NZXT H440 or Fractal Design Define R5?

[Ghostdenid]

Hi guys,

 

I would like to hear your opinion on this!

 

I'm planning to build my first gaming computer in a couple of weeks and I'm going to order my case first.

 

I was planning to order the NZXT H440 (Black/Blue) but since I got an email about the Define R5 this morning, it seems pretty good after watching Linus's review.

So now I don't know what to get aha.

 

My theme of the build is going to be Black and Blue so remember that. 

 

Here is my parts list http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/NnVMmG 

 

What do you guys think I should get that will look great with the theme? and also, anything I should change in my build? (budget: $1,600)

I would also like to hear your opinions about these cases! 

 

[Octavialicious]

Define R5 all the way B)

[XTankSlayerX]

NZXT H440

 

R5... I never liked the look of Fracal designs cases.

 

H440 has more looks.

[Nomy]

I don't see much of a difference between the R4 and R5 but anyway, I still find the H440 more pleasing to look at than the R5 but that's entirely preference.

[-ism]

This is a tough one, they are both incredibly sexy. I would say the R5 just because I don't like any colors besides white and black in cases.

[MourningSouls]

R5 should have better airflow, even with the door closed. It does however lack a PSU shroud, which is a feature I never liked but am starting to want in every case.

[Aniallation]

What do you guys think I should get that will look great with the theme? and also, anything I should change in my build? (budget: $1,600)

I would also like to hear your opinions about these cases! 

H440 -> looks nicer, slightly quieter

Define R5 -> noticeably better airflow

[Guest]

h440 owner here and i cant recommend it enough.

[sdelta_]

Now which colour....

[Ghostdenid]

Now which colour....

For NZXT or Fractal Design? Well, H440 (Black/Blue) and Define R5 (Black)

[STRMfrmXMN]

H440 is smaller if that means squat to you. It's a little more out there in design but hey, whatever floats your boat. Both are great and whatever you like more/whatever's cheaper is what you should go for.

[I/O]

R5 should have better airflow, even with the door closed. It does however lack a PSU shroud, which is a feature I never liked but am starting to want in every case.

I keep hearing better airflow better airflow but the fact is there are two massive drive cages blocking all the air from entering into the case and a single 120mm in the back.

[I/O]

H440 is smaller if that means squat to you. It's a little more out there in design but hey, whatever floats your boat. Both are great and whatever you like more/whatever's cheaper is what you should go for.

NZXT looks like a transformer on crack barfed up some shit LOL.

[STRMfrmXMN]

NZXT looks like a transformer on crack barfed up some shit LOL.

Ok.

[Ghostdenid]

NZXT looks like a transformer on crack barfed up some shit LOL.

What do you think is better? H440 or R5 if you had to choose between those two.

[Ghostdenid]

H440 is smaller if that means squat to you. It's a little more out there in design but hey, whatever floats your boat. Both are great and whatever you like more/whatever's cheaper is what you should go for.

What do you think is better? H440 or R5 if you had to choose between those two.

[MourningSouls]

I keep hearing better airflow better airflow but the fact is there are two massive drive cages blocking all the air from entering into the case and a single 120mm in the back.

Only if you use them, plus they are less restrictive than most. Restrictive intake is worse than restrictive internals.

[STRMfrmXMN]

What do you think is better? H440 or R5 if you had to choose between those two.

I think the R5 is better but I'd personally buy the H440 because it's smaller which matters to me. If size is no restriction - R5 for sure.

[I/O]

Only if you use them, plus they are less restrictive than most. Restrictive intake is worse than restrictive internals.

This is very untrue. Imagine if you filled the drive cages with drives LOL no air flow and a 120mm in the back is just not enough.

[MourningSouls]

This is very untrue. Imagine if you filled the drive cages with drives LOL no air flow and a 120mm in the back is just not enough.

140, not 120.

 

A full set of drives only removes half the available space. And the rotatable cages are a plus for airflow.

 

I will happily admit that the H440 is better as far as airflow going past the hard drives is concerned. But anybody who needs 8 hard drives will likely be better off going external anyways.

[Aniallation]

What do you think is better? H440 or R5 if you had to choose between those two.

H440. The additional airflow in the R5 doesn't justify the better appearance as well as silence of the H440, unless you're running components with high heat output like two 290/290X's. 

 

Also, that "best" answer is really just an opinion, so not sure why it's marked as best if it doesn't provide that much useful information besides that that guy doesn't like the design of Fractal cases.

[I/O]

NZXT H440

 

R5... I never liked the look of Fracal designs cases.

 

H440 has more looks.

The problem with the NZXT is one day you are going to hate the look of it as it's just flashy and tacky ... The Fractal is classic and classy.

[XTankSlayerX]

The problem with the NZXT is one day you are going to hate the look of it as it's just flashy and tacky ... The Fractal is classic and classy.

The NZXT H440 isn't flashy or tacky at all imo. Its nice, it shows that is has some power with some class.

 

I want a unique curvy case, its simply personal preference but I under stand what you mean.

[HerEscutcheon]

The R5 is more expensive, but will have better airflow AFTER you spend more money on an extra intake fan. It looks like it will be more quiet than the H440, and have more water-cooling support, and support for 5.25" drives. But really I think it comes down to appearance, where I believe the H440 is winning. I'd really like to see what NZXT comes up with in their next revision...

[Ghostdenid]

H440. The additional airflow in the R5 doesn't justify the better appearance as well as silence of the H440, unless you're running components with high heat output like two 290/290X's. 

 

Also, that "best" answer is really just an opinion, so not sure why it's marked as best if it doesn't provide that much useful information besides that that guy doesn't like the design of Fractal cases.

Aha I know what you mean but I do have the same opinion as him so yeah.