Review: Fractal Design Define 7

by Parm Mann on 20 February 2020, 15:01

Tags: Fractal Design

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Conclusion

...the best in a long line of award-winning enclosures, and the upgrades do make a genuine difference.

Fractal Design describes the Define 7 as its "most comprehensive iteration" of the Define Series to date. That may well be true, however what impresses us most is that despite a thorough modernisation, the essence of the product line has been kept intact.

This may be the sleekest Define Series chassis thus far, yet it remains a minimalist enclosure without superfluous RGB lighting. While the industry has moved away from hard disks and optical drives, Define 7 retains huge storage potential, and with an integrated nine-way fan hub and sound-dampening material throughout, Fractal's flagship line continues to be an obvious choice for a near-silent build.

The end result is the best in a long line of award-winning enclosures, and the upgrades do make a genuine difference. Open-top access ensures the build process is even easier, Fractal's tool-free, top-latching side panels are among the best we've seen, and with an interior that's more flexible than ever before, Define 7 is equally adept at housing a high-end, liquid-cooled gaming rig as it is a server stocked full of hard disks.

Bottom line: for those who prefer a traditional case free of frivolity, Fractal Design's Define 7 comes highly recommended.

The Good
  
The Bad
Sleekest Define Series chassis to date
Open-top access is handy
Excellent build quality throughout
Pop-open side panels don't need screws
Sound-dampening material throughout
Huge storage potential
Retains a 5.25in optical bay
Integrated seven-way fan hub
Five front USB ports, including Type-C
  
Nothing of note



Fractal Design Define 7

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The Fractal Design Define 7 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.



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HEXUS Forums :: 11 Comments

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Posted by KultiVator - Thu 20 Feb 2020 16:05
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My old system I'm just replacing this week is built inside a 10 year old Fractal Design ‘Define’ Case - which has been pretty good.

Only three niggles really… the front panel 3.5mm audio socket died within the first few months (the socket's innards imploded for no obvious reason - e.g. only gentle / occasional use). The side panels also became quite warped over time, making it a bit of a pain to get them back on after upgrades / maintenance / cleaning. The rubber cable-management inserts are very temperamental - in that they fall out way too easily (I gather they attach more securely in later revisions of the case).

I've finally just moved on to a Phanteks P600s this week, which was great case to build a system in. Only time will tell if it fares as well as the Fractal Design case - which is about to start a second life in build of recycled parts for my Dad.
Posted by Gentle Viking - Thu 20 Feb 2020 16:10
Not bad,,,,, Not bad at all.

I especially like no glass, something i have had to “neutralize” in large quantities with the Thermaltake level 20 XT i am working with.
I never liked factory windows, the one in the Lian li case i have now are also DIY, and with glass when factory windows was just plastic ( okay i use regular glass so have to be careful )
Also like sound damping material, something i will also add to the Level 20 XT ( something i first added to a mod back in 2001 or something but dident use on subsequent builds due to restricted space + i used some industrial stuff from work that did not look good )
Posted by Friesiansam - Thu 20 Feb 2020 17:09
If I needed a new case, this one ticks all the right boxes and would likely be my choice but, there's plenty more years left in my Define R5.
Posted by maxp779 - Thu 20 Feb 2020 20:33
Looks like a nice case. I like that the weight is mentioned! 13.4kg. Seems like they haven't compromised on build quality which is nice to see.
Posted by Gentle Viking - Thu 20 Feb 2020 22:12
My build will probably weigh in well over 30 KG when it is done,,,, i am not removing glass, just doing something about it,,,,, at least that's how the plan are ATM.

The 4 radiators are a little over 5 kilos in total, my CPU head the heatkiller IV PRO in cobber are also as heavy as a CPU cooler get, so about 1 KG too ( well 900 grams )
The water i recon will be 3 liters / kilos or so, my modding add-ons another 3-5 kilos at least, tubing and fittings i guess is another kilo to the mix.

So that's a good 10 kilos, add that to the 20 kilos of the level 20 XT, and then come the hardware, O and the Alphacool GFX head that's a kilo too, so i might well end up pushing a 40 KG build.

I have serious plans about putting the case on wheels, cuz im not getting any younger, and the damn thing while my computer table are a large and strong professional model, then the case are not going up there, will be my #2 ever floor PC.

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