Fractal Design Define R5

Darksaber · Dec 17, 2014

The Fractal Design Define R5 is the fifth generation of this series, once again with updated features, looks, and functionality to meet the needs of those who want a quiet system and those looking to install a lot of liquid-cooling. It manages to impress in nearly every way with its unique and functional approach and great material mix.

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Deleted member 138597 · Dec 29, 2014

I like the boldness of the case. But yes, it looks fat due to increased width. Fractal Design should have noticed that, or could have used the space for rear PSU mounting and lighting (like Phanteks Enthoo Primo). Great space and neat routing ability - and truth be told, that S24 and PSU matches perfectly with the case :rockout:

.

Joss · Dec 29, 2014

Super case, and elegant as well.
With a second intake fan you can leave them at 500 rpm under all circumstances,
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Quiet_ATX_Gamer_R5_Version

Orbit · Dec 30, 2014

I've not noticed any review or video show it so I think I know the answer but can you hang the 3-bay 3.5" cage where the 5.25" bays are? Looks like you can put the 5-bay one up there but just 3 would be perfect for me.

IINexusII · Dec 30, 2014

Great case, ive had it for a month now. initially came with a broken power switch, but fractal sent me a new switch as soon as they could.

Assimilator · Dec 30, 2014

FRACTAL DESIGN

Y U NO ARC XL R2?

adulaamin · Dec 30, 2014

Thanks for the review @Darksaber. :toast:

Excellent case. If I knew beforehand that Fractal Design would be releasing this, I would've waited a bit longer for it to become available before I bought the 760T.

Norton · Dec 30, 2014

Assimilator said:
FRACTAL DESIGN

Y U NO ARC XL R2?

^^^ this!

A fresh revision on both the Arc XL and the Define XL is most wanted!

SirMango · Dec 31, 2014

Superb case. I'm glad Fractal Design has continued updating the Define R series.

Primey_ · Dec 31, 2014

My next case for sure =D

vargis14 · Jan 19, 2015

What is the card that looks like a pcie ssd above the PSU?

Ferrum Master · Jan 21, 2015

What are those stock fans? Cannot find those anywhere, those are not SS R2.

Sold My R4, bought this one. I am happy. If anything, just ask here.

SAINT ENZO · Oct 21, 2022

My favorite computer case, no hassle every component fits and its super quiet. i have my 240mm aio gpu radiator on the front and my 240mm aio cpu cooler on the roof of the case.

Wasteland · Oct 22, 2022

You bumped a 7.5 year old thread to praise this case, but I don't blame you. What's stunning is that if you want a case in 2022 that has lots of HDD space, there still isn't anything obviously better than the Fractal R5, even at the inflated ~$140 price for which it was selling, last time I checked. That's why I own two R5s.

The Antec P101 is a compelling alternative, but I don't like the unremovable and unventilated PSU shroud. Two of the newer Fractal cases--R7 and Meshify 2--also look nice, but they're more expensive than the R5, and they don't come with a full suite of HDD trays. I am amazed at how overwhelmingly the market has moved away from flexible storage configs, and towards what I would consider gimmicks (RGB, transparent side panels).

System Name	Meshlicious Monster
Processor	Intel Core i5-10600T
Motherboard	MSI Z490I Unify
Cooling	NZXT Kraken Z53 with 2x Noctua Redux 1300 RPM PWM fans
Memory	ADATA 16 GB 3200 Mhz DDR4
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio
Storage	TeamGroup 1TB NVMe SSD
Display(s)	Asus ProArt 27" 1440P, 75Hz
Case	ssupd Meshlicious with mesh side panels
Power Supply	Fractal Design Ion 660 W Platinum ATX
Mouse	Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro Wireless
Keyboard	Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
Software	Windows 10 Home

Processor	AMD FX 8350 Black Edition @ 4.2Ghz
Motherboard	Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 Rev 4.0
Cooling	Corsair H100i
Memory	Samsung Green 16GB 30nm 1600Mhz DDR3
Video Card(s)	XFX HD 7950 DD 3GB @ 850/5000Mhz
Storage	240GB Intel 520 SSD + 2TB Seagate Barracuda
Display(s)	ASUS PB278Q 27" QHD
Case	Fractal Design R5 Black
Power Supply	Seasonic Platinum 760W
Mouse	Corsair Raptor M40
Keyboard	Corsair Raptor K50
Software	Windows 10 Pro

System Name	Firelance.
Processor	Threadripper 3960X
Motherboard	ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming
Cooling	IceGem 360 + 6x Arctic Cooling P12
Memory	8x 16GB Patriot Viper DDR4-3200 CL16
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Ventus 2X OC
Storage	2TB WD SN850X (boot), 4TB Crucial P3 (data)
Display(s)	3x AOC Q32E2N (32" 2560x1440 75Hz)
Case	Enthoo Pro II Server Edition (Closed Panel) + 6 fans
Power Supply	Fractal Design Ion+ 2 Platinum 760W
Mouse	Logitech G602
Keyboard	Razer Pro Type Ultra
Software	Windows 10 Professional x64

System Name	hmmm... / lappy (ASUS Scar III)
Processor	Intel Core i7-8086K / Intel Core i7-9750H
Motherboard	ASUS Maximus XI Formula / ASUS G531GW
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15s w/ 2 x Noctua NF-F12 PWM Chromax and 1 x Noctua NF-A15 HS-PWM Chromax Fans / Stock
Memory	4x16gb G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 3600mhz / 2x16gb Kingston Hyper X Impact DDR4 2666mhz C15
Video Card(s)	2 x EVGA GTX 1080 TI FTW3 / Nvidia RTX 2070 8gb
Storage	2 x Samsung 960 EVO Plus 1tb NVME/ 1tb Intel SSDPEKNW010T8 NVME + 2tb Samsung 860 EVO SSD
Display(s)	Acer Predator X34P / ASUS 15.6" Screen
Case	Fractal Design Meshify S2 White-TG + Noctua Chromax Fans / ASUS Scar III Case
Audio Device(s)	Onboard + Logitech Z623 / Onboard
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime Ultra Titanium 1000W + PROLINK PRO903WS / ASUS ADP-230GB B Power Brick
Mouse	Corsair Vengeance M65 PRO RGB / Logitech MX Anywhere 2S
Keyboard	Corsair K70 LUX RGB / ASUS Scar III Keyboard
Software	Windows 10 Professional x64 / Windows 10 Professional x64

System Name	Main PC- Gamer- Main Cruncher/Folder and too many crunching/folding rigs
Processor	Ryzen 5900X- Ryzen 5950X- Ryzen 3950X and etc...
Motherboard	Asrock X570 Extreme4- MSI X570S Tomahawk MAX WiFi- MSI B450M Bazooka Max and etc...
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S (dual fan)- EK 360 AIO with push/pull fans- Corsair H115i RGB Pro XT and etc...
Memory	2x16GB GSkill FlareX 3200/c14- 4x8GB Corsair Vengeance 3600/c16- 2x16GB Team 3600/c18 and etc..
Video Card(s)	MSI Gaming RX 6800- Asus RTX 3070 TUF OC- MSI Ventus GTX 1660Ti and etc...
Storage	Main PC (1TB WD SN850- 2TB PNY CS 3040- 2TB Seagate Firecuda) and etc...
Display(s)	Main PC (2x24" Dell UltraSharp U2414H)
Case	Phanteks P600s- Seasonic Q704- Fractal Meshify C and etc...
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Z625 THX 2.1 speakers
Power Supply	EVGA 750 G3- SeaSonic DGC 750- EVGA P2 850 and etc...
Mouse	G300s
Keyboard	Corsair K65
VR HMD	N/A
Software	Windows 10 Pro or Ubuntu
Benchmark Scores	Why sit on the Bench when you can get in the game and Crunch!!!

Fractal Design Define R5

Darksaber

Senior Editor & Case Reviewer

Deleted member 138597

Guest

Joss

Orbit

IINexusII

Assimilator

adulaamin

Norton

Moderator - Returning from the Darkness

SirMango

Primey_

vargis14

Ferrum Master

SAINT ENZO

Wasteland

Processor	Intel Core i5 4670K
Motherboard	GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87
Cooling	Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
Memory	16GB Corsair Vengeance (4 x 8GB)
Video Card(s)	GALAX GeForce GTX 970 OC Silent Infinity Black Edition 4GB
Storage	WD 1TB, 120GB & 250GB Samsung 840 EVO
Display(s)	BenQ XL2411
Case	Fractal Design Define R5
Power Supply	XFX PRO 650W Core Edition
Mouse	Zowie FK2
Keyboard	Vortex POK3R

System Name	Gaming Rig
Processor	i7 2600k @ 4.6-5.0ghz depending on ambient temp W/CM140XL 24 ambient full load 65c max temp
Motherboard	Gigabyte P67-UD4-B3
Cooling	Cooler Master Nepton 140XL with push pull 140mm jetflo fans running at 700rpm "silent" 1200rpm hear
Memory	2x8GB DDR3 1600 PNY XLR8 9.9.9.24 1T
Video Card(s)	2X EVGA GTX 770 4GB Classified ACX cooled cards in SLI @1280mhz core 7950mhz memory on air
Storage	3x2TB WDgreen, 240gb Radeon R7, 128gb Kingston SSD, 320GB Samsung 7200rpm, 250GB WD Blue
Display(s)	21/9 super wide LG 34UM95 34" 3440x1440 resolution IPS monitor
Case	Coolermaster HAF 922
Audio Device(s)	Sound blaster Z
Power Supply	Corsair TX850v2
Mouse	Logitech G402 that performs better than the Razer Imperator it replaced
Keyboard	Razer Black Widow Ultimate
Software	Win 7 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	Valley Extreme HD 4326 Firestrike score 12814 3dmark11 P17893 Catzilla 30197

System Name	HELLSTAR
Processor	AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard	ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling	2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory	4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX. Water block. Crossflashed.
Storage	Optane 900P[Fedora] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO+SN560 1TB(W11)
Display(s)	Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case	Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s)	SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC
Power Supply	Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse	Razer Basilisk
Keyboard	Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software	FEDORA 41

System Name	Mah Baby
Processor	11700K
Motherboard	Z590 Asrock phantom 4
Cooling	Water
Memory	32gb 3200mhz
Video Card(s)	MSI Suprim GeForce RTX 4090 24GB GDDR6X
Storage	4 TB Gen 4 NVME
Display(s)	Odyssey Neo G8
Case	Fractal Design Define R5 soon to be replaced with ENTHOO PRO 2 SERVER EDITION
Audio Device(s)	Klipsch Reference
Power Supply	1000 Watt EVGA
Mouse	Logitech G502
Keyboard	logitech g512 silver
VR HMD	Meta Quest Pro

Processor	Core i7-12700
Motherboard	MSI B660 MAG Mortar
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15
Memory	G.Skill Ripjaws V 64GB (4x16) DDR4-3600 CL16 @ 3466 MT/s
Video Card(s)	AMD RX 6800
Storage	Too many to list, lol
Display(s)	Gigabyte M27Q
Case	Fractal Design Define R5
Power Supply	Corsair RM750x
Mouse	Too many to list, lol
Keyboard	Keychron low profile
Software	Fedora, Mint