Fractal Design Define R3 or Antec P183?

[blacktankofhopelessness]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new case for my rig. I'm currently unhappy about my Antec Sonata II which gives off too much noise, sometimes to the extent I get a metallic rattle when one of the fans comes up to a high enough rpm.

After looking at Silentpcreview I've narrowed it down to the Fractal Define R3 or the Antec P183. Purely based on your knowledge of these cases and irrespective of any fans used inside, can you recommend either one over the other?

I'm looking to purchase the case later today or tomorrrow.

Thanks!

My rig:
ASUS P8P67 LE
i5-2500K w Noctua NH-U9B cooler
1 x 120 mm very quiet case fan
Corsair HX650
MSI GTX 460 1GB

 

[lsv]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new case for my rig. I'm currently unhappy about my Antec Sonata II which gives off too much noise, sometimes to the extent I get a metallic rattle when one of the fans comes up to a high enough rpm.

After looking at Silentpcreview I've narrowed it down to the Fractal Define R3 or the Antec P183. Purely based on your knowledge of these cases and irrespective of any fans used inside, can you recommend either one over the other?

I'm looking to purchase the case later today or tomorrrow.

Thanks!

My rig:
ASUS P8P67 LE
i5-2500K w Noctua NH-U9B cooler
1 x 120 mm very quiet case fan
Corsair HX650
MSI GTX 460 1GB

Have you considered changing the fans and/or using a fan controller? I have an R3 but I replaced every single fan on it and added additional Noctua's.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Have you considered changing the fans and/or using a fan controller? I have an R3 but I replaced every single fan on it and added additional Noctua's.

+2

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

The R3 is supposed to include a fan controller, isn't it? But yes, if the included fans are too loud I might change them. In that case, the R3 over the P183 I take it?

 

[lsv]

The R3 is supposed to include a fan controller, isn't it? But yes, if the included fans are too loud I might change them. In that case, the R3 over the P183 I take it?

Right yes, it has a small knobby fan controller that can slide into a PCIE slot. I've shoved mine under my drive cage and removed a 3.5" drive caddy to store some extra cables and whatnot.

Tbh I'd go R3 over the aged P183 because you can get really silent by blocking off unused fan ports.

 

[Athadeus]

My R3 with the fan controller installed and turned down to 75% is really nice. There's too many things I don't like about the P183 personally. The R3 just seems like a better case for less money.

 

[Topweasel]

With the fact that you are considering a P183, have you looked into the P280? Seems to be a great option, like a higher end R3.

 

[Elcs]

I'm very happy with my Corsair Carbide 500R. Removed all of the stock case fans except the side 200mm and I don't use the built-in Fan Controller (proprietory piece of crap )

The loudest things in my system when using it for desktop and video watching duties I would say are my hard drives (5400rpm Western Digital Greens suspended in elastic).

When gaming, my graphics cards make an ungodly racket usually.

I would only consider moving cases if you're not going to improve your noise situation in your current case by taking measures such as different fans, fan controller, vibration dampening etc.

That said, people rate the Fractal R3 pretty highly.

 

[lsv]

With the fact that you are considering a P183, have you looked into the P280? Seems to be a great option, like a higher end R3.

I love the P280 minus the inability to block off the top exhausts without spending some cash on vent blockers or making them in my spare time.

The R3 seemed like a better choice for an uber quiet rig once the fans were replaced.

OP have you seen the Corsair 550D at all?

 

[Agenesis]

I have an R3 and I can say that it is more quiet than all of my high end cases (700D, v2120). Feature wise I would pick the R3 over the P183, and also consider that the R3 is made out of almost entirely plastic so if you're picky about the material of your cases you should stray away. For the selling price I don't think there are any other cases on the market that packs as much goodies as the R3.

 

[aoya]

If you're capable of waiting, the Corsair 550D is coming out the week of March 10th.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

I prefer not to wait until the 550D comes out, in fact I'm on my way to pick up my R3 right now. I ruled out the P280 on account of it having a 30% higher price and from reading reviews that stated that the P183 is superior to its predecessor, hence the P280 being something of a let down.

Thanks for the input, you've been helpful!

 

[iluvdeal]

You should be happy with the R3. Make sure you get USB3 version. I wish there was a version with less cheap feeling materials though, I'd be willing to pay more for that.

550D looks good but I prefer the R3 design where you have more internal hard drive bays and less external optical bays. There's a small chance I could use 8 hard drives bays, there's zero chance I'll use all 4 optical bays.