Review: Fractal Design Define S2

by Parm Mann on 3 October 2018, 15:00

Tags: Fractal Design

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Conclusion

...a good number of value adds, including sound-dampened panels, a hinged glass window, integrated fan hub, and now USB Type-C as standard.

The Fractal Design Define S2 is a modified take on one of the firm's best chassis to date, the Define R6. Favouring cooling over storage, the S2 jettisons the flexible storage options available to its sibling - the number of hard drive bays has been cut in half and the optical bay has been dropped altogether - to create a more open interior that is better suited to elaborate liquid-cooling loops.

What you end up with is ultimately a robust base for a high-end rig, and Fractal continues to add a good number of value adds, including sound-dampened panels, a hinged glass window, integrated fan hub, and now USB Type-C as standard.

Define S2 has plenty going for it, but there is room for improvement. The price tag, firstly, is a little too close to the Define R6 for comfort, and on a more subjective note, we reckon Fractal's signature aesthetic is starting to show its age.

Bottom line: Define S2 might not be the sexiest case on the market, but it's a worthwhile alternative to Define R6 if you're going to be using lots of liquid cooling.

The Good
 
The Bad
USB Type-C as standard
Hinged tempered-glass panel
Three bundled 140mm fans and integrated hub
Lots of liquid-cooling potential
Helps keep noise levels down
 
Design starting to look dated
Costs almost as much as Define R6



Fractal Design Define S2

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The Fractal Design Define S2 chassis will be available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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The 3.5" bays don't seem to have any airflow at all?
The price seems more sensible for a premium case than other offerings I have seen recently, but it does look rather plain and dated as Hexus pointed out already. Definitely one for custom loops as it doesn't look all that amazing in the airflow department either.

That being said, if you are looking for an all white and black build, or looking for a steady base for a modding project, then this would not be a terrible choice.
Compared to the original Define S, I quite like the inclusion of the tempered glass side panel, but the price just seems like too much of an increase though.
No 5.25 spot, you're dead to me. I need an optical drive, PERIOD. OK with floppy loss ages ago, but these are not the same things. Once flash drives were everywhere, those became pretty useless. I still consider a disc very useful for many use cases.
nobodyspecial
No 5.25 spot, you're dead to me. I need an optical drive, PERIOD.

The Define S and C series cases was never meant for that use case. That's what the Define R series is for.