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Learn more about the Fractal Design FD-CA-DEF-R4-BLO
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WarrantyBeyond any applicable Newegg return policy, this item is warranted independently by the product's Manufacturer or a Third party. Below is a summary provided for convenience only and may not be accurate or current.
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This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: Extremely quiet case. My computer is in my bedroom, and in the previous case, it was extremely loud. With this case, I don't hear it at all.
Otherwise, this is a very well-made, solid case with great cable management, lots of room to work, no sharp edges, great airflow as-is, plenty of blanks for extra fans if needed.
Cons: This case is big and heavy for a mid-tower. For me, this was not a problem. If space is at a premium or if weight is a concern, consider another case.
Other Thoughts: Not much is given in the way of instructions. I was able to figure everything out, but first-time builders might need some guidance.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: This will make the 3rd Define R4 case I own. It's just an all around great case with plenty of expansion and room for just about everything.
Cons: The front door needs the option to switch which side it opens from. On the models with windows you'd likely have the case sitting so that you could see in the window meanwhile the door opens against you. Doesn't make sense but obviously didn't stop me from buying 2 more cases.
Other Thoughts: I have a water cooled 2500k build in one, water cooled 4670k in another, and just purchased this one for a frank-en-server build. The HP ML110G6 case is too small and crammed for the 5 hard drives that I have in it and this was on sale so I went for it.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: I purchased this case looking for something as a reasonably quiet NAS system.
My goal was something with muted looks and lots of features. This case fit the bill better than many of the other cases I have seen during my shopping around.
The included fans are whisper quiet. The HDD tray can adjust position to increase airflow, or to accommodate extra large video cards. The steel is rolled to prevent any sharp edges. The included sound deadening material feels high quality.
The case is fantastic. I have seen cases for twice the price I paid for this one who feel and function much cheaper than the Blackout.
I am seriously impressed.
Cons: The biggest thing I consider a con is the LED that circles the power button. It is the brightest white LED I have ever seen. The LED can illuminate the entire room without any other lights on. There are no other LEDs in the unit so I have to use it if I want an activity indicator or a power indicator. I ended up covering most of it with electrical tape it was so offensive compared to the black on black state of the rest of the case
Other Thoughts: I am supremely happy with the purchase of this case.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: Price, plenty of space to work in and nice looking. No led fan lights needed and no window, just pure computing and quiet. 140mm fans are more quiet in general than 120mm and smaller
Cons: paint scratches easily, too many hard drive cages( in this day and age of ssd's do you really need this many drive cages? Do not like the behind the motherboard ssd install, there is a ton of room in the main chamber to install ssds. Would like for the on-board fan controller to control 4 fans instead of 3. This case is not perfect but I didn't expect it to be for the price.
Other Thoughts: To date this is the cheapest case ive purchased, I generally only purchase a new case every other build. For the price it's nice but it's not the best case on the market. I bought this case because I do not need to show off the internals, I have the blackout version and purchased 3 additional fans to fill the case and a different fan controller. It's a little bigger than I needed but Im not ready to build a mini itx system yet.
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Rating: 5/5Well designed, well built, quiet & solid case
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: I won't re-hash all of the features of this case here, but basically all of the features are definitely "pros".
I am very satisfied with this case. Not only does it fit my needs very well from a feature standpoint, but it is extremely well-built. The fit and finish are perfect.
The included fans are excellent. The included fan controller works well and can support an additional fan if you choose to get one.
The magnetic front panel closure is a nice feature that I don't think is mentioned in the item description.
Cons: There is only one LED, so you have to choose if you want it to represent "power on" or "HDD activity". I would prefer to have two case LEDs.
The LED that is provided is far too bright for my tastes. I colored the otherwise clear plastic diffuser w/ a blue sharpie to tone it down a bit.
This case requires air-flow through the bottom of the case. While not a "con" in itself, just beware that placing it on softer surfaces, like carpet, will severely impede airflow to the PSU and limit case airflow in general. My carpet isn't all that thick or plush, but the feet of the case sunk into it enough that the carpet started blocking airflow. Therefore I had to cut a panel out of thin plywood for this case to sit on in order to get the airflow I needed.
Other Thoughts: For my latest build I spent by far the most time deciding upon a case compared w/ all the other components. There is such a wide variety of cases and the way in which they vary really has quite an impact on the final system both in terms of aesthetics and day to day use.
I'm very satisfied w/ my choice of this case. I had been concerned about the cost, even considering continuing to use my previous case which I hated. But now that I did decide to spend the money and was able to build my new system in this case, I don't worry about the money at all ... it is so worth it.
There really isn't anything that needs improvement with this case, though I do wish the front panel hinge was reversible.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: I bought the Limited Edition Blackout Version and have had it about 3 days now. I have been building computers since around 1997 and this is most sturdy and silent case I have owned. It is also the first case with cable management in the back.
I used the mounts on the other side of the MB to install 2x SSD drives. I love the option of putting them there, but obviously it will be a bit of pain if I ever need to remove, replace or upgrade them. I rather have the two extra mounts like this than not have them. I could have stuck to using the normal bays, but this way I will have a bit more air flow and it will be a snap to add another HDD if I want later. *FYI: must mount SSDs in these spots before mounting MB*
Love how easy it is to clean the fan filters. Love how the unused fan spots on the board are sealed. All the included black matching screws, cable ties, etc was very nice. .Didn't use a single screw not provided with the case.
This is my first Fractal Design case and I doubt it will be my last.
Cons: The HDAudio cable was barely long enough to reach the MB connector on the very bottom left of the motherboard. I think I have it where I won't have any more issues out of it.. Some people might need an extension cable, I am very close to needing one.
Audio plugs on top were very tight. But they seem to work fine and I think that will go away with some use..
the 2x 5.25 bays do not have the same mounting holes. A DVD/CD-ROM will go fine in either, but I have a little case drawer for storage and I needed bottom holes to mount it. Only the bottom slot has those holes, not the top. Found that out after getting the DVD/CD-ROM mounted in the slot that had those holes.
I turned the fan from 12v to 7v and I can not longer hear it. I am still waiting on the 2nd fan I ordered to put in the front to fill the empty bay and match the one already there. The extra fan to match the existing one on newegg is $13.99 (I paid $17.99 and they lowered the price in last few days...) $17.99 was a bit steep but most people do not need that extra fan anyway so I sort of understand why i was not included. Still stings a tad though.
Other Thoughts: People mentioned the bright LED for power bothering them. I personally hate bright LEDs, I am the person who will cover them with electrical tape or take something apart to disable the LED. I never hooked the power LED up normal, I hooked it up backwards on purpose to the motherboard. It flashes when I hit the power button to turn it on, otherwise it stays off.
There is no HDD LED as others have noted. You can hook up the power LED to that.. But with me hating LEDs I really didn't care. My boot drive is SSD and I have 6 mechanical HDDs in this case. Honestly the last thing I want is a LED blinking for them.
I wish there would have been 4x USB 3.0 plugs vs 2x 2.0 and 2x 3.0, but for compatibility reasons, I see why they didn't do that. My board has another header I could have used, many boards do not.
No 3.5 inch / Floppy bay. I would have put this SSD mounting/2x USB 3.0 plug bay I got with my motherboard there.. But no bay means more room for hard drives and who wants a floppy drive.
Case is a bit heavy, but that comes from it being made quite well. After getting my 6x HDDs and everything mounted this PC is the heaviest PC to date I have had.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Rating: 5/5Solid case, great features, extremely quiet
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: I was blown away by how quiet this case is, even while under load. Sitting right next to it, it's about as loud as a whisper, and standing 6 feet away, it's practically silent. On top of that, a lot of nice features are included, like the grommets on the motherboard tray, the SSD mounts, the removable HDD cage, and the conveniently top-mounted USB and audio ports. It's nice and solid, too, so I don't have any worries about accidentally kicking it (which is good, because the front USB port placement really begs for it to be kept on the floor).
I bought this case primarily for the noise-dampening properties, but the other little things about it really put it over the top. I will definitely buy from Fractal Design in the future.
Cons: The front panel seems to be a little bit too easy to bump off accidentally. I've done it a couple of times while moving the case out to access the back of it. It's not a big deal, though.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: 4 Month review: Quiet and dense this case WILL last also have a Full tower of this case and they are perfect. They are simple, elegant and for the price you can not bet it.
Cons: not ALL of the top, none of the bottom or back have the sound proofing. This is still a quiet computer but still heads up.
Other Thoughts: I recommend not going water cooling on this case you would need to remove the sound proofing not worth it replaced the water cooler last week for air much quieter and thinking of doing the same to the other computer. AND get do not get a 240mm radiator if you do the rear fan will out into one of the 240mm fans if you do not have very slim fans on it. I would recommend a 120 rear mount for this mid tower.
This review is from: Fractal Design Define R4 Blackout Silent ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Pros: Best case I've ever had. VERY quiet with a good airflow and plenty of space. Ive wanted this case for almost a year and Im not disapointed at all. Will buy from Fractal Desing in the future!
Cons: The left side pannel is not perfectly flush with the top of the case, nothing too big but its noticeable. Not enough for me to ship it back and have a new one its a little detail taht cost an egg, else i would've give 5/5!
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