Fractal Design R4 vs R5

[weaslefluff]

I would like to do a new build with pretty high end stuff - 6850K CPU, Noctua NH-D15, 1080 GPU, Samsung 950 Pro M.2, 4x8GB DDR4-3000 memory, 2 extra Noctua NF-A14 PWM fans. I may want to do a mild overclock, no extra drives - but mostly I want it to be silent. Space isn't really a concern.

I've read that the R4 has better silencing technology, but bigger is almost always better for silent.

Which is better for my needs? Is there a better option out there like a Deep Silence?

 

[UsandThem]

They are both practically the same. The biggest difference is the bottom filter is removed from the front of the R5, instead of the back like the R4. For someone with a bad back like I have, that was why I went with the R5.

Here is a previous thread on it with links to many reviews on it:

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/fractal-design-define-r5-reviews.2409908/

 

[Ranulf]

Owning both, I'd go with the R5, and non window for either if you want max silence. R5 has 2.5'' ssd mounts behind mobo tray, it has an hdd light (r4 doesnt), the bottom filter changed as mentioned, and the 3 moduvent system vs two moduvent top 140mm fan slots. R5's front door is swappable to open from either side too.

Noise wise I'd expect they are the same unless you take off 2-3 of the top moduvent's on the R5, thus more space is open compared to the r4.

 

[billbillw]

R5 has better implementation for water cooling radiators as well. The top vents on the R4 are too close to the motherboard to really fit a radiator+fans. They are offset on the R5 to give more room.