Phanteks Evolv atx vs Fractal Design R5

Shingyboy · 7 May 2016 at 18:11

My current system is on a Corsair Carbide 500R, It is a decent enough case but I feel like it is time for an upgrade.
My friend told me about how he has a Fractal Design R4 and that it was so efficient at keeping out the dust he barely had to clean it even though he built the system 1 and a half years ago, I can't say the same for my Carbide 500R.
I have been looking a lot at different cases and I would also like for it to be as quiet as possible, which prompted me to think that the R5 is probably my best bet.

I however really like the look of the Evolv and the design of the interior as well, my only concern is that it might be loud, which I am hoping it is not. I also think that it looks like it would be just as good at keeping out dust as the R5.

The one thing I am also keeping on the lookout for is that the Evolv has a tempered glass version which looks fantastic, but again how would that impact sound and cooling performance?

Which one would be better for standard air cooling? and lastly if I should replace the stock fans of the case in favour of some quieter ones which are the best I can possibly get?

I know the Evolv is more expensive but I really do not mind spending the extra money on it. But if the R5 is flat out better in every regard then I would obviously buy that case.

d_brennen · 7 May 2016 at 18:30

Massive Fractal fan here, no contest imo. Been a Define XL user for years and while that's impractically big for most, cooling, noise and aesthetics are spot on.

Depends on how much you want that window imo

Cenedd · 7 May 2016 at 20:12

Have a look at the Fractal Design Define S if you want something comparable to the Evolv. The Define S has better top ventilation and is cheaper. It's not got the thick alu panel thin going on but it's probably better for internal watercooling. Have a look at my build log for some bad pics of a Define S build and OJ46's 'Dripping with style or flood disaster' for an Evolv build.

Shingyboy · 7 May 2016 at 21:07

Cenedd said:
Have a look at the Fractal Design Define S if you want something comparable to the Evolv. The Define S has better top ventilation and is cheaper. It's not got the thick alu panel thin going on but it's probably better for internal watercooling. Have a look at my build log for some bad pics of a Define S build and OJ46's 'Dripping with style or flood disaster' for an Evolv build.

I was thinking of the Define S but I can't quite remember I think it was meant to be not as flexible or inferior to the R5 is it not? I do not even know if that is true so I kind of just overlooked it.

Cenedd · 7 May 2016 at 22:53

I think it's just a different layout. Neither the Evolv or the Define S has 5.25" drive bays so that means no CD/DVD/Bluray unless you go USB.
The Define S has room for 3 full size HDDs and a couple of SSDs. The Evolv has room for 2 HDDs and 3 SSDs but you can also install shelves to add more (although might be ugly).

Both mean sacrificing internal CD but in return you get a wall of fans down the front. The Define S has a flat mesh top with modular covers in case you don't have top rad and want a closed top. The Evolv has an alu top over the inside case so it is flat but air intake/exhaus is limited.

In a nutshell, they're very similar. The Evolv has the looks but the Define S is probably more functional...and cheaper.

Shingyboy · 8 May 2016 at 01:42

Cenedd said:
I think it's just a different layout. Neither the Evolv or the Define S has 5.25" drive bays so that means no CD/DVD/Bluray unless you go USB.
The Define S has room for 3 full size HDDs and a couple of SSDs. The Evolv has room for 2 HDDs and 3 SSDs but you can also install shelves to add more (although might be ugly).

Both mean sacrificing internal CD but in return you get a wall of fans down the front. The Define S has a flat mesh top with modular covers in case you don't have top rad and want a closed top. The Evolv has an alu top over the inside case so it is flat but air intake/exhaus is limited.

In a nutshell, they're very similar. The Evolv has the looks but the Define S is probably more functional...and cheaper.

I see, I do not think I will need the 5.25" bays at all to be fair, okay.

So pretty much the Evolv is a prettier version of the Define S? Which to be fair I do not think I mind paying for, you did say it is more functional but since they are so similar what makes the Define S more functional?

£70 difference in price though yikes....

DBT85 · 8 May 2016 at 07:11

I love the look of the Evolv ATX too but the limted airflow puts me off since I can't be bothered with drilling out a nice pattern in the top/front for vents.

The other option you have is the Phanteks Pro M which is the same chassis as the Evolv ATX but with much better front and top airflow, also a lot cheaper like the Define S and you have an optional 5.25" that can be removed for a bigger rad.

I'm in a similar pickle as yourself and can't make my mind up.

The Fractal S looks nicer than the Pro M but I'm wondering about air flow through the front since its just a flat panel and only vents are on the sides. Though tbh most of the issue with the Evolv ATX I think is heat exhaust out the top. Just watching some videos of the Fractal S and I think I might have found what I want!

I'm going to be holding off for a few months and will then see how I feel, I need to buy all the watercooling stuff anyway.

EDIT:
Just saw this one comparing the Pro M and the Fractal S which was really useful among a few others. Fractal S for me! Support for 3x 140mm fans top and front and so the option of 420mm rad at the top (not sure why its not listed for the front) and the extra ssd caddy (over the Pro M), extra 140mm fan included.

It'll be here Tuesday ready for my impulse 6700k that I ordered yesterday! lol

Then I can take some time and decide on watercooling options.

Cenedd · 8 May 2016 at 09:13

Have a really good measure up before you order rads. What they quote as fitting may not all fit at the same time.
If I remember correctly you can get a 120.3 rad in the top but only a 120.2 in the front unless they're both really thin - and probably less effective.
You can get 140's in the top but you have to be careful they don't hit the RAM or the motherboard. The rads are set towards the windowed side so a 120 gives more clearance between motherboard and rad than a 140.

The build I did, we got a 120.2 60mm thick (Alphacool UT60 x-flow) in the top and a 120.3 60mm thick (EK XE) in the front.

One major case difference is the Evolv has a PSU shroud to hide cabling sins but the Define S doesn't. The Define S has a slightly deeper rear cavity though.

DBT85 · 8 May 2016 at 11:24

Oh they deffo won't all fit the max size, so I'll have a look and a measure and see where I stand. In no rush either so I can take my time and get it right.

Shingyboy · 8 May 2016 at 12:56

DBT85 said:
I love the look of the Evolv ATX too but the limted airflow puts me off since I can't be bothered with drilling out a nice pattern in the top/front for vents.

The other option you have is the Phanteks Pro M which is the same chassis as the Evolv ATX but with much better front and top airflow, also a lot cheaper like the Define S and you have an optional 5.25" that can be removed for a bigger rad.

I'm in a similar pickle as yourself and can't make my mind up.

The Fractal S looks nicer than the Pro M but I'm wondering about air flow through the front since its just a flat panel and only vents are on the sides. Though tbh most of the issue with the Evolv ATX I think is heat exhaust out the top. Just watching some videos of the Fractal S and I think I might have found what I want!

I'm going to be holding off for a few months and will then see how I feel, I need to buy all the watercooling stuff anyway.

EDIT:
Just saw this one comparing the Pro M and the Fractal S which was really useful among a few others. Fractal S for me! Support for 3x 140mm fans top and front and so the option of 420mm rad at the top (not sure why its not listed for the front) and the extra ssd caddy (over the Pro M), extra 140mm fan included.

It'll be here Tuesday ready for my impulse 6700k that I ordered yesterday! lol

Then I can take some time and decide on watercooling options.

Just out of interest you said that the airflow of the Evolv is not good? I did not even realise that, I thought the airflow was not really bad. The airflow for the Define S is pretty much the same because of the front of the case?

DBT85 · 8 May 2016 at 13:14

Shingyboy said:
Just out of interest you said that the airflow of the Evolv is not good? I did not even realise that, I thought the airflow was not really bad. The airflow for the Define S is pretty much the same because of the front of the case?

I'm only going on the Evolve because of the comments in the owners thread about heat buildup and people removing top/side panels to help cool it down.

The Define S has the vents in the top which let a lot more heat out and the front panel has a roughly 2cm vent all the way around to let air in the front, I think the Evolv ATX is a much smaller gap between the panels to let air in.

Plenty of people with them and happy with them in the thread though so it can't be that bad. Just my preference! I was actually one of the first people in line for the Evolv ATX when it released but had to cancel as I was so busy with my house. Had I not I'd have one right now!

Shingyboy · 8 May 2016 at 16:18

DBT85 said:
I'm only going on the Evolve because of the comments in the owners thread about heat buildup and people removing top/side panels to help cool it down.

The Define S has the vents in the top which let a lot more heat out and the front panel has a roughly 2cm vent all the way around to let air in the front, I think the Evolv ATX is a much smaller gap between the panels to let air in.

Plenty of people with them and happy with them in the thread though so it can't be that bad. Just my preference! I was actually one of the first people in line for the Evolv ATX when it released but had to cancel as I was so busy with my house. Had I not I'd have one right now!

Well let me know how your experience with the Define S goes, I am a very indecisive person sometimes so I think I am going to think on it a bit more.

One thing I would like to ask now that I think about it, I do not really plan to watercool my build when I migrate it over, so with that in mind, am I looking at the wrong cases here? I kind of just like the idea of hiding SSDs and HDDs behind the motherboard tray with these layouts.

DBT85 · 8 May 2016 at 17:09

Shingyboy said:
Well let me know how your experience with the Define S goes, I am a very indecisive person sometimes so I think I am going to think on it a bit more.

One thing I would like to ask now that I think about it, I do not really plan to watercool my build when I migrate it over, so with that in mind, am I looking at the wrong cases here? I kind of just like the idea of hiding SSDs and HDDs behind the motherboard tray with these layouts.

I'll put a post up when I'm done but the watercooling will be a few months unless I have another splurge lol.

It's a nice open case so even if not watercooling, you've got loads of room to run big fans nice and slowly to keep it all cool inside and quiet too.

JediFragger · 8 May 2016 at 18:22

Define S is *awesome* and I love mine. Loaaaaaads of space, even with 3 HDD's and 3 SSD's installed at the rear!!

Quiet too with the deadening on the side panels :cool:

Cenedd · 8 May 2016 at 19:56

Shingyboy said:
I kind of just like the idea of hiding SSDs and HDDs behind the motherboard tray with these layouts.

M.2 mounted on the motherboard - budget permitting. Fast but also eliminates one SATA cable and one SATA power cable. Tidy

Shingyboy · 8 May 2016 at 20:14

Does anyone know if CableMod's RGB lighting strip works with the Phanteks Evolv's LED control?

But my build that I have currently in my signature, everything would fit in either case right? I am just a bit worried about my CPU heatsink fan, I am sure motherboard should be okay right?

KraniX · 9 May 2016 at 10:11

I have the R5 in white, quite disappointed with it to be honest.

The metal and plastic are quite different shades of white, the plastic is more yellowy than anything. If you go for the black then might be fine but if this is their quality control then I'd question their eyesight.

Is much louder than I expected given the soundproofing, my Antec 300 was quieter with the same HSF, graphics card and two case fans.

Also emits an annoying hum, I've tried resitting the motherboard, tightening/loosening everything and even the surface/desk it sits on but still persists. Isn't the PSU, I've tried taking out the filters too and only goes away if I physically hold the PC.

Just my own personal experience obviously, heard great things about the R5 so had really high expectations.

Shingyboy · 9 May 2016 at 12:06

KraniX said:
I have the R5 in white, quite disappointed with it to be honest.

The metal and plastic are quite different shades of white, the plastic is more yellowy than anything. If you go for the black then might be fine but if this is their quality control then I'd question their eyesight.

Is much louder than I expected given the soundproofing, my Antec 300 was quieter with the same HSF, graphics card and two case fans.

Also emits an annoying hum, I've tried resitting the motherboard, tightening/loosening everything and even the surface/desk it sits on but still persists. Isn't the PSU, I've tried taking out the filters too and only goes away if I physically hold the PC.

Just my own personal experience obviously, heard great things about the R5 so had really high expectations.

That is a bit of the shame I actually really liked the look of the white version. By any chance could you post pics of it? What about building into it what was your experience like?

KraniX · 9 May 2016 at 13:48

Shingyboy said:
That is a bit of the shame I actually really liked the look of the white version. By any chance could you post pics of it? What about building into it what was your experience like?

I'll try and post a few pics tonight.

In fairness the build was good, lots of room inside and all came together quite easily iirc.

The white was what attracted me too, I went for a white SuperFlower Leadex Platinum PSU at the same time.

francky · 9 May 2016 at 15:50

Just chipping in as an Evolve ATX owner; it really is one of the nicest looking cases I've ever seen (I know that's subjective) and also the build quality is second to none...but the airflow is very poor...it might not be such an issue with air-cooling, but is really does suffocate rad airflow...if I take off the front cover for example my GPU temps drop by 12 degrees in gaming.....I've modded mine a touch to stop hot air bouncing off the roof back into the case....but its still not that ideal as they are higher than they should be on a custom loop....I would swap it for something different if I didn't like how much it looks so much...so all in all.....great case...terrible airflow.