Fractal Design Define XL R2 Case Review
Inside the Fractal Design Define XL R2
Contents
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black metallic thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes with rubber covers for you to route cables behind it, and several clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties. Another highlight of the case is the presence of a 1” (26 mm) clearance between the motherboard tray and the right-side panel, allowing you to store thick cables behind the motherboard tray. As expected from a full-tower case, the Fractal Design Define XL R2 supports XL-ATX and E-ATX motherboards.
Figure 14: Overall look
Figure 15: A view behind the motherboard tray
In Figure 16, we get another overall look inside the case. Notice how there is dampening material on the top panel. Expansion cards are fastened using black metallic thumbscrews. As already explained, the top panel supports the installation of radiators up to 280 mm long, if they are up to 2.7” (68 mm) thick. The Fractal Design Define XL R2 supports video cards up to 13” (330 mm) long on its default configuration or up to 18.9” (480 mm) if the top hard drive cage is removed. You can install CPU coolers up to 6.7” (170 mm) tall if no fans are installed on the left panel.
Figure 16: Overall look
The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. 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 shown before, there is an air filter for the power supply fan.
The case comes with another 140 mm fan installed on its bottom panel (Fractal Design Silent Series R2, 1,000 rpm, 66 cfm, 18.5 dBA), a feature not available on the original Define XL. As previously shown, the bottom air filter also covers this fan.
On the case’s default configuration, you can install power supplies up to 7.5” (190 mm) deep. If the bottom fan is removed, you can install power supplies up to 13.6” (345 mm) deep.
Figure 17: Power supply compartment