Define R5 Temperature

[Rohan.Le.Roux]

Hi, any Define R5 users who can provide me with a basic idea on GPU and CPU temperatures under load? I'm interested in grabbing this case but am concerned with airflow, and thus, cooling. Also, does anyone know if the Define R4 windowed side panel fits on the Define R5, as the windowed version of the R5 isn't available locally yet. Cheers.

[Tedster]

While the temperatures depend on airflow, you really need to pay attention to coolers first. You'll need a decent cooler on your CPU and a decent GPU cooler.

 

The cooling in the R5 at stock isn't great (because it's engineered for silence) but you can easily add all the fans you want.

[MourningSouls]

It all depends on your fans and specific hardware. It's i,possible to tell you without having identical hardware to run tests with. Out of the box the cooling is going to be crap, a single 140 as intake and another as exhaust isn't going to be doing all that great a job. Upgrade the fans as you always should, and you'll be able to cool adequately.

Personally I'd get 3 140mm Be Quiet! Silent Wings 2, and a 120mm one as well. 2 130's in the front, 1 in the rear and the 120 on the bottom. I'd remove the 5.25" bay and place the 5x3.5" bay in it's place. I'd also probably run the fans at around 7v.

As for the side panels, not without some cutting. They installed a latch that hooks into the panel foe easy removal. Also windows kinda defeat the point of a silence optimized case.

[Lystfiskern]

Its safe to say Fractal`s Define series are the best "silent optimized" cases when it comes to cooling performance. All comparing tests done has the same conclusion.

 

Im not sure on the actual dimensions of the new R5 side panel but as "MorningSouls" mentions it will need modifications due to the new "easy latch" system on the new side panel.However the R5 are available in windowed versions and you should atleast be able to order one from your local retailer.

 

Fractal did release a windowed side panel for the R4 as optional buy..they might do so for the R5 as well.

 

 

Hardware Canucks recently did a YouTube video comparing cooling capasity of the Define R5 VS NZXT H440

[Nicodemus]

I doubt that the R4's windowed side panel would fit on the R5, although if you are feeling a bit DIY you could save some money and go down to your local hardware store and pick up a piece of plexiglass or acrylic and make your own side panel window, there are tons of tutorials online on this kind of mod.

Also temps can be totally different depending on how your cable management is, how your case airflow is set up, etc. etc, as long as your temps are staying within normal range (not above 90C lol) I wouldnt worry too much about it. You could also pick up a couple nice noctua's and put them as your intake's on the front and move the intake fans to the back or something.

 

Cheers!

[Padunkadunk]

I just swapped my rig into a Define r5 this weekend and the temps were decent using the stock fans and stock fans on my H110. I have 4 NH-A14s on the way to replace them, though. Still with <1000 rpms, my CPU never hit over 50C. Didn't get to check my GPUs, but performance never took a dump so I'm sure the temps were fine.

 

I do have to say that the stock H110 fans are garbage, though.