Assembly

Installing a motherboard within the Arc Midi R2 is done by simply using the included spacers and screws. Things are a bit tight above the large CPU cooler, but do not let looks fool you as this is due to the weird placement of the motherboard socket on my AsRock board. The R2 can easily take even thick radiators here if you feel so inclined.


Fractal Design employs the same method as with their Define series of cases when it comes time to install the hard drive. Simply pull the white tray out and secure the 2.5" or 3.5" drive with the supplied screws. The rubber lining ensures that any vibrations are killed on the spot.


Simply slide the drive into the slot of your choice until it snaps into place. While you won't need to worry about it sliding out during transport, Fractal Design also gives you the option to screw the tray down with a single thumb screw. The width of the Arc gives you plenty of space on the other side for cables to be attached; you won't have to buy angled ones.


You have to remove the panel and then the drive bay cover to install the optical drive. The fans are actually not attached to the frame of the chassis but to the front. There is, as you can see, another 140 mm spot below the pre-installed cooling unit. Once the bay is free, simply slide the ODD into place and secure it with the supplied thumbscrews. I used the bottom bay, but the drive still does not extend beyond the drive bay's walls, so you should also be able to use the top bay; that is, if your radiator is not too thick and the optical drive not too long.


Installing the power supply is nothing out of the ordinary. The foam lining kills any vibrations that would otherwise be passed on to the chassis from the PSU. There is also plenty of space for a long unit. Such a power supply will cover the bottom air intake for that optional floor fan, though.


With everything installed, the case makes cable management really easy. Everything can be routed and hidden quite well. You should even be able to keep things nice and tidy with the chassis filled to the rim. The space between the mainboard tray and the side of the chassis even allows thick cables to be run through here.

Finished Looks

Once turned on, the chassis makes a great impression. Untrained eyes may mistake it for the original Arc Midi as the exterior has not changed much, aside from the window and logo placement. The power button comes embedded with a blue LED that lets users know when the system is up and running.


The three fans are actually very quiet when turned down but do generate a clean but fairly noticeable sound stage when turned up all the way. That said, I see no reason to crank them all the way up. Those too lazy to adjust the fans can connect the units to the mainboard. Doing so should also result in a quiet system as the mainboard would rarely run them at full throttle when temperature-based speed fan control is enabled. The side window is awesome, as you can now take a close look at what is making your system tick within. It is small enough to hide any drives and cables coming, giving you a good view of what really counts.