Fractal Design Define R6

[thebluebumblebee]

I would like to see triple fan GPUs being used in these reviews with pictures, despite the mention of "GPUs of up to 440 mm size will fit".

As you wish:

Possibly the best Mid-Tower of 2017 - Fractal Design Define R6

I think the Define R4 supports 8 3,5" dives in addition to 2 2,5" drives, so this is a downgrade in that respect. Not important to most but something to consider when shopping for a NAS case. Otherwise a nice case.

I think this will actually do up to 10 3.5" drives. You have to buy more trays.... Check that video at 9:19, or look at https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Fractal_Design/Define_R6/images/innerside2.jpg

 

[rtwjunkie]

Yeah, I switched the riser cable and front panel prices - personally I think both are ridiculous. The riser should be $20 tops and the front panel with USB Type-C should come standard with the chassis.

I have to agree completely! It is out of character for them, and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

 

[Mussels]

I get the feeling my main system might move to an R6 next year... i was after a glass window, a PSU shroud and an improvement to the top fan mounts and they delivered on all counts

I do like the physical fan switch, but as my current mobo has fan curve support in the BIOS, thats less of a concern than my previous systems which usually had very little PWM controls

 

[AhokZYashA]

a very good improvement from an amazing case,
good airflow (for a silent oriented case), dust filter for all fan mounts, and the flexibility.
if its really up to 10x3.5" drives, i might switch to the R6 next year.

tempered glass is a nice addition too

 

[MustSeeMelons]

Looks nice, though I doubt I would buy one as I have been with a R4 for 4 years now and the R6 looks basically the same. The accessories seem a tad too expensive considering the base price.

 

[Liviu Cojocaru]

I like the case it looks fantastic in white, too bad I've bought my case a few months back the R6 would've been a great Christmas present (on top of all others )

 

[CheapMeat]

No exclusive to Fractal, but am I the only one that doesn't like PSU shrouds? =/

 

[Mussels]

No exclusive to Fractal, but am I the only one that doesn't like PSU shrouds? =/

my PC is all neat and tidy, except the damn PSU wiring is visible :/

why dont you like the shroud?

 

[rtwjunkie]

my PC is all neat and tidy, except the damn PSU wiring is visible :/

why dont you like the shroud?

I can tell you why I don't like it. It impedes the flow of air, since the bottom intake feeds my GPU. In my R4 and other models I use as well, that straight shot of air is the primary fresh, cool air to the GPU.

 

[Mussels]

I can tell you why I don't like it. It impedes the flow of air, since the bottom intake feeds my GPU. In my R4 and other models I use as well, that straight shot of air is the primary fresh, cool air to the GPU.

the height of the fans is adjustable in this, so you can still have airflow coming into the GPU.

looking at images of how it lines up, barely any air from the default fan setup will go down below - most of its goes to the top part of the case

 

[rtwjunkie]

the height of the fans is adjustable in this, so you can still have airflow coming into the GPU.

looking at images of how it lines up, barely any air from the default fan setup will go down below - most of its goes to the top part of the case

I know. That is my point. There is no way to install a fan in the bottom (underside of the case) and have it shoot cool air unimpeeded straight up vertically at the GPU.

If I got this. I would be ditching the PSU shroud. My cables are all neat and bundled so it's not an eyesore.

 

[Joss]

but am I the only one that doesn't like PSU shrouds? =/

You're not the only one

 

[thebluebumblebee]

My dislikes:
*All or nothing with the 3.5" drive bays. Would be nice to see them develop a low 3.5" bay that is level with the PSU shroud.
*Trading a vertical GPU mount for the ventilation holes that were there in the R5.
*And, that cover, with the thumb screws, on the back side of the HDD cage. Why the thumb screws?
*The redundant PSU shroud on the non-windowed versions.

 

[Mussels]

oh i get it now - the BOTTOM of the case, not the bottom of the front. my bad.

my PC is on carpet, bottom intakes are a no-go for me

 

[bug]

oh i get it now - the BOTTOM of the case, not the bottom of the front. my bad.

my PC is on carpet, bottom intakes are a no-go for me

I actually wonder what percent of the users actually keep a tower on their desk.

 

[Mussels]

I actually wonder what percent of the users actually keep a tower on their desk.

people with big desks and small screens

 

[bug]

people with big desks and small screens

Even if you have a big desk, chances are there's still more empty space under it.
I mean, I'm sure there are people that put their towers on their desk, but I believe most of the time the tower goes on the floor somewhere.

 

[Mussels]

i want my next system to be on the desk, but it wont physically fit - this desk has drawers on one side so my legs only fit in one position, which means the screen has to be centered, and that doesnt leave enough space on the sides

 

[rtwjunkie]

I actually wonder what percent of the users actually keep a tower on their desk.

I have hazrdwood floors, so I have plenty of room for airflow under the case.

 

[bug]

I have hazrdwood floors, so I have plenty of room for airflow under the case.

Airflow is not the issue, dust is. Dust has no problem sitting on any type of floor. Sure, you can wipe the thing clean every now and then, but why bother if you don't have to?

i want my next system to be on the desk, but it wont physically fit - this desk has drawers on one side so my legs only fit in one position, which means the screen has to be centered, and that doesnt leave enough space on the sides

Maybe you can use an old-style desktop case? You know, the horizontal ones that go under your monitor?

Edit: Something like this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=331&area=en

 

[rtwjunkie]

irflow is not the issue, dust is. Dust has no problem sitting on any type of floor. Sure, you can wipe the thing clean every now and then, but why bother if you don't have to?

Dude I've got good air filters and the inside of my case stays very clean. Hardwood floors have no more dust risk than sitting on a desk. And you are late to the conversation as well as lost. The issue was AIRFLOW, which @Mussels carpet restricts. I have open air.

 

[bug]

Dude I've got good air filters and the inside of my case stays very clean. Hardwood floors have no more dust risk than sitting on a desk. And you are late to the conversation as well as lost. The issue was AIRFLOW, which @Mussels carpet restricts. I have open air.

Yes, I know the original issue was airflow, I was just saying why I'd rather go without a bottom filter - they just seems like an extra, unneccessary hassle to me.
I also know that according to the laws of physics dust sits on the desktop as well as it does on the floor, but somehow that's not what I see why I dust the room

 

[Axaion]

Amazing, they had to check that 5.25" drive slot for the feature specs at the cost of possibly allowing 3x 140mm front intake fans.
Same goes with mounting GPU's sideways, horrible - horrible idea.

good job fractal, not.

 

[Assimilator]

Amazing, they had to check that 5.25" drive slot for the feature specs at the cost of possibly allowing 3x 140mm front intake fans.
Same goes with mounting GPU's sideways, horrible - horrible idea.

good job fractal, not.

I think you'd be surprised by how many people still have 5.25" bay devices. The bay is removable as well, but I do agree that they could've/should've designed the bay's front cover a bit better to allow for the possibility of mounting an additional 140mm fan there.

 

[Mussels]

I use the 5.25" bays as 3.5" hotswap bays, and remove the 3.5" mounts from the case for better airflow

There is something amusing about a 4TB drive i can swap between the three main systems in the house in seconds.