A Closer Look - Outside

Taking a first look at the Arc Mini R2 right out of the box, it looks very similar to the original, but Fractal Design updated the chassis to warrant the R2 nomenclature, as we will see later on. A few pieces of tape and a protective layer on the side window ensure that your case is in drop-dead perfect condition right after you take it out of the box.


The front looks very similar to Fractal Design's previous Arc offerings. Round edges, simple design elements, and the use of both plastic and lots of metal mesh work well. In the rear are the company's signature white elements and a bottom-mounted PSU bay. Both side panels of the chassis are flat, but Fractal Design embedded a well-sized window into the main panel. It has been installed in a way that hides any and all visible mounting holes and is tinted.


Taking a closer look at the front of the Arc Mini R2, the bigger portion is taken up by an air vent out of metal mesh. It sports a dust filter and can easily be popped out for access to the fans in the front. You may install up to two 120 mm units here. Fractal included one right out of the box. The fan also features white fan blades - we would not expect anything else from Fractal Design. Above that are the two 5.25" drive bays, which two installed covers fill out perfectly. As with all Arc cases, the Mini R2 also features a faux aluminum-brushed surface.


The bottom-mounted PSU bay in the rear comes with two sets of mounting holes, so you may install a power supply with the fan facing up- or downward. Above that are the 4 + 1 expansion slots for the motherboard. Each of them is protected by a separate white cover. The fifth, vertical slot may be used to route some I/O from the motherboard out the back of the chassis, for example. Another 120 mm fan in the top is set to push hot air out the back of the Arc Mini R2. You will also find two openings for water-cooling tubes in this area.


Just like with its bigger brother, the Arc Midi R2, the top is a large metal-mesh panel which has been framed in plastic and placed on top of the chassis' metal frame. You will also find the I/O in the top of the chassis. It consists of the usual pair of audio plugs and two USB 3.0 connectors. Fractal has also included a basic fan controller with three settings and the power and a tiny reset button here. The fan controller comes with three 3-pin connectors and is powered by a Molex plug, but more on that on the next page.


A large dust filter on the bottom of the chassis spans across all openings there. You can easily pull it out at the back of the case, without tipping the chassis over. Its mesh is very fine, so you won't have to worry about dust making its way through the mesh.