Convince me! (350d vs Arc Mini R2)

[SpaghettiCarbonara]

Hey guys,

 

So I'm going to be doing an mATX build for my first computer soon (hopefully) and I was originally going to get the 350d. After seeing so many recommendations for the Arc Mini R2, with little to no reason behind the recommendations, I've been wondering why so many people recommend it and if it is a better choice for me.

 

It's going to be used for gaming with a little bit of everything here and there, I may water cool it (Edit: the system inside, not the case ) if I can be bothered later on and I don't care too much about noise as I use closed headphones.

 

So it's really down to value and design with me. I used to like the look of the 350d but the more I see it the more bland it looks. The R2 looks a bit too round for my liking but I might get used to it. R2 is slightly cheaper here. I like the SSD mounting plate things in the R2 and I feel it might be easier to get the airflow right in that case.

 

So... Pick one of the two and try your best to convince me to get it!

 

Use as much detail as possible, I hate seeing one line replies.

[SAV1OUR]

both are good just keep in mind that the 350D is only slightly smaller then something like a R4 so its almost pointless not to go atx then

[wtfxmitchell]

i like the 350D but it's all personal, the only thing you have to chose between is atx or mini atx

[nukem]

i just built a new pc in a 350d, gotta say.. i think its my new fav case.

both are good cases tho, personal preference i guess.

[hawaiims]

@SpaghettiCarbonara How about the Aerocool ds cube? It's a much more compact case than those two and is still micro atx. Great case that's really small and looks pretty nice and can still accomodate the longest GPUs and all that. It's also available in many colors and is silence optimized. My go to micro atx case if I were to go micro atx right now (IMO the 350d defeats the whole purpose because it's so big for a mATX case and the R2 doesn't look very nice and isn't much smaller either)

 

All the different colors:

With a very long graphics card installed

 

Oh and I forgot Linus did a NCIXPC build in it:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lQwYyEmkHY

[minicale]

I have the mini r2 and I really like it compared to my old build in a cm storm scout the layout is nice and very modular I have ripped out all the drive bays because I am only using 2 ssds and maybe a hdd in the future which I am either going to put the 5.25" bays back in  (for cable managemant aswell) or just hard mount it to the floor I will say it looks kind of bare but I plan on putting some acrylic in to cover up where the drive bays were.

 

I'll just list the defining points of why I bought it.

 

As for cable management there is enough room to hide the majority of cables and the rubber grommets are nice and stay in place.

The use of filters all over the build is great for stopping dust getting in and are pretty easy to clean especially the bottom filter.

Only cost me £55 compared to the £85 price of the 350d

Modular bays

Good radiator support (I have h105 in the top)

In built fan controller (Only supports 3 pins without adapters or a little modding by cutting off part of the plastic which I did)

SSD mounts on the back tray

 

Hope that helps.

[Piggy]

I used to have a 350d and not to be nitpicky but I didn't like it that much. It was a b***h to cable manage in because there was no room really for routing behind the mobo tray, also it only came with 2 hdd slots etc. etc. 

I am receiving my Arc Mini R2 tomorrow as for all I can tell it is better and so much more liquid cooling capable.

 

Hope I helped

[mapegl]

Well I don't have the Arc Mini R2, and only a friend has the 350D, BUT:

I couldn't really use the Arc Mini R2 because I have a triple-slot gpu with 320mmm length, therefore both HDD-cages would have to go!
The 350D does not have endless space, but enough for a non modular PSU. That worked okay. And through the window, it looks nice!
And the 350D has the better looks in my opinion....but that's personal.