Fractal Design Define Mini C Tempered Glass vs Corsair 275r Airflow

[Filingo]

So the case I wanted to get went up in price instead of down - the Corsair 275r Airflow.

But another case I didn't even know about got cheaper and it's the Fractal Design Define Mini C Tempered Glass. Which cost 68 euro currently. In their website it says that it's quiet yet it has good airflow, but I did not find any real testing with this case about temps and sound. What do you think about the Mini C? How's the airflow there? And the sound level? It does look good, in fact if it has good airflow it looks even better in my eyes, I just don't want my PC to cook ( I live in a hot environment at summer )

 

Thanks

[DailyProcrastinator]

Define Mini C will restrict airflow, go for the Meshify Mini C instead. Airflow optimized front panels make a big difference with regards to airflow and temps. 

 

Also assuming you have a micro-ATX or ITX motherboard? 

[Filingo]

5 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

Define Mini C will restrict airflow, go for the Meshify Mini C instead. Airflow optimized front panels make a big difference with regards to airflow and temps. 

 

Also assuming you have a micro-ATX or ITX motherboard? 

yep a micro ATX. I just thought that the front panel intake seem large (it has some big gap at the side, not a completely closed design). My budget is about 70 euros (because slightly above that and the taxes makes it much higher), and the meshify c is 70 euros right now but not the tempered glass version which I want, but the solid side panel. What happens if I remove the acoustic cover on top of the Define C and use the top opened with the included dust filter? Or that won't help because it's on top and not front?

 

[DailyProcrastinator]

6 minutes ago, Filingo said:

yep a micro ATX. I just thought that the front panel intake seem large (it has some big gap at the side, not a completely closed design). My budget is about 70 euros (because slightly above that and the taxes makes it much higher), and the meshify c is 70 euros right now but not the tempered glass version which I want, but the solid side panel. What happens if I remove the acoustic cover on top of the Define C and use the top opened with the included dust filter? Or that won't help because it's on top and not front?

 

Yeah removing it would not change much for airflow and temps, the front panel restricts a lot of airflow. What country within Europe are you from? I can make some recommendations. 

[Filingo]

4 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

Yeah removing it would not change much for airflow and temps, the front panel restricts a lot of airflow. What country within Europe are you from? I can make some recommendations. 

I am buying from Amazon.de

Btw I thought about just buying that Define C Mini and drilling some holes in the front panel or simply cutting a rectangle and placing a filter (or without even filter, because it has filter behind).. it should work?

[DailyProcrastinator]

6 minutes ago, Filingo said:

I am buying from Amazon.de

Btw I thought about just buying that Define C Mini and drilling some holes in the front panel or simply cutting a rectangle and placing a filter (or without even filter, because it has filter behind).. it should work?

It's an option, but if not done cleanly with proper tools it might not turn out very well.

 

This would be a very good option to consider:

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/VnsmP6/silverstone-precision-ps15-microatx-mid-tower-case-sst-ps15b-rgb

 

Unfortunately the Meshify C TG is out of budget:

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/JsKcCJ/fractal-design-meshify-c-mini-dark-tg-microatx-mini-tower-case-fd-ca-mesh-c-mini-bko-tgd

[Filingo]

5 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

It's an option, but if not done cleanly with proper tools it might not turn out very well.

 

This would be a very good option to consider:

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/VnsmP6/silverstone-precision-ps15-microatx-mid-tower-case-sst-ps15b-rgb

 

Unfortunately the Meshify C TG is out of budget:

https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/JsKcCJ/fractal-design-meshify-c-mini-dark-tg-microatx-mini-tower-case-fd-ca-mesh-c-mini-bko-tgd

the SilverStone does look nice. I just wonder if even drilling some ugly holes at the bottom of the front panel (just where the GPU is) will make a difference. Doesn't have to be pretty, but just holes to let air go in there. What do you think can go wrong other than it being ugly? Also, do you think the Mini C will restrict airflow in such way that it can cause  thermal throttling or BSODS?

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 hours ago, Filingo said:

the SilverStone does look nice. I just wonder if even drilling some ugly holes at the bottom of the front panel (just where the GPU is) will make a difference. Doesn't have to be pretty, but just holes to let air go in there. What do you think can go wrong other than it being ugly? Also, do you think the Mini C will restrict airflow in such way that it can cause  thermal throttling or BSODS?

It would make some difference. But sometimes drilling into plastics or metals without proper bits can yield unfavorable results. I mean the Define is still a good case with acceptable airflow you likely will not have overheating issues, just not the most airflow optimized. 

 

What hardware do you have going into the case?

[Filingo]

31 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

It would make some difference. But sometimes drilling into plastics or metals without proper bits can yield unfavorable results. I mean the Define is still a good case with acceptable airflow you likely will not have overheating issues, just not the most airflow optimized. 

 

What hardware do you have going into the case?

I'm planning to get a Ryzen 5 3700 and GTX 1660 super

[DailyProcrastinator]

Just now, Filingo said:

I'm planning to get a Ryzen 5 3700 and GTX 1660 super

R5 3600 or R7 3700? Either way you should be fine with the Define Mini C even without modding. I would recommend a config of 2x front intake fans and 1x back exhaust fan at a minimum for better airflow results.

 

But this is not hardware that runs very hot so you should be fine!

[Filingo]

7 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

R5 3600 or R7 3700? Either way you should be fine with the Define Mini C even without modding. I would recommend a config of 2x front intake fans and 1x back exhaust fan at a minimum for better airflow results.

 

But this is not hardware that runs very hot so you should be fine!

Ok I just checked and the Define C TG (non mini) went down to lower price (66 for define vs 68 for define mini), should i get the slightly larger ATX case for better airflow? or for future upgrades?

[DailyProcrastinator]

16 minutes ago, Filingo said:

Ok I just checked and the Define C TG (non mini) went down to lower price (66 for define vs 68 for define mini), should i get the slightly larger ATX case for better airflow? or for future upgrades?

Really up to you. I like a smaller case when possible. But this is down to personal preference. 

[Filingo]

10 minutes ago, DailyProcrastinator said:

Really up to you. I like a smaller case when possible. But this is down to personal preference. 

Alright, the Define C (non mini) was out of stock (yet still could order) but I cancelled and ordered the Mini C TG because it's in stock and I want to build that PC already and, like you said I have an mATX board so it will probably look good

[DailyProcrastinator]

8 minutes ago, Filingo said:

Alright, the Define C (non mini) was out of stock (yet still could order) but I cancelled and ordered the Mini C TG because it's in stock and I want to build that PC already and, like you said I have an mATX board so it will probably look good

Yeah the Define Mini C will be a good option. And the board will look better in an m-ATX chassis.

 

Here is one of my builds that went from an ATX case (m-ATX motherboard) to a m-ATX case:

Spoiler