main PC system, which although expensive, will last me for at least another two upgrade cycles, maybe more. The Antec Three Hundred Two was bought for my second system; it seems to offer 90% of what the R4 offers, but for about 50% of the price. Mind you, I've not seen the R4 in the flesh so I'm only going on what I've read in reviews

[MrJim]

One of the worst things "silent" cases are known for, is keeping your computer quiet, right up until it catches of fire, and starts roasting your thanksgiving turkey for you.
However, the R4 seems to be almost the best of both worlds.
They done an ok job of balancing Cooling with noise cancellation

Eeek! I don't know which noise insulating case you're referring to, but I've never known one actually catch fire! Of course sound insulating materials can act as thermal insulation too, but you've got to be doing something pretty seriously wrong if it results in combustion! The only time I've ever had smoke coming from any PC I've put together was years ago when I was cash-strapped & went for an ultra-cheap PSU in a build. Definitely learned a lesson there!

[tony888t]

Nice review, liking the clean look of the Fractal

[cptwhite_uk]

I couldn't agree more. I recently bought a Silverstone FT02 case for my main PC system, which although expensive, will last me for at least another two upgrade cycles, maybe more. The Antec Three Hundred Two was bought for my second system; it seems to offer 90% of what the R4 offers, but for about 50% of the price. Mind you, I've not seen the R4 in the flesh so I'm only going on what I've read in reviews

Actually 57% of the price. You say it offers 90% of the features, but that's a quantitative measurement, of the 90% of features it offers, I'd say qualitatively the R4 does them better, hence the extra cost is worth it.

A hard drive bracket is a hard drive bracket...but the R4's offer SSD fixing points, on removable drive cages, with vibration damping for 3.5" mechanical drives, and are completely toolless, it's the difference between:



and this