Are you unsure which case to use and can’t decide between the Define 7 and the Fractual R6?

After two hours of research, here are the differences:

When closed, the R6 has greater acoustics (which is what you will be running if acoustics is your 1. priority).

Instead of the traditional metal feet, the 7 has plastic ones (they look like metal and a reviewer said they were better, I would love if someone could confirm that they are metal).

The 7 has two logos showing at the same time, which is redundant and stupid.

When closed, the R6 has much higher CPU temperatures (up to 6 degrees (!)).

To be clear, I already have an Asus 570 Tuf Gaming motherboard to put in it.

The 7 is slightly larger, but the most significant change is that the 7 can optionally hold a lot more disks. At the expense of reduced GPU clearance, the 7 may be transformed to a “storage layout” and take up to 14 3.5″ disks. This necessitates the purchase of a large number of additional hard drive brackets.

They are, nevertheless, operationally and cosmetically identical out of the box: same connectors, same 6 3.5″ disks, same 2 SSDs, same fan configuration, and about the same GPU clearance.

ALSO SEE: Moza R5 Vs Csl Dd

If, like most people, you’ll never stuff 14 drives into a modern ATX chassis, go ahead and get whichever one is the cheapest when you’re shopping.

Conclusion

In comparison to the Define R6:

Good

• The solid top cover is quite smooth.
• It’s a brilliant idea to have two distinct purpose-built top coverings (airflow versus noise suppression).
• When using the “open” configuration, the modular plastic cover eliminates the gaping hole in the PSU shroud.
• Improved cable management features on the motherboard tray’s backside.
• Fan controller is now more conveniently situated.
• Reduce GPU temperatures (-3.6C under prolonged stress, Gamers Nexus).
• Improved mechanism for mounting side panels.
• The removable top radiator mounting bracket enables accessing the inside of the case easier.
• The 5.25″ drive bay space is more modular, and the cover is more airflow optimized, allowing for more flexible fan or radiator arrangement.
• Additional storage choices, including a 3.5″ drive cage beneath the power supply shroud.

No RGB.

Ambivalent

• Different feet. I appreciate how the material mixes in better with the rest of the case, but the new shape is a little strange.
• Acoustic performance is improved (+0.8dBA with the door closed, according to Gamers Nexus).
• This is undeniably more essential for someone working in audio, but for the typical person, the change is scarcely (if at all) visible, and the difference may simply be within the range of measurement error.

Bad

Higher CPU temperatures (+6.5 degrees Celsius under sustained load, according to Gamers Nexus). I assume that at least some of this is due to the default fan design, in which the 5.25″ drive bay bracket obscures a considerable portion of the top front fan. Gamers Nexus mentions it in their review, but doesn’t follow up; we’d want to see more testing on this.

The pattern of the dust filter. It’s uneven, it’s unattractive, and it appears to be less efficient at admitting air into the case and more difficult to clean than a typical grid design. Visually, the top dust filter layers with the airflow-oriented top cover are highly chaotic.

The cutaway design. This appears absolutely garish for a firm that has previously prided itself on a delicate, understated design. I could deal with the design on the back and bottom of the case because it’s consistent and rarely visible. However, for the PSU shroud and airflow-oriented top cover, they’ve randomly filled in areas of the cutout pattern. The human brain is highly skilled at identifying and seeking out patterns, therefore inserting a chaotic element into a geometric design like this is irritating to look at since your brain can’t “solve” the pattern. I could be overreacting, but it’s an odd choice that would likely prevent me from using the tempered glass side panel or the airflow-oriented top cover.

There’s a lot to like about the upgrades to the Define 7, but the inferior thermal performance and odd aesthetic choices have me leaning toward picking up a Define R6 before they’re gone.