Define S vs MasterCase Pro 5 vs Phanteks cases

Ciamician

Junior Member
Dec 12, 2015
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Aloha,

I'm currently trying to find a case which has great airflow, but is still reasonably quiet, has great looks and easy cable management. I can't seem to decide between the following cases:

Define S:
+ Great reviews
+ Decent looks and cooling
- No PWM fan hub
- No PSU shroud
- Solid front panel (apart from the sides), worried about airflow

MasterCase Pro 5:
+ Great looks
+ Good airflow cause of the open mesh at the front
+ Lots of room at the top
- No PWM fan hub
- Seems to be a bit overpriced

Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ATX:
+ Phanteks: great cable management, lots of room
+ Included PWM fan hub
- Doesn't seem to have much room at the top
- A bit expensive
- Solid front panel (apart from the sides), worried about airflow

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M:

+ Phanteks: great cable management, lots of room
+ Cheap
+ Open mesh at the front and top, great airflow
- Build quality doesn't seem to be as good (side panels)
- No PSU shroud

Good airflow which will result in great temps is my main concern as I will be installing an AIO CPU cooler (either H110GT or a X61) and will be purchasing additional fans (probably EK Vardar). I'm currently leaning towards the MasterCase Pro 5 as it's nearly perfect aside from the fact that it doesn't have a PWM fan hub. I have however seen a lot of mixed reviews.

What are your thoughts?
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
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The PWM fan hub isn't really a plus or a minus since it can be very cheaply installed with a third party splitter cable, like Akasa FP5.

I'd recommend Define S, it seems the most AIO friendly out of the bunch.
 

doyll49

Member
Jan 28, 2014
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3
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Phanteks fan hub is not a PWM fan hub. I know, that is what they call it, but it is really a PWM controlled hub for 3-pin variable voltage fans, not for PWM fans.

One of my pet peeves of today's cases is the bottom vent filters. Almost all require pulling the case away from wall (most of us have back of cases near the wall) to remove and clean the bottom filters. Define R5 slides out the front. Enthoo Luxe and Pro can be easily modified to slide out the front by taping the two filters together. I did this on my Enthoo Luxe.

I have used Fractal Design and Phanteks and recommend them both. I have no experience with Cooler Master.

I have not yet used any of the Enthoo Evolv series, but plan to get either either a mATX or ATX model.

For years now all my builds have case fan control so they cycle same as CPU and GPU cooler fans. This way case airflow currents work better. Usually this is wiht PWM case fans, but if they are not PWM, then hanteks PWM controlled fan hub are used.

Here is a link to a bunch of info on airflow and cooling. 1st is index, click on topic to see it.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
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I think the Phanteks and Fractal are good choices. I haven't really looked into the CM, so I can't really say anything about the Master Case.

As a Define S owner, I can give you a few pieces of info you might find useful.

Airflow is not an issue. The gaps on the sides of the front panel are plenty large enough to not impede airflow. I actually added two additional Fractal Design fans for a total of three 140mm fans in the front.

Cable management is a breeze for the most part. However, depending on the number of HD/SSDs you plan in using it can get a bit messy. I'm currently using four drives total (two behind the motherboard and two in the front). The reason it gets messy is because the drives are side-by-side, and most psu power leads are designed for drives stacked on top of each other. My PSU cables don't have enough cable length in between the SATA power connectors to reach from one drive to the next, so I have to use a Y-cable SATA power splitter to run power to each pair of hard drives. This results in more cabling. Granted, if you only have say a single SSD and an HD you won't run into this issue. I would say that the Define S is more focused on airflow/radiator space and less about storage.

The main negative point against the Define S though IMO is the lack of any sort of dust filter on the top. I currently have the moduvent covers on my Define S, but I've been considering an EK Predator 360. If I do that I will probably add a third party dust filter http://www.demcifilter.com/p0564/Fractal-Design-R5-3-Vent-Top-Dust-Filter.aspx.

Overall, the Define S is a good case for the money. Great airflow, lots of room for components, ample space behind the motherboard for cables, and overall relatively easy to work with.

As far as build quality goes you get what has become the norm these days - Chinese manufacturing with adequate materials. It's an $89 case, and that's what it feels like. There no glaring corners cut, but no extra niceties either.
 

doyll49

Member
Jan 28, 2014
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To that I can only add that not all $90 cases are more like $40 cases and not worth the cost. Fractal cases are worth what they cost for sure.

Many of us are "spoiled" by the quality of Fractal Design, Phanteks and similar cases. I know I am. I haven't used a $40 case in so long I don't even know what one is like any more. :D
I will never go back! :thumbsup:
 

Ciamician

Junior Member
Dec 12, 2015
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36
Phanteks fan hub is not a PWM fan hub. I know, that is what they call it, but it is really a PWM controlled hub for 3-pin variable voltage fans, not for PWM fans.



[...]

I'll be hooking up all my fans to the fan hub and then connect the fan hub to the PWM port (where the CPU's usually connected) so the airflow is adjusted according to the load as opposed to only having the CPU work harder.

I think the Phanteks and Fractal are good choices. I haven't really looked into the CM, so I can't really say anything about the Master Case.

As a Define S owner, I can give you a few pieces of info you might find useful.

[...]

I wont be using any mechanical drives, just a single SSD. How big of an issue is the non-existent top fan filter? Will it simply gather more dust, or are there any other consequences?
 
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nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
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I wont be using any mechanical drives, just a single SSD. How big of an issue is the non-existent top fan filter? Will it simply gather more dust, or are there any other consequences?

The top is more or less open without a dust filter, so it will let in dust. Every bit of dust that would normally settle on top of the case will fall into it and your radiator. It's not a deal breaker, but you would probably need to keep a can of compressed air handy to spray out the dust every few months.

To that I can only add that not all $90 cases are more like $40 cases and not worth the cost. Fractal cases are worth what they cost for sure.

Many of us are "spoiled" by the quality of Fractal Design, Phanteks and similar cases. I know I am. I haven't used a $40 case in so long I don't even know what one is like any more. :D
I will never go back! :thumbsup:

You can get into an entry level Lian Li for around $100. The build and material quality will blow the doors off anything you'll ever see from Fractal. The Fractal cases are designed to be much more user friendly with more features though, and they are certainly worth the money. They are, however, pretty run of the mill standard when it comes to quality.
 

doyll49

Member
Jan 28, 2014
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You can get into an entry level Lian Li for around $100. The build and material quality will blow the doors off anything you'll ever see from Fractal. The Fractal cases are designed to be much more user friendly with more features though, and they are certainly worth the money. They are, however, pretty run of the mill standard when it comes to quality.
No argument from me. I have used and still have a Lian Li. Great cases, but comparing them to cases mentioned before is like comparing the ones mentioned before to the sub $40 cases. .. no, scratch that the sub $40 cases are 1/4 as good as FD and Phanteks, which are 3/4 as good as Lian Li.
 

doyll49

Member
Jan 28, 2014
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I'll be hooking up all my fans to the fan hub and then connect the fan hub to the PWM port (where the CPU's usually connected) so the airflow is adjusted according to the load as opposed to only having the CPU work harder.

I wont be using any mechanical drives, just a single SSD. How big of an issue is the non-existent top fan filter? Will it simply gather more dust, or are there any other consequences?
Then you will be fine.
 

smitbret

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2006
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The top is more or less open without a dust filter, so it will let in dust. Every bit of dust that would normally settle on top of the case will fall into it and your radiator. It's not a deal breaker, but you would probably need to keep a can of compressed air handy to spray out the dust every few months.



You can get into an entry level Lian Li for around $100. The build and material quality will blow the doors off anything you'll ever see from Fractal. The Fractal cases are designed to be much more user friendly with more features though, and they are certainly worth the money. They are, however, pretty run of the mill standard when it comes to quality.

Gonna disagree with you on this one. You are completely missing the fact that they are generally targeting different markets. I have used a couple of Lian Li in the past. They are nice but I dislike aluminum cases in general. Too soft and if you have to open them up once in awhile they just don't hold up. The Fractal Design cases are built like tanks, at least the Define Series that I have been using. Solid, heavy steel. Every time I have to move my server to add a drive I am reminded of this. The Define series is also highly sound dampened and they are dead quiet. The Lian Li cases can't even compete when it comes to noise.

If I was building an air-cooled gaming rig and had accepted the noise already then I would consider the Lian Li for its consistent cooling performance but for general use I will take a Fractal Design almost every time.
 
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doyll49

Member
Jan 28, 2014
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Basically what smitbret says.

I agree Lian Li are better, but they are not "blows the doors off" differerence, and their aluminum does have it's down sides. If all brand name cases I've had more Lian Li than any others but Phanteks. Fractal Design and Phanteks are more like Lain Li than they are different while both do "blow the dors off" of the $40 cases.
 
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Bushwicktrini

Senior member
Jan 8, 2002
756
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I have the Mastercase Pro 5 with an AIO mounted at the top of the case. I found it very easy to build in and I have big hands. The build quality is very good and feels very sturdy. I am running sans optical drive with 3 fans in the front controlled by the motherboard and it is very quiet. Cable management was a breeze my only gripe in the lack of other tie down points.
 

Ciamician

Junior Member
Dec 12, 2015
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I have the Mastercase Pro 5 with an AIO mounted at the top of the case. I found it very easy to build in and I have big hands. The build quality is very good and feels very sturdy. I am running sans optical drive with 3 fans in the front controlled by the motherboard and it is very quiet. Cable management was a breeze my only gripe in the lack of other tie down points.

Good to hear.

Which AIO did you install exactly, and which fans are you using?
 

Bushwicktrini

Senior member
Jan 8, 2002
756
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Good to hear.

Which AIO did you install exactly, and which fans are you using?

Corsair H100iGTX and 4 Noctua NF-14 PPC-2000. I replaced the fans on the AIO with 2 Noctua NF-F12 PPC 2000. I'm running a i7 6700k@4.7 and the case fans never go above 800 rpm unless I am running a benchmark or something like that.
 

Subyman

Moderator <br> VC&G Forum
Mar 18, 2005
7,876
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I have a Phanteks Evolv mATX edition. I have a 240mm rad in the front and a 240mm rad at top. The top rad is offset to allow more room, but the front rad leaves no room for a pump or good res. I ended up having to cobble mine together to get it all in there. I was kind of disappointed since they were advertising it as a great water cooling set up, but really the front area is useless with a rad installed. I know the ATX version is bigger, so maybe that would be better.

I think air flow is an issue with the case. The front isn't as bad as the top. The top has a tiny opening in the back for venting heat and it is not nearly enough if you have a water cooling loop. On the positive side, it is a really nicely made case. The aluminum is very thick and it feels great. I'd say if you had a blower on your GPU and wanted to do a 240mm rad for the CPU then it would be a good case. Otherwise, it just doesn't have to cooling that an enthusiast would want. I'm looking at new cases for myself.
 

DigDog

Lifer
Jun 3, 2011
14,082
2,563
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i don't know the mastercase, but the others are all excellent. airflow is not a problem, nothing like 2008 systems burning 800w and crap cooling; better cases, better fans, better components, lower power use ..
 

Ciamician

Junior Member
Dec 12, 2015
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Your concern is widely shared regarding lack of airflow in the Define S. I approached Fractal in the spring about retailing a customized version of the bezel. They granted me permission to buy their bezels in bulk. We cnc mill opening and installed perforated mesh grill, http://mnpctech.com/fractal-design-...esh-custom-replacement-front-bezel-plate.html

I'm well aware and actually contacted you guys a while back. Unfortunately the shipping costs to Western Europe are ridiculously high. Ordering it would actually be more expensive than the case itself. Real bummer.. cause I really like what you've done to the front bezel.

1x Mnpctech Define S, customized Mesh version front bezel @ $34.99
Shipping & Handling to Belgium = $49.89
Total = $84.88
 

squirrel dog

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
5,564
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I have the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Full Tower Chassis PH-ES614L_BK Black . I like it , plenty of room , good air flow . I use wheeled cpu stands for my pcs makes getting to filters a breeze . Like these SYBA CPU Plastic Stand for ATX Case with Adjustable Width and 5 Caster Wheels (SY-ACC65029) less than $10 . Works very well .
 

mudslag

Junior Member
Jan 18, 2016
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Mnpctech

Member
Oct 16, 2015
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No plans, but that may change as more people discover the Define S and request it. I'm not seeing enough demand to justify the investment at this time.