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Hardware Fractal Design Arc Review

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by arcticstoat, 31 May 2011.

  1. arcticstoat

    arcticstoat Minimodder

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  2. Jack_Pepsi

    Jack_Pepsi Clan BeeR Founder

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    I really want the Arc Mini so badly.

    Gorgeous lookin' case.
     
  3. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    I like the look of it, and the possibility of sitting a 360 rad on the roof (outside), but there doesn't look to be a lot of room for the rest of the loop - could be very cramped.
     
  4. NuTech

    NuTech Minimodder

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    Ugh. Don't you think there are enough "Turbo Xtreme" cases in the market place already? Seriously, trying to find a competent case that doesn't look like the love child of a leaf-blower and a Nascar is hard enough as it is, don't go encouraging them!

    *Hugs his Fractal Designs R3*
     
  5. kaiser

    kaiser What's a Dremel?

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    That is one swanky looking case and a great price, though I think that the inclusion of 8-hdd drive bays is as laughable as the number of optical drive bays in the first CM Stacker!
     
  6. Cei

    Cei pew pew pew

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    Frankly, Fractal make cases that are understated and don't scream "I'm a teenager". I went off windows, LED fans, cathode tubes and ridiculous styling years and years ago, so Fractal fit the bill perfectly. I'd actually say that they're the ones standing out from the crowd of tacky crap.

    Good case for £75, but I'll stick with my Define R3 in white for now.
     
  7. Bede

    Bede Minimodder

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    +1 to Cei - understated is better than colourful neon crap. Function over form! I'm torn between the R3 and this, but as I value silence above extreme OC'ing I think I'll go with the Define R3.
     
  8. JCBeastie

    JCBeastie What's a Dremel?

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    Very nice looking case, understated.

    The only thing that is putting me off is the huge Fractal branding, not keen on that at all.
     
  9. jalex3

    jalex3 What's a Dremel?

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    nice case, good to see the oi not connected to the front panel.
     
  10. Picarro

    Picarro What's a Dremel?

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    Very slick with the extra expansion port in the back.
     
  11. T2I3M

    T2I3M Minimodder

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    Very nice looking case, I may have to get myself one :)
     
  12. Technobod

    Technobod Minimodder

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    Would a triple 120mm rad fit in the ceiling if the uppermost optical bad wasn't used?
     
  13. John_T

    John_T Minimodder

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    Exactly that.

    There is of course a market for cases that look like Transformer Robots 'mid-transform', but there's also a market for more elegant looking equipment as well - Fractal Design seem to be cornering that section of the market quiet nicely.
     
  14. urobulos

    urobulos Minimodder

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    I think the front looks ugly. Mind, you I like Fractal cases and I think the next upgrade will be either the R3 or the Fortress 02 (if I can be bothered to fork out the extra cash). This seems to be neither here nor there really. The R3 is a quiet and stylish case which sacrifices some cooling performance. I guess this does cool better, but if you have to sacrifice the looks or the noise levels then I think it's a bit pointless. Hmm, actually I'm probably a bit too harsh, it's still a very good case which is worth buying for the price, but there are other air cooling cases which have similar price points and looks (midway between clean R3 design and the HAF monstrosities) so it just doesn't stand out as much.
     
  15. Cei

    Cei pew pew pew

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    I do agree that the massive branding on the front is a downside. They should have stuck with a nice plain front!
     
  16. Xir

    Xir Modder

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    There's no picture of the so well described top of the case...
     
  17. infered101

    infered101 What's a Dremel?

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    Typo, threw me off at first as i was thinking wow finally two USB 3's then i saw another one.

    Anways i like the case except i do have to agree that the branding is bad. I like the cleanness though. Nice to see that people are are going quality over flash. Some competition for Lian Li (last time i bought a "nice" case, Lian Li really was only nice and clean option). Now lets just hope this trend moves towards MicroATX as honestly alot of people are building smaller computers nowadays.
     
  18. memeroot

    memeroot aged and experianced

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    great case
     
  19. TAG

    TAG What's a Dremel?

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    deleted

    edit: my bad
     
  20. chrismarkham1982

    chrismarkham1982 Multimodder

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    i decided to take the plunge and get a define r3 as i couldnt stand waiting for this case any longer.............................................that was 2 weeks ago :wallbash:
     
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