Fractal Design Define XL case review



Behind the door are four 5.25" drive bays and a cover that hides the front fans.

Define XL door opened


The front door is fitted with noise-absorbing material to reduce noise from fans and hard drives. This material is used throughout the case, it's a bitumen-based material with a soft foam texture.

Define XL door 

padding


The four 5.25" drive bay covers have an air vent like design. They are very easily removed, just pull the tab on the right and they just slide out. Reinstalling them is just as easy.

Define XL bay 

covers


The fan vent is a hinged door with a push-to-open mechanism. If you look hard enough you may also find the tiny reset button to the right of the fan door.

Define XL front fan 

cover


Behind the door is the dust filter panel for the two 140mm intake fans, but only one of the two fans is included with the case. By pressing two latches, you can pull out the entire panel to install or replace a fan. Interestingly, you need to push to the left, and not to the right as suggested by the arrow on the panel.

Define XL front 

fan cover open




Next is a shot of the front with the door removed, providing a look at the case's all-black steel body. The picture also reveals that there's a dust filter installed in the lower three 5.25" drive bays. You can install an optional 120mm fan in this location, if you have no desire to install devices in these three bays.

Define XL front 

removed


The front is removed by pulling the entire panel off. It's not as solid as I hoped as one of the plastic rivets broke off the first time I removed the front. A couple of days later I removed the front again to double-check something for the review and a second rivet broke off! With two upper rivets broken off I could no longer properly attach the front to the case, resulting in a small gap between the front and the case's body. I fixed the issue with an adhesive (Tec7), but rest assured that this is not what I expect from such an expensive case.

Define XL slight 

damage


The front fan caddy removed. The mechanism for removing it didn't feel very solid, while removing it I feared the tabs would break off if I used too much force.

Define XL front 

fans

Define XL front 

exposed


The included 140mm fan is made by Fractal Design, it has a black frame and white fan blades.

Define XL front 

fan


On top of the case's front is the Define XL's I/O panel. From left to right we have the audio ports, an eSATA port, power button, and four USB 2.0 ports (USB 3.0 is also available). Below the power button is a blue power LED. Fractal Design decided not to include the reset button in the front I/O panel, instead it's hidden behind the front door.

Define XL front I/O


Added: April 12th 2011
Product reviewed: Fractal Design Define XL case
Reviewer: Thomas De Maesschalck
Score: 7.5/10
Page: 2/6



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About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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