Looking for final approval on a case choice. I've got a Xigmatek Asgard at the moment, and I'm looking for something a bit sleeker, quieter with better cable management and with more room to work in. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Fractal R3. Any big pitfalls or problems I've not spotted. Seems to be a highly regarded...
Fractal R3... any good?
- Thread starter kristmace
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I've got the Define Mini - absolutely love it, good cable management, everything hidden, easy to clean the intake fan filters, built in noise dampening, and it costs less than £100. What more could you want?
Having made a newbuild in an R3 for a friend, I can say that they're a joy to work in, with heaps of space and nice solutions for most things. There are two problems I noticed, however. Firstly, the panels are pretty thin - 0.6mm as I recall - and for me this meant that I bent one slightly which made it difficult to put back on. Might have just been me though. Secondly, the rubber lining on the cable routing holes is crap. It's loose and comes off easily.
Other than that, really good case and very good value for money. It's really quiet, though my friend took the side opening off to stick another 120mm fan on, which unfortunately has the side effect that his dual 6950s are quite audible.
I'm going for a Corsair 550D myself.
Other than that, really good case and very good value for money. It's really quiet, though my friend took the side opening off to stick another 120mm fan on, which unfortunately has the side effect that his dual 6950s are quite audible.
I'm going for a Corsair 550D myself.
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Having made a newbuild in an R3 for a friend, I can say that they're a joy to work in, with heaps of space and nice solutions for most things. There are two problems I noticed, however. Firstly, the panels are pretty thin - 0.6mm as I recall - and for me this meant that I bent one slightly which made it difficult to put back on. Might have just been me though. Secondly, the rubber lining on the cable routing holes is crap. It's loose and comes off easily.
Other than that, really good case and very good value for money. It's really quiet, though my friend took the side opening off to stick another 120mm fan on, which unfortunately has the side effect that his dual 6950s are quite audible.
I'm going for a Corsair 550D myself.
The thickness of the panels didn't bother me, I didn't even notice they were all that thin and flimsey? Plus the rubber around the routing holes whilst it does come off relatively easily - it is also put back in place relatively easily too.
Heh, you'd think I'd be kinder to my countrymen. 
But yeah, it is a really good case, especially at the price. If one is looking for a quiet, minimalistic case with extra features for less than £100, it's the one I'd go for as well. I think my memory of the building experience may be affected by the fact that it was 32 degrees in Stockholm that day.
But yeah, it is a really good case, especially at the price. If one is looking for a quiet, minimalistic case with extra features for less than £100, it's the one I'd go for as well. I think my memory of the building experience may be affected by the fact that it was 32 degrees in Stockholm that day.
I love my r3 
the only two annoyances for me are the rubber grommets (this is actually my first case that has them anyway ) and the fact that the 120mm spacings on the roof are 25mm and not 15mm which means no slim 240mm rad 
although I am modding a 360mm rad into the front (link to log in sig )
the only two annoyances for me are the rubber grommets (this is actually my first case that has them anyway ) and the fact that the 120mm spacings on the roof are 25mm and not 15mm which means no slim 240mm rad although I am modding a 360mm rad into the front (link to log in sig )I have the Define XL and its a brill case.
The only negative is the cable management hole by the PSU.
Dont know what it is like in the R3 though.
If you fancy the XL, it is awesome, there are more pics of it in my thread here.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18363603
The only negative is the cable management hole by the PSU.
Dont know what it is like in the R3 though.
If you fancy the XL, it is awesome, there are more pics of it in my thread here.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18363603
Very nice case, Ive just bought the R3 very minimalist looks and a dam sexy case I think. Plus its a small case and you have a job getting nice small atx cases nowadays.
The only 2 probs with it, the grommits come out really easy and not very much room behind the motherboard tray.
My R3 Pics
The led is blue and the case looks so much better then that in the flesh.. Think I should take a pic in the daylight without the flash on.
The only 2 probs with it, the grommits come out really easy and not very much room behind the motherboard tray.
My R3 Pics
The led is blue and the case looks so much better then that in the flesh.. Think I should take a pic in the daylight without the flash on.
So what if yours is bigger, it dont mean its better, it just takes up more desk or floor space.. I see pics of ppls cases on here and theres enough room inside to swing double decker buses around in a lot of them. Whats the point of all that empty space? Empty space is unnecessary space
Ordered. Should be here by the end of the week.
Nice, what colour?
