Fractal R3 out at newegg

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

fuzzymath10

Senior member
Feb 17, 2010
520
2
81
Another contender in this price range is the Lian Li A04

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-316-_-Product

It's got 7 HD bays, 2 5.25, but only supports a mATX mobo (which I suspect for a lot of people is perfectly fine). I'm torn between the A04, Arc Midi, or Arc R3 for my HTPC/server.

I have the A04; the Fractal Define was on my short list but wasn't available from NCIX at the time.

I think the A04 might have slightly favourable dimensions. Also because I use it for blu-rays, I didn't want a door blocking the optical drive.

A couple of other points:
1) The A04 weighs about 10lbs. It is extremely light; my NSK1480 is smaller but heavier because of the steel. I think the Fractal is steel and thus quite heavy.
2) The A04 has two front usb ports. One is hooked up to a usb 2.0 header, the other is a usb 3.0 extension cord so you can plug it into a rear usb (2.0 or 3.0) port through a hole at the back.
3) Even though it lists 7 3.5" bays, there is a spare 2.5" spot; I have an SSD and four hard drives and have room for three more.
4) It's available in silver, and I like two-tone since it has some black accents and my blu-ray drive is black.
5) The Fractal is probably similar, but the A04 is very quiet. I have two running fans connected to voltage reducers and one fan isn't even powered, and both my CPU and GPU are passively cooled, and they still don't overheat. Mind you my parts aren't the highest powered around, but still modern. This is with stock fans; with good fans cooling should improve and/or become quieter.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Why is everyone regretting their P180/P183 decisions? IMO, they're better cases than the fractal. I suppose that the fractal is a bit cleaner looking, but the P18_ seem better designed.

The P183 is a nice case but I like the looks of the Fractal better. The P183 is not a true black case (at least on the sides) and the holes on the side of the front door are OK, but I like the smooth face of the Fractal (P180 for that matter). All in all, as long as it's quiet, I'll be happy though.
 

perdomot

Golden Member
Dec 7, 2004
1,390
0
71
I ordered the white one as soon as Newegg had it. Been wanting a white case after seeing several reviews on Youtube.
 

12andy

Member
Jan 20, 2011
194
0
0
My innards went back into my P180, shortly after my R3 purchase.

CPU/ GPU temps were about the same, given identical fan configurations (two 1200 Slipstreams @ 5V at rear/ rear-top); I was hoping for much lower temps on the R3, given its apparent increase in intake area (by means of the bottom vent).

Without resorting to any DIY means, the R3's drive sleds were poor in dampening HD vibrations. Seeks from my Sammy F3 could be felt - not to mention heard- along the chassis, with a mild resonance. I suspect drive suspension would be a lot easier to do though, in the R3's case.

The top section of the case felt very flimsy, and would flex under the slightest downward pressure. ("But but, the case isn't supposed to be a stool, dummy!" I know, but this doesn't inspire much confidence, either way. Make sure you have smooth fans, if running up top.)

The bottom fan filter's "fabric" would rub against the fan blades, producing a high-pitched sound.

The front fascia's plastic felt much cheaper, in comparison to the P180.

I'm not going to get any further on this, but the R3 now resides at my ex's condo. It's a nice case for what it is (looks awesome, has great features which should be implemented by the P184, should the time come), but after working with the P180, it's hard to settle for something as flimsy as the R3 (I had to pry the sides off forcefully with a small slot screwdriver every time, FFS).

I hope this doesn't detract from your purchasing decisions though, guys/ gals. Consider this contructive criticism for Fractal Design. I wish them all the best, truly.

With that said, I've been eyeing the XL for a long time now. Might drop by NCIX to see if they have any on display; hopefully it's much more rigid than its R3 counterpart.
 

zod96

Platinum Member
May 28, 2007
2,868
68
91
Just got my R3 and love it! System is dead silent. Its probably the quietest system I've ever had. And it looks awesome. I'll throw some pictures up later.....very very pleased...
 

dpodblood

Diamond Member
May 20, 2010
4,020
1
81
What other quiet cases are out there? The last really good quiet case I recall is the coolermaster cosmos, and that cost twice as much.
 

mv2devnull

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2010
1,511
149
106
The bottom fan filter's "fabric" would rub against the fan blades, producing a high-pitched sound.
Just try putting a Gentle Typhoon to the front intake slots; rubs the filter real bad. One could blame GT's design for that though. Furthermore, the filters are attached by screws. No quick take out and clean option for the lazy.

It is not silent IMO, and some details could have more attention to them, but sadly it is still a mile above my previous cases, so I cannot really complain.
 

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
2,548
0
76
Why is everyone regretting their P180/P183 decisions? IMO, they're better cases than the fractal. I suppose that the fractal is a bit cleaner looking, but the P18_ seem better designed.
I don't regret getting my P183, especially for the price I got it at ($90 AR and promo?). I totally believe the P183 is better than the R3, and it better be! The P183 retails for ~$150 while the R3 is ~$100.

According to the SPCR review for the R3, the quality of the R3 is lower with flimsier sheet metal than something like the P183. frostedflakes also mentioned this earlier. So, it seems you really get what you pay for.

I would have liked to consider the XL, mostly because I wanted more HDD bays. I'm not sure if the build quality of the XL is any better than the R3 though.
 

DrBoss

Senior member
Feb 23, 2011
415
1
81
Just got my R3 and love it! System is dead silent. Its probably the quietest system I've ever had. And it looks awesome. I'll throw some pictures up later.....very very pleased...

please do
 

zod96

Platinum Member
May 28, 2007
2,868
68
91
I guess its in the eye of the beholder. I went from a P182 to the R3. And I think the build is just as good as the P182. They couldn't be more equal IMO. I hate how the P183 is silver inside, its so 80's look
 

12andy

Member
Jan 20, 2011
194
0
0
I guess its in the eye of the beholder. I went from a P182 to the R3. And I think the build is just as good as the P182. They couldn't be more equal IMO. I hate how the P183 is silver inside, its so 80's look

I must disgress.

The R3's entire chassis twists whenever the sides are being put back on.

The sides can be popped inward/ outward.

Simply tapping on the top of each case reveals different tonal characteristics. The P180 exhibits a nice "thunk thunk".

The area where the PSU screws go through flexes inwards when you tighten them.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but just calling it for what it is. :| If you tinker around with your components often, I'd very much look elsewhere. The tabs that help align the side panels take a beating after awhile....
 
Last edited:

zod96

Platinum Member
May 28, 2007
2,868
68
91
Ok here's mine...and yes those rubber things in the case come out way way to easy...I ended up taking them out...



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 

mv2devnull

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2010
1,511
149
106
Ok here's mine...and yes those rubber things in the case come out way way to easy...I ended up taking them out...
As well as taken out the bottom dust filter, and the rear fan isn't original either, if I'm not mistaken.
 

zod96

Platinum Member
May 28, 2007
2,868
68
91
Oh yes, I replaced the rear fan with my trusty Scythe Sflex 800 rpm fan which pushes the same amount of air as the stock fractal one but at half the noise. And yes I did remove the bottom thing as well..
 

DrBoss

Senior member
Feb 23, 2011
415
1
81
Ok here's mine...and yes those rubber things in the case come out way way to easy...I ended up taking them out...



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

looks great

is there any chance you could pull a measurement from the PCI-E mounting plate to the hard drive cage? I am interested in knowing the length to determine which GPU's will fit in the case (mainly i want to know if a Radeon 6990 is going to fit).
 

SmCaudata

Senior member
Oct 8, 2006
969
1,532
136
looks great

is there any chance you could pull a measurement from the PCI-E mounting plate to the hard drive cage? I am interested in knowing the length to determine which GPU's will fit in the case (mainly i want to know if a Radeon 6990 is going to fit).

I think 290mm. The fractal website lists it. I'm going from the top of my head.
 

Jodiuh

Senior member
Oct 25, 2005
287
1
81
What about the Lian LI PC-9F? I've narrowed down to that or the ARC Midi. I'll need windows for either though.
 

DrBoss

Senior member
Feb 23, 2011
415
1
81
The XL is also now for sale on Newegg @ 149.99 + shipping. My build is still a few weeks off... hope they don't sell out
 

DrBoss

Senior member
Feb 23, 2011
415
1
81
Well, not wanting to miss out on the Fractal Design Define XL (black) i went ahead and purchased it along with:

(1) Thermalright Archon Heatsink [comes with one Thermalright TY-140 fan]
(1) Thermalright TY-140 [Additional fan for push-pull on the heatsink]
(1) Thermalright X-Silent 120
(3) Thermalright X-Silent 140
(1) Shin-Etsu X23-7783D Silicon Thermal Compound

I will replace all fans installed in the case aside from the 180mm with the equipment listed above.

Now i am just waiting to purchase everything else for the build once the GTX590 specs/performance is known. Hopefully prices on slightly older GPU's (GTX580, Radeon 6970 and 6950) decrease as the AMD vs. Nvidia war heats up.
 
Last edited:

mv2devnull

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2010
1,511
149
106
Probably interesting. X-Silent 140 @750rpm is quiet, but that requires controlling the fans. I'm actually now waiting for Cougar Point B3 replacement before tearing open my R3, and X-Silents are on the plan too.
I will replace all fans installed in the case aside from the 180mm with the equipment listed above.
I wonder what Silverstone AP-180 would do up there.
 
sale-70-410-exam    | Exam-200-125-pdf    | we-sale-70-410-exam    | hot-sale-70-410-exam    | Latest-exam-700-603-Dumps    | Dumps-98-363-exams-date    | Certs-200-125-date    | Dumps-300-075-exams-date    | hot-sale-book-C8010-726-book    | Hot-Sale-200-310-Exam    | Exam-Description-200-310-dumps?    | hot-sale-book-200-125-book    | Latest-Updated-300-209-Exam    | Dumps-210-260-exams-date    | Download-200-125-Exam-PDF    | Exam-Description-300-101-dumps    | Certs-300-101-date    | Hot-Sale-300-075-Exam    | Latest-exam-200-125-Dumps    | Exam-Description-200-125-dumps    | Latest-Updated-300-075-Exam    | hot-sale-book-210-260-book    | Dumps-200-901-exams-date    | Certs-200-901-date    | Latest-exam-1Z0-062-Dumps    | Hot-Sale-1Z0-062-Exam    | Certs-CSSLP-date    | 100%-Pass-70-383-Exams    | Latest-JN0-360-real-exam-questions    | 100%-Pass-4A0-100-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-300-135-exams-date    | Passed-200-105-Tech-Exams    | Latest-Updated-200-310-Exam    | Download-300-070-Exam-PDF    | Hot-Sale-JN0-360-Exam    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Exams    | 100%-Pass-JN0-360-Real-Exam-Questions    | Dumps-JN0-360-exams-date    | Exam-Description-1Z0-876-dumps    | Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps    | Dumps-HPE0-Y53-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-HPE0-Y53-Exam    | 100%-Pass-HPE0-Y53-Real-Exam-Questions    | Pass-4A0-100-Exam    | Latest-4A0-100-Questions    | Dumps-98-365-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-98-365-Exam    | 100%-Pass-VCS-254-Exams    | 2017-Latest-VCS-273-Exam    | Dumps-200-355-exams-date    | 2017-Latest-300-320-Exam    | Pass-300-101-Exam    | 100%-Pass-300-115-Exams    |
http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    | http://www.portvapes.co.uk/    |