Fractal Design Define R6

[Darksaber]

Fractal Design is launching their updated flagship chassis, the Define R6, today. With the sixth generation of the case, things have changed considerably, and Fractal Design has once again managed to come up with some nice features to set itself apart from the competition with the R6.

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[Folterknecht]

Nice case (and review) - but offering USB 3.0 Type C only via an "expensive" upgrade to a case that already clocks in at ~130€ ... fail

 

[Brusfantomet]

I think the Define R4 supports 8 3,5" dives in addition to 2 2,5" drives, so this is a downgrade in that respect. Not important to most but something to consider when shopping for a NAS case.

Otherwise a nice case.

 

[bug]

For the price of one of those accessories, you can get an entire case elsewhere. Sure, not as good a case as this one, but one that will get the job done nonetheless.

 

[Chaitanya]

Nice case (and review) - but offering USB 3.0 Type C only via an "expensive" upgrade to a case that already clocks in at ~130€ ... fail

True but from Fractals point of view there are hardly handful of high end motherboards that come with USB-C header(Cheapest one on market is Asus X370 Strix) and providing that USB C(via that 20pin header) connectivity might be nothing more than wishful thinking. Though I wouldnt mind paying extra 20$ on that MSRP just to get USB-C out of box instead of current method adding extra front panel to replace existing .

 

[jsfitz54]

I would like to see triple fan GPUs being used in these reviews with pictures, despite the mention of "GPUs of up to 440 mm size will fit".

 

[FreedomEclipse]

A black door on a completely white case.... Id rather have a the door match the rest of the case thanks.

That graphics card looks suspiciously like an 8800GTS(G92) Though it could be a 9800GTX+. @Darksaber What is it?

 

[MonsterMawd]

I like the top panel design. $149.99 is decent price compared to bequiet's similar dark base 700 at $179.99,

30 minute 4K overview

 

[close]

So the USB type C extension is a 30E extra on top of the 150E? Instead of offering the case for 155E with a USB type C port they chose to sell you a whole new almost entirely useless module just for that one port. Dick move.

I would severely downvote any case in that price bracket that charges 30E for one port basically. And given that it's a *replacement* panel, once replaced the old one has 0 value. Can't be returned, resold, or reused. It's a pity to see that reviewer didn't even bother to put this in the "Thumbs down" section, let alone to duck points.

P.S. I know there are even more expensive cases. My point is they chose to sell a 30E module instead of just charging for the extra bit, which is the USB type C port. That would have cost far less than 30E. Why should I pay to replace perfectly good USB ports, audio jacks, power button, cables, etc. just to get that little USB C? Are they also selling a version that comes with the upgraded panel? If so at what price, I missed this info in the article.

 

[dj-electric]

"No more fan controller included"
Software control is ideal. Thank goodness for a hub that takes control to the motherboard.

"Power LED not very bright"
Ever since the Define R3 people have complained about a light too bright in the cases. FD went ahead and made it dimmer by popular demand.

I whole-heartedly disagree with those 2 "cons" in this case.

 

[Joss]

This is a Phanteks in disguise r.i.p. Fractal
The choice (if it was TPU's choice) of a white version was a mistake, most photos are very hard to visualise.

 

[rtwjunkie]

This is a Phanteks in disguise r.i.p. Fractal
The choice (if it was TPU's choice) of a white version was a mistake, most photos are very hard to visualise.

You realize this is nearly the same design (coupled with extreme quality build) that Fractal has been using for about 7 years now? Maybe not, since you seem to think they are copying Phantek.

 

[BluesFanUK]

Barely any difference to the R5

 

[Joss]

This is Phanteks all over, if you can't see it you're blind.
Hidden HDD trays behind a front wall with the make logo on it
Perforated non-removable PSU cover
Single 5.25 front bay
top radiator tray
Fan hub PSU/Mobo connectable

They should have gone with an ATX Node 804

 

[rtwjunkie]

This is Phanteks all over, if you can't see it you're blind.
Hidden HDD trays behind a front wall with the make logo on it
Perforated non-removable PSU cover
Single 5.25 front bay
top radiator tray
Fan hub PSU/Mobo connectable

They should have gone with an ATX Node 804

The only thing new since R4 is the PSU cover. All the rest is just the improvement on what they have already offered with R4 and R5. And these were just a gradual step forward from the R3.

Heaven forbid someone make a PSU cover (which most are doing now). Obvious Phantek fanboy in the house.

 

[Joss]

Obvious Phantek fanboy in the house

Nope, in fact I'm (was?) a bit of a Fractal fan.

 

[Assimilator]

30 bucks for a PCIe riser cable? Fractal's smoking something.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Nope, in fact I'm (was?) a bit of a Fractal fan.

My apologies then.

 

[ironwolf]

30 bucks for a PCIe riser cable? Fractal's smoking something.

$40 for the riser cable. That front airflow or lack thereof is a [major] fail, other reviews mention it.

 

[rtwjunkie]

$40 for the riser cable. That front airflow or lack thereof is a [major] fail, other reviews mention it.

Which ones? I'd like to check them out.

It looks like the same front airflow design in place in both the R4 and R5, both of which have surprisingly good airflow through the front. It only looks like it wouldn't flow well.

Edit: Did sone of my own searching. Your claim is not backed up by Tom's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fractal-design-define-r6-tempered-glass-edition-case,5399.html

or Guru 3d:
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/fractal_design_define_r6_review,13.html

or Hexus:
https://m.hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassis/113360-fractal-design-define-r6/?page=4

Well, just my quick check of first 3 I came accross did not confirm the front lack of airflow.

 

[Sp33d Junki3]

I think the Define R4 supports 8 3,5" dives in addition to 2 2,5" drives, so this is a downgrade in that respect. Not important to most but something to consider when shopping for a NAS case.

Otherwise a nice case.

That is wrong. Case supports 11x 3.5 and 4x 2.5. Case comes with just 6 hdd mounts, which you can add more.
You could also remove the side cover too add 2x more 3.5" drives in the front of the TG.

 

[ironwolf]

Which ones? I'd like to check them out.

It looks like the same front airflow design in place in both the R4 and R5, both of which have surprisingly good airflow through the front. It only looks like it wouldn't flow well.

OK, "fail" is a bit extreme, Gamers Nexus points out that this case is more silence oriented and not marketed as like high airflow. They did show big temp drops with the front door off though. Paul's Hardware didn't temp test but mentioned the fromt air intake could possibly be of concern.

Yeah, from the looks alone it just looks like their isn't great airflow, guess it's not as big an issue then. Still feels like water cooling in the front might not be as great an idea with those potential airflow issues.

 

[xkm1948]

I hope they provided more than 8 motherboard mounting screws. I am fine with FD most of the time, with cheapening out on accessory being the only thing I dislike them.

 

[erixx]

don't like this compartimental concept at all.

 

[Assimilator]

$40 for the riser cable.

Yeah, I switched the riser cable and front panel prices - personally I think both are ridiculous. The riser should be $20 tops and the front panel with USB Type-C should come standard with the chassis.