Reviewed: Fractal Design Define R5

The official specifications of the Define R5 are listed below including the extensive cooling options. 

The immediate design inclusions that caught our attention were:

  • the shape of the motherboard tray
  • The new MODUVENT panel covers for fans
  • Heavy and dense noise dampening material
  • Removable drive trays and the ability to totally gut the case
  • Side latch for the left side panel
  • Adjustable rear fan mount in both 120 and 140mm holes
  • New GP14 140mm fans

General Specifications

Model Fractal Design Define R5
 Drive Bay Capacity – 2 x 5.25″ bays (removable)
– 8 x 3.5″ HDD positions (can also accommodate – 2.5″ units)
– 2 x additional 2.5″ dedicated SSD unit positions
Case Type ATX
Cooling & Ventilation System  – 9 Fan positions (2 Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 140mm fans included)
– Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
– CPU coolers up to 180 mm in height
Expansion slots 7
Motherboards – ATX
– Micro ATX
– Mini ITX
I/O Ports – 2xUSB 3.0
– 2xUSB 2.0
– Audio in/out
– Power button with LED (blue)
– HDD activity LED (blue)
– Reset button
Case Type ATX
Graphics Card Compatibility – Graphics cards up to 310 mm in length with the top HDD cage installed
– With the top cage removed, graphics cards up to 440mm in length may be installed
Side Panel Plain with MODUVENT or Window depending on model
Colour – Black
– Titanium (Black case, Titanium front panel)
– White
Dimension (HxWxD)  -232 x 451 x 521 (mm)
-232 x 462 x 531 with feet/protrusions/screws(mm)
PSU -ATX PSUs up to 190/170 mm with a bottom 120/140mm fan installed-When not using any bottom fan location longer PSUs up to 300mm can be used
Net Weight (kb) 10.2kg
Additional Information – 20 to 35 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
– Velcro straps included for easy cable management 
– Front door can switch opening direction
– Left side panel has a Quick Release System for easy access and provides a secure closure of side panel
– Right side panel features smart captive thumbscrews

Cooling System – Fans

Front 2 – 120/140 mm fans (included is 1 Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 fan, 1200 RPM speed)
Rear 1 – 120/140 mm fan (included is 1 Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 fan, 1200 RPM speed)
Top 3 – 120/140 mm fan (not included)
Bottom 2 – 120/140 mm fan (not included)
Side 1 – 120/140 mm fan (not included)
Other Fan controller
– 3 step fan controller for up to 3 fans (powered by SATA power connector)Dust filters
– Bottom and front intakes

Cooling System – Water Cooling Compatibility

Front

360, 280, 240, 140 and 120 mm radiators of all thicknesses. 
– (requires removal of drive bays)

cooling

Rear  120 or 140 mm radiator
Top 420, 360, 280, 240, 140 and 120 mm radiators.
– (A thickness limitation of 55mm for both radiator+fan applies on 420, 280 and 140 mm radiators)
– (420 and 360 mm radiators require removal of the ODD bay)
Bottom 120 or 240 mm radiator
– (Use of radiators in the bottom position limits the PSU length to 165 mm)

Package Contents

  • Define R5 computer case
  • Accessory Box
  • User manual

Model Variants

The Define R5 is available in the versions set out below. As impressive as the Define R5 Black version is, I’d personally buy the standard white version but with 6 model variants on the market there should be something there for everyone.

  • Fractal Design Define R5 Black (FD-CA-DEF-R5-BK )
  • Fractal Design Define R5 Black Window (FD-CA-DEF-R5-BK-W)
  • Fractal Design Define R5 Titanium (FD-CA-DEF-R5-TI)
  • Fractal Design Define R5 Titanium Window (FD-CA-DEF-R5-TI-W)
  • Fractal Design Define R5 White (FD-CA-DEF-R5-WT)
  • Fractal Design Define R5 White Window (FD-CA-DEF-R5-WT-W)

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