Fractal Design's Define S

khemist · 8 Sep 2015 at 18:52

My 360 is 56mm thick, about what i would expect for a normal sized radiator, i consider 30-40mm rads thin.

Tephnos · 8 Sep 2015 at 19:23

Much benefit to rads that thick when you're running two massive ones anyway?

Also, got my Fractal S in today. Big old scratch near one of the allen screw on the back of the case. Getting a replacement.

By the way Khemist, how's your window holding up? Not scratched to hell is it? (I heard its easy).

khemist · 8 Sep 2015 at 19:31

Being able to run fans at a lower speed for decent temps for these RX rads i suppose, bad luck about the scratch.

You can see light scratches in the window if the light hits at a certain angle, a good mod would be to replace it with a nice bit of glass.

smilertoo · 12 Sep 2015 at 00:25

Anyone know if you can put drive cages from the R4 into the bottom of this? I like the reduced size of the S but i need a couple of HDDS as well as the 2 SSDs.

JediFragger · 12 Sep 2015 at 09:49

smilertoo said:
Anyone know if you can put drive cages from the R4 into the bottom of this? I like the reduced size of the S but i need a couple of HDDS as well as the 2 SSDs.

There is space for 3 HDD's at the back of the MoBo tray AND 2 SSD's (I have 2 HDD's and 2 SSD's). Love the fact that I still have space for a nice fat HDD when my pr0n stash is filling up :cool:

Got mine absolutely silent at idle now (well, I wouldn't know it was on unless there wasn't a light!) and the fans all ramp up as needed. Love it! :cool:

MrCool · 16 Sep 2015 at 01:31

I have just bought this case with normal side panel, no window to keep as quiet as possible. Is the windowed one much noisier? Can you get just the windowed side panel? I see you can for the R4/5 etc but supposedly these wont fit?

Tephnos · 16 Sep 2015 at 02:14

MrCool said:
I have just bought this case with normal side panel, no window to keep as quiet as possible. Is the windowed one much noisier? Can you get just the windowed side panel? I see you can for the R4/5 etc but supposedly these wont fit?

A review that did tests actually showed the windowed version slightly quieter than the non windowed version.

Basically, within the margin of error - there's no difference.

MrCool · 16 Sep 2015 at 03:44

Interesting. You would have thought that removing that much sound deadening would have a noticeable effect. Do you have a link to that review? Ideally I will have both panels and could make up my own mind but cant see spare windowed panels anywhere. I guess a lot would depend on how noisy your graphics card etc is.

MrCool · 16 Sep 2015 at 21:15

Seems they don't do just the side panel as a spare

khemist · 16 Sep 2015 at 21:43

Have you sent a message here? http://www.fractal-design-shop.de/kontakt.php - i used that to get the R5 side panel before it appeared as an option on the website.

MrCool · 17 Sep 2015 at 05:59

Nope but sounds like an idea. Thanks.
I could at least find out if they are going to release them for sale to retailers.

hulari · 24 Sep 2015 at 20:39

I hate trying to find a new case. I've gone from a CM Silencio 550, to a Corsair 500R. First was too warm but that was my fault, went over to the Corsair which has too much mesh for my liking and I want to go back to something minimalist and sleek.

Originally looked at the NZXT 440, but reading it gets super hot and the sound dampening behind the tray is thick and causes issues with the cables on the back.

What sort of temperatures does the define S get for you guys with air coolers?

PapaLazaru · 13 Nov 2015 at 19:14

Finally booked some time in to move my rig from my Coolermaster case into the S.

Tidy up this mess.

Orba · 22 Nov 2015 at 17:34

Been looking at this case as part of an upgrade for my 2500K (new case, graphics card, SSDs etc) but I read someone saying that they were not able to fit three 140mm Noctua fans on the mounts at the front of the case, even Fractal Design's own 140mm apparently won't work. Something about the mounting holes not going high enough for all three fans to be properly mounted. Anyone have experience of using three 140mm on the case? No point me buying a full set of fans only to then find out I can't fit them.

PapaLazaru · 22 Nov 2015 at 17:36

Orba said:
Been looking at this case as part of an upgrade for my 2500K (new case, graphics card, SSDs etc) but I read someone saying that they were not able to fit three 140mm Noctua fans on the mounts at the front of the case, even Fractal Design's own 140mm apparently won't work. Something about the mounting holes not going high enough for all three fans to be properly mounted. Anyone have experience of using three 140mm on the case? No point me buying a full set of fans only to then find out I can't fit them.

I've got three Fractal 140's at the front. It was a little tight but only by about 1mm from perfect but was easy enough to squeeze them in.

Orba · 22 Nov 2015 at 22:05

PapaLazaru said:
I've got three Fractal 140's at the front. It was a little tight but only by about 1mm from perfect but was easy enough to squeeze them in.

OK thanks thats what I was wanting to know.

ALEXZ360 · 3 Dec 2015 at 02:18

Looking at getting one of these for my new build, did anyone manage to fit a 360 60mm rad in here anywhere? I have my old EK XTX that I don't really want to get rid of if I can help it

khemist · 3 Dec 2015 at 07:56

You can fit one in the front fine, my RX is 56mm and fits with room to spare.

mrk · 3 Dec 2015 at 11:47

Wow I like that HDD/SSD mounting design, out of sight and when you need to work on them, no need to take the main case panel off. Means dust cleaning and maintenance in the main chamber is easier too.

Might just look at upgrading to one over the Corsair 650D I have now, though I will miss the SATA dock...

Overlag · 17 Dec 2015 at 01:27

Anyone with this case, would it fit a 80mm deep radiator at the front? Ive got a 280mmx80mm Alphacool monsta.