Fractal Design Define R4 Mid Tower Review

Details: Written by Phil Weber on February 22nd 2013 at 7:37pm

Manufacturer: Fractal Design
Price as Reviewed: $109.99
Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 year
Amazon: $119.99

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Fractal Design is known for making some of the quietest and most builder friendly cases on the market. Last year’s Define R3 was a shining example of how an extremely minimalistic chassis doesn’t have to lose out on features and good looks. Fractal’s classic blend of a brushed aluminum front panel, ultra-quiet fans, and noise-reducing foam is alive and well in the new Define R4. It enters the mid-tower market as an evolutionary step up from the R3, sporting modular drive cages, a built in fan-controller, and space for the biggest of components. If you’re looking to build a cool and quiet PC with an understated character, then jump past the break for a closer look at what could be your rig’s new home.

Overview

The Fractal Design Define R4 is the latest in the Define Series of computer cases offering minimalistic and stunning Scandinavian design fused with maximum sound reduction, configurability and functionality.

The Define R4 side and front door panels are fitted with dense, sound-absorbing material making it a benchmark for noise reduction. Moreover, the Define R4 accommodates up to 8 HDDs, all modern graphics card sizes, and multiple ventilation options - including two standard Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fans - to keep internal components at optimal temperatures.

For ultimate functionality, the Define R4 features a front interface with USB 3.0 and an integrated three-speed fan controller behind the front panel door.

High density noise-reducing material for an optimal silent case - To achieve a high level of noise reduction, material with mass should be incorporated which is what we strive to achieve with the dense bitumen used on the side panels
Patent pending ModuVent™ design allowing the user to choose between optimal silence or maximum airflow
Top HDD cage (5 trays total) can be rotated 90 degrees or removed for additional airflow or to accommodate long graphic cards up to 430mm in length
Three-speed fan controller is strategically integrated in the front panel and supports up to 3 fans
Two Silent Series R2 fans included, featuring hydraulic bearings contributing to a longer life expectancy – Silent Series R2 retail fans will now come standard in all cases
Wider case body that allows for improved cable routing behind the motherboard – now 26mm wide
New tool-less front fan holder makes switching front fans a breeze
Two SSDs can be mounted on the back of the motherboard plate in addition to the 8 slots in the HDD trays, for a total of 10 SSD positions available

*Courtesy of Fractal Design

Specifications

General
Motherboard Compatibility	ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
Front Interface	2 - USB 3.0, 2 - USB 2.0 Audio in/out Power button with LED (blue) Reset button Fan controller (behind door)
Drive Bay Capacity	2 - 5.25” bays 8 - 3.5” HDD trays - all compatible with SSDs 2 - 2.5” extra SSD positions
Expansion Slots	7 + 1
PSU Compatibility	ATX PSUs up to 170 mm deep when using the bottom fan location; when not using this fan location longer PSUs (up to 270 mm deep) can be used
Graphics Card Compatibility	Graphics cards up to 295mm in length with the top HDD cage installed With the top cage removed, graphics cards up to 430mm in length may be installed
Cooling / Ventilation	3 - ModuVent™ plates – two in the top and one in the side 7 - Fan positions (2 fans included) Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
CPU Cooler Compatibility	CPU coolers up to 170 mm tall (when no fan is installed in the side panel)
Additional Information	26 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate Thick rubber grommets on all holes on the motherboard plate
Available Colors / SKU	Pearl Black / FD-CA-DEF-R4-BL Titanium Grey / FD-CA-DEF-R4-TI Arctic White / FD-CA-DEF-R4-WH
Case Dimensions (WxHxD) (mm)	232 x 464 x 523
Net Weight (kg)	12,3
Cooling
Front	1 - hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed (included) 1 - 120/140mm fan
Rear	1 - hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed (included)
Top	2 - 120/140mm fans - positions also support 240/280mm radiators
Bottom	1 - 120/140mm fan
Side	1 - 140mm fan
Fan Controller	1 - integrated fan controller for up to 3 fans (included)