Fractal Design Define R5's bottom filter question

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motorcade

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Sep 13, 2015
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I'm planning to use my Define R3 case for my HTPC and upgrade my main rig to the Define R5.

The PC is suspended under the table with straps to eliminate vibration noise. I was wondering if someone could tell me if the removable bottom filter of the R5 has a flat profile or not?

From this picture it sort of looks like it could be slightly convex, i.e. that the filter section is protruding lower than the metal attachment rails/grooves on the sides (which would pose a big problem trying to slide the filter out as it's pressed against the straps from the underside).

The suspension system I use is this: www.safeware.se/Eng/produktspec.asp?produkt=62000B. It would be highly inconvenient trying to lower the heavy case, gradually loosening the two straps, every time the filter needs cleaning. It would be a deal breaker for me. The attachment rails/grooves on the sides would have to be the lowest point of contact against the strap to facilitate sliding the filter out.


 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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If the metal side brackets are located under the case feet, the filter won't be an issue, even slightly curved as it is, it doesn't contact any flat surface the feet sit on. If the side supports don't sit under the feet, sitting on the case bottom instead, it'll be an issue as the filter sits slightly lower than the case sides at its edges, not being set into the bottom of the case, but more of an addition to the case underside. Any case with a slide out filter will be this way, only cases with internal removable filters will avoid this. My other case is a CM 690 II Adv, and it's filter is an internal screen. This means removing the side panel and psu/fan if I want a thorough cleaning not a quickie vacuum.

Either design has challenges when using the strap support, but neither of my cases show any sort of vibration noise even sitting in my desks hardwood pc cubby hole.
 
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M

motorcade

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Sep 13, 2015
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The bottom filter on the Define R5 looks thicker from the pictures than the slide-out type PSU filter of my Define R3. But it looks as if the support brackets are likewise bigger so it's hard trying to guess how the R5 would "behave" with the strap suspension system.

Anyway, the R3's filter is completely flat which means it can be pulled out even when the suspension strap goes directly over it. Meaning the strap is mostly putting pressure on the case's metal parts, not the plastic filter.

(On a side note, there was a low-pitched hum coming from my machine - hence the straps which eliminated the issue completely.)



 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Ahh, check the fitment of the side panels. My 690 had a hum too when I first bought it, finally figured out where that came from when I removed the left side panel so I could stick my ear in the case looking for the noise. Turns out when the panel is installed, the fitment tabs were a little loose in the socket, so when the pc was on, the case fans made the side panel vibrate. With the way your straps sit, you are actually putting pressure on the side panels to case frame, eliminating the vibration. With the case unstrapped, see if one of the panels (remove for testing, then replace) is the issue. A very slight warping of the panel into the case is the easiest fix. Makes it slightly harder to get the panel locked down before inserting the thumbscrews but works.
 
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