Fractal Define R3 - Arctic White

[Etherton]

Just got my R3 this past weekend and everything is somewhat done. I still need to figure out how to hide the wiring behind the HDD cage and between the gap of the motherboard area and HDD cage. Will probably order some longer SATA cables and try to reroute them... I replaced the 2 stock fans with a pair of Enermax and a pair of Thermaltake fans for lighting. Debating on cutting out a window in the side for some plexiglass....

Likes :

Overall build quality (white finish excellent)
very clean design
room for several HDDs (9 + 1 if you needed)
dust filters on front and lower fans
quick release of HDDs
Its quiet (almost too quiet) with the side panel in place!

Dislikes :

not enough room in the cable management area behind the mobo and outer panel. Panel actually bulges out a little.
rubber grommets where the wiring goes through are very easy to pop out of place and EXTREMELY difficult to put back in place!
only 2 stock fans?
plastic door on a $110 case? (and it needs reversible hinges imo)

Let me know what you guys think...

 

[atarione]

why take a "quiet (almost too quiet)" case and make it not that quiet putting a window in ??

i sure wouldn't

 

[Etherton]

Its in the closet (aprox 15' from KB/M & monitor) so the noise was never an issue for me... coming from an Antec 900 this case was mainly bought for cable management.

 

[atarione]

well if it is in a closet why put a window in it???

 

[Shaman]

Not much point in buying a case with noise absortion material applied to the side panels if your plan is to put a window in it.

But then again, there's not much point in buying a case with white interior if it doesn't have a window to show it off...

 

[Topweasel]

Never been a huge fan of Fractal's as far as enthusiasts cases go, but I have to comment that they are quickly becoming my go to for media servers. Most of the time to get that many HDD options that fractal gives you, you get a cheap look with the HDD screwed to the case (like an HDD channel). Thermaltake is annoying with that on their $70-$150 cases.