Fractal Design Case Club - Page 181

I just got the Fractal Design R3 in white a few days ago and built a new computer into it. I'm very happy with the case. I don't think the build quality is perfect in every aspect but for what you get (clean exterior, quality sound dampening material, quality switches, lots of space, excellent cable routing ability, fan filters, quality feet) I think it is great value at its price point. I almost ordered the Antec P183 and I'm glad I found the Fractal just in time while compiling my parts list. Never had a white case and I like this one a lot. I've read through this whole thread and I'm impressed at your guys' modding prowess and cable management skills - really some beautiful designs in here. I've never had a case with a window nor care about lighting (my case normally aren't very visible - to side of desk) but I do have an idea of my perfect case.

I give the case a 95/100.

Some things that I think would make the case even better (probably different from most of your guys' list):

1. I think the hard drive trays should be more solid and fit in better - not rattle.

2. The case should be a little more forward looking - should have an eSATA port on the top with the USB.

3. I think the case could be sold with an upgrade kit (premium silent fans with a quality fan controller that has separate control for each of 5 fans and matching color that mounts into the 5.25" slot - impossible to find a white fan controller now . . . )

4. More easily removable fan filters for easier cleaning, this was a must feature for me and I'm used to the Antec P180 that has fan filters with clips that are easily taken out, moved to the sink, and washed.

5. If number 3 isn't an option I think a better fan controller either way the included one is just not near the quality of the rest of the case.

6. A better manual (I know small gripe).

7. Switch to turn off front LED and/or switch colors or do a color transition from say blue to red.

8. Maybe a case strap / carrying strap (in an add-on kit maybe) - these cases are heavy.

9. Some internal edges are a little sharp.

10. The rubber grommets should probably be glued in or have a better seal.

11. I have had cases with front doors for a long time and like them but for a case this high quality I'd love to see the door be actual metal and true brushed aluminum.

12. Kinda surprised the R3 has not Fractal Design logo or the name printed anywhere on the case that I see . . .

13. Would love to have a case badge that is high quality like metal or some shield that has the Fractal Design logo on it.

14. Would love to see them offer some other colors too.

15. A top hard drive dock would also be cool.

Anyway, those are just my wish list for making this case even more perfect, I'm sure your guys list would be different. Either way this one of the best cases I've built into (including Lian Li).

I'd love to also see some Fractal Design accessories (case badges, shields, T-shirts, mice, keyboards, mouse pads, mugs). This company has done some serious quality work why stop with just a few cases?

^ Some of your comments sorta applies to most cases on the market lol.

I agree with some of them though, like the rubber gromets which were a huge hassle to keep them on.
But do take note, that the R3 is considered cheap tbh. So stuff like high quality materials for the door, and better fan controllers, will cause the price to jack up and personally, Fractal makes very good brush aluminium knockoffs

And I think various colors will not fit the R3 Cant imagine such a professional looking case being anything other than black and white. Gray probably.

Apart from that, nice review I would have given the same score.

My gripes would be too little space behind the mobo tray to hide the cables, the blue power LED is quite bright, and would have loved to be able to remove some of the HDD cages like the Define Mini IIRC.

Fellow Arc Midi user here!

I've read through most of the thread pages and I see a lot of great work on these cases! Mine is still a work in progress, but I'm getting some really great ideas from this thread. Keep it up!

Thanks!

You should get a nice build log going of your progress, we love those here

I forgot to ask, has anyone changed the LED on the Design R3? I have the red LED with the white case and I just can't get over how it feels like the case is in error mode or something is wrong . . .

Seriously look at lots of electronics and I don't think red is a normal color for proper functioning. I'd love it to be purple - even bright white would have been OK. I looked at it and it appear the LED power wires are soldered in but I don't see anything that can be removed.

I just put them in last night, work pretty well - top of the case still vibes a tad with them - but I nearly solved that by hitting the fan with a Noctua LNA adaper

As for the rubber bumps, those don't bother me it's the inside - now I've got like 1" rubber screws protruding from my top exhaust fan (inside the case).
I'm thinking of just snipping them, but that essentially means it's a one-time use kinda thing - would have to get some extras just in case.

Maybe they could make a limited edition case with lots of those features and charge more? I think the case is def. worth more than its $99 price tag, I would have probably been OK paying $150 knowing what I know now. I've paid $80 for cases that worth barely worth $15 and they took my blood when I put hardware into them. I think lots of the Antec cases are good but also use plastic doors, I don't get it, is metal hard to put on a door or does the hinge part add lots to the cost? I've read professional reviewers that complain about nice cases when the door is plastic. Hey I'm just in search of the perfect case and I'm shocked and how far away so many vendors are from making one. Fractal Design, I believe, could come close to doing it and if it raises the cost so be it. Have you seen some of the crazy prices out there for some fugly cases????

Silverstone Temjin ATX full tower = $659 ? ? ? ? ?
Lian Li ATX full tower = $500 ? ? ? ?
Thermaltake Level 10 = $369 ? ? ?

Has anyone tried the Scythe Kaze Master II fan controller on that case with the door??? It has retractable knobs!!!

I just thought of the ultimate feature for the perfect case, you guys tell me what you think.

A fan controller that is wireless - like a small LCD picture frame that you can have just sit on your desk. Why not? The fan controller would be inside the case like normal but just have a transmitter/receiver that sends/receives control and info signals.

From what I've seen on here you guys are fond of your fan controllers and some of you mount them inside your case (which would be inconvenient for control) and I bet a lot of you don't want to mount one on a 5.25" drive bay.

Google "NZXT Sentry LXE" and "Bitfenix Recon"