Other cases to consider that are similar to Fractal Design Define R3?

simonprr

simonprr

simonprr

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Hi,

Been trying to decide on a new case for ages, the Fractal Design Define R3 Midi Tower Case [http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-FD&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1556] looks like it's almost perfect and has great reviews but I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest any others I should also look at to compare. The R3 is probably a little more than I need, ie. I don't need that many drive bays and I'm not sure I like the door on the front and certainly don't need the holes in the back for external water cooling! There is so many cases I don't know where to start! :confused:

My requirements:


Midi Tower
Spec to go in Case: Q9400 2.66Ghz CPU, 8GB RAM, GTX 460, 2xHDs, 1xSSD, 1xDVDR
Black
Quiet with sound absorbing material a bonus
Good Cable Management
Reasonable Cooling Performance
Occasional Gaming
No Water Cooling apart from possibility to change stock Intel heatsink/fan to an All-in-1 Hydro CPU Cooler or bigger quieter fan in the future
Reasonably Future Proof
Look Good/Without Door on the front if possible



Thanks! :D
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the suggestions - does the Fractal Design Arc Midi have sound absorbing/deadening material in it like the R3 does? It doesn't mention it on spec's so I guessing not but need to check... :)
 
No it does not. R3 is quieter case...
But
Noise is almost entirely from fans and HDDs... and both can be very quiet.
 
Lian Li are very good quality cases. R3 is quieter and yes, more fans bays.

Only mods I made on R3 (really R2) are:
* Used SilverStone magnetic filters on bottom and top (so dust wouldn't settle in when PC is off).
* Raise case for 50mm clearance so air can get to bottom fans (quiets fans as well as more air flow). I removed stock feet and made a custom base with casters.
 
doyll said:
No it does not. R3 is quieter case...
But
Noise is almost entirely from fans and HDDs... and both can be very quiet.
Click to expand...

Ah yes good point!

Mei said:
i agree with the above, you are better off replacing that intel cooler instead of relying on sound dampening

something like the gelid i guess one of the cheapest options
what is best all depends on budget rly :P

u can get this lian-li for same price as the fractal
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-268-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

less fan spots but thats not always a bad thing
Click to expand...

Yes I would like to replace the intel cooler but always a little nervous when playing around with anything to do with the CPU! Whats the "gelid" you mention?

The Lian-li looks very nice... does it have space behind the motherboard tray to run cabling etc? And does it have dust filters on the fans like the R3?

doyll said:
Lian Li are very good quality cases. R3 is quieter and yes, more fans bays.

Only mods I made on R3 (really R2) are:
* Used SilverStone magnetic filters on bottom and top (so dust wouldn't settle in when PC is off).
* Raise case for 50mm clearance so air can get to bottom fans (quiets fans as well as more air flow). I removed stock feet and made a custom base with casters.
Click to expand...

I regularly have issues with dust collecting in my current cases, how do these "SilverStone magnetic filters" stop that happening?

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful! :D
 
My R2 is on the floor and has not been cleaned in 4-5 months... the Silverstone magnetic is on bottom with a piece of ribbon tied through one of the mounting holes to make it easier to get off... I take it out and clean every 3-5 weeks when I vacuum front filters.

R2/3 have removable filter for PSU, but front and bottom are not removeable. Front no problem to vacuum, but bottom is obviously a problem unless you want to tip case over to get at it. That's reason for SilverStone there. Top was not really needed as PC is on 24/7, but I ordered some extra when I got a good deal. (£3.23 @)

I replaced stock front & back fans with Akasa FN053 PWM and put Thermalright TY-140 PWM on bottom. Have TY-140s on Phanteks cooler ATM because I needed some bits from Phanteks to convert there fans to PWM. All fans temp controlled so normal idle is 730rpm.

Sorry to ramble. Lots more info if needed.
 
doyll said:
My R2 is on the floor and has not been cleaned in 4-5 months... the Silverstone magnetic is on bottom with a piece of ribbon tied through one of the mounting holes to make it easier to get off... I take it out and clean every 3-5 weeks when I vacuum front filters.

R2/3 have removable filter for PSU, but front and bottom are not removeable. Front no problem to vacuum, but bottom is obviously a problem unless you want to tip case over to get at it. That's reason for SilverStone there. Top was not really needed as PC is on 24/7, but I ordered some extra when I got a good deal. (£3.23 @)

I replaced stock front & back fans with Akasa FN053 PWM and put Thermalright TY-140 PWM on bottom. Have TY-140s on Phanteks cooler ATM because I needed some bits from Phanteks to convert there fans to PWM. All fans temp controlled so normal idle is 730rpm.

Sorry to ramble. Lots more info if needed.
Click to expand...

Interesting...are you able to post a picture to show me what you mean?

Whats PWM?

freddie64 said:
Will be one of these.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gelid GX7 High Performance Quiet PC Cooler (Socket Intel 775/1366/1155/6 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/FM1) £39.98
1 x Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £24.12
Total : £76.40 (includes shipping : £10.25).

Click to expand...

Ah cool, they look mental. I guess I would be ok with space in the R3 to fit one of those in the case?
 
doyll said:
Exactly what do you want a picture of? I'm not pulling out my case and flipping it on it's side to take a picture.. and definitely not when I don't know what you want to see to understand what I mean... I am mean. :D

PWM = Pulse-width modulation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation
Click to expand...

Did you mean that you have installed a fan with it's own dust grill so you don't have to turn the case upside down and clean the built in one? :confused:

daver said:
Should do, they are both less than 160mm height, I have the NH-D14 in my R3 which is 160mm
Click to expand...

Great :cool:

doyll said:
Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure Edition is also a very good cooler
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-037-AL
Click to expand...

Nice, cheaper too... I only have a Q9400 2.66Ghz CPU so are these coolers a little overkill when they are designed for i7/i5 CPUs etc? Although I know my CPU is old now! :rolleyes:

Thanks guys! :D
 
Did you mean that you have installed a fan with it's own dust grill so you don't have to turn the case upside down and clean the built in one?
Click to expand...
I simple put a Silverstone 140mm magnetic filter on the bottom over existing 140mm vent.. with a piece of ribbon to grab tied to it so it's easy to pull off. Also raised case to 60mm off floor so fans have easy air access. This make things quieter too.

Nice, cheaper too... I only have a Q9400 2.66Ghz CPU so are these coolers a little overkill when they are designed for i7/i5 CPUs etc? Although I know my CPU is old now!
Click to expand...
Overkill to an overclocker? :eek:
I'm only OCed to 3.5GHz @ 58c @ 1180rpm with fans that will run 1300rpm and I want 3 of the new Thermalright TY-143 fans that will do 2500rpm. :D

But yeah, you don't need the biggest, bestest, baddest, loudest cooler to have a nice cool CPU with a good overclock. I had a Noctua NH-U12P doing a very good job @ 70c @ 1300rpm. Just got a super deal on the Phanteks.

Wife has an Athlon II X4 620 2.6GHz CPU on a nice little Zaward Vapor 120 that sell for less the 20 quid and it's OCed to 3.5GHz @ 45c... which was all we could get it to do.. not because it was too hot, it just didn't like more clocking.
 
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