Fractal R3 vs Corsair 600T

[morbidman]

Hi guys. Maybe a bit of a mismatch pricewise here but how do these two stack up against one another in terms of air flow (I'll be using air for the foreseeable future) and cable management? Aesthetically, I think both of these two are pretty easy on the eyes. I'm looking to move to a bigger case from my antec 300. System specs are 2500k with 212+ on a GAP67UD3 and 570GTX. My power supply is a modular 650W unit from XFX. Thanks!

 

[jjmIII]

I'm loving the Fractal Midi. I hate a door on a PC case.

Of those two, get the Corsair. You can't go wrong.

 

[morbidman]

Thanks for the reply jjmIII. Forgot to clarify; is the price premium on the 600T worth it over an R3? Thanks again.

 

[Majic 7]

If you go with the Corsair plan on replacing the 200mm fans. My top one lasted about a week. I have seen reports from others so I am not the only one. Not much choice in 20mm thick fans right now. The top fans can be replaced with two 120's but the front fan needs a 20mm thick 200mm fan. Other than this it is a great case and I would still buy it all over again. 30 to 34 idle and 50+ gaming. GPU stays under 65 even with fans blowing in on my H70.

 

[Anubis]

you can replace the front one with 2x 120s as well, however its not as easy as the top one

 

[Majic 7]

you can replace the front one with 2x 120s as well, however its not as easy as the top one

Yea, it takes some fiddling,though. I'd probably jerry-rig one in there until I got something else ordered. There is a problem with how thick the fan shroud can be. The 20mm fan barely fits between the grill and HD rack. Don't know if more than one would fit and it wouldn't be directed at the bottom HD rack. Tried moving the rack near to the PSU, something, can't remember what, wasn't quite right.

 

[morbidman]

Ok so far it sounds like I'll be doing a lot of work replacing fans for the 600T. Is there anyone who can chime in about the R3? Thanks guys.

 

[BTA]

I love my R3 but I use it as a server (all HD trays loaded up). Super quiet and great air flow. Only thing I changed was I added another fan to the front location since I was filling all the drive bays. The front door is actually really nice quality and stays closed by magnet instead of those cheap plastic latches. The only complaint I would have is the rubber grommets for running the power wires behind the motherboard tray are flimsy and fall off easy when running the wires, not a huge deal really cause they arent very necessary anyway.

Make sure the GTX570 card length isn't too long, the Fractal R3 does not have removable HD bays so length can be limited depending on the video card. The Arc Midi do have removable trays and can take any card length. It does not have all of the sound dampening of the R3, if that matters to you. Reviews show the Arc Midi is very similar in cooling ability though.

Never used the Corsair.

 

[zod96]

I'm the exact opposite, I hate cases without doors. I would go with the R3. I have a GTX570 and it fits fine...

 

[beginner99]

I have the R2 and I like it. The default config obviously does not have that great airflow but you can add a ton of fans if you wish. however it won't be quiet anymore.

You can mount:
front: 2x 120
bottom: 1x 120/140
Top: 2x120/140
Side: 1x120
Rear: 1x120

 

[Meghan54]

I have the R2 and I like it. The default config obviously does not have that great airflow but you can add a ton of fans if you wish. however it won't be quiet anymore.

You can mount:
front: 2x 120
bottom: 1x 120/140
Top: 2x120/140
Side: 1x120
Rear: 1x120

Completely depends upon the fans you choose to run. Put in fast, loud, or junk fans, you'll have lots of noise. Put in slower, quieter running fans, like GT's, and you'll have quiet.

 

[vbuggy]

I have an R3 build and I have to say for the price it's great. I have the three-slot DirectCU 580 in there and it fits / runs reasonably cool, as does an NH-D14. I think you do have to be careful in terms of picking the right fan and fan type for the exhausts depending on what sort of configuration you're using, but I guess this pretty much goes for any case really.

No actual heat issues with it, I did nearly fry something the other hot day but this is clearly an issue borne out of the noise priority in the build. As long as you bear in mind the sort of thermal envelope you'll be inhabiting and plan your fans around that, it shouldn't be an issue.

I wanted as minimal as possible noise along with performance, and that has a few compromises. The R3 did however play it's part well in helping me get a very quiet build that also packs decent punch when called upon.

 

[Rifter]

I love my 600T, and unlike many its been running for over a year now and no fan issues.