By David Shields
Manufacturer: Fractal Design
Product Name: Define Series R6
Model Number: FD-CA-DEF-R6-BK-TG
UPC: 817301015905 EAN: 7350041085904
Price As Tested: $149.99 MSRPFull Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Fractal Design.
Many companies release new chassis designs and updates every year. These designs are often minimal updates intended to keep up with the latest trends in case design. Fractal Design’s iconic Define series however, has not been updated since December of 2014. Now, the Define R6 has arrived, with the option of a tempered glass side-panel in keeping with the latest trend in custom PC design.
The Define series is best known for quality construction that features customization, sound-dampening, and enthusiast level cooling options. Three years ago we awarded the Define R5 a strong 9.5 out of 10. What has Fractal done to improve and remain relevant as we head into 2018? In this article for Benchmark Reviews, I take a closer at the Fractal Design Define R6 Tempered Glass mid-tower computer case, detailing the latest features.
| Model | Define R6 |
|---|---|
| Color | Black, White |
| Case Type | Mid-Tower |
| Case Material | Tempered Glass, Aluminum, Steel |
| M/B Compatibility | eATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion Slots | PCI-E x 7 + 2 x Vertical. |
| GPU Compatibility | Max 440mm with front fan mounted.
Standard layout: Maximum width 155 mm (including power connectors) for graphics cards longer than 300mm. |
| Front Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0 HD Audio |
| Internal Drive Bays | 6 x 3.5″/2.5 2 x 2.5″ |
| Front Fan | 3 x 120 mm or 2 x 140 mm, 2 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included |
| Top Fan | Standard layout: 3 x 120 or 2 x 140
Open layout: 3 x 120/140 mm |
| Rear Fan | 1 x 120/140 mm 1 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included |
| Bottom Fan | 2 x 120/140 mm |
| Power Supply | ATX up to 300mm. |
| CPU Cooler Height | 185mm |
| Cable Routing Space | 23mm |
The Fractal Design Define R6 Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Computer Case, model FD-CA-DEF-R6-BK-TG, has launched with a $149.99 MSRP.
Immediately out of the box, its apparent how well built the Define R6 is. A solid, brushed aluminum door swings 90° on solid hinges, and can be mounted to open from either side. Built into the door is Fractal Design’s signature industrial dampening material.
Behind the panel is a fully removable dust filter with small perforations that block dust but allow airflow to up to dual 140mm fans or three 120mm fans.
The moduvent cover on the top panel has been updated. The Define R5 allowed you to individually open up fan slots, but had no dust filtration. Fractal Design has solved this by instead having one long removable panel with the same dampening material, but also with a dust filter that can be separated from the cover and installed to cover the vents. The panel can be released with a large button at the rear of the case, but it took a flathead screwdriver in order for me to pry it up completely, and to separate the dust filter from the sound dampened panel.
Taking a closer look at the vent, we see a prominent gap exists between the filter and the chassis. The gap is little more than 6mm and repeated around the entire filter – a very surprising oversight from the normally detail oriented Fractal Design.
The back now features dual vertical expansion slots, should you choose to separately purchase the Flex VRC-25 riser cable explicitly designed for the Define R6 to install vertical GPU. Outside of that, seven typical expansion slots and a 120mm/140mm fan mount are available (one 140mm fan included.)
The bottom features a full length removable dust filter the covers both the PSU fan and the dual 120mm/140 fan mounts.
The biggest change from the R5 to the R6 is the newly improved moduvent at the top. Build quality is fantastic, with an attractive yet simple design. In the next section, we’ll dive into the interior and additional features.
Fractal Design has drastically redesigned the Define R6’s interior from the R5. The R5 featured removable HDD/ODD bays, but this approached as been eschewed in favor of a new bracket plate that can be used to suspend multiple combo trays or can be pushed to the back to open the interior in favor of unobstructed airflow and mounts in the front and top. Doing so however, limits you to dual 3.5mm HDDs.
For all intents and purposes, most photos we have taken are in the standard configuration. Regardless of configuration, the chassi supports anywhere from EATX to mITX motherboards.
A new Nexus+ Smart Hub can control up to six case fans and three additional PWM devices. No longer included is the three setting fan controller switch from the Define R5.
The back has 23mm of cable management space, with lots of tie down points and included velcro straps. Also included are dual SSD brackets, and should you choose to relocate the HDD bracket, you can mount two 3.5″ drives on the back of it as well. The CPU cutout is approximately 165mm wide.
Finally, a look at the interior with the hard drive plate moved to the back. This gives you a better idea of the open design this case can support. It’s worth noting that you can still have a long GPU and radiators in the front with the bracket in its standard spot, but Fractal Design that the maximum width of any GPU cannot exceed 155mm if its more than 300mm long. Moving the panel back also frees up a third fan slot in the top.
Fractal Design has taken the removable drive bays a step further with the Define R6, by allowing the option for a completely open interior. This will no doubt be an attractive option to many builders.
2017 has not been a strong year for case design. The changes made in the R6 show that Fractal Design was listening to the feedback on the R5 and took them into account when designing the R6. I would consider it one of the strongest offerings of the year, and a worthy successor to the Define R5.
The Define R6 costs $129.99 for the base version, and $149.99 for the tempered side panel. The base Define R5 costs $99.99 with the windowed (non-tempered) costing another ten. When placed next to many of the competitors in the same price bracket, the Define R6 surpasses many of them in features, especially when compared to the few tempered glass offerings. I think, regardless of which version you purchase it is an excellent budget enthusiast case.
The construction of the R6 is second to none. A solid, hefty front panel combined with steel construction throughout makes for a durable, long lasting design. That said, it was still unfortunate I had to use a flat head screwdriver to pry apart the top panel, and it was less than simply to change the location of the HDD panel.
Barring the slight difficulty of adjusting the layout, functionally the R6 improves upon every complaint I had with the R5, with better front airflow, dust filters in the top, and an open design in the interior. I wish it were slightly easier to change layouts, and the gaps around the top dust filter is disappointing as well.
Visually the R6 is similar to the R5, but somehow just looks better to my eyes. The most dramatic difference is the top panel, which when not covered by the dampened panel has the slanted vents showing, presenting a very different appearance.
+ Excellent build quality.
+ Option for hidden HDD trays or completely open interior.
+ A multitude of fan and radiator options.
+ Improves upon the Define R5.
+ Gap all around top dust filter.
+ Changing interior layout requires removing some slightly difficult screws.
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Performance: 9.50
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Appearance: 9.75
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Construction: 9.50
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Functionality: 9.75
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Value: 9.50
