Fractal Design R4, and best mini-itx case?

[soaringchicken]

I plan on doing 2 builds in the future, one probably being with the fractal design r4 and the other a compact mini-itx build. So I was wondering what you guys think of the r4 (build quaility,usability, ease of access) as well as what your opinions are on the best mini-itx form factor case

[xox]

Cases that I like:

• Fractal Node 304
• Silverstone FT043 Mini
• Bitfenix Prodigy
• Bitfenix Pandora mITX
• Most Streacom Cases

[soaringchicken]

Ohh forgot there was the pandora! Do you know if I can get in in Aus?

[GloriousPain]

<3 Define R4, Particularly the black out edition...
Mini ITX suggestions: Corsair 380T, or 250D, Bitfenix Prodigy, Coolermaster Elite 110 or 130, EVGA Hadron Air or Hydro, Fractal design node 304 are all nice few other options are availible by Silverstone or LianLi I just can't remember specific ones...

[soaringchicken]

<3 Define R4, Particularly the black out edition...

Mini ITX suggestions: Corsair 380T, or 250D, Bitfenix Prodigy, Coolermaster Elite 110 or 130, EVGA Hadron Air or Hydro, Fractal design node 304 are all nice few other options are availible by Silverstone or LianLi I just can't remember specific ones...

Hmm.... What's the 250d like in terms of value/dollar?

[spwath]

<p>

Cases that I like:

• Fractal Node 304
• Silverstone FT04 Mini
• Bitfenix Prodigy
• Bitfenix Pandora mITX
• Most Streacom Cases

Ft03 mini*

[mapegl]

I LOVE my 250D. Really you can put a very high-end system in the case, have a small footprint on your desk and keep things quite cool on air and have options for watercooling as well.

And in addition to that, I find it very good looking. I owned a Prodigy M before, and honestly the 250D looks a lot more elegant, but that is just my opinion.

Also the build quality is very good and it is fully dust-proof.

[spwath]

Lian li pc-a39

Ft03 mini

Other Silverstone

[KingLich]

I use a Define R4 for my main rig. It's a great case. Very quiet, very well built and very understated looks. I would heartily recommend it unless you plan on doing serious water cooling (more than a 2x120 rad).

 

For mITX, it all depends on what you want to use it for. I use a Silverstone ML06 for my HTPC (running Ubuntu + XBMC and Steam In-Home streaming). It's a great little enclosure, but only if you don't need a graphics card (or can live with a low profile one). There are tons of other Silverstones to check out for other kinds of builds, but if you ultimately want a very powerful rig in a small-ish enclosure, the 250D or Fractal Node 304 are probably the way to go.

[soaringchicken]

Alright, thanks everyone. i think I'll go with the 250d, as the system will mainly be to save desk space and to take places when I need a fast PC but can't bring my main rig. However, for that the 240 air might be a little better and the price is only $10 more I think; so I'll have a look into that.

[GloriousPain]

Hmm.... What's the 250d like in terms of value/dollar?

not bad but I believe the 380T is a bit better  or Prodigy(bitfenix)

[ccaian]

After owning an R4 for almost a year now I can say go for a 760t or a sexier case, unless you're into minimalism. Its feels pretty cheap, the door in front is soft flexible creaky plastic and it looks worse in person.

[mapegl]

Alright, thanks everyone. i think I'll go with the 250d, as the system will mainly be to save desk space and to take places when I need a fast PC but can't bring my main rig. However, for that the 240 air might be a little better and the price is only $10 more I think; so I'll have a look into that.

Don't get the 240. I actually wanted to move my system the because I thought it would improve cooling or whatever. Nope. It is bigger. The plastic is annoying. The build quality overall was poor compared to the 250D. The dust filters are low quality and not removable. The fan mounts were not well made, sometimes the the head of screws would just slide through the long rails. Side panels were extremely thin and flimsy.

I would highly suggest horizontal motherboard mounting in any case, but the air 240 gets a large footprint that way. The mounting is healthier for your gpu. No sag.....

Just don't get the 240.