Fractal Design Define R2 - reviewed by MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware!

Fractal Design -
Define R2

Well thought out case

Author:	Jyri Kuusela
Published:	30.11.2009
Manufacturer:	Fractal Design
Product Group:	System enclosures
In English Suomeksi

Temperatures

The temperatures were double checked with SpeedFan and Everest. To make the scenario as close to real life as possible, the motherboard had control of all the fan speeds. To load the system, Intel Burntest and Furmark were used.

Hardware used for the test:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 (2,13 GHz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P
Motherboard: Asus P5Q
Memory: Mushkin SP2-6400+ 2*1GB
GFX Card: EVGA 8800GTS 320Mb ACS3 KO Edition
Hard drive: Samsung 320 GB T166
Power supply: Thermal Take ToughPower 750W
Enclosure: Being tested...

Fractal Design Define R2

The results are quite impressive. I think that the ModuVent system does have something to do with the low temperatures and the air flow is quite optimized by default. It's nice to see that the temperatures stay so low, even when the system is fully loaded and still the case remains quiet.

It's also quite a difference when compared to the Midgard, the hardware is a bit different, but the GPU's are from the same era and Define R2 is able to keep the 8800 GTS 15 degrees lower in load.

Noise

Thanks to the bitumen interior and quiet fans, the R2 is very silent. With automatic fan control it's almost completely silent in desktop use. The fan controller is a very nice accessory to control the noise levels with on-the-fly fan speed adjustment. Bitumen, ModuVent and the Fractal Design fans seem to make a perfect combination.

Conclusion

PROS

Very quiet

Stylish

Full featured

Reasonably priced (~89 &euro at the time of writing)

CONS

Bad paintjob (thin layers)

Gold Award!

Fractal Design Define R2 is a good choice for everyone, who's looking for a stylish and quiet case in the mass of enclosures. While the paint job is a bit too thin, the structure itself is very sturdy. It's packed with features while still being reasonably priced compared to some other cases in the same class, like the Antec P182. It might not be as well built as the Antec, but it's still a good case.

While testing, it became quite clear that the Define R2 has the same frame as the Xigmatec Midgard and also the accessories are similar. The Midgard is cheaper, but it has a few design flaws which Fractal Design has fixed, and at least in my opinion the Define R2 is better looking. With this demonstration, the R2 is worth the golden award!