Fractal Define S intake and outake fan help

[Stale Sweetroll]

I don't have one yet, but I've set my eyes on the Define S and intend to get it in the near future. My plan is to have a positive air pressure system using 3 140mm fans for the front intake and 1 140mm fan at the top back spot for exhaust. Because the Define S doesn't have a door and gets its air through those small side vents, does this mean I should stay away from airflow fans for the intake and get static pressure fans instead? And what about the exhaust? Is there one type that would be better for moving that hot air through the exhaust? 

[cheeze_tartz]

AF/SP for intake, AF for exhaust, unless its a rad

[slightlyjaded]

Interesting case, seriously flawed in places.

 

The front isn't quite as much of a limitation as you may think to air flow, but if you have anything behind the fans (rad/hard drive cages) SP fans are the way to go. With only a single 140mm fan mount (and my bias against single fan rads) an AF fan is perfectly fine for the rear.

[nims0c]

Interesting case, seriously flawed in places.

 

The front isn't quite as much of a limitation as you may think to air flow, but if you have anything behind the fans (rad/hard drive cages) SP fans are the way to go. With only a single 140mm fan mount (and my bias against single fan rads) an AF fan is perfectly fine for the rear.

 

Where is the Define S "seriously flawed"? I'm curious because I want to build in this case in the future.

 

The Define S doesn't have hard drive cages by the way.

[slightlyjaded]

Where is the Define S "seriously flawed"? I'm curious because I want to build in this case in the future.

The Define S doesn't have hard drive cages by the way.

Sorry hard drive mounts. Is till see it as an obstruction. I'll answer the other question when i finish work, and have a keyboard.

[tomas710]

I don't have one yet, but I've set my eyes on the Define S and intend to get it in the near future. My plan is to have a positive air pressure system using 3 140mm fans for the front intake and 1 140mm fan at the top back spot for exhaust. Because the Define S doesn't have a door and gets its air through those small side vents, does this mean I should stay away from airflow fans for the intake and get static pressure fans instead? And what about the exhaust? Is there one type that would be better for moving that hot air through the exhaust? 

the whole air flow fans v/s air pressure fans debate has become kinda misleading. In general SP fans are better because they will perform great regardless, and what a restricted airflow is, its just very debatable. I would get SP fans for the intake since it seems kinda restricted and ideally focused airflow (AP141s from silverstone, NF-A14s from noctua would work nicely) You could get the same fan as exhaust but i suggest, let than fan be the 'shallow' one since it's the one that you can see the most and it won't have a noticeble impact. Silent wings 2, Spectre pros, even corsair AF series, whatever your heart desires, just get good intake fans and you are golden 

[colinreay]

I actually just got a define S. The hard drive mounts are great, and have rubber dampening grommets on the sled. Also, it has 2 ssd sleds behind the motherboard tray. I also got a HF Venturi 140mm fan in the front, and will let you know how well it works.

 

Here it is.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll try to answer!

 

 

[Guest]

Interesting case, seriously flawed in places.

I am waiting for your answer as well . Would be interesting to know what makes you think it's flawed.

[slightlyjaded]

I am waiting for your answer as well . Would be interesting to know what makes you think it's flawed.

Sorry crashed out when I got off work yesterday.

 

I'll first say the things I do like about the define S.

It's a simple open box with a lot of room for modification, plenty of options for airflow, and enough filtration that most fan mounts aren't going to bring in the dust bunnies. It's very good for the price point. I do also like the support for drives hidden behind the motherboard for a very clean build from the front.

 

And now for my gripes.

It's cheap, a flexible chassis unless every panel is screwed on, with rather flexible metal used. The bit that aren't metal are very cheap ABS plastic with absolutely no scratch resistance.

Cable routing while adequate doesn't leave much room to get messy, and no way are you going to be hiding non-standard components behind the motherboard tray except at the front with the support for the 3.5" hard drive.

Lastly, that god awful bent motherboard tray they also use with the define R5. For most people this is a plus, as it allows neater cable routing off the front of the motherboard. However my gripe with it is it completely removes support for anything above ATX motherboards that was supported with previous define cases.

 

These are just my opinions, and I know some people love this case, and aren't quite so critical of it. I'd recommend you do your own research, and not take any one person's opinion as gospel.

[Guest]

It's cheap, a flexible chassis unless every panel is screwed on, with rather flexible metal used. The bit that aren't metal are very cheap ABS plastic with absolutely no scratch resistance.

Cable routing while adequate doesn't leave much room to get messy, and no way are you going to be hiding non-standard components behind the motherboard tray except at the front with the support for the 3.5" hard drive.

Lastly, that god awful bent motherboard tray they also use with the define R5. For most people this is a plus, as it allows neater cable routing off the front of the motherboard. However my gripe with it is it completely removes support for anything above ATX motherboards that was supported with previous define cases.

Yes I can pretty much agree to all the points except the bent motherboard tray. I owned a Define R4 and that thing flexed when only one side panel was removed. As for cable routing, I think they tried to fix that by implementing the bent design. But then they created another problem that you mentioned, i.e. no support for larger-than-ATX motherboards. I guess the only perfect solution would be to widen the case, which wouldn't look neat.

 

But at the end of the day, both the Define R5 and the Define S come at a very enticing price point, at which these inadequacies are perfectly acceptable. Just my two cents .

[colinreay]

 

And now for my gripes.

It's cheap, a flexible chassis unless every panel is screwed on, with rather flexible metal used. The bit that aren't metal are very cheap ABS plastic with absolutely no scratch resistance.

Cable routing while adequate doesn't leave much room to get messy, and no way are you going to be hiding non-standard components behind the motherboard tray except at the front with the support for the 3.5" hard drive.

Lastly, that god awful bent motherboard tray they also use with the define R5. For most people this is a plus, as it allows neater cable routing off the front of the motherboard. However my gripe with it is it completely removes support for anything above ATX motherboards that was supported with previous define cases.

 

Yes I can pretty much agree to all the points except the bent motherboard tray. I owned a Define R4 and that thing flexed when only one side panel was removed. As for cable routing, I think they tried to fix that by implementing the bent design. But then they created another problem that you mentioned, i.e. no support for larger-than-ATX motherboards. I guess the only perfect solution would be to widen the case, which wouldn't look neat.

I do see your reasoning here, but I would like to throw in my opinion as an owner of a Define S. I do agree that the frame's rigidity could be better, but I don't really see too much flex while one of the side panels is on, especially the dense side panel with foam, while the windowed side panel has a little flex, due to the lack of sound dampening material. I am not very strong, so I can't really torque the case to see what happens, but it doesn't flex when I'm working in it, atleast not enough to detract from the building experience. For the font panel, I am actually a fan of the brushed plastic, as it doesn't show finger prints, and covers up scratches pretty well. I still haven't taken off the protective covering on the window, but it is secured by by foldable latch/pins, which is really easy to reinstall, so we might see aftermarket windows from guys like MNPCTECH. Also, for the most part, cable routing is great, as you can run well into the recessed hdd tray.

 

Personal Gripes

I really do not like the moduvent system. Although it looks sleek on top, the process of having to remove the side panels, and squeeze the little pins, some times only reachable with pliers (and I have small hands) is pretty aggravating. Also, it may just be my unit, but the window side panel has to be screwed in on the top screw first, or it bends a little, creating a gap so the bottom screw can't go in. (With no obstructions inside.)

 

Just throwing my opinions out there  . Since I came from a $35 case, almost everything, even the flaws are upgrades!