Fractal Design Define 7 Black & White Brushed Aluminum/Steel E-ATX Silent Modular Tempered Glass Window Mid Tower Computer Case

Product Information

The rear usb-c connector has power but seems loose and plugging things into it connect then disconnect and I have to hold the cable in place to maintain a connection. Standardized thermal testing puts the Define 7 at a natural disadvantage, because it’s one of the only cases we’ve worked with that runs as quietly as it does; in fact, the Define 7 is below our 36dBA normalized threshold for noise testing, plotting instead at 34.6dBA, and that’s with its included fans at maximum speed. Even still, with this noted, the case is doing better in CPU thermals than a few others on the chart. An extra 1dBA worth of fan RPMs honestly wouldn’t change much in this setup, anyway, but might propel it more toward the O11 XL or Helios. The GPU thermals put the Define 7 actually very near the top of the chart. This, we think, is again because of the GPU intake through the rear of the case as a result of the pressure system being created. Conclusion: Fractal Define 7 Review The case is incredibly versatile, with a removable ODD cage and repositionable HDD slots. This allows you to rearrange the case to your preference. You can also adjust the top cover vent to enhance the cooling and mounting options. Customers praised the amount of room available within the case for a range of fans and other components. Spacious and extensively adaptable dual-layout interior easily accommodates large motherboards up to and including E-ATX

We’ve been hot and cold on Fractal over the past couple years. Their whole lineup has had consistently high build quality, but our opinions have ranged from the highly-rated Meshify cases that have excellent cooling potential (with some aftermarket fans added in) down to the highly-priced and unexciting Define S2 Vision RGB. Today we’re reviewing the Define 7, successor to the Define R6, a case that fell on the positive end of that scale in our review. We’re sure there’s some reason for Fractal dropping the “R,” but we neglected to ask. Detachable PSU cable shield and integrated cable guides with Velcro straps simplify cable management behind the board thermals are next. These numbers typically closely mirror the GPU torture numbers, as it’s a GPU-heavy load, but they can be impacted by the reduction on CPU focus versus our torture workloads. The 3DMark test loads the system similarly to how a game would, and so this is a stand-in benchmark for game thermals. That being said, customers praised how quiet the PC case was! Customers even reported that they couldn’t tell the PC was on, and it was running so quietly! Boasting a dual-layout interior industrial sound damping and classic clean styling make this case an easy choice for design-conscious PC builders that are in need of a versatile and dependable case that accommodates ambitious builds and still leaves you room to grow. HEAVILY OPTIMISED MODULAR DUAL LAYOUT DESIGNI'm getting a new PC to replace my 7.5 year old PCS one, which has started playing up a bit lately. My main priority is quietness, as the old one was always a little too noisy for my tastes (even though it's in a Fractal Define R4 case, which is apparently quiet). The case comes with three Pure Wings 2 140mm fans to deliver excellent airflow throughout the case. There is also space to add additional fans, too, for those after a very cool system. The case is made of thin aluminum to provide a lightweight feel to the case. Great, should you need to move the PC around? However, some customers noted that the aluminum felt quite thin, and when screwing or moving the case, it does not appear overly sturdy. This issue was not widely reported but is one to consider when purchasing your quiet PC case. Not a fan of the case and would like a better storage set up personally but it's as close as I could get that's still capable of VR and "quiet" It's not awfully loud, but I did expect it to run quieter to be honest, especially with no processes running. I have swapped out the mesh panel on the top for the solid one which helped a tiny bit. It's raised off the floor with good airflow too.

Available as a solid case, with a window, or with a tempered glass panel, the PC case features easy installation and upgradability. Thanks to the tool-free side door, you can easily access the interior components and get to work on any upgrades or repairs! The PSU dust filter will also work to keep your PC dust-free and clean while allowing airflow to access your PC. Some customers found the filter a little restrictive and that the airflow into the PC was compromised. This issue was not widely reported, so it should not affect your PC and its dust-free airflow! With a closed-case PC tower, you are more likely to get dampening materials that will keep the sound within the tower than project it out into the room. While glass panels are handy for easy access or to show off your build, they aren’t always the most practical. Flexibility Blender thermals are next, another real-world workload. This one is split between CPU and GPU renders to isolate the parts.When it comes to a quiet PC case, it is best to avoid towers with tempered glass panels. These can let noise leak out and aren’t as quiet as closed-case units. Tempered glass panels are also not the best for airflow and require additional fans, making extra noise.

The fans work to maximize airflow without adding noise to the case. Some customers found that the case was not as quiet as they expected, especially the included fans. The issue was not widely reported, but one worth considering for those craving a silent operation! The case is still quiet, with many customers praising a virtually silent operation. Cooling fitment has grown quite a lot compared to previous Define series chassis. Define 7 can fit up to nine 120 or 140mm fans. The XL version can fit up to eleven 120mm fans or nine 140mm fans. Radiator fitment for the Define 7 can fit up to a 360mm or 280mm up front; the top can fit up to 360mm or 420mm, the rear is up to 120mm, and the bottom even offers up to 240 or 280mm. The XL version offers up to 480mm or 420mm in the front and top, while the rear and bottom provide the same 120 and 240 or 280mm mix. The CPU air cooler limit should you opt for a tower that would be 185mm on both the standard and XL models. Both the standard Define 7 and the XL version come with three 140mm based DC chassis fans, two in the front intake and one rear as exhaust. CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET Higher quality and higher wattage PSU to allow the system to run quieter and more efficiently, as well allow for a GPU upgrade down the road

Prior to load testing, we collect idle temperature results for ten minutes to determine the unloaded cooling performance of a case's fans and air channels. Thermal benchmarking is conducted for 1400 seconds (23 minutes), a period we've determined sufficient for achieving equilibrium. The over-time data is aggregated and will occasionally be compiled into charts, if interesting or relevant. The equilibrium performance is averaged to create the below charts. Fractal Design’s case features front and side panels lined with industrial-grade sound-dampening material. Customers found the two 120mm GP-12 X2 fans quiet while in operation and still delivered excellent airflow to keep the PC case cool.