Fractal Design R3 @ Newegg

I'm not sure everyone will be happy about this but I sure am and already placed an order for one. Anyway they are finally up(been watching this for the past week) and it makes so much cheaper for us USA buyers. Since before today the cheapest spot to get them was NCIX for $114(black) + $55 to ship.
Anyway at newegg now for $109 + $16.99 shipping


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...design&x=0&y=0


They XL should be up soon too id imagine but as of right now its just the R3 in black white and Titanium

Finally.... I love their style and the price just blows Lian Li out of the water.

Yeah Fractal cases look really nice.. Looking forward on getting the Fractal Arc Mini case when newegg carries it..

Is it just me or are the vibration pads for the hard drives located under the drives? Isn't that rendered completely pointless when you screw them in to the drive slots, or am I missing something?

Even with that aside, this is still a terrific value case. $110 for a case with 8 bays is unusual enough, but include in there a thought-out colour scheme, available filters, rubberized punch-through holes, and some kind of attempt at sound proofing? That's fantastic.

I would be interested in seeing some reviews on how good the soundproofing really is.

I will be buying the Define XL on my next build, the main kicker for me is it has upto 14 hard drive slots!

EDIT: Define not R3*

I have always loved Lian-li i might gives these a look.

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Originally Posted by Serra

Is it just me or are the vibration pads for the hard drives located under the drives? Isn't that rendered completely pointless when you screw them in to the drive slots, or am I missing something?

Even with that aside, this is still a terrific value case. $110 for a case with 8 bays is unusual enough, but include in there a thought-out colour scheme, available filters, rubberized punch-through holes, and some kind of attempt at sound proofing? That's fantastic.

I would be interested in seeing some reviews on how good the soundproofing really is.

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They're Antec P180 style hard-drive cages. The screws go through holes in the vibration pads. The drives are bottom mounted.

i was wondering how those were any different than the 32 million other cases out there until I saw the 8 drive bays and the dust filters! This thing is basically built to be a home server/htpc case! Nice price too! I might just buy one when I build my htpc...

yea these cases are really great imo especially for the value..the downside is they are steel vs aluminum of other high priced companies..but im sure to many that wont be an issue..especially since they are painted/powder coated..not sure which..
also there is reviews out about these cases(although not as detailed as i would like but all agree the case is silent and the sound proofing is quality)..they aren't new but just new to the US for the most part. The sound proofing is suppose to be top notch..very silent case while still giving you the option to remove some of the sound proof where the fans go to install more fans if you need or want to do so.. I really think they thought of almost everything at least for me they did..plenty of storage..minimal 5.25 bays( i dont use any) a clean look dust filters quality sound proofing cable management and enough room behind the mobo tray so the sides aren't bulging out..Like said i ordered it today so hopefully will come in friday if its out of texas if not monday im sure.
very excited about this build..
My one concern is will my silver arrow fit...apparently the case can handle up to 165mm high coolers and the arrow is 160mm..so..i pray it fits because the cooler is a perfect combo for this setup imo..very quiet and great performance.

Damn I wish they were in stock when I was in the market for a new case last fall :(

They look well built but to me they look kind of bland....

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Originally Posted by thematrixhazune

They look well built but to me they look kind of bland....

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exactly what ive been looking for..i look at it as sleek and elegant. No flash just straight business. I've been through everything else already since starting building computers all the flashy lights/plexiglass/water cooling/high end cases that are over $300 and ive gotten good use out of most(mainly my stacker 830) but this seems like what im most looking for now a days. quiet sleek with plenty hd space.

I've heard mixed feelings about build quality on the R3 and especially XL but considering the price it's hard to go wrong.

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Originally Posted by InCredible

exactly what ive been looking for..i look at it as sleek and elegant. No flash just straight business. I've been through everything else already since starting building computers all the flashy lights/plexiglass/water cooling/high end cases that are over $300 and ive gotten good use out of most(mainly my stacker 830) but this seems like what im most looking for now a days. quiet sleek with plenty hd space.

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Yeah some 'flashy" cases seem to go overboard on the lights/colors/design. These definitely look like server cases.

BTW newegg no longer has them listed :confused:

wow? my order says shipped..so hopefully i got mine out the door in time.

and yea i still know a lot of people who like that "flashy" stuff....ill talk about something like this and they are like ahh it seems boring...and then they show me what they like and i feel like yea i liked that when that stuff wasn't even out cause it set you apart..now i rely on the parts to do that for me..i was tempted to do the white case cause i have an all black build and i think it would look amazing but then i changed my mind and went all black so now ill have all black case with some white accents, already have 4 black n white 120mm's gelids that are silent then all black board/card/mem only thing that will stand out is the silver arrow which im debating on taking apart the fan and painting them black shroud/white blade to match the rest.

well just noting i got mine in today like scheduled and very very happy with the case..for anyone wondering a thermalright silver arrow does fit. i believe it touches the sound dampening just a bit but not positive..cooling is still very effective and the case is pretty darn quiet. I hear the video card but as of right now the case is literally ten inches away from my head on my desk(when im sitting back..sitting up probably 6inches away) until i route some cables and put it where it needs to. However im confident i wont be able to hear it when its 2-3 feet away and i have to turn my ceiling fan off to even hear it now. Very good case imo, could have slightly better gromets(they fall out easily)

anyway for a little bit of performance i have the two fractal fans up front one gelid 1000rpm 37cfm fan exhaust the silver arrow stock fans and 6950 flashed to 70 (900mhz core/1450mem)
after playing an hour of black ops maxed 1920x1200 in an ambient of ~70F i hit 64C hottest core(i7 920 @ 4.2 with HT 1.27v) and gpu temp max at 79C with auto fan.

Good to hear. What case are you moving from and what were the temps in it? This is one of my favorite cases out there right now. This and the Lian Li PC-V1020 series.

i came from a cm stacker 830..i had both side panels off so id almost say an open table setup really..i was using inverted atx and id say temps are practically the same..actually gpu temps improved and i have no idea how..they would be 84C gaming and the two other temps would be 105C on auto...now they are 79C core and the other two temps are in the 70-80s..
i do believe the cpu was a little lower but only a couple degrees.. i know i cant make exact comparisons because i ripped into this case before testing but ive been viewing temps for the past few days since i went air and they look very similar like said within a few degrees at most.

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Originally Posted by InCredible

actually gpu temps improved and i have no idea how..they would be 84C gaming and the two other temps would be 105C on auto.

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105C ?!!?!? How did your case simply not melt! :D

idk what was going on honestly but that wasn't the core i believe it was for mem io or something

Get rid of those stupid side and top fan grills and then I'll order

Such a boring case.

anyone know if we can mod this to be inverted ATX?

given the whole "you can do anything" line..it holds true here..you can but how will it turn out?..you would DEFINITELY need some skills to pull that off imo. cutting/welding or however you plan to make it stick. Me personally i wouldnt attempt it.

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Originally Posted by StickyRICE

Such a boring case.

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:rofl: Yeah because everyone wants a case that looks as good as an HAF. :rolleyes: