is Fractal Define R4 with window a good case?

Shephard · 12-27-2012, 04:11 PM

can anyone tell me if this is a good case? The Newegg reviews are 5 stars and only 2 four stars. One states the hard drive can get scratched in the top tray.

this is the case http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811352021

I can get it for $80 after taxes and shipping.

I was really hoping for Arc Midi but it hasn't gone below $100. HAF 912 was my other option and it only dropped $5 to $49.99.

I heard good things about the define R4 in video reviews.

This one has the window though.

Despoiler · 12-27-2012, 04:29 PM

The Define R4 with or w/o the window is a great case. I have the one w/o and it's easily the best case I have ever owned. The only difference is that windowed cases are louder. It kind of defeats the purpose of a silent case if you have one side w/o noise reducing padding.

Shephard · 12-27-2012, 04:32 PM

yes I just watched a video review I see that the non window has foam inside.

Do you think for $80 after tax and shipping this is a good price though.

Is the Define R4 better than the Arc midi or HAF 912?

lehtv · 12-27-2012, 05:20 PM

Arc Midi offers better cooling at stock (3x 140mm vs 2x) but overall the Define R4 is better, as you'd expect based on the standard pricing. $80 is very good for an R4, I'd easily pay over $100 for it. HAF 912 doesn't even compare.

Shephard · 12-27-2012, 05:23 PM

thank you lehtv I appreciate your input.

I think I will get this case. I don't mind the window.

I wasn't exactly going for something that was silent. Just good build quality and good looks at a good price.

kleinkinstein · 12-27-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Despoiler

The only difference is that windowed cases are louder. It kind of defeats the purpose of a silent case if you have one side w/o noise reducing padding.

Dude, check your facts and present the data to make such a half-wit claim. Both cases have door foam and both sound the same.

Shephard · 12-27-2012, 08:14 PM

does anyone here have this case? I want to see your case with the parts inside.

also kleinkinstein did you check your pm? thanks.

kleinkinstein · 12-28-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

does anyone here have this case? I want to see your case with the parts inside.

also kleinkinstein did you check your pm? thanks.

Here are oodles of pics.
Just picked it up, let me check the cost across the various carriers.

Despoiler · 12-28-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleinkinstein

Dude, check your facts and present the data to make such a half-wit claim. Both cases have door foam and both sound the same.

Umm lol? The window part doesn't have sound deadening material. Common sense tells you it will be louder. FYI, acrylic doesn't have very good sound deadening properties.

http://www.ndt.net/links/proper.htm

lehtv · 12-28-2012, 01:47 PM

Common sense tells you a lot of things that aren't true or relevant. It seems you have no data to present and haven't personally tested whether the window has an effect on perceived noise.

Shephard · 12-28-2012, 03:31 PM

I placed my order. Just waiting for price match to go through.

Very excited

Raincity · 12-29-2012, 03:07 AM

I have two of the non window R-4 and a Define Mini. They are nice cases but be prepared to add a couple extra fans to get decent cooling. I ended up using 5 Noctua P14 case fans and a Fractal 108 fan controller in each R-4 to get the results I wanted. Your mileage will vary due to your temperment to noise and what you personally consider good internal temperatures.

nervx · 12-30-2012, 04:47 AM

I have the R4. It's a very nice case and the only complaints i have are.

-stock fans are not the best for noise. at 12V they are loud, 7V is very quiet but theres a bit of motor noise, 5V is near silent
-the power button, HD light, reset button cable plug things are super cheap and fragile. the plastic shell part came off on two of mine, it was an easy fix but it should not happen.
-fan filter on the front is stupid. having to unhinge the fan mount to get the filter out is poor design
-top usb plugs are tight fitting.

so yea minor complaints and i would recommend it any day.

kleinkinstein · 12-30-2012, 08:02 AM

Agreed, it's a fine case and the only real worthwhile feature is dual ssd mounts on the back of the mobo. But then again they are backwards and anyone can mount their Nand with just a drill and a template. The other cons are:
1. The foam is cheap.
2. The plastic door, especially on the white model, is really really cheap.
3. The fans do blow...and not it a good way
4. If it were only 3/4" taller it could fit a dual rad like the new H100i or better still a Kraken X60. Bad and inexcusable over site by the Swedes.

It's not a bad case by any stretch but not a great one either. Better options exist, but tough to match the $100 price point.

Pohemi420 · 12-30-2012, 11:14 AM

It's a little higher priced, but how does the CM Silencio 550 compare, feature-wise? Seems to have a lot of the same design elements, but I haven't seen an R4 in person to be able to compare. Trying to decide between these two models, or the HAF 922. Suggestions?

Rikard · 12-30-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Common sense tells you a lot of things that aren't true or relevant. It seems you have no data to present and haven't personally tested whether the window has an effect on perceived noise.

I have the windowless version (fantastic case!) and I ordered a side panel with window yesterday. Unfortunately due to my travel schedule I wont be able to test if there is a perceivable difference or not for several months. But I can let you guys know when I do (if you still remember this thread by then).

lehtv · 12-30-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pohemi420

It's a little higher priced, but how does the CM Silencio 550 compare, feature-wise? Seems to have a lot of the same design elements, but I haven't seen an R4 in person to be able to compare. Trying to decide between these two models, or the HAF 922. Suggestions?

Tomshardware recently did an extensive comparison of silent cases. It didn't include Silencio 550 but it did the bigger brother, Silencio 650. The conclusion was that Fractal Design Define R4 is the best silent case overall.

Silencio 550 has very bad cooling potential, with no more than three possible fan locations compared to Fractal's seven.

Pohemi420 · 12-30-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

Tomshardware recently did an extensive comparison of silent cases. It didn't include Silencio 550 but it did the bigger brother, Silencio 650. The conclusion was that Fractal Design Define R4 is the best silent case overall.

Silencio 550 has very bad cooling potential, with no more than three possible fan locations compared to Fractal's seven.

Thanks, good to know. Too bad I missed the $80 deal, but maybe I'll just wait to spring on it the next time it goes on sale.

I'd like a silent case since it sits on a two foot high table right beside me (with the rear facing me, none-the-less). I want to ensure the system still has adequate cooling ability though, so it sounds like the R4 is the way to go. I might have to spring for some high quality fans as well like a few Noctuas.

The HAF 922 isn't exactly designed with silence in mind, is it? Or the HAF XM? It definitely has some nice features though...

lehtv · 12-30-2012, 03:09 PM

Replacement fans won't be necessary and I don't think Noctuas are really the best 140mm fans you can get, they're just expensive. If you want really high quality, wait for Noiseblocker to release a 140mm version of this.

The best value is to just buy one additional 140mm fan and use the integrated controller at 7V or 5V (dual Fractals in the front, 3rd party in the rear). This is a great 140mm fan, I've owned a couple of them: Thermalright X-Silent 140mm.

Cooler Master HAF's are definitely not designed with silence in mind, quite the opposite. They're designed for high airflow, that's what HAF stands for.