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Define R5 Why is it so highly rated?

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I personally don't like it, but theres a lot of room inside as well as being well built, easy to build in/mod, and nice looking (kind of... I still prefer the H440 and S340 by quite a bit -- although the S340 is a different type of case). 

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because for the price it has a lot of feature's, also a lot of people like the design.

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being well built, 

That's just a lie. The R5 is a disgrace to Fractal, let's be honest. Their margin farming has led to a terrible quality chassis that I can twist with my bare hands to the point where it almost will break. The motherboard is about the only thing stopping the cast twisting. 

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It looks sexy imo but i like minimalist stuff no flashy lights and colours, has more hdds than the h440 which is a plus imo and it just has that legacy with the older revisions of being legendary.

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That's just a lie. The R5 is a disgrace to Fractal, let's be honest. Their margin farming has led to a terrible quality chassis that I can twist with my bare hands to the point where it almost will break. The motherboard is about the only thing stopping the cast twisting.

Are you saying that it's crap quality compared to the previous generation?

ON A 7 MONTH BREAK FROM THESE LTT FORUMS. WILL BE BACK ON NOVEMBER 5th.


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Im switching to Phanteks Luxe next month. Mostly because i have found that i can get a more silent build with proper fans and without sound dampning material. In my experience sound dampning material doesn't help with noice reduction. In some cases it can make it worse.

Hardware: Intel I7 4790K 4Ghz | Asus Maximus VII Hero Z97 | Gigabyte 780 Windforce OC | Noctua NH-U12P SE2 | Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB | Seagate 500Gb 7200Rpm | Phanteks Enthoo Luxe | EVGA Supernova G2 850W | Noctua NF12 | SupremeFX 2014 | Patriot Viper 3 16GB.

Gaming Gear: Cooler Master TK Stealth | Sennheiser PC350SE | Steelseries Rival | LG IPS23L-BN ' 5ms | Philips Brillians 144hz 

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That's just a lie. The R5 is a disgrace to Fractal, let's be honest. Their margin farming has led to a terrible quality chassis that I can twist with my bare hands to the point where it almost will break. The motherboard is about the only thing stopping the cast twisting. 

Atlest it's not as bad as the V300 from kingston :P

Hardware: Intel I7 4790K 4Ghz | Asus Maximus VII Hero Z97 | Gigabyte 780 Windforce OC | Noctua NH-U12P SE2 | Sandisk Extreme Pro 480GB | Seagate 500Gb 7200Rpm | Phanteks Enthoo Luxe | EVGA Supernova G2 850W | Noctua NF12 | SupremeFX 2014 | Patriot Viper 3 16GB.

Gaming Gear: Cooler Master TK Stealth | Sennheiser PC350SE | Steelseries Rival | LG IPS23L-BN ' 5ms | Philips Brillians 144hz 

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That's just a lie. The R5 is a disgrace to Fractal, let's be honest. Their margin farming has led to a terrible quality chassis that I can twist with my bare hands to the point where it almost will break. The motherboard is about the only thing stopping the cast twisting. 

You're the only person I know whos had an issue with the R5. 

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i5-4690k || Seidon 240m || GTX780 ACX || MSI Z97s SLI Plus || 8GB 2400mhz || 250GB 840 Evo || 1TB WD Blue || H440 (Black/Blue) || Windows 10 Pro || Dell P2414H & BenQ XL2411Z || Ducky Shine Mini || Logitech G502 Proteus Core

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Just read the million or so reviews for the case online that give it a 95-100% rating and youll understand why it is such a great case. These are people whos job it is to review cases they have a little experience when it comes to cases!

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Are you saying that it's crap quality compared to the previous generation?

 

You're the only person I know whos had an issue with the R5. 

Yes - every R5 that I've seen (40+ units) have all had the same issues with build quality

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Yes - every R5 that I've seen (40+ units) have all had the same issues with build quality

So, what cases do you like? :)

ON A 7 MONTH BREAK FROM THESE LTT FORUMS. WILL BE BACK ON NOVEMBER 5th.


Advisor in the 'Displays' Sub-forum | Sony Vegas Pro Enthusiast & Advisor


  Tech Tips Christian Fellowship Founder & Coordinator 

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Yes - every R5 that I've seen (40+ units) have all had the same issues with build quality

I'm in the same boat here, far from impressed with my R5.

 

With both side panels off and both HDD racks in, you can flex the case pretty easily, but with the side panels on it holds together well. The latch for the left side panel doesn't work well and sticks when I try and take the side off. That side panel gives off some hefty vibrations if it's not screwed in because of the HDD I'm using.

 

But I do like the look of it, it does an alright job of keeping everything quieter (Mainly the HDD) and it's pretty roomy with good airflow.

 

I wouldn't give it the praise everyone else is, but it's still an alright case.

LTT's fastest Valley 970, slowest Valley Basic and Extreme HD scores

 

Desktop || CPU - i5 4690k || Motherboard - ASUS Gryphon Z97 || RAM - 16GB Kingston HyperX 1866MHz || GPU - Gigabyte G1 GTX 970 *Cough* 3.5GB || Case - Fractal Design Define R5 || HDD - Seagate Barracuda 160GB || PSU - Corsair AX760
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Its cheaper, quieter, better airflow and better system temps then the main competator (H440) and basically all other cases in the price range (for a silent case)!

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Yes - every R5 that I've seen (40+ units) have all had the same issues with build quality

 

What would you recommend instead of the R5? Noise shouldn't be tooooo big of an issue since all my fans are Noctuas and the loudest component will probably be the MSI GTX 970. 

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Its cheaper, quieter, better airflow and better system temps then the main competator (H440) and basically all other cases in the price range (for a silent case)!

H440 just looks so much better; also the airflow issues with the H440 are overstated. While it doesn't have great airflow, it's not going to make or break an overclock--things will just run a bit hotter. 

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i5-4690k || Seidon 240m || GTX780 ACX || MSI Z97s SLI Plus || 8GB 2400mhz || 250GB 840 Evo || 1TB WD Blue || H440 (Black/Blue) || Windows 10 Pro || Dell P2414H & BenQ XL2411Z || Ducky Shine Mini || Logitech G502 Proteus Core

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FreeNAS 9.3 - Stable || Xeon E3 1230v2 || Supermicro X9SCM-F || 32GB Crucial ECC DDR3 || 3x4TB WD Red (JBOD) || SYBA SI-PEX40064 sata controller || Corsair CX500m || NZXT Source 210.

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http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/270777-fractal-design-define-r5-review/

 

I quite liked the Define R5 because it was simplistic, however I do agree on this:

 

In my experience sound dampning material doesn't help with noice reduction. In some cases it can make it worse.

 

With higher RPM fans, the foam helps for sure, with extremely low RPM fans, the foam helps, but medium RPM, it feels like it just makes it a tiny tiny bit louder.

CPU: I7 4790K(4.6@1.252v)                               Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Windowed(Black)           Cooler: CM 212 EVO + NF F12 iPPC

RAM: HyperX Fury 1600MHZ CL10 2x4GB      Storage: Samsung 850 EVO(250GB) + WD Red(2TB)      PSU: Corsair RM750 (and no, it hasn't blown up!)

MoBo: Asus Maximus VII Ranger                      Graphics: MSI GTX 970 TwinFrozr (1494MHZ Core)       OS: Windows 10 Enterprise

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Because r4 was

n0ah1897, on 05 Mar 2014 - 2:08 PM, said:  "Computers are like girls. It's whats in the inside that matters.  I don't know about you, but I like my girls like I like my cases. Just as beautiful on the inside as the outside."

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That's just a lie. The R5 is a disgrace to Fractal, let's be honest. Their margin farming has led to a terrible quality chassis that I can twist with my bare hands to the point where it almost will break. The motherboard is about the only thing stopping the cast twisting. 

 

well I have the R5 and think is the best case there is. Why? because I bought it for the silence and looks, not for flexing or twisting the case. With both side panels on, the case doesn't twist at all, who buys a silent case to keep it opened? It's just stupid. When You buy a silent case, You install Your gear inside, close it and forget about it. Simple as that. Ok If You plan to use Your case as a chair, the twisting and flexing may be an issue, but If You plan to use Your R5 as it is supposed to be used then go for the R5, great case.

we are eternal, all this pain is an illusion...

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well I have the R5 and think is the best case there is. Why? because I bought it for the silence and looks, not for flexing or twisting the case. With both side panels on, the case doesn't twist at all, who buys a silent case to keep it opened? It's just stupid. When You buy a silent case, You install Your gear inside, close it and forget about it. Simple as that. Ok If You plan to use Your case as a chair, the twisting and flexing may be an issue, but If You plan to use Your R5 as it is supposed to be used then go for the R5, great case.

Fair point but the issue of the flexing is a major concern for myself and my colleagues. Shipping systems interstate or even just the case alone may lead to damage during shipping. Last thing I need is a package to go a few thousand km west to come back east to be repaired because the board snapped when the case flexed.

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Fair point but the issue of the flexing is a major concern for myself and my colleagues. Shipping systems interstate or even just the case alone may lead to damage during shipping. Last thing I need is a package to go a few thousand km west to come back east to be repaired because the board snapped when the case flexed.

 

ok, when You ship a fully built system I think breaking the MoBo due to case flex is very unlikely because You send it closed with side panels which makes it a lot stiffer and packed in foam and other stuff, also the motherboard itself stiffens the whole thing. When the delivery guys throw Your package around the first things to snap would be the CPU cooler (if it's tall) or the GPU, I have the R5 just beside me on my desk, fully built and I tried to flex it, no way, it's stiff and doesn't flex at all. I built a system for my friend in a cheap case http://www.silentiumpc.com/en/gladius-m40-pure-black/ (about 40 - 50 US Dollars) and he shipped it with DHL from Poland to UK. It was a disaster, it's a miracle the system works, the CPU cooler was bent, the GPU was bent too. The DHL didn't care about "fragile" stickers at all. The motherboard was ok though. You have Your own opinion about the R5, that's ok, but I think the case is great for everyone who wants to build his own system in his own home or office. I don't have any experience in shipping R5's, luckily mine was shipped unharmed :)

we are eternal, all this pain is an illusion...

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Fair point but the issue of the flexing is a major concern for myself and my colleagues. Shipping systems interstate or even just the case alone may lead to damage during shipping. Last thing I need is a package to go a few thousand km west to come back east to be repaired because the board snapped when the case flexed.

Would you ship it without sidepanels on?

He did say it didn't flex with the sidepanels on, also my experience, little flex without them on, no with them on. Just saying :) You might have skipped over it a bit too fast.

 

Edit: Did not see the post on second page, that time I was a bit too quick. Anyways, same point.

CPU: I7 4790K(4.6@1.252v)                               Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Windowed(Black)           Cooler: CM 212 EVO + NF F12 iPPC

RAM: HyperX Fury 1600MHZ CL10 2x4GB      Storage: Samsung 850 EVO(250GB) + WD Red(2TB)      PSU: Corsair RM750 (and no, it hasn't blown up!)

MoBo: Asus Maximus VII Ranger                      Graphics: MSI GTX 970 TwinFrozr (1494MHZ Core)       OS: Windows 10 Enterprise

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1. If you like minimalist design it looks stunning

2. Great feature set,and massive room for cable management

3. If you go nonwindowed and keep the moduvent covers on its rediculisly quiet.

4. If you go with the windowed version as I did it shows just the right amount of gear and is still fairly quiet.

I love this case! Which is surprising because for so long all I used was Corsair cases. But, when my 750d got bent up I decided to try out the R5. Not disappointed one bit.

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I'll keep this post short n simple, why is the Define R5 spoken so highly of? Personally I see a far from exciting exterior and there are other silent cases with good internal layouts too. Is there something I am missing, or is the R5 just overrated? 

Because it's clean and simple. It doesn't have any LED, fancy shapes and kiddy nonsense.

I currently have a HAF XM, at the time it look like a beast, but I think I grown a bit old and now it looks like a child toy.

I think computer cases these days are trying too hard to be complicated and missed a lot of the fundamentals. The Define R5 is like a reset button, going back to what's important.

For a silent case it has good airflow, it has 5 intake fan mounts which is good because you want a positive pressure inside your case instead of negative.

And just look at how many watercooling options it has! It is a small case and it can fit so many rads. That is being very efficient.

 

Every time I see a new case with fancy lines and shapes and LEDs everywhere they disgusted me, that's what the Define R5 did to me.

When I saw the Define R4 for the first time I didn't know what was the fuzz about, but when the R5 came out after so many terrible cases I now knew why it exist.

 

So basically it is a very efficient case, no-nonsense, for the grown users.

 

I just ordered an R5. But there is something I am very worried about, please help me in this thread: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/300335-will-the-h110-fit-inside-the-fractal-define-r5-in-push-config/

CPU AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0GHzCooling AMD StockMotherboard AsRock 970 Extreme4RAM 8GB (2x4) DDR3 1333MHz GPU AMD Sapphire R9 290 Vapor-XCase Fractal Define R5 Titanium 


Storage Samsung 120GB 840 EVO | PSUThermaltake Litepower 600WOS Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit


Upgrading to - Intel i7 - New motherboard - Corsair AIO H110i GT watercooler -  1000W PSU


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Im switching to Phanteks Luxe next month. Mostly because i have found that i can get a more silent build with proper fans and without sound dampning material. In my experience sound dampning material doesn't help with noice reduction. In some cases it can make it worse.

If only the Phantek have bloody side panel fans I would buy it.

I just want to have positive air pressure inside my case.

 

H440 just looks so much better; also the airflow issues with the H440 are overstated. While it doesn't have great airflow, it's not going to make or break an overclock--things will just run a bit hotter. 

The H440 only has 3x120mm intake fans while the R5 has 5x140mm (not just 120) intake fan mounts.

You can say just turn one of the exhaust fans into an intake on the H440 but why would you do that....

 

Dimitry from Hardwarecanucks did a very good review on this....

 

He also show that without the panels there is a small flex but with the panels on there is no flex at all.

CPU AMD FX-8350 @ 4.0GHzCooling AMD StockMotherboard AsRock 970 Extreme4RAM 8GB (2x4) DDR3 1333MHz GPU AMD Sapphire R9 290 Vapor-XCase Fractal Define R5 Titanium 


Storage Samsung 120GB 840 EVO | PSUThermaltake Litepower 600WOS Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit


Upgrading to - Intel i7 - New motherboard - Corsair AIO H110i GT watercooler -  1000W PSU


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