The one thing I was going to say about in the R3 was that it looks like there is a lack of space between the top of the motherboard and the roof for a radiator. And then Boom! The define XL on the next page, that thing is going to see more radiator grills than I have had hot dinners.
R2 is a great case - if you have one of the first batches. If not, well, then good luck, as QA got lost somewhere and most of the cases they ship now have bad quality.
Originally Posted by faugusztin R2 is a great case - if you have one of the first batches. If not, well, then good luck, as QA got lost somewhere and most of the cases they ship now have bad quality.
I have no idea what batch my R2 was but its built quality (and overall quality) is excellent.
Its easily the best case I have ever owned. Great looking, quite and with plenty of expandability. The only downside is the inability to use a HD5970 without serious HD bay modification.
Cases that offer such great HDD options are always a plus in my book. Fractal Design make some amazing looking cases and cable tidying options built-in, while readily available from other case manufacturers, are a welcome addition. I'm definitely considering buying the Define XL based on what I've seen so far; hopefully Bit-tech do a review when it's released.
Originally Posted by Article The first time we looked at a Fractal Design case was when we reviewed the R2 at the start of the year, and it excited plenty of interest - 177 comments might just be a record for a case
Actually the array always had 6 hdds + slot for 1 2.5" so thats nothing new, the new version of the array from what i read on a swedish forum where they frequent was that it was gonna get an extra expansionslot aka mini-dtx formfactor tho its possible that this was scrapped.
I've heard recommendations towards the Fractal Design cases left right and centre for a couple of years now: It'd be nice to get a real-life comparison between those and other competing cases such as the Sileo series and PaQT 4u.
Those cases look similar to the Antec P190 that I had and I didnt like the P190 because it was hard to work with. The motherboard didnt have much space around it making installation difficult. I hope those cases dont have the same problem. Thank god I changed my case for a Corsair Obsidian 800D which is a thousand times better in my opinion.
Having bought an R2, I cannot contemplate going back to shitty cases again. Huge upgrade for me seeing as my last case was a shitty thermaltake dragon, so obviously my opinion is quite squewed, However, I do adore the temperatures i get and the ability to turn the fans up and down with the modded fan controller.
on a side note, anyone know what value the pot is inside the fan controller bundled with the R2 because i burned mine out. Thinking it was retarded to have a fan controller on the back of the machine, i just popped it in the front and the contacts shorted, burning a couple of tracks out and the pot, so i bridged the contacts with wire, and everythings kosher. Except i burned the pot out. Pro tip: it may be running at 12v but lol it could be expensive if you **** it up.
Originally Posted by Lockon Stratos the R2 looks like a cross between a Antec P182 & Coolermaster Centurion 590 *yawn* need moar originality pls
How much originality do you expect. It's a box holding the same parts as every other box. Besides, a ton of R&D increases cost, something Fractal isn't about.
I think these guys have the right idea, start with a good solid design, add some tweaks, make it looks nice, and stick your label on it. Is it market changing? No, but it makes for a darn nice case for a good price that requires little effort to be what you want.
How many cases are totally original or market changing? They can't all be.
Originally Posted by urobulos And you are basing the above statement on what exactly?
Statement of one of the distributors (who is my friend), lots of the cases they get now have bitumens not glued correctly, sometimes the bitumen on moduvents is not fitted correctly (hell, even my case from the one of the 1st batches have one moduvent where there are no holes for fan screws in bitumen, so the bitumen is having a U shape on it). Also there is a problem with the feets (see SPCR review for example), some have problems with 5.25" bays, rivets not 100% secure and we can continue.
Don't think i have anything against Fractal Design - the case is awesome, i own it - but their QA should be better, a lot better.
I like what I'm seeing. BUT I really wish they would make a better dust filter solution before they start production. Screwing them in is very awkward. Quick fit along the lines of the Antec darkfleet would be great.
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ReplyThey have some damn nice products..
keep up the good work. the XL looks fantastic.
the R3 seems based on the coolermaster 690 (bottom and backside) , just like many other cases.
I have no idea what batch my R2 was but its built quality (and overall quality) is excellent.
Its easily the best case I have ever owned. Great looking, quite and with plenty of expandability. The only downside is the inability to use a HD5970 without serious HD bay modification.
can't wait to see these on the market in the US.
That's because there were only 117 ;)
on a side note, anyone know what value the pot is inside the fan controller bundled with the R2 because i burned mine out. Thinking it was retarded to have a fan controller on the back of the machine, i just popped it in the front and the contacts shorted, burning a couple of tracks out and the pot, so i bridged the contacts with wire, and everythings kosher. Except i burned the pot out. Pro tip: it may be running at 12v but lol it could be expensive if you **** it up.
How much originality do you expect. It's a box holding the same parts as every other box. Besides, a ton of R&D increases cost, something Fractal isn't about.
I think these guys have the right idea, start with a good solid design, add some tweaks, make it looks nice, and stick your label on it. Is it market changing? No, but it makes for a darn nice case for a good price that requires little effort to be what you want.
How many cases are totally original or market changing? They can't all be.
Statement of one of the distributors (who is my friend), lots of the cases they get now have bitumens not glued correctly, sometimes the bitumen on moduvents is not fitted correctly (hell, even my case from the one of the 1st batches have one moduvent where there are no holes for fan screws in bitumen, so the bitumen is having a U shape on it). Also there is a problem with the feets (see SPCR review for example), some have problems with 5.25" bays, rivets not 100% secure and we can continue.
Don't think i have anything against Fractal Design - the case is awesome, i own it - but their QA should be better, a lot better.
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