Will a Fractal Design - define mini case work for gaming?

[Tandarts]

Hi all,

My first time here and also my first time I'm building my own Gaming desktop.
(note: I am a newbie on this subject and have no experience whatsoever in cases and/or cooling.)
I was aiming to use a smaller case for my build: "Factal Design Define Mini" (link)
I am in love with the design of this case and like the idea of having a smaller and more compact case for participating in Lan events.

However I am not sure if this case can offer enough cooling for becoming a real gaming desktop. I've read some reviews on the web, but they seem to contradicting eachother. Since this case will be using MicroATX and all the components will be much closer to eachother, I am in doubt and puzzled if this will work.

I was hoping if anyone could give some advice if this case is worth buying for a gaming station. ANY HELP, SUGGESTIONS OR ADVICE IS WELCOME! ^_^

My current build, I was trying to get together:

Case: Fractal Design Define Mini (link)
4 x 120mm fans: Silent Series R2 120mm (link)
2 x 140mm fans: Silent Series R2 140mm (link)
MoBo: MAXIMUS V GENE (link)
GPU: Asus MATRIX-HD7970-P-3GD5 (link)
Memory: Asus HyperX Predator (link)
CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K Boxed
Processor cooling: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 Evo
SSD : Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
PSU: Seasonic G-Serie 650Watt

 

[lehtv]

Yes it'll work, it's a great choice in fact for a single GPU setup even with moderate overclocking. However it is quite heavy - not optimal for LAN parties. I would suggest Corsair 350D instead, it's functionally similar in almost every way but built a bit lighter.

You don't need to add so many fans, 3-4 total is enough. And if you're going to get additional fans, I would suggest actually replacing the stock fans. Stock case fans are almost always basic fans.

I would probably use 2x120mm on the front, 120mm in the rear and 140mm in the top. Block off all other slots. You can use the case's integrated fan controller or just use the motherboard's fan control; for four fans, you may need one splitter cable.

Are Be Quiet! Shadow Wings fans available at your location?

While you're at it, please post answers to these questions: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

Some comments about your other parts choices:
CPU - since this is a gaming build I feel the 4770K is overkill, 4670K would be just fine
Graphics - instead of a 7970 Expensive Edition, why not grab a newer, cheaper, faster and quieter MSI 280X Gaming?
RAM - the fins on that one are way too tall for comfort. Just get regular profile RAM from any major brand, with these specs: 2x4GB 1600-1866MHz at 1.5V or lower
Cooling - the TX3 Evo is awfully underpowered for overclocking... if you're intending to OC, grab at least a Thermalright Macho-120, Hyper 212 Evo, Scythe Mugen 4, or Arctic Freezer i30. If you're not intending to OC, then your unlocked CPU choice and overclocker motherboard are both overkill; 4570/4670 + H87 mATX board would be suitable.
The rest look fine.

 

[jlarsson]

I just purchased a Fractal Design Define Mini a couple weeks ago.

The system has a i7-2600k (OC'ed to 4.5ghz), 2x HD6950's in crossfire ... so there are a few things giving off a good amount of heat. Right now, I'm using 4x 120mm fans (intake on front and side panel, exhaust on rear and top of case). During load testing last night (Prime95), the highest CPU temps I saw were 64 C (and that was with a crap Corsair H50 closed loop water cooler).

I will echo lehtv's comments about the weight, though. If you are going to be moving your system around frequently for LAN parties, there are probably better cases out there. This one is pretty heavy fully built.

 

[Charlie98]

I bought a Define Mini for my HTPC because it fit a dimensional requirement I had, plus it had case sound dampening and filters... it turned out it rocks as a standard PC case. I liked it so much, I rebuilt my desktop in one, switching from a HAF922 case (which was waaay too big for the few components I have in mine.

It IS a heavy case... it's steel. The sidepanels weigh around 4# each, with the sound dampening material. I did add a second 120mm front fan on both of the builds, and left the side and top ports sealed up. I can tell you I get better thermals with this case than I did with my HAF922 running 2x 200mm and 2x 120mm fans. Even though it's an mATX case, there is still quite a bit of room; you can remove half of the HDD storage with one screw and you can, literally, put any current GPU in it. It supports USB 3.0 and comes with a decently functional fan controller (that, unfortunately, mounts to the rear of the case... but oh, well.)

My current desktop build:



My current HTPC build. I actually have the system SSD in the bottom OD tray above, leaving the lower HDD cage for media storage. Theoretically, you could remove the lower HDD cage, even, to get more room.

 

[jaedaliu]

I skimped a bit and got the core 1000. The Define mini is just a little bit bigger and a lot nicer.

Your design looks good. You may want to consider posting in general hardware (after reading the stickies) for additional help from some hardware pricing gurus.

 

[aigomorla]

those fans come with the case correct?

The only time u ever need to use premium or performance fans is when your after:

1. Noise Levels (even then this is argueable as there are cheap silent fans)
2. Fan for the Heat Sink.
3. Fan for the Radiator.

The rear 120mm fan is the LAST fan in your case which needs to be a performance rated fan.

If your paying more then 6 dollars per 120mm fan... i think your honestly paying too much, unless its for a heat sink or a radiator.
Then 6 dollars is kinda too cheap.. as fans for that area should be around 15 dollars each if ur after performance / noise.

 

[Tandarts]

Many thanks for your feedback guys! And just wow this Corsair 350D case is very similar in design!
I think I will switch to this one. I will sure check and post on the General Hardware forums as well!

to answer the sticky replies if it matters for this topic.:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

PC will be used for gaming and Lan events.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

2000 euro's (2761.40 US Dollar)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

Belgium - Europe

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

not really relevant in my case

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

I like the design and color schemes from the Asus - ROG series

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I will be using a 1 TB hard disk from my current desktop.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I do not plan on overclocking as I have no knowledge or experience with this.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

dual monitors on 1900x1200

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

before Christmass 2013

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

no software needed.

 

[lehtv]

For a 2000 € rig you definitely want to pay more than 300 € for the graphics card. AMD 290X will be released soon at 550 €. I would grab an MSI 290X Gaming or Gigabyte 290X Windforce, though I'm not sure if these third party cards will be released at launch or later.

Since you don't OC, you can either get a locked i5-4570, i5-4670 or i7-4770. The i7 is not really worth it for gaming. Another option is Xeon E3-1230 V3 which lacks integrated graphics and is very near i7 performance, but given your dual monitors I would not recommend it in this case. With integrated graphics you have the ability to run the second monitor without putting additional load on the gaming graphics card.

For quiet cooling the TX3 Evo is fine, set it to the lowest speed in the BIOS. (Temperatures will be fine at stock clocks.)

You don't need an Asus ROG motherboard, those are for enthusiast overclockers. You'll need a standard H87 chipset board like Asrock H87M Pro4.

 

[aigomorla]

mmm i should move this in gen hardware since its turned into that.

OP if u want me to move it, let me know, as your post does fill in 2 thread topics.. however for a better build advice outside cases, i should move this to gen hardware.

 

[Tandarts]

yes please move to general hardware if this suits better
thanks!