Fractal Design introduced its Arc Midi about two years ago at a price point around $80, making it an affordable mid-tower PC case with a simple design. The chassis proved popular with customers and garnered a lot of editorial attention, too. The accolades weren't just related to price; it also boasted a number of features that were far from standard at the time, including cable management, extensive dust filters, an integrated fan controller, and modular hard drive cages.
The original Arc Midi might be two years old, but its aesthetic and feature set are still very much modern. Fractal Design's new Arc Midi R2 replaces the side fan with a large window, which naturally changes the case's look a bit. Other modifications are less obvious. You get the option to install 2.5” drives on the back of the motherboard tray, for example. Or, you can pop in a 240 mm radiator not just below the top, but also behind the front of the case. Finally, the integrated fan control is relocated to a more convenient position.
Since the Arc Midi R2 is only a few dollars pricier than its predecessor, there’s really no reason to skip out on the advertised improvements by stepping back to the old version. We're interested in these updates, and how big of an advantage they might lend to the evolved enclosure from Fractal Design.
Packaging
The Swedish case vendor typically builds its chassis to be simple and elegant. This isn’t only reflected in Fractal's products, but also in its packaging. The Arc Midi R2 ships in a basic cardboard box with side handles. There's a picture of the case on the front and an exploded view around back, describing the enclosure's unique features.
My colleague Igor Wallossek and I both have an issue with the messy Styrofoam used for packaging cases, but apparently nobody is listening. Fair enough.
In the Box
Apart from the case, the box includes a large pamphlet letting you know that you can contact Fractal Design if anything is wrong with the Arc Midi R2. The offer to send out a replacement part immediately and free of charge can save the hassle of returning it to the seller.
The multi-language manual doesn’t include complete installation instructions, but it does a fair job explaining the case’s unique features. The print quality is good, also.
All of the accessories are found in a small cardboard box. There are cable ties, motherboard spacers with a handy installation tool, and plenty of screws painted black to match.
The Arc Midi R2 features easy-to-access dust filters and a three-speed fan controller featuring a trio of connectors for three-pin fans. There’s a lot of space behind the motherboard for extensive cable management. Moreover, the hard drive cage is flexible in that you can move it or remove it altogether to fit very long or tall components like dual-GPU graphics cards.
Fractal Design gives you more options on the R2 compared to its predecessor. For instance, there are now screw holes to accommodate SSDs in the back of the case. If you aren't going to use a 3.5" hard disk, then you're able to use the rear mounts and pull both drive cages, leaving lots of room for unobstructed airflow.
| Manufacturer | Fractal Design |
|---|---|
| Model Number | Arc Midi R2 |
| Type | Mid Tower |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 460 x 230 x 515 mm |
| Weight | 10.7 kg |
| Material | Steel |
| Plastic (front cover, top cover) | |
| Form Factor | ATX, MicroATX, Mini-ITX |
| Bays | 2 x 5.25“ (External) |
| 3 x 3.5“ or 2.5“ (internal, lower drive cage) | |
| 5 x 3.5“ or 2.5“ (internal, upper drive cage) | |
| 2 x 2.5“ (internal, back of the motherboard tray, for SSDs) | |
| PCI Slots | 7 |
| Installed Fans | 1 x 140 mm front (1000 RPM) |
| 1 x 140 mm top (1000 RPM) | |
| 1 x 140 mm back (1000 RPM) | |
| Note that all 140 mm fans can be replaced with 120 mm fans. | |
| Optional Fans | 1 x 140/120 mm Front |
| 2 x 120/140 mm Top | |
| 1 x 120/140 mm Back | |
| Optional Water Cooling | 240 mm Radiator Top |
| 240 mm front radiator (after moving drive cage) | |
| 120 mm bottom radiator | |
| 120 mm back radiator | |
| CPU Cooler | Up to 180 mm |
| Graphics Card | Up to 300 mm (up to 430 mm after removing upper drive cage) |
| Power Supply Unit (PSU) | Up to 310 mm (up to 170 mm if fan installed at bottom of case or after moving drive cage) |
| Cable Management | 26 mm between back of motherboard tray and side wall |
| Price | App. $85 (Street Price) |
A look at the I/O on top of the Arc Midi R2 reveals a few other differences from its predecessor. Instead of two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 connectors, Fractal Design's newer enclosure gives you two USB 3.0 connectors. If your motherboard is on the older side and lacks the requisite headers, then a separate USB 2.0 cable can be attached to a corresponding on-board plug. Use the USB 2.0 or 3.0 cable; not both.
The power button has a blue LED that reflects the system's state by lighting up the matching symbol. There's also a red LED on the side that shows hard drive activity. Audio connectors can be attached to AC'97 or HD Audio headers. The reset button is on the left and very small. It’s so small, in fact, that it can only be pressed with a tool. This can be an advantage for new users.
One of the most useful changes from the original Arc Midi to the R2 is its fan control placement. Now it's up front, next to the other lights, ports, and buttons. Previously, it was around back by the PCI slot covers, making it more difficult to reach.
The Arc Midi R2’s exterior is very similar to the old version. Fractal Design's branding is now visible on the bottom of the front cover, as opposed to being written on the top of the front cover. The rubber-framed tube openings above the fan on the back are gone. And as we noted on the first page, the most conspicuous change is the addition of a lightly tinted side window on the left of the case.
Nevertheless, the basic design persists, which is to say that it leaves you with the same solid impression we have come to know and like. This isn’t just due to the case’s solidly-built internal frame, but also because of its rigid plastic front and top covers. Fractal Design deliberately tries to give the Arc Midi R2 a simple and elegant look, which comes very close to the appearance of brushed aluminum in black. The outside parts fit well together, but can be easily removed if needed. Both the top and the front employ a lot of thin mesh. It's a nice touch.
Air Cooling and Dust Protection
Despite all of the fans and mesh, the Arc Midi R2 effectively keeps dirt out. All of the largest openings are covered by generously-sized dust filters that are easy to access for cleaning. The front filter snaps into place on the top left and right, and can be pulled back off by pressing both spots simultaneously. Doing so exposes Fractal Design's FD-FAN-SSR2-140 140 mm fan. The same type of fan is used throughout the case, guaranteeing a homogenous rotational speed and noise level. Only the top cut-out is filled; the bottom is ready to accept another fan if you need it.
The bottom dust filter protects the power supply and another (optional) fan on the case's bottom. It's easy enough to pull out the back. Thick and high case feet leave plenty of room under the Arc Midi R2 to pull in air. They sport a nice chrome look, also help decouple the case from the surface on which it stands using soft rubber pads.
A third filter is attached to the Arc Midi R2’s top cover. Taking it out is more of a hassle because you need to free up to thumb screws on the back. Then again, it's also easy enough to clean with a vacuum cleaner from up top. This is possible because the 140 mm fan under the cover exhausts hot air out of the case, which means that the filter is only there to keep dust particles from falling in from above.
If you want a little more airflow, there's room to install as many as two more 120 or 140 mm fans under the top cover.
Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 comes with a third fan installed from the factory. The basic configuration should be enough to adequately cool typical gaming systems with minimal noise. All three fans have three-pin connectors that are compatible with the integrated three-speed fan controller. The fan controller’s 12, 7, and 5 V result in approximately 1000, 700, and 500 RPM. It should be noted that the fans aren’t connected to the fan controller out of the box. You'll need to make those connections, and, in turn, hook the controller up to your power supply with a four-pin Molex connector.
Water Cooling
Larger radiators and compact water cooling solutions in a 240 mm format are giving air coolers a run for their money nowadays when it comes to cooling performance at a decent noise level. It’s nice that Fractal Design took this into account when the company redesigned its Arc Midi. The case doesn’t just feature the option to install those coolers on the inside of the top cover.
The Arc Midi R2 also features an additional place for liquid cooling radiators in the front, right behind the front cover. Removing the top hard drive cage from the case, and moving the bottom one to the bottom-middle, results in 140 mm of space for the radiator and fans. The installed 140 mm fan can even be taken out and replaced with up to two 120 mm blowers, enabling powerful push-pull configurations for the radiator.
We did stumble upon one caveat, which can be addressed with a little do-it-yourself resourcefulness. The screw threads for the 120 and 140 mm fans are recessed fairly deeply to fit the case fans. If the screws that come with your specific radiator have heads that are too big to fit the recessed openings, and thus sit on top of the cover, then the screws might not be long enough to reach the radiator’s internal threads. This was the case with Cooler Master's Eisberg Prestige 240L.
Our trick for getting the Cooler Master unit installed was using two of the Eisberg fans’ four long screws to attach the rear fans to the radiator, and then attaching the radiator and additional fans to the front cover with the other two. This worked because Cooler Master included a few extra millimeters of thread to account for a thick decoupling rubber pad that the screws normally go through. We wouldn't blame you for getting annoyed if you were mid-build and found yourself unable to secure your CPU cooler.
There’s ample space on all sides of a 240 mm radiator, which should eliminate compatibility problems stemming from its dimensions. Even if the tube connectors stand out far toward the top of the case, the rail for the upper 3.5” hard drive cage can be detached from the 5.25” drive cage above, which affords even more clearance. It’s only held by four screws.
Power Supply Installation
So long as you're not using a bottom case fan and you haven't moved the lower hard drive cage, power supplies can be up to 310 mm long. Otherwise, you have about 170 mm to work with.
Four small round pads on the bottom and one generous large pad on the back serve to decouple the PSU from the enclosure. Nothing needs to be pushed or bent into place. Drop the power supply into place and its screw holes should line up nicely with the Arc Midi R2's.
Cable Management
The cable management is surprisingly well-planned. You get 26 cm worth of space between the back of the motherboard and the Arc Midi R2’s side cover. Even very thick cables or the plentiful bundles involved with a multi-GPU setup fit back there. The grommet-like frames in the cut-outs sit securely, protecting your fingers and covering up the cable work going on behind them.
Fractal Design built in several long cable openings in the motherboard tray, giving you plenty of options for routing. Naturally, when we're building our own machines, we take advantage of these for cleaning up an enclosure's interior.
The company even included two openings on the top of the motherboard tray so that boards like Asus' Crosshair V Formula-Z, with one eight-pin +12 V connector on each side of the CPU, can be hooked up with minimal cables showing.
The back of the motherboard tray sports cable retention clips to hold down wires that run through. Cables originating from the front-panel connectors are already fastened securely into place, which is a nice touch. We would have liked to see Fractal Design include a few more of these clips, though.
Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 has two 5.25” bays. Their front covers need to be pushed out of the case from the inside before they can be used. The bottom one is also obstructed by an internal metal cover that has to be broken off (though you can reattach it with screws if you need to). Cables from the front-panel I/O don't get in the way of the uppermost optical drive bay.
The optical drives are attached with two thumb screws on each side. This isn’t as quick as the toolless tension mechanisms, but it does provide a more secure and stable hold. Chalk this up to an advantage favoring Fractal Design. After all, how many people switch out their optical drives on a regular basis and truly need fast access to their 5.25" devices?
There are plenty of options for installing 2.5" and 3.5” drives. There are two hard drive cages. The top one houses up to five disks, while the lower cage holds as many as three. They're attached via rails with a white finish that can be screwed on from the bottom. Larger 3.5” storage devices benefit from grommets that isolate vibration, while 2.5" drives sit directly on the rails. Fractal Design correctly assumes that most 3.5" devices are mechanical, while 2.5" drives are typically SSDs.
Both hard drive cages can be removed. There's a good chance that you don't need more than three bays, so you'd typically want to take the top cage out for improved airflow or more space to install graphics cards (you get 430 mm instead of 300 mm). If you're planning to drop in a radiator behind the case's front panel, you'll want to move the bottom cage next to the power supply and use the bottom fan's cut-out.
The top hard drive cage is held in place by two thumb screws, so that's easy enough. Removing the bottom one will probably prove more challenging for you. First, four small screws on the bottom of the case need to be dealt with. Then, the chassis' front cover has to be taken off, exposing two more screws attaching a bracket to the front of the case, which is also attached to the hard drive cage’s frame.
This bracket needs to be detached from the hard drive cage before moving the cage to the middle of the case. Unfasten the four screws holding the plastic rails to the hard drive cage. Then you're able to get at the two screws keeping the bracket in place. The process is a bit more complicated than it probably should be, but at least the cages are held into place securely.
There’s another option if you're willing to use a couple of SSDs and really want to maximize airflow. Simply remove both hard drive cages and attach a pair of 2.5" drives to the back of the motherboard tray, out of sight. It can get pretty hot back there, so you'll want to stick with solid-state storage, rather than notebook drives.
The screw holes for the lower drive are only accessible before the power supply is installed, and the ones for the upper drive sit below the motherboard. Consequently, install your SSDs first. If you're only dropping one drive back there, the lower position is better thermally, since it's farther away from the back of the CPU interface. We used the top one for our temperature benchmarks as a worst-case scenario, though.
It's very nice to have the option to hide storage behind the motherboard tray, simultaneously freeing up the hard drive trays for removal. So long as you remember not to use angled SATA cables, this is a really clean look.
I/O Shield Installation
As with the last few cases we reviewed, our motherboard's I/O shield slides right into its opening in the back of the case, fitting tightly (as it should), but without bending.
Backplate Opening
The motherboard tray features a well-sized opening for easy access to CPU cooler backplates. This makes switching out coolers easy. In the images below, you see Socket AM3+ (Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3) and LGA 1155 (Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4) motherboards.
Cable Routing for the CPU Power Supply
Just like its predecessor, the Arc Midi R2 features two rubber-framed cable openings next to the top edge of the motherboard. You can route +12 V cables through them, or fan cables that aren't hooked up to motherboard headers.
Motherboard and Graphics Card Installation, Maximum CPU Cooler Height
The motherboard spacers are not installed; you have to screw them in yourself. Fortunately, Fractal Design does bundle a small tool to make this process a little easier. It's a small hexagon bit with grooves for a screwdriver on the top, making the stand-offs compatible with any normal screwdriver.
Once the motherboard is securely in place, no modern CPU cooler’s height should cause a problem. This is due to the case's generous width, which allows heat sinks as tall as 180 mm to fit.
The PCI slots are equipped with solid covers painted white. They're held in place by thumb screws and are easy to pop out when it comes time to install a graphics card. In the Arc Midi R2's stock configuration, the enclosure supports cards 300 mm-long. This increases to 430 mm if you pull out the top hard drive cage.
As with the Arc Midi R2's predecessor, Fractal Design built this case to provide a balance between cooling performance and noise. This is illustrated, in part, by the three bundled fans that spin at a maximum of 1000 RPM at a full 12 V. The integrated controller offers two additional settings that let you dial this back even further to 7 and 5 V. Our Aqua Computer Aquaero 5 LT measured 1030, 714, and 539 RPM for each voltage level, respectively.
Those numbers could be a little lower with all of the fans attached to the controller at the same time. Unfortunately, we found its fans to be the Arc Midi R2’s biggest weakness. If one of them (and we tried all three) is installed horizontally with the blades aiming down, then it starts to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the case, where they can easily be heard. We'll quantify this shortly.
| Benchmark Gaming System | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K (Sandy Bridge), 3.3 GHz Base Clock Rate, 3.7 GHz Maximum Turbo Boost, 6 MB Shared L3 Cache |
| Processor Cooler | Thermalright Macho HR-02 SE |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4, Z68 Express PCH |
| System Memory | 1 x 4 GB G.Skill DDR3-1333 F3-1333C9S-4GNS |
| Graphics Card | MSI N470 GTX TwinFrozr II, GeForce GTX 470 |
| Drives | Hard Drive: Samsung HD322GJ |
| SSD: 60 GB Kingston SSDNow V+ 200 | |
| Power Supply | 850 W Xilence XQ R2 |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Home Premium |
We similarly tried to strike a good balance between usability and airflow for our benchmarks. For this reason, we removed the upper hard drive cage to achieve unrestricted airflow to the CPU cooler and the graphics card. This should allow us to run the system stably with lower fan speeds. We went with Intel's Core i5-2500K processor and Nvidia's GeForce GTX 470 graphics card on a Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 motherboard. Each component ran at its stock settings.
Sticking with Fractal Design's color scheme, we settled on the older second revision of the 850 W Xilence XQ PSU finished in white, along with Thermalright's Macho HR-02 Special Edition with its black-and-white fan. The latter runs at 1300 RPM, but can easily be slowed down significantly thanks to the sink's copious surface area. For our testing, it was adjusted to run at the same speed as the case fans for consistency's sake.
Thermals on both of our storage devices were tracked as well. The hard drive occupied the lowest internal bay, while the SSD was installed on the back of the motherboard tray, closest to the CPU interface. We assumed this would yield higher SSD temperatures, which we wanted to measure for the folks planning to actually use both mounting positions.
A combination of Prime95 with Small FTTs and MSI Kombustor with the Furry and Tessy tests provided our load, and temperatures were recorded after 60 minutes.
Since the bundled Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 fans run at almost exactly 1000, 700, and 500 RPM when they're attached to the integrated controller, we also ran the Thermalright TY-145 fan on our CPU cooler at these same speeds, manually dropping the voltage to get it down to 500 RPM.
The following table shows the measured temperatures of the components we benchmarked at the different fan RPM levels.
| Temperatures at Full Load | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 RPM | 700 RPM | 500 RPM | |
| Ambient Temperature | 19.8 °C | 19.8 °C | 19.9 °C |
| Core i5-2500K (TCase) | 48 °C | 56 °C | 65 °C |
| Core i5-2500K (Average Core Temperature) | 56.9 °C | 63.3 °C | 72.4 °C |
| Nvidia GTX 470 | 76 °C | 76 °C | 78 °C |
| 3038 RPM (58 %) | 3457 RPM (64 %) | 4122 RPM (77 %) | |
| Hard Drive | 25 °C | 27 °C | 30 °C |
| SSD | 34 °C | 36 °C | 38 °C |
At 1000 RPM, the temperatures of each installed component indicate effective airflow in Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2. The stock fans are very much audible at this RPM level, to the point that we had to give noise level its own dedicated page. Considering that the thermal limit of Intel’s Core i5-2500K is 72.6 degrees Celsius (Tcase), the numbers we see are very good.
The temperature rises by 8 degrees to 56 degrees Celsius when the fans drop to 700 RPM, which is still very much acceptable. Stepping down to 500 RPM, the temperature rises to 65 degrees, which is starting to cut it close. Remember, though, that we were setting the CPU fan to match the case coolers. If we hooked it up to a motherboard fan header instead, the CPU's thermals would have been a lot better. Again, this was done to try balancing noise.
Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 features a side window, which certainly looks better than a lot of mesh. But it does affect graphics card cooling in a negative way. Then again, sharp, clean looks are one of this case's main features. The temperatures are still acceptable for a GPU in the 200 W range. The GeForce GTX 470 can’t really be heard over the noise of the other fans spinning at 1000 or 700 RPM. It does spin up when the other blowers drop to 500 RPM, though, hitting speeds as high as 4122 RPM.
Our storage devices maintain reasonable temperatures throughout testing. Even though the SSD is positioned in such a way that we thought we were punishing it, our readings suggest it's fine. Fractal Design does point out that those same temperatures wouldn't be good for a 2.5" mechanical drive, and we'd concur. Stick to SSDs around back on the motherboard tray.
There is plenty of room to install additional fans in the Arc Midi R2, which would be good for its thermals (particularly at lower rotational speeds). We purposely limited ourselves to the fans supported by the integrated controller, though.
| Noise Levels at Full Load | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 RPM | 700 RPM | 500 RPM | |
| Noise Level from Front, 50 cm | 41.9 dB(A) | 41.2 dB(A) | 44.5 dB(A) |
| Noise Level from Top Left Diagonal, 50 cm | 42.6 dB(A) | 41.8 dB(A) | 44.7 dB(A) |
| Noise Level from Top Right Diagonal, 50 cm | 42.3 dB(A) | 41.7 dB(A) | 44 dB(A) |
The graphics card is the main variable affecting the Arc Midi R2’s noise level under load. It gets enough fresh air at 1000 and 700 RPM and doesn't really stand out in any jarring way. At 500 RPM, however, the GeForce GTX 470 has to rev its fan up so high that the overall noise level is worse than the measurements at the other settings.
We made this part of the noise level testing a separate page for a reason. The Arc Midi R2 has major vibration problems due to its bundled fans. Not only can they be felt, but easily heard as well. The fan under the top cover is especially bad about this. We tried the other two fans in the same spot to make sure we weren't working with one defective unit, but the results were the same: the fans simply get noisy when you install them with the fan blades pointing down. Curiously, they do a lot better when they’re installed blowing air from one side to the other, though this only means that they operate within an acceptable range, not that the problem is eliminated altogether.
It’s hard to explain why a case that was designed to balance cooling and noise isn't equipped with better fans, or at least some form of vibration isolation. The issue isn't as severe when we step down to 700 RPM, and it's greatly diminished at 500 RPM. Still, this is a large flaw in Fractal Design’s otherwise very good product.
The following noise measurements were performed at idle, and they're mostly influenced by the chassis fans. Since we really didn't like the noise coming from the top cover, we hunted down some grommets we had in the lab and repeated the measurements with them installed. We used inexpensive, but effective, rubber pins, which sell for around a dollar per fan.
| Noise Levels at Idle | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPM | 1000 RPM, Fan Screwed In | 1000 RPM, Fan Isolated | 700 RPM, Fan Screwed In | 700 RPM, Fan Isolated | 500 RPM, Fan Screwed In | 500 RPM, Fan Isolated |
| Noise Level from Front, 50 cm | 41 dB(A) | 40 dB(A) | 37.6 dB(A) | 36.8 dB(A) | 36.6 dB(A) | 36.5 dB(A) |
| Noise Level from Top Left Diagonal, 50 cm | 40.8 dB(A) | 40.1 dB(A) | 37.8 dB(A) | 36.9 dB(A) | 36.9 dB(A) | 36.5 dB(A) |
| Noise Level from Top Right Diagonal, 50 cm | 40.5 dB(A) | 40.2 dB(A) | 37.5 dB(A) | 37 dB(A) | 36 dB(A) | 36.6 dB(A) |
The numbers seem to suggest that the difference isn't very significant, varying by about 0.5 to 1.0 dB(A). The reality of the situation, however, is that the top fan's vibrations are a lot more grating than the objective measurements reveal. The other two case fans also cause some vibrations, but those are easier to feel than hear.
Despite those issues, and the fact that the Arc Midi R2 is very noticeable at its highest fan speeds, we have to admit that the components inside do benefit from excellent airflow. You get the best compromise between thermal performance and acoustics at the 700 RPM setting. Temperatures inside are low enough for stable everyday operation, and you aren't bothered by the fans. Whether or not you're able to step all the way down to 500 RPM depends on the components you're using and whether you want additional case fans. So long as you're cognizant of the power your hardware is dissipating and the cooling it'll take to cope with that power, Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 can be both quiet and versatile.
Some Notes and Recommendations about Replacing the Fans
Let's say everything else about the Arc Midi R2 is ideal for you, and you simply want to replace its fans. Fair enough. But be aware that there are fairly strict limits imposed by the integrated controller. Fractal Design told us, upon request, that it's rated for a maximum of 0.3 A. At the full 12 V, this translates to a peak of 3.6 W for the connected fans, immediately ruling out LED fans if they get their power from the fan controller.
The Noiseblocker and Phobya NB-eLoop 120 mm fans are a premium alternative that sport a particularly good air throughput to noise ratio. They'll set you back anywhere from $21 to $29, depending on the model, but they offer good performance. Taking the power consumption ratings of the various coolers we were looking at, 1600 is the highest RPM that Fractal Design's fan controller (with its 3.6 W ceiling) can handle.
A new version of something suggests that things wrong with the old one were fixed, and that other improvements have been made. Fractal Design keeps this promise with its Arc Midi R2. The exterior looks better, in our opinion, with the tinted side window. All of the components are manufactured to a high standard, and even the front and top covers fit well together thanks to their solid plastic and the brushed aluminum-style finish. On the inside, the Arc Midi R2 offer lots of space in spite of its relatively modest dimensions. This is achieved by making the case wide and providing modular hard drive cages. Extra-large CPU coolers, graphics cards, and power supplies are all easily accommodated. There’s also lots of room for cable management. Large filters in the front, top, and bottom of the case keep dust particles from entering, and are easy to access and remove for cleaning.
The Arc Midi R2’s bundled stock fans provide good cooling performance, and there are several additional spots to install more. Alternatively, the case will also take up to two 240 mm radiators. An integrated fan controller on the front panel allows you to dial in the rotational speed and noise level appropriate for the hardware inside of Fractal Design's enclosure.
Unfortunately, the stock fans produce a lot of vibrations when they're installed horizontally with the blades facing down. The one attached to the case’s top cover transfers these vibrations to the chassis, resulting in a noticeable increase in noise. We recommend either isolating the fan somehow or investing in an aftermarket cooler. The integrated fan controller has its limits though, so you need to be careful when it comes time to pick replacements.
In addition to plenty of room for storage, Fractal Design builds in room for up to two SSDs on the back of the motherboard tray. If you find yourself in the market for a couple of large solid-state drives and don't need the hard disk cages, you can pull them out entirely, creating quite a bit of room for airflow, large graphics cards, and extra-long power supplies.
Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 is a good next step for the company. It features a number of subtle improvements over the case's popular predecessor, but maintains solid build quality, enthusiast-oriented flexibility, and some of those same features we were introduced to for the first time under $100. In fact, for a fitting $85, you get a case that does many things right. Just the top fan needs some improvement.



















































