Fractal Define 7 Compact Airflow

[Henrik0x7F]

So I'm in the planning stage of my new computer and am struggling with choosing a case.

I really like the look of the Define 7 Compact but I heard airflow is a problem and since I want to aircool with a Noctua NH-U14S I'm wondering if the 3900X will be thermally limited (GPU: 5700XT).

Most reviews test the case with the stock fans but I'm planning to put two noctua 140s in the front anyways. I don't want CPU and GPU sitting at 80° all the time, is that even possible with that case? I'm willing to wait some time for a meshify version of that case but if that ends up looking like the meshify c it's a hard pass for me. Can you recommend similar cases (looks, size, no TG) with better cooling?

[TVwazhere]

On 8/12/2020 at 2:13 PM, Henrik0x7F said:

I'm willing to wait some time for a meshify version of that case but if that ends up looking like the meshify c it's a hard pass for me. Can you recommend similar cases (looks, size, no TG) with better cooling?

No tempered glass?

 

Interestingly, the only solid side panel option that I can find that's still relatively compact is the Cougar MX330-X. 

[Mateyyy]

It's far from great for airflow, but I mean with the right fans you should be able to make it work.

 

The U14S might be a little tight in there though, especially if you go with the sound dampened side panel instead of tempered glass, since it's a really tall cooler. I'd instead suggest going with an NH-U12A.

What 5700XT model do you plan on going for?

[Chris Pratt]

The U14S is perfectly capable of cooling the 3900X. For the case, you just need some high static pressure fans for intake. If you're going with Noctua, you should be fine with a couple of NF-A14 PWMs. Worst case scenario, you might just have to run them faster that you might have had to with a mesh front case (i.e. potentially more fan noise), but Noctuas are pretty quiet even at high speeds.

[Henrik0x7F]

1 hour ago, TVwazhere said:

No tempered glass?

I'm not yet fully set but it's not like I'm showing off anything. If there is a great case with TG only I might change my mind.

[Henrik0x7F]

1 hour ago, Mateyyy said:

It's far from great for airflow, but I mean with the right fans you should be able to make it work.

 

The U14S might be a little tight in there though, especially if you go with the sound dampened side panel instead of tempered glass, since it's a really tall cooler. I'd instead suggest going with an NH-U12A.

What 5700XT model do you plan on going for?

The U12A is looking like a great cooler (sameish performance as the U14S at 120mm) though it's 30 bucks more expensive here so I thought I go with the U14S. It's a bit tight but I think with a solid panel there's even a bit more wiggleroom compared to TG, steel panels are thinner most of the time.

 

I was planning to get the Gigabyte RX 5700XT Gaming OC.

[Mateyyy]

2 minutes ago, Henrik0x7F said:

steel panels are thinner most of the time.

The sound dampening material Fractal uses actually adds a fair amount of thickness, or at least it does on my Define R6.

 

3 minutes ago, Henrik0x7F said:

I was planning to get the Gigabyte RX 5700XT Gaming OC.

That's not bad, though I'd also look for an MSI Gaming X, Sapphire Pulse (or the more expensive Nitro+) or Powercolor Red Dragon (or the more expensive Red Devil), but if the Gigabyte card is cheaper than all of these then that'll work as well.

[Henrik0x7F]

7 minutes ago, Mateyyy said:

The sound dampening material Fractal uses actually adds a fair amount of thickness, or at least it does on my Define R6.

 

That's not bad, though I'd also look for an MSI Gaming X, Sapphire Pulse (or the more expensive Nitro+) or Powercolor Red Dragon (or the more expensive Red Devil), but if the Gigabyte card is cheaper than all of these then that'll work as well.

That's good to know. But I think Fractals specification takes this into account. I also saw people here using the D15 in that case so I'm willing to take the small risk. It's not like a tight gab has performance implications for tower coolers.

 

What's better about the models you recommended? Just higher clocks? The gigabyte card is supposed to be pretty cool and silent.

[Mateyyy]

3 minutes ago, Henrik0x7F said:

What's better about the models you recommended? Just higher clocks? The gigabyte card is supposed to be pretty cool and silent.

The Gaming X, Red Devil and Nitro+ are definitely better in terms of noise and cooling. The Pulse and Red Dragon shouldn't be too far off the Gaming OC though.

[Pellefant]

On 8/12/2020 at 8:13 PM, Henrik0x7F said:

So I'm in the planning stage of my new computer and am struggling with choosing a case.

I really like the look of the Define 7 Compact but I heard airflow is a problem and since I want to aircool with a Noctua NH-U14S I'm wondering if the 3900X will be thermally limited (GPU: 5700XT).

Most reviews test the case with the stock fans but I'm planning to put two noctua 140s in the front anyways. I don't want CPU and GPU sitting at 80° all the time, is that even possible with that case? I'm willing to wait some time for a meshify version of that case but if that ends up looking like the meshify c it's a hard pass for me. Can you recommend similar cases (looks, size, no TG) with better cooling?

Dude I'm you some 8 month later (I want the airflow of meshify one but I hate the front panel). Did you end up getting the compact 7 and if so did your temperatures stay reasonable?

[Copacetic]

Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact with the solid side panel? 
Same internal layout but without the sound damping foam, and of course the more open front panel.
https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/meshify/meshify-2-compact/Black/