Introduction
Of all the cases that have been in our test laboratory over the past six months, Fractal Design Define C has the largest number of little things and features. This case can accommodate a large tower cooler and a cooling system with a radiator up to 360 mm, while the case has excellent noise insulation, so you can organize not only a cold, but also a quiet system. But this is not what made a special impression on us. We'll tell you what exactly it is in the review.
Appearance of Fractal Design Define C
Six months ago we tested Fractal Design Define S, and to be honest, we thought that Define S would differ in some little things that could be listed in a few sentences. But the differences between Define C and Define S begin already at the stage of acquaintance with the exterior.
The dimensions of Define C are much more compact, especially in length, although it is also designed for assembling systems on motherboards in ATX, microATX and ITX formats. Yes, the front panel and control buttons are the same in design and location. We got the version with a window in the side door, but as always, Fractal Design also offers a version without a window, but with a seat for an additional fan not in the side panel - this is exactly the version the Define S was.
The front panel is completely plastic, but has a layer of vibration and noise insulation. Air intake is carried out through holes on the sides of the panel.
But I’m ready to kiss the creator of the next “feature” - on top there is a monolithic plug that covers the seats for two 120 or 140 mm fans, which is also equipped with a layer of noise and vibration insulation. You can remove the plug and replace it with a dust filter, which is fixed with magnets, which comes with the case (otherwise someone might think that it needs to be purchased separately). Define S does not have such a filter, that is, either there is a plug, or there is a fan that is not protected from the external environment - and this is no longer good.
Behind the front panel, which can be easily removed without disassembling the case, there is also a quick-release filter that covers the seats for three 120 mm or two 140 mm fans. The Define C comes with two 120mm Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP12 fans - one in the front and one in the rear.
At the bottom, just like the Define S, there is a lower dust filter, but this time it is removed from the front, not from the back (which is somewhat more convenient), and it also covers the entire lower part, and two-thirds as before.
Please note that under the filter you can see that the hard drive cage is secured with four bolts, and the position of the cage is adjustable over a fairly wide range. This is done so that you can move the basket to make room for installing front fans or a radiator for a water cooling system, or vice versa - move the basket forward to give more space for the power supply and wires. By the way, Define C supports ATX power supplies up to 175 mm long.
The rear is also not without surprises. You won’t surprise anyone with white plugs today, just like 120 mm exhaust fans, the position of which is adjustable vertically (again, so as not to interfere with the radiator of the cooling system, or for coaxial installation with the processor cooler). But a removable frame for installing a power supply is a rarity. This is done so that the power supply is installed from the back, and not from the side, as is usually the case. It will be especially useful for users of modular power supplies - if there is almost no free space, it is easier to unscrew the two wing screws with your hands and slightly pull out the power supply to attach or unfasten the wires than to unscrew small bolts with a screwdriver and completely remove the power supply.
We remove the side cover and see that Define C follows the trends and has a plastic casing that divides the internal space of the case into two zones - the lower one for the power supply and two 3.5" drives, and the upper one for all other system components. The casing extends from the front wall to the back.
And here the question arises - how to install front coolers and, especially, the CVO radiator. Everything is very simple - you need to unscrew two bolts from the front and you can remove a small insert, which will free up the required space. Moreover, even with the insert installed, you can install two 140 mm fans. This is a very interesting idea, since, if necessary, it will completely isolate the hard drives from hot components, but if necessary, you can remove the insert and have a seat for a third 120 mm fan at your disposal.
On the other side of the motherboard, the picture is completely different from that of the Define S. Yes, here we also see rubber split plugs for routing wires, but the drives are installed in a completely different way. There is one removable pad for three 2.5" drives, and it is installed in such a way that it covers the backplate of the processor cooler. That is, when replacing the latter, you will have to unscrew this pad with drives (fortunately, it is fixed with just one thumbscrew) and remove it so that it did not interfere, but for most users this is not even a problem.
And for a 3.5" HDD there is a basket with two slides with rubber dampers to reduce vibration. If desired, you can also put 2.5 HDD/SSD in these slides, so in total we can put up to five drives - the same as and in the larger Define S.
If we compare Define S and Define C head-to-head, the first, of course, is larger in size and more spacious, especially if we talk about restrictions on the air cooler (in Define S you can install an air cooler with a radiator up to 420 mm and even with an expansion tank ), processor cooler (180 mm vs. 170 mm), video card (425 vs. 315) and power supply (300 vs. 175). The Define S also has two more fan slots (plus one fan at the top and bottom). As for the rest, the difference is in the nuances, say, in Define S you can install three 3.5" hard drives, and in Define C - only two. But does this really play a big role for a modern computer?
If you try to find shortcomings in this model, then what comes to mind is not a shortcoming, but a feature - a completely screwdriver assembly. Of course, when assembling a system, you basically can’t do without a screwdriver, but it would be nice if the drives could be changed without resorting to a tool. There's probably nothing more to complain about.
Price issue
At the time of writing the review, the cost of Fractal Design Define C in the version without a window was at the level 5900 rubles. Fractal Design Define S is only slightly more expensive - approx. 6500 rubles.
conclusions
Without a twinge of conscience, we declare that we really liked Fractal Design Define C. This is another quiet, monolithic, well-thought-out case with a Scandinavian design. It is somewhat more compact than the Define S, but still allows you to build a very powerful gaming system with two video cards and a water cooling system. So if the dimensions of the Fractal Design Define C are sufficient and all the components fit, then you can stop at this model. If we compare it with its competitors, Define C pleases with quick-removable and easily accessible dust filters, as well as the ability to choose between noise insulation or better airflow, thanks to the presence of both a plug with noise-vibration insulation and a magnetic dust filter. It is up to the owner to decide which of these to install on the housing cover.
Lutovinov Maxim (aka. Kok)
03/03.2017
It should be recognized that by the beginning of 2015, optical disc drives for PCs were completely a thing of the past, having fallen under the onslaught of high-speed connections to the global network, now available even in remote corners of the planet. Gone are the disk drives that were one of the last devices available for the 5.25″ bay, and now some computer case manufacturers have decided to ditch them entirely. Company Fractal Design was no exception, releasing a new representative of the popular Define series of ATX-compatible cases - Define_S, which lost not only the optical drive bays, but also the front door and horizontal HDD slides.
That Define_S purchased instead of them, how it differs from other representatives of the series and why it is interesting - read in this test material.
0. Box and delivery set
The theater begins with the hanger, and the review of the computer case begins with the box and delivery kit.
The case is supplied in the now traditional Fractal Design a box made of thick, unpainted cardboard measuring 54x32x61 cm. On the front sides there are images of the case assembled and in components, on one of the sides there is an image of the internal mounting panel, and on the other there are tables of technical characteristics of the case and cooling system.
The case is protected from damage by thick foam inserts, so you don’t have to worry about any incidents during transportation. Carrying handles are also not forgotten, but it is better not to carry the box with the case in your hands over long distances, since their total weight is more than 10 kg.
In addition to the case itself, in the box you can find an instruction manual and a box of accessories. It has enough bolts and stands to assemble any compatible configuration, only plastic ties are not enough, but for an ordinary user who does not reassemble the body once a month, the six available will be enough, and the assemblers of such ties will have a carriage and a small armored train. 
1. Appearance and internal structure
Let's move on to the case itself, taking it out of the box described above. Compared to what I had Node 304 This case looks gigantic, although in fact its size is 52x23x47 cm, which is not any kind of record, but the case cannot be called small either.
The first impression is strict, black, spacious. For review, I received a version with a transparent window, which was initially protected by as many as two layers of transparent film. 
The front panel is solid, made of fairly soft (beware of scratches) plastic with an aluminum-like texture, ports and buttons are directed upwards, i.e. the designers designed it to be installed on the floor; the entire remaining side surface is occupied by ventilation holes. The set of controls is standard - two USB3 ports, audio input and output, a small Reset button, a large backlit Power button and an HDD activity LED.
Also noteworthy are the series of cases already familiar to users Define There are plastic linings on the top of the body, but I’ll talk about them a little later.
Open the front cover and look inside: 
We see that the power supply is located at the bottom, there are 3 oblong holes for cable management, and there are no 5.25″ bays or traditional hard drive cages at all. Also visible are two pre-installed 140mm fans and a footprint for an ATX, microATX or miniITX motherboard.
Let's return now to the above-mentioned plastic linings. If you press your finger on the latches holding them, they can be easily removed revealing a seat for a 140mm fan: 
The cover is equipped with a sound-absorbing coating, and the fasteners hold it well enough so as not to rattle or require excessive effort when removing.
If you remove all three trims, the top panel of the case looks like this: 
The panel is compatible with 1, 2 and 3-section SVO radiators with widths of both 120 and 140 mm.
It's time to remove the back cover, which turned out to be surprisingly heavy. 
It is also covered with sound-absorbing material. The knurled fastening screws for tightening by hand do not separate from the lid, and therefore cannot be lost during assembly - another plus for Scandinavian designers who think through even such seemingly trifles.
The reverse side of the case looks quite atypical: 
There are innovative vertical mounts for hard drives and solid-state drives, of which there are only five: 3 places for 3.5″ or 2.5″ and 2 more places for 2.5″ only. This number of drives will be enough for the average user, but fans of multi-disk RAID arrays from full-size HDDs will be disappointed. The 3.5″ mounts are equipped with rubber anti-vibration inserts, traditional for Fractal Design cases.
Also visible are reusable cable management system ties (“Velcro”), a removable dust filter for the power supply unit, and solid rubber feet of the case.
Continuing to “undress” the experimental subject, we remove the front panel: 
We come across another air filter, this time with a magnetic mount, remove that too: 
Now it is finally clear what exactly the user received instead of the compartments that were a thing of the past - another 3x120mm or 2x140mm space for air coolers or fans. In total, the case has space for 7 140mm sections in a 3+2+1+1 configuration and 8 120mm sections in a 3+3+1+1 configuration - in my memory this is a record among cases of this size.
It remains to look at the bottom panel of the case and you can start assembling: 
The seat for the power supply unit is equipped with vibration-damping legs and is compatible with a power supply unit of any reasonable length (when using a nearby location for a 140mm fan, the length of the power supply unit should not exceed 165mm).
On the other side of the bottom panel there are mounting holes that are compatible with most external SVO pumps on the market, so their installation does not require any modification to the case - another big plus for designers. 
2. System assembly
The presence of 7-8 seats for CBO sections, compatibility with pumps and through ventilation makes this case an ideal candidate for assembling a hellishly powerful gaming system with an ATX motherboard, a powerful processor and a tandem of two video cards, but, to my shame, I have no such system simply not, so we will collect what we have: Intel Core i7-3770, Kingston HyperX Fury 1600C9 16Gb kit, Zotac Z77ITX, Zotac GTX760 AMP!, Corsair Neutron GTX 240 Gb, Fractal Design Newton R3 1000w and CoolerMaster Seidon 120M.
There are no unpleasant surprises during assembly, the case is very comfortable and well thought out, the front panel wires are long enough even for full-size ATX boards with connectors in the lower left corner of the board. 
Cable management is also quite good, the Velcro holds tightly, there is enough space for wires, but to install an SSD in 2.5″ mounts, the length of the SATA cables may not be enough, so I had to put the SSD in the central 3.5″ bay, fortunately this there is a possibility. 
The result is a neatly assembled system with a minimum number of protruding wires and drives hidden behind the wall: 
Close the lid and you're done.
3. Operation, noise level, thoughts and conclusions
Based on the results of two weeks of operation in 24/7 mode, the case showed itself to be good. During the day it is completely inaudible against the background of street noise; at night the sound of three fans becomes noticeable, but not annoying. The system temperature in the case is 1-2 degrees lower than on an open bench, so its cooling can be given the highest rating.
Disadvantages include overly bright blue Power and HDD LEDs, as well as the lack of holes for CBO hoses on the rear panel. The fact is that the distance from the motherboard to the top of the case is about 3 cm, and it is clearly not enough to mount a high-quality SVO radiator along with fans on the inside of the top panel. You can mount the radiator inside and the fans outside, in which case there is no hole for wires on the back panel. Thus, it turns out that the top panel cannot be used at 100% without modifying the case. I hope that this issue will be corrected in future revisions of the corpus. Otherwise, this is an excellent case for any system that needs serious cooling.
pros:
+ overall attention to detail
+ innovative interior design
+ 7/8 seats for 140/120mm air cooler sections or fans (in configuration 3+2+1+1/3+3+1+1)
+ convenient cable management, good noise insulation, removable dust filters
Minuses:
— there are no holes on the rear panel for the outlet of air cooler hoses
May not suit:
* lack of bays for optical drives
* presence of only three bays for 3.5″ drives
The corps rightfully deserves the award " Editor's Choice«.
4. Additional materials
Promotional video from the manufacturer
The Define R line of cases has become one of the most successful in recent years. Today the fifth edition of the “middle tower” has been released, but the internal structure has not undergone significant changes. To better respond to the challenges of the time in the case segment, Fractal Design decided to add a “sister” model to the Define R. But can Define S be called a more modern alternative to the popular line?
The formula for success is not that complicated. The Scandinavian case designer offered flexible interior configuration options and a quiet cooling system. The retail price is about 100 euros (6-7 thousand rubles) and is quite affordable for demanding users. But the requirements for cases at the time of development of the first Define R were still somewhat different from the realities of our time. In particular, the storage subsystem has changed in recent years. Many buyers today are using more and more external drives, and there have also been changes in the maximum number of drive bays.
With the spread of high-speed Internet access, more and more users began to abandon optical storage devices. Therefore, case manufacturers are gradually removing 5.25" bays from new products. Typically, several modular HDD racks remain in the case, which can be installed or removed as needed, they provide additional configuration flexibility. Fractal Design Define S was another step in this direction, the case completely removes all the drive racks. All five drive bays are located behind the motherboard tray. This concept is reminiscent of some cube cases, where the motherboard and drive segments are separated, which gives some advantages: the motherboard segment leaves a large amount of space for long graphics cards, high-performance front-facing radiators and other cooling components.In addition, the airflow from the front case fans is no longer blocked by the drive racks, which allows for higher cooling performance.
The absence of drive racks has another positive effect - it reduces the price. Fractal Design abandoned the front door and fan controller, so a potentially modern Define S should cost less than the Define R5. The manufacturer indicates a recommended retail price of 89.99 euros for a case with a solid side wall, the version with a window will cost 99.99 euros.
The interior has been heavily redesigned, but on the outside, the Define S is not much different from the Define R. You get an angular, minimalist design with a faux aluminum fascia at the front. We tested a case with a window through which we could see the interior in all its glory. But, unfortunately, the window forces you to sacrifice sound insulation on the side panel.
Fractal Design Define S comes with a user manual, warranty card, installation accessories and black cable ties.
Before we begin the test, let me present the main specifications of the case in tabular form.
The Fractal Design Define line continues to expand. But what we have before us is not a new Define R model, but a whole new Define C series, in which compact cases will be produced. So far, the Swedish manufacturer has presented two models, Define C and Define Mini C.
The Fractal Design Define line is hardly worth specially introducing to our readers. The modern case remains in our recommendations, but Fractal Design continues to expand its popular line. Last year, a water-cooling-friendly product entered the market. A few months later a more compact model appeared. This year, the manufacturer introduced two new compact models, namely Define C and Define Mini C.
The two new buildings have a clear separation. Define C is a midi-tower case that supports ATX motherboards. And in the Define C Mini case you can install only micro-ATX motherboards. In both cases, the cases are more compact than many competing products. Fractal Design paid attention to the interior, which has been completely revised. Compared to the same Define R5, the ATX Define C case is much smaller. Instead of measuring 232 x 462 x 531 mm (W x H x D), it measures only 210 x 440 x 399 mm (W x H x D). The depth was especially seriously reduced. Apart from its more compact dimensions, the Define C follows the familiar Fractal Design look and feel. The cases combine a simple angular shape, a closed plastic front panel and an aluminum finish. Enclosures are available with a closed insulated left panel or with a window.
Fractal Design ships both Define cases with different user manuals but the same accessory box. In addition to installation accessories, the manufacturer only supplied cable ties. You also get a magnetic dust filter that can be mounted on the top of the case if you prefer an open top with fans.
Before we start testing, let us list the main specifications in a table:
| Specifications: Fractal Design Define C and Define C Mini |
||
| Manufacturer and model: | Define Mini C | |
| Material: | Steel, plastic | Steel, plastic |
| Dimensions: | 210 x 440 x 399 mm (W x H x D) | 210 x 399 x 399 mm (W x H x D) |
| Form factor: | ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| Drive bays: | 2x 2.5/3.5" (internal, in HDD rack), 3x 2.5" (internal, separate mount) | |
| Fans: | 3x 120/2x 140 mm (front, 1x 120 mm pre-installed), 1x 120 mm (rear, pre-installed), 2x 120/140 mm (top, optional), 1x 120 mm (bottom, optional) | |
| Weight: | about 6 kg | about 5.5 kg |
| Price: | 86.99 euros without window, 92.99 euros with window | 81.99 euros without window, 86.99 euros with window |
Continuing the study of interesting case models, the new Fractal Design Define S came to our attention. It was introduced in the first half of this year and is now available on the Russian market in two versions: with and without a side window. The difference in price between them is minimal, the version without a window is suitable for those who are looking for maximum silence, and the version with a window is for those who like to be surprised and enjoy the hardware. At the time of testing, the average cost, according to the Yandex.Market service, is 7,000 rubles.
We have already tested the Define series; we liked the cases for their balance between minimalism and silence. In this series, users now have a choice of both dimensions and characteristics, as well as cost. You can choose a solution to suit your wallet and components. It entered the market after the Define R5, offering a new layout and orientation for water cooling.
Video review of Fractal Design Define S
Equipment
Fractal Design Define S is supplied in a package made of unpainted cardboard, there are no handles for transportation, there are only cutouts on the sides. The technical characteristics and features of the model are described in detail on the reverse side. The design of the housing is also illustrated here.The inside of the case is fixed in foam, protecting it from damage during transportation. For ease of assembly, an illustrated booklet is provided; it will be useful for studying the supported cooling systems.
The package includes: a set of screw fasteners, stands for the motherboard, fasteners for the liquid cooling system reservoir, an adapter for a screwdriver, cable ties, and an advertising booklet.
Appearance
Fractal Design Define S is a classic representative of its series. Calm Swedish design with a minimal amount of decorative elements. This is its highlight.
Characteristic right angles and lines.
It belongs to the Midi-Tower form factor. Dimensions are 233x451x520 mm with a weight of 9.1 kg. Low height and increased width. There should be no problems with installing monstrous processor cooling systems. Plus, the motherboard tray space is effectively used. The baskets for installing hard drives are hidden here.
The body is based on cold-rolled steel with a thickness of 0.8 mm. External surfaces are painted with matte black paint. There are no problems with fingerprints.
There is plastic here only in a small area in the connector area and on the front panel. But even here it is stylized as metal with a polished surface, and does not look cheap. Both covers in the Fractal Design Define S version without a side window have an anti-vibration coating applied. A similar coating is used for soundproofing cars. On one of the covers there is a seat for a 120/140mm fan with a plug.
The covers are attached using thumbscrews, the screws are held in the connector. There are no 5.25-inch bays on the front. This was done to install massive radiators for liquid cooling systems.
There are cutouts along the edges of the front side for air circulation. If necessary, the panel can be removed; it will be useful for easy installation of radiators and cleaning the dust filter. There is also access to the fan here.
Another fan with a white impeller is located on the rear panel. There is no filter provided here; it works by blowing. The power supply is located at the bottom. Seven expansion slots.
A pair of control buttons (power on and reset), two audio jacks and a pair of USB 3.0 are located on the top cover.
There are three caps on the top panel of Fractal Design Define S. There is also a sticker of soundproofing material.
Ventilation holes are provided at the bottom of the case. Here you can fix two additional fans. There is a removable dust filter.
The case stands on four plastic legs with a rubber pad. The quality of workmanship is top notch, attention to detail and scrupulous attention to detail - all that is why the Define series is loved.
Filling
The first thing that catches your eye when you remove the side cover is the complete absence of baskets and stands in the main chamber. There is scope for installing complex liquid cooling systems.
A system of neat organization of wires has been thought out; it is possible to achieve almost complete absence of wiring in the main chamber.
There are three holes in the wall with rubber inserts for routing power and data wires.
There are four logoed Velcro strips on the back, plus the kit includes plastic zip ties.
I liked the large cutout area of the Fractal Design Define S in the area of the processor socket. Installing the reinforcement plate does not require removing the system board.
The depth of the main chamber allows you to install a radiator up to 18 cm high. The length will not create difficulties for installing a video card up to 42.5 cm long (if you remove the fans on the case up to 45 cm).
Installation of boards of the following formats is supported: ATX, micro ATX and Mini-ITX. The pallet has a stand for centering the board. The power supply is located at the bottom, there are legs with soft pads. The cutout on the wall has a rubber coating. Fractal Design Define S has space for five drives (three 3.5 inches and two 2.5 inches). They are mounted on the back of the pallet in a vertical position. Anti-vibration pads are provided for 3.5-inch disks.
Nine 140/120mm fans can be installed inside the case (three on top, three on front, one on rear, one on bottom, one on side). Installation of two radiators of a liquid cooling system (top up to 420mm, front up to 360mm).
Testing Fractal Design Define S
The load on all main elements is applied using AIDA 64 (stress test) and Prime 95. Data is taken 30 minutes after the start of the load. I was pleasantly pleased with the noise level; you can’t hear the standard cooling systems. Ideally, when assembling a new system, you should pay attention to the water cooling system.Summary of Fractal Design Define S
Fractal Design Define S will be an excellent choice when building a system on ATX motherboards. There is enough space inside for comfortable installation of an air-cooling radiator, massive video cards, and radiators for liquid cooling systems. I was pleased with the organization of the internal space and the lack of racks for hard drives. It is worth considering that there are no 5.25-inch bays here; if optical drives are a thing of history, then installing a fan control panel would not be superfluous. Sound insulation on a bitumen basis, anti-dust filters, quality of workmanship and assembly will play in favor of the purchase. Fractal Design Define S receives the well-deserved award "Gold...