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Fractal Design Arc Midi

U

undermined

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Messages
423
I was also waiting a while for this case to be available (although I chose a different case instead)

The top mounted 240mm radiator goes to show how stupid case designers have been in the past, it's nice this case did it but it's sad how many could but don't.

The case looks very sleek but I think the huge logo is a step back from the F3, which looked a little better in my opinion.

I chose the HEC Blitz instead, even though price was not a concern. I feel like I analyzed nearly every case on the market, so it's funny I chose the Blitz, but the Blitz is shorter than the Midi (which I prefer), and is ready for a 240mm rad up top. Also liked the no branding on the case. With water cooling and some Scythe fans it will be just as quiet, and I'm going to pop out the mesh and replace with acrylic. Should be a pretty beastly little $40 case for water cooling.
 
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Thanks much! I just pulled the trigger. Pays to stay up late. :)

Toughest decision for me was whether to go with the Midi or the Mini. I like the slightly smaller size of the Mini, but finally decided to go with the larger Midi for more flexibility. I suppose I'll see how it strikes me when it arrives.

Thanks again! Have been waiting since January!
 
For those of you who like their cases windowed:

"Hi,



We are working on a windowed sidepanel that will be sold as a separate item. It will be avaliable for both Arc and Define Midi. Currently no dates have been set, but it is a priority project, so we hope to have more info soon.



Best Regards

Fractal Design"
Click to expand...

Color me excited.
 
The normal and MicroATX versions are very nice. I'm adding them to my consideration list for when I do my upgrade. I'll probably grab either the Mini or the 600T White. Decisions decisions.
 
I hate how they carve "FRACTAL" in ugly print into the front of their case in huge lettering
 
I got mine now and while the embossed logo is kinda large because of the color it is fairly subdued and I'm using it in a sorta dark room so I can barely see the lettering eitherway.

On a side note the quality of the paint , while really smooth and even is not durable like a powder-coat might have been.

Other than that the quality is A+, the stock fans are decent, all the standoffs lined up as did the I/O hole and the expansion slot holes and the vent filters are very nice and I'm very happy for the money I spent on it.
 
Great...now I'm torn between choosing the Lian Li PC-9F or the Arc Midi. The cooling potential and black interior of the Midi is so appealing, but I just love the simplicity and cleanliness of the PC-9F.
 
undermined said:
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=57

Really nice, highly anticipated case finally in stock in the US at Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352007&Tpk=N82E16811352007

I was waiting for it to get in stock for a while now for my new build so I was really happy when I checked Newegg this morning to see it was finally available.

Now all I need is the Corsair H100 to come into stock somewhere and get reviewed. :)
Click to expand...

Still not a good case. Why don't more people make Antec 100/300/900 style cases is beyond me. Those cases are just pure pwnage for both gaming and file servers!
 
Maybe it's just me, but after my expierence with antec cases vs others, I'd take this case in a heartbeat over an Antec 300\900.

- the inside is actually painted
- Cable management is better (As in, it was actually considered)
- HDD's are mounted sideways (allows for larger cards before having to removing a HDD rack)
- Vents in the bottom that allow you to flip the PSU.
- Dust filters

I had an antec 900, and it didn't have any of these. Everything fit in it, but I never liked it. The side panel fan orientation interfered with a large tower HSF, the fans it came with where not that great.... well this is one mans opinion (And take it as such, if you are all about the Antec cases I mean go for it!) but I just think Antec is really behind in features.
 
vitaminc said:
Still not a good case. Why don't more people make Antec 100/300/900 style cases is beyond me. Those cases are just pure pwnage for both gaming and file servers!
Click to expand...

Maybe because for the money the bay design from the Antec cases is a afterthought.

The Arc Midi is extra wide too. none of the Antec models i looked into were deep enough to handle long graphic cards and multiple harddrives cleanly.

Don't get me wrong I rocked a antec like this one:

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/antecsx830/2.html

for 3 builds before I finally finished this last build. damn near 10 years in that case.

They were once my go to case but their designs are not flexible for cable routing and the Arc Midi came with 3 140mm fans with space for more and a really flexible top plate that can fit a 60mm radiator or a 180mm fan for a few 140mm fans.

The Antec cases need too many compromises fro the cost for me and the Arc Midi only really has 2 drawbacks and that is the plastic logo-d front and that the paint can scratch easily.

I carefully considered every case on the market and for about $100 this case has more space that most other cases that cost more.

The only way another case might have won me over would have been if a company in the US made a chassis and kept the price close because waiting for newegg to stock it for months wasn't fun.
 
Why do they put that logo anyways? They are getting our money either way, and probably more money if the logo wasn't there. It's not really advertising because anyone who is interested in a case like with these features knows what it is or can figure it out.
 
I do- finished it on Wednesday and hopefully some pictures over the weekend.

Two things so far-

1) Side panels are so hard to get off :eek: You gotta fight with them
2) All thumb screws in the case require a screw driver to take them off
 
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