$fractal define 7 airflow$

Fractal Define 7 Airflow Install Back On

For one, all the thumb screws in this case are insanely tight.

In short, its the same size as my favorite mid-tower from Fractal Design, the Meshify C, but with a really distinct and upgraded Define series look.

The tempered glass (TG) models are 10 more bringing the price up to 109 USD, which is kind of pricey versus similar sized mid-towers like the be quiet Pure Base 500DX that is 99, the Meshify C at 89, the H510 from NZXT is 69, and the Phanteks P300 is 79.

For example, here it is next to the 500DX from be quiet, which is another nice compact mid-tower, or the Corsair ONE on the left for size reference.

You can also get a better view of what this compact revision really means next to a much larger the Define 7.

$fractal define 7 airflow$

For example, due to airflow issues I do not agree with the default fan configuration of this new case, but more than that later.

I guess this is a Define series after all, so its not a plastic lookalike.

Fractal Define 7 Airflow Install Back On

The side ventilation has expanded with removal dust filters that are easy to take off and install back on.

$fractal define 7 airflow$

And since there are no 5.25 drive bays the panel doesnt need to swivel like a door, its just secured with plastic pegs.

Behind it you can do triple 120mm or dual 140mm fan configurations with 180mm and 360mm radiators supported.

Im really happy to see that they have improved the removable cover system on the shroud.

They are just plastic and bend out of the case, giving you either 7.0cm or 14.8cm when the covers are removed.

You are going to need to slide the cage back if you want space for push-pull in here.

The top frame is fully modular like with the Define 7, all tool-less panels, and there is a cool looking dust filter that absolutely clashes with the ventilation pattern on the mesh top panel.

However, at least if you are using any fans up top or radiator it is a good value-add.

In my opinion, the fan bracket is best-in-class, it is secured with two side crews and the whole bracket just simply lifts up making installation super easy.

$fractal define 7 airflow$

Now as I have unfortunately discovered during my assembly procedure, there is no way to actually secure either side panel to the frame itself.

For example, if your cables are chunky and you dont spend time cleaning up the rear to be as flat as possible, the panels simply will not stay closed.

What I find really strange is that we have these metal pegs on each side panel that go inside the frame, and they appear to be attached to something on the case itself, but there is nothing on the case to actually hold this screw.

You could still insert a screw in there that will prevent the panel from flying open, but this method is not intentional as the front panel bumps into whatever screw you have in there and therefore isnt flush against the frame.

Given that all solid panels have noise dampening foam it further reduces the usable space behind the motherboard.

However, the usual refinement that I get with Define cases isnt here.

$fractal define 7 airflow$