Out of all the Fractal Design cases the one I’ve really wanted to get my hands on has been the Define XL, what can I say I am a fan of big cases. Well Fractal Design has recently revised the Define XL, coming out with the Define XL R2 case. The R2 takes the best parts of the original Define XL case and adds upon it. The Define XL R2 supports large motherboards like E-ATX and XL-ATX, has room for up to 8 hard drives, 4 optical drives, 9 expansions slots, has three included fans with a fan controller and much much more! Did I mention Fractal Design intends this case to be pretty quiet as well. Let’s jump in!
Special thanks to Fractal Design for providing us with the Define XL R2 case to review.
Specifications
– ATX, Micro ATX, mini-ITX, E-ATX and XL-ATX motherboard compatibility
– 4 – 5.25″ bays
– 8 – 3.5″ HDD trays – all compatible with SSDs
– A total of 9 expansion slots
– 3 – ModuVent™ plates – two in the top and one in the side
– 7 – Fan positions (3 fans included)
– Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
– CPU coolers up to 170 mm tall (when no fan is installed in the side panel)
– PSU compatibility: ATX PSUs up to 190 mm deep when using the bottom fan location; when not using this fan location longer PSUs (up to 345 mm deep) can be used
– Graphics card compatibility: Graphics cards up to 330mm in length with the top HDD cage installed – With the top cage removed, graphics cards up to 480mm in length may be installed
– 26 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
– Thick rubber grommets on all holes on the motherboard plate
– Colors available: Black Pearl, Titanium Grey
– Case dimensions (WxHxD): 232 x 559 x 560mm
– Net weight: 16.4kg
– Package dimensions (WxHxD): 322 x 637 x 655mm
– Package weight: 19kg
Cooling system
– Front: 1 – hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed (included); 1 – 120/140mm fan (not included)
– Rear: 1 – hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed (included)
– Top: 2 – 120/140mm fans (not included) – positions also support 240/280mm slim radiators
– Bottom: 1 – hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed (included)
– Side: 1 – 140mm fan (not included)
– Fan controller: 1 – integrated fan controller for up to 3 fans (included)
Water cooling compatibility:
– Front – 240mm radiator when HDD cages are removed or repositioned
– Top – 240 and 280mm when using slim radiators
– Bottom – 120mm radiators
– Rear – 120 and 140mm radiators
Front Interface
– 2 – USB 3.0, 2 – USB 2.0
– Audio in/out
– Power button with LED (blue)
– Reset button
– Fan controller (behind door)
Packaging
The Define XL R2 comes in Fractal Design’s normal packaging. On the front there is an outline of the case and on the back is an exploded view with all of the parts. You can also see the FedEx guy was having a bad day.
On the side of the box is a listing of specifications. Opening the box up the case is protected by two large pieces of styrofoam and a plastic bag. There is also plastic on the front door of the case to keep it from getting scratched.
