Fractal Design Define R4 VS R5?

ringmany · Jan 6, 2015

Hi everyone,

I'm going to buy a new PC case and I'm deciding whether to purchase the Fractal Design Define R4 or R5 model.

I've been doing some research into both. They seem quite similar but with some differences in relation to space and cooling which I don't feel is a huge need for me. Also the R5 is around £10 more expensive than the R4.

But I'm only using my PC to play games and record some footage, I don't need a huge PC with loads of fans, watercooling, tons of space etc.

I was wondering what you guys think is the best case to purchase?

Thanks.

synphul · Jan 6, 2015

If they both suit your needs, then go with the lesser expensive r4. They are very similar (which they were praised for since the r4 wasn't really 'broke' so don't 'fix' it with the r5). It depends on your budget. If you're not bothered by an extra 10 pounds, then go with the r5 since it has more adaptability for larger video cards, better water cooling options, better dust filters and the door can be mounted to open from either side as well as a more 'muted' power light compared to the r4.

gibbousmoon100 · Jan 14, 2015

As an R4 user, I'm going to recommend the R5 due to synphul's last point alone, if you plan to sleep in the same room as your computer.

I had to remove the connection from my motherboard to the power light (which blinks while the computer is on standby), because it turned my dark room into a disco hall at night if I didn't power down the computer (yes, it's that frickin' bright), and therefore that light is essentially a non-functional part for me.

Other than that, though, I love this case to death. Perfect style, and dead silent. With the light not attached I can't even know for sure that it is on without turning on the monitor to see.

ringmany · Jan 14, 2015

gibbousmoon100 :

I decided to go with the R5. It seems to be decent so far. I agree with you on the light. I didn't realise the power LED would be activated all the time. I'm still getting used to the case.

The cable management still needs work. I'm using a non-modular PSU at the moment so I don't need 4 of these these cables, so it's a disaster trying to arrange them. I thought there would be more room. At the moment I'm having trouble managing the cables and closing the case. I have to wait at least a month before my new modular PSU arrives.

I should probably remove the HDD trays as I only have 1 HDD installed at the moment.

Front and Back. I've tidied up the cables a bit since this photo but it still needs a lot of work.

gibbousmoon100 · Jan 14, 2015

Nice work. Try spreading your cables out a bit more, and you should probably be able to get the back on. Use zipties if necessary to get the mess closer to the shape you want.

I agree that modular PSUs make the job much easier. My current build (in the r4) has one.

ringmany · Jan 14, 2015

gibbousmoon100 :

The modular PSU doesn't arrive for 1-2 months so I think I'l cancel that order and instead purchase the XFX 650W version that is semi-modular. It's cheaper than modular, plus I'm going to need the essential cables so I may as well.

synphul · Jan 14, 2015

A semi modular would be a good way to go. There's really no point in fully modular unless you're using it as a secondary psu simply to power accessories like fans or water cooling equipment, drives etc. If it's your main psu, the only permanent cables in a semi modular are ones you're going to need anyway like the 4+4 cpu power cable, 20/24 pin atx power cable and possibly a 6 or 8 pin pcie power cable. I see semi modular as a win/win for those who want peace of mind that their critical cables are permanent and no chance of wiggling loose at the psu or chance of voltage drop going through an additional unnecessary connection point.

gibbousmoon100 · Jan 14, 2015

I agree with synphul, but make sure you research the model you are buying and read reviews that look at the internal components. The PSU is one of the most important components of a computer, and on top of that is one of the few components that isn't devalued by Moore's Law (like the case), so don't skimp on it.

ringmany · Jan 15, 2015

I decided to go with:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008O50WKG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Good quality XFX. It's the same brand as I have at the moment except it's 650W instead of 550W and it's semi-modular. Plus it's in stock so I should get it within a week.

sora · Jan 16, 2015

^ That power supply is definitely the best you can get for the price!

maxtex · Jan 16, 2015

Just read this, good that you went with the R5! I don't really get why anyone would buy the old R4 now, it's just 10 bucks less then better to work 1 hour overtime on some Friday and get the better R5.
I have the R5 too, the only problem i have with my cable routing is that my Be Quiet PSU's 4+4 CPU connector is too short to route it around the back of the mobo tray, so it's the only cable that i had to connect over the motherboard. So yeah, try to get get a PSU with a long enough cable for the CPU, although I guess there's no worries there since you're getting the same model you have anyway.
I don't know about that blue mobo and red top-flow cooler though... It kinda looks out of place in such a case, although it might be your style. ^^ I would get a tower cooler though, it's better for your CPU and mobo. That PSU looks really good in that case though, I might actually get me one of those myself too some time. And nice, a 970 ^^

And yeah, you can just remove that top HDD tray if you don't need it, and place the HDD you have in the top slot of the bottom tray so it still gets cooled by the front fan. Removing things you don't need is always good i think, it creates more room in the case, better airflow, and makes the case a little lighter too.
Did you add a third fan in the case btw (at the bottom next to the PSU, or a second fan at the front, or both)? That would be a good idea too, to get even more cooling for your components and to create some positive pressure in the case.

ringmany · Jan 16, 2015

maxtex :

Hopefully the cables will all fit fine. The PSU cables at the moment aren't incredibly flexible, so it's a little bit awkward. But the new PSU has arrived just now, I'm going to assemble it in a couple of hours.

Yep, I agree about the motherboard and stock CPU cooler, they look very out of place. I'm going to upgrade them later but I don't have a job at the moment so I can't upgrade them. I'm hoping to go with the AMD FX-8350 CPU and the MSI 970 gaming Motherboard when I have enough money as I'm on a budget. I'd like to go with a nice red and black theme. Although the power LED on the case is blue, I'm wondering if I can change that. But as I can't afford everything in one go, I'm just slowly upgrading over time, bit by bit.

When I replace my PSU in a bit, I'l remove the top HDD tray as you suggested as I only need 1 slot.

I would like to get some more fans maybe. I'm still quite new to PC building so I don't know what's needed or where things go exactly. Or whether it's necessary to get a lot of fans because I don't overclock at the moment.

maxtex · Jan 16, 2015

Well, I can try explain what I meant about the fans: Having more the fans take in more air than blow it out results in positive pressure, and that is what you want, as the effect of it is less dust will come into the case.
If you have more air blowing out of the case than into it, it causes negative pressure, and in order to keep the air pressure stable the case will suck in extra air through all the holes it can go through, and this means you will get dust into the case. Even having 1 outtake fan and 1 intake fan means you have negative pressure, because it's easier for the outtake fan to blow the air out than it is for the intake fan to get air into the case (because the intake fan is obstructed by the front panel and air filter). So it's all about preventing dust coming in the case, not so much about cooling as even with the 2 stock fans the cooling is pretty good already in this case. So having 2 or 3 intake fans and 1 outtake will result in even better cooling and less dust.

And as far as I know you can't change the power LED color no.

ringmany · Jan 16, 2015

maxtex :

Ah I see, that makes sense. May I ask a few questions?

How does the front fan work then if it's being obstructed by the panel? Also, where should I put these extra 2 fans? Does 1 go under the front panel and the other goes, at the top for example? How can you tell if the fans are intake or outtake? What size are the fans I need and do you have any recommendations? (Possible to maybe have a red fan?)

Thank you.

maxtex · Jan 16, 2015

ringmany :

No. Ok yes.

ringmany :

It still gets enough air, from the side holes (which is another thing that's been inproved from the R4, the air goes easier through the new side holes).

ringmany :

You put intake fans only where there's an air filter, so that there's no dust coming in. So at the bottom, and front. If you're gonna run dual GPU's you can also put one in the side panel, by removing that cap, but you need to cover it with a fan filter.

You can remove the caps from the top (Fractal calls 'em moduvents) and place additional outtake fans if you want.

I would just put one intake at the bottom, in the middle (so right next to the PSU), and if you have a beefy GPU that gets hot it's good to put a second intake one at the front, under the one that's preinstalled.

ringmany :

Every fan can be both, depending on which side you mount them. You can simply see from the form of the blades where the air is going to.

ringmany :

Get 140mm fans, they move more air than 120mm so you can run them at lower speeds (i.e. quieter).
And yea you can get a fan with red LEDs, although I think that LED fans are generally slightly more noisy than normal ones.

Many good fans out there, but many bad ones too. Just choose the ones that match your system's colors and check reviews online to see if they're quiet.

ringmany · Jan 16, 2015

maxtex :

ringmany :

No. Ok yes.

ringmany :

It still gets enough air, from the side holes (which is another thing that's been inproved from the R4, the air goes easier through the new side holes).

ringmany :

You put intake fans only where there's an air filter, so that there's no dust coming in. So at the bottom, and front. If you're gonna run dual GPU's you can also put one in the side panel, by removing that cap, but you need to cover it with a fan filter.

You can remove the caps from the top (Fractal calls 'em moduvents) and place additional outtake fans if you want.

I would just put one intake at the bottom, in the middle (so right next to the PSU), and if you have a beefy GPU that gets hot it's good to put a second intake one at the front, under the one that's preinstalled.

ringmany :

Every fan can be both, depending on which side you mount them. You can simply see from the form of the blades where the air is going to.

ringmany :

Get 140mm fans, they move more air than 120mm so you can run them at lower speeds (i.e. quieter).
And yea you can get a fan with red LEDs, although I think that LED fans are generally slightly more noisy than normal ones.

Many good fans out there, but many bad ones too. Just choose the ones that match your system's colors and check reviews online to see if they're quiet.

That's great! Thanks a lot.

I've installed the new Semi-modular GPU. Still a little bit tricky, the detachable ones a little bit short and the GPU one is a little awkward. At least the back is decent.

maxtex · Jan 16, 2015

Damn, that's already much neater looking ^^
I only don't know why so many times they sleeve the cables in the colors of the german flag (mine are that color too, lol), instead of just black sleeving.

Btw, the case fan at the back, why did you connect it to the motherboard instead of to a fan header of the fan controller, around the back? (if i'm seeing it correctly)

ringmany · Jan 16, 2015

maxtex :

Probably because I have no idea what I'm doing. I guess I saw a fan cable at the back and thought "Hmm, this cable is close to the motherboard, it must go in here" I'l see if I can connect it to the correct place.

Thanks!

Fractal Design Define R4 VS R5?

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