Fractal Design Arc Video

[Saltire]

From Bill Owen @ mnpctech.com

Looks good to me and nice to see it other than just from the few available images that everyone has seen.

Optional window panel IS coming soon from FD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV3tD...&feature=feedu

[miptzi]

man, I NEED this cases ( especially the mini)

I've made a thread before, loking for them

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=268989

[Bill Owen]

Just got notified by Fractal about the 3x 140mm fan specs included in the case.

19dB and 50.6CFM @ 1000 rpm.

Thanks for sharing the review Saltire!

[Saltire]

Also, imo to make this case perfect is offer an optional (or included) window panel... not a stupid one like other manufactures do.. one with the window is the approx size of the motherboard with no fan mount (nice & clean to match the rest of the case).

@Saltire... As for windowed side panel; it will be sold as a separate item.

Still to see what it looks like though.

[Bill Owen]

Still to see what it looks like though.

After speaking with them, it's very likely they will be similar to the clear surface mounted windows used by Lian Li and Silverstone, or some type of frame mounted on exterior.

[miptzi]

Bill, I mailed Fractal and they said to me :

" the case will hit Newegg about end July"

do you know something about this as well?

[justin150]

I want one.

Looks like I can mount a nice thick dual 120 or 140 rad in the front and a thinner one at top. Very nice

Any one have a view on which to get the Fractal or a CM 690

[Saltire]

After speaking with them, it's very likely they will be similar to the clear surface mounted windows used by Lian Li and Silverstone, or some type of frame mounted on exterior.

Thanks for the heads up

[Bill Owen]

@miptzi, I'm in contact with Fractal's US Distributor, their exact words to me...

Late June/early July. Trying to expedite as much as possible.

@justin150, for $20 more, the Arc offers many more options than 690 II

Better Cable management than 690
More HD/SSD storage. (space for 8 or 9 HDD) 8x SSD
Arc HDD cages are Steel, not plastic like 690
You can rotate HD cage 90 degrees,
More fan size options in the top panel (3x 120/140 or 1x 180mm)
Removable PSU filter screen
Better quality filtration screen, including top panel
Black Powder coated Chassis
Larger opening in Motherboard tray
Vertical PCI slot

As soon as I can get OS, I'll post temps w/ my Arc system with factory fans.

Core i7 920 with Scythe Mugen v2 CPU Cooler with NZXT 120mm Fan 1300 RPM, 47.27 CFM / 25.35 dBA, EVGA X58 (extended ATX), 295 GTX, Mushkin 4GB DDR3, Mushkin Callisto SSD, and NZXT 850 PSU with 140mm cooling

X58 is E-ATX , which explains why cable management holes are partially covered on other side.






Poor little SSD, you look so lonely....

[Bill Owen]

Fyi: For those fans of Fractal, they've replaced the stinky "bitumen" dampening material when the Define XL was released, with a foam that is similar in weight, but orderless

[miptzi]

bill, I just got a glimpse on the miNi on youtube, another 24min video.....

the top mesh is not equal to the miDi....
SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! soooo had to got 360 rad no the mini.....

My dream of easy internal 360rad on matx case got stolen.....

*sigh*

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

bill, I just got a glimpse on the miNi on youtube, another 24min video.....

the top mesh is not equal to the miDi....
SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! soooo had to got 360 rad no the mini.....

My dream of easy internal 360rad on matx case got stolen.....

*sigh*

Hope for a revision.

I still say mod it, but that would ruin the look.


I've been there w/ cases.

[justin150]

Bill: Thanks for the info. I think I am sold on the fractal.

My storage needs are low (mainly because of the 4,5TB NAS I am putting downstairs) so only really need room for an SSD and 1 HD to handle OS swap file and some data. Looking at this case a nice thick radiator in front in obvious but I am thinking maybe the Phoyba 200m rad for the top with that 180mm fan - 90% of the cooling area of a 3x120 rad but in a more compact shape.

That gives me lots and lots of cooling for some fun over clocking

[aerial]

too bad front is plastic

[Bill Owen]

@miptzi, This is just my opinion, based on my own experience with Fractal Design. They recognize there is consumers like you, who want the largest size radiator option possible. However, you are not a mainstream ($) consumer. Mainstream consumers won't mod their case. There is several cases on the market that have space to fit 360 radiators, but don't include pre-made mounting for them Why is that? So they can offer that feature in the more expensive version of the case As I illustrated in my review, a 360 radiator fits comfortably in the Arc, So why didn't they simply add 360 mounting holes to the factory die? Because they want you to buy the larger version (once released) of the case instead for more money. Marketing 101.

@justin150, glad I could help. Most of the response I've been getting after the review is that Corsair's 650 will be the Arc's biggest rival for built-in features. I know the Corsair Fanboys will disagree, but at $199, the Arc will steal away a lot of it's sales at $90 less.

FYI:

@ 2:39 in Fractal Design Arc review I tried installing the Hardware Lab's 240 stealth GT "gen 2" (15mm spacing) into the Arc's 240 factory mounting holes. The top Optical bay prevents it from aligning with the mounting holes, regardless of which direction the radiator is placed. The reason this radiator doesn't fit? It has the inlet and outlet holes on opposite ends, which makes it slightly longer. As far as I'm aware, Hardware Lab is the only manufacturer offering this particular design. Hoping somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

Ok, so Fractal contacted me immediately after the video was posted and asked that I check it again, to confirm 100% that it wouldn't fit. I happily obliged and reach the same conclusion again. They told they would fix the issue, but as to when we will see this fix made? No idea at this time, but I can ask them to update me.

[miptzi]

I stiil could cut the hell out of the Mini, but I don't want to do that....

Bill, can you check a 360 on the midi? aligned in the center of the top, not offset (as they designed)
They told me it would generate a conflict in the DIMM area....

[Bill Owen]

I stiil could cut the hell out of the Mini, but I don't want to do that....

Bill, can you check a 360 on the midi? aligned in the center of the top, not offset (as they designed)
They told me it would generate a conflict in the DIMM area....

The only 360 rad I have atm is being used in a system, that is why I used a cardboard radiator template in the video review.

If one comes in for a project, I will check it

[miptzi]

wating for you man,

lol

[hallaor]

freat case.. my dream...

[miptzi]

got this from them today:

"....
NCIX should get a container beginning of August and Newegg approx July 20th.
Best Regards,
Anna"

[miptzi]

Bill, Check this out

The early shots of the case, both those on their site or the ones taken on the firt appearences on hte case, shows the top HDD cage a little "off", uncentered, biased to the right, stealing VGA space...



your pics seems a little different, but I'm not sure.
Can you confirm this? Are they aligned now?

[Bill Owen]

I will check when I return to the shop this week... Keep in mind, their photo was a prototype case, not final retail version, so there will be slight tweeks in final version

[miptzi]

lets hope, then;.... lol

taks for the fast answer

the 20th of july is at hand, and I'm ready to rock that Newegg stock!

[miptzi]

IT ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

newegg got them on stock

[Saltire]

I bought this case as soon as it was available in the UK.

Nearly a year has passed and still no sign of a window panel.

Although I still like the case, I wouldn't have bought it if I knew there was never going to be a separate window panel.

C'mon Fractal Design... get your finger out and lets have the panel as an available option.