Fractal Design Define R4 Case Review

Inside the Fractal Design Define R4

Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The side panels are heavy, each weighing 5 Lbs (2.2 kg). They have a nice-looking sheet of dampening material applied to them. In Figure 12, you can see the inside of the left-side panel. In this picture you can also see the sheet of foam that comes covering the mesh for the optional fan.

Figure 12: The left-side panel

The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case, a few holes protected with rubber covers for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties. One small but important detail present on the Define R4 is that the distance between
the motherboard tray and the right side panel is longer than the distance usually found on cases. This makes thicker cables such as the motherboard main power cable fit better behind the motherboard tray.

Figure 13: Overall look

Figure 14: A view behind the motherboard tray

Figure 15 gives you another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using black thumbscrews. The Fractal Design Define R4 supports video cards up to 11.4” (290 mm) long on its default configuration or up to 16.5” (420 mm) if the top hard drive cage is removed. The case supports the installation of a 240 mm radiator on its top panel.

Figure 15: Overall look

As already explained, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan. The case comes with a foam frame to reduce the noise generated by the power supply.

The case supports the installation of an additional 120 mm or 140 mm fan on its bottom panel. When no fan is installed, you can install a power supply up to 11.8” (300 mm) deep. With a 120 mm fan installed, you can install a power supply up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep. And with a 140 mm fan installed, you can have a power supply up to 6.5” (165 mm) deep. The air filter for the power supply fan also covers the bottom fan.

Figure 16: Power supply compartment