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I finally hit the point of needing to replace the old case for my home computer, which had outlasted a couple motherboard/CPU combinations, and wanted a case that would be quieter, better fit the outsized heatsink fan/combo on my CPU, and be easier to work in. I'd narrowed it down to a short list, nearly got the Fractal Design Define R7, and then settled on the Define R5 because of the lower price and because the R7 would not have shipped for several weeks. I'm glad I went for this- the R5 is just the maximum size I would have wanted, and anything more would have been too large to comfortably fit the free space under my desk.
When I got the Define R5 case, the first thing I realized is that it's the same case as my new computer at work; a bunch of our work machines were replaced with upgraded computers at the beginning of 2020, and I've been very happy with it there, so that was promising. Second thing I noticed was that the instructions were beautifully clear, in perfect English with good illustrations, making it much easier to go through setting up. (+ other languages, of course.) The third thing was, well, everything about this case.
This is what people talk about when they say "Scandinavian design" - the focus on both function and aesthetics, with conscientious attention to even small details. It's all perfectly thought out, from the internal layout, the flexibility to change the layout around, the aesthetics even on the inside of the case, soundproofing, to cable routing and the careful selection of mounting screws and hardware - everything is incredibly thoughtfully planned.
A few highlights:
+++ Easy to work in - I've been building my own PCs since the late '80s (yes, really) and this is by far the easiest I've ever worked with in terms of how things go together.
+++ The soundproofing is fantastic. As I sit here writing this review, I can't hear a single sound from this computer, unlike my old case. The case fans are completely silent, and the dampening on the panels cuts out any noise from the power supply.
+++ Air flow is great - with just the two included 140mm fans, the board and CPU are staying cool despite moderate overclocking, but you could mount additional fans up to 6 more places if you thought you needed them. (3 top, 1 front, 1 bottom, 1 side panel.)
++ Good drive mounting - you could fit an absurd number of hard drives in here, and they have lightweight metal snap-in "sled" mounts to make it easy to fit them in place, with rubber grommets to absorb drive vibration; besides those, there are two special mounts for 2.5" SSDs on the back of the motherboard tray.
++ 2 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0 slots, plus audio jacks on front top of the case where they're easy to reach, and a nice-looking power switch.
++ Every mounting screw or component you will need, all good quality and black finished, with thumb screws wherever appropriate. There are rubber vibration-absorbing grommets for the hard-drive mounts, black cable zip-ties, and even a little plastic socket to slip over the hexagonal mobo mounting posts to make it easy to tighten them properly.
+ Cable routing options - several cut-outs with rubber diaphragms to let you route cables around the backside (right) of the case to keep them out of sight, velcro ties to pull them together; well-designed/routed cables to the front-panel switches, audio, LEDs, and case fan(s).
+ Alternative layouts - the instruction booklet shows you a number of ways you can change things around internally. Want the power supply on top instead of on the bottom? Want to mount a water-cooling system? Want to take out some of the drive cages, or reorient them? Want 3 more intake fans? There are a bunch of ways to do it.
+++ Looks extremely classy, especially if you're into minimalist black monoliths, as I am. Blame the movie '2001'
I can't think of many negatives, but for the sake of completeness:
- The fan mount positions, especially the second front fan, really call for 140mm fans. I was going to stick a spare 120mm there but couldn't see how best to attach it. It's fine, as it's ended up not really needing it for airflow. I may buy another 140mm to add in later.
- If you just have to have a 3.5" floppy drive or tape drive for old time's sake, you'll have to fit it into one of the two 5" optical drive slots. Sorry.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
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Anh-Vy DoReviewed in Germany on June 29, 2023
Schlicht und Einfach
Color: BlackStyle: Define R5Verified Purchase - Maarten K.Reviewed in the Netherlands on July 7, 2022
Replacement for my 15 year old case. It is even better in quality than the Thermaltake it replaces
Color: BlackStyle: Define R5Verified Purchase - BenReviewed in Canada on October 20, 2020
Awesome Case!
Color: BlackStyle: Define R5Verified Purchase -
hirotanReviewed in Japan on December 19, 2021
しっかりがっちり、そして重い
Color: BlackStyle: Define R5Verified Purchase
大変大きく、そして重いです。しかし、中は広々としており組み立てやすかったです。しっかりがっちり、そして重いhirotan
Reviewed in Japan on December 19, 2021
よい点
ケースががっちりしており、思った以上に重く安定感があります。線の取り回しも割と楽でした。音は非常に静かで狙い通りでした。
苦労した点
SATAケーブルの配線では、マザーボードの方が6口ともひっついてあったので場所が狭く裏から線を出してきたケーブルを繋げるのに苦労しました。これは、マザーボードの方の問題ですね。
また、ケース側面の蓋を取り付けると、すぐにネジが馬鹿になってしまったようになりました。しかし、3枚目の写真にあるように左右2個ずつのネジがあるのですが、右と左とで違いました。半分しかネジ山かないネジがあり、不良品だと思っていたら、それは、正面から向かって右側の蓋のネジだったのです。固定するところが少し山になった設計になっており、ネジ山は半分までできちんと止まりますので、不良品ではありませんでした。
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