New case for Slade

Hi da5id,

The Slade is a popular build for DS and I wouldn't be expecting a case change anytime soon.

I think DS will use any case you are interested in but it is more costly. If you want to use the Fractal case I would ask DS directly.

Frank

Thanks db188, you are correct, I forgot about Corsair dropping the 550D.    

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 29 Dec 2015 at 5:14am

Thanks for all the replies -- very helpful.

Originally posted by FrankW The Fractal Design Define R5 Silent only comes with one fan in the front and one exhaust at the rear.    The side fan or top doesn't have dust filters. It does have a nice full length bottom filter that is removable from the front. If the 3.5 drive caddies are removed the case has a lot of flex. Over all a nice case but I don't think it is as good as the 550D. Frank

Hi Frank,

You are correct that the Fractal only comes with 2 fans. They are 140 mm. NCIX reviewed the NZXT 440, with 4 fans, head-to-head, with stock fans. The Fractal came out a couple degrees cooler. In any event, as you mentioned, there is a full-length filter removable from the front allowing fans to be placed on the bottom of the case. At the top of the case sections can be removed with the addition of fans or water cooling. In fact, water cooling radiators can be placed on the front and back and top and bottom. (Why? Considering the market for this case.) The front fan filter will cover an additional fan in the there.

There are 2 HDD modules and one optical in the front of the case. These can be switched around, rotated, or completely removed. The issue of flex with removal was addressed by one of the reviews and the steel side panels keep everything rigid – no flex. Moreover, this case is the advantage two SSD or even 2.5" HDD drive mounts behind the motherboard with wiring space to spare.

This case has a lot of other nice touches I haven't mentioned, but basically case choices are a matter of preference. This one is hitting the top of a lot of "silent PC" reviewer's lists. My own preference is for a quiet PC. My existing full tower has 5 fans, including a 200 mm. And an open mesh design. I think it will take something like 9 fans. So now I'm looking for something just the opposite.

Sure, this case could be improved but for the moment this case has impressed a lot of vendors for their silent PC offerings including Puget Systems.

Having said all this, I wouldn't mind having the 550D's aluminum door on the Fractal. With metal instead of plastic hinges, more front USB ports, and ports and switches moved to the top so as not to interfere with opening and closing of the door. Not asking for much.:-)