Tuesday, November 25th 2014

Fractal Design Announces Define R5 Chassis

The wait is over! Fractal Design is proud to announce the next generation of the, worldwide, award winning Define series. Fractal Design Define R5 is the next evolution in the widely popular Define Series. Packed with intelligently designed enthusiast-oriented features delivering a silent case with powerful and expansive air and liquid cooling support, presented in a stunning Scandinavian inspired construction.

The Define R5 case reaches the highest level of silent computing through strategically placed dense sound-absorbing material, updated ModuVent fan vent covers and finely tuned, new Dynamic Series fans. The Define R5 was designed with configurability in mind, accommodating up to 8 hard drives and all modern graphics card. Should you wish to expand your system with water cooling components or more fans the layout can easily be configured to meet your demand, now with more configuration options with simple modification opportunities.
Key Features
  • Optimally designed for silent computing with high density noise-reducing material throughout the case for maximum sound absorption, while not compromising on airflow and cooling capabilities.
  • Extensive water cooling support for a case of this size; housing radiators up to 420mm in the top and 360mm in the front.
  • Equipped with new tool-less ModuVent fan slot covers allowing the user to install more fans if desired or keep fan slots covered to maximize sound absorption.
  • Including two Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 140mm fans developed for superlative airflow while still maintaining low noise levels.
  • Maintaining a dust-free interior with the help of dust filters that cover front and bottom air intakes that are easy to access from the front on the case
  • Newly configured front door with dual side mounting to better fit your work space
  • Highlighting 2 dedicated SSD mounts cleanly placed behind the motherboard tray that feature innovative new brackets delivering a tool-free installation and removal
  • The HDD cage system holds up to eight 3.5" or 2.5" drives and is more adaptable than ever, allowing the user to modify the case layout according to personal preference with more places to relocate the cages
  • The ODD cage can easily be removed to gain additional interior space; the area can be freed up to allow for increased airflow, to provide a new place for HDD cage mounting or to make more room for water cooling components.
  • Sturdy metal HDD trays provide excellent dampening features for the hard drives while providing better airflow through the cage with an updated, more open design
  • The new and innovative Quick Release System on the left side of the case provides secure mounting of the left side panel, yet grants quick and easy access to the system.
  • Three-speed fan controller is strategically integrated in the front panel and supports up to 3 fans.
  • Define R5 model is available with Clear window side panel
  • Available in different colors
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16 Comments on Fractal Design Announces Define R5 Chassis

#1
dwade
Looks like an unfinished case with that bland empty front. Ugly overall.
Posted on Reply
#2
Joss
dwadeLooks like an unfinished case with that bland empty front. Ugly overall.
Check the (many) tests on this new R5, it's a top notch case.
Even if I'm not a fan of silent cases I would consider buying this one.
Posted on Reply
#3
Jetster
dwadeLooks like an unfinished case with that bland empty front. Ugly overall.
Minimalist design the new cool case
Posted on Reply
#4
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
They've always looked like that, and it's my favourite case I think. I really want one.
Posted on Reply
#5
Joss
I love the grilled vent to the right of the expansion slots (and the one just bellow the rear fan).
With a second intake fan at the front you can exhaust a lot of warm air just by positive pressure.
Notice also the openness of the HDD cages.
With two intakes and one exhaust at low RPMs you can easily cool a dual GPU rig.
This is a well designed tower.
Posted on Reply
#6
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
Wow, they actually improved on the R4, which in my opinion only needed two things. It needed a fan cover in addition to the noise dampening square for any unused top fan ports, and it needed a toolless design to just snap in the SSD behind motherboard tray without having to remove the motherboard. It's almost like they...listened!

You really have to see these case in person to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty. They are nearly a work of art. It is very sturdy and solid, not a creak, pretty darned quiet, and have excellent airflow. Top that off with lots of cable management room and easy to remove and clean filters and you can't get much better.
Posted on Reply
#7
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
rtwjunkieWow, they actually improved on the R4, which in my opinion only needed two things. It needed a fan cover in addition to the noise dampening square for any unused top fan ports, and it needed a toolless design to just snap in the SSD behind motherboard tray without having to remove the motherboard. It's almost like they...listened!

You really have to see these case in person to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty. They are nearly a work of art. It is very sturdy and solid, not a creak, pretty darned quiet, and have excellent airflow. Top that off with lots of cable management room and easy to remove and clean filters and you can't get much better.
All of this. Now they just need a new XL.
Posted on Reply
#8
THE_EGG
Quite simply one of the best towers on the market for the money from my perspective. The openness of the drive cages is really nice. I have an old R3 lying around and dual gpu setups would get a little toasty and I put it down to the restrictive hdd cages. That shouldn't be an issue now. Also the bottom dust filter being removable from the front is great! No more fumbling at the back of the case trying to remove the PSU's dust filter. The curvy corners on the moduvent things are a nice touch along with the external mountings, it brings some subtle artistic features to the case instead of being an all out black box. The improved rad support with more mounting positions along with the crazy modular 5.25" and 3.5" drive cages is a great improvement over the R4 and previous versions too.

I also think it's great they keep on going with the tooled metal hdd trays. It really inspires confidence in the overall build quality when even the little things are of such high quality.

Reviews of the case seem to be overwhelmingly positive from what I've seen so far. Nice work Fractal Designs!
Posted on Reply
#9
ZoneDymo
dwadeLooks like an unfinished case with that bland empty front. Ugly overall.
Its called design yo, simple straight and no childish bs.
Even though it might not be to your liking, I find it odd to call something as simple as this ugly.
Posted on Reply
#10
Norton
Moderator - Returning from the Darkness
FrickAll of this. Now they just need a new XL.
^^^ This!

I like the new model as much as my R4 but really want to see what Fractal has in store for the XL!

On a side note, Fractal should sell their HDD screws seperately.... they are absolutely perfect for securing fans to radiators!!! ;)
Posted on Reply
#11
Fx
I loved the R4's (have 3), and I am going to love these. They successfully refined the Define series yet again.
Posted on Reply
#12
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
There's just something smile-inducing about the side panel being such a heavy gauge of steel that when set on the ground on edge, you get a satisfying "Thunk" sound, whereas most panels will have the tinny "clang."
Posted on Reply
#13
THE_EGG
rtwjunkieThere's just something smile-inducing about the side panel being such a heavy gauge of steel that when set on the ground on edge, you get a satisfying "Thunk" sound, whereas most panels will have the tinny "clang."
Do agree although to be fair, I think that is also due to the added rigidity and weight from the noise dampening foam/bitumen stuff on the side panels.
Posted on Reply
#14
Fourstaff
R4 was pretty decent, and quite heavy for its size. This one looks like a winner for the quiet club.
Posted on Reply
#15
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
THE_EGGDo agree although to be fair, I think that is also due to the added rigidity and weight from the noise dampening foam/bitumen stuff on the side panels.
Ohhhh, I had not considered that. You're probably right that is some of it. I just lost half my enthusiasm....:(
Posted on Reply
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