Switch from a 650D to a Fractal R3
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:25 am
Hey all,
I've just switched to a Fractal R3 from a Corsair 650D, I have to say it's a very nice case.
The R3 is smaller than the 650D yet much much quieter, however, it was harder to work with due to space constraints. Some things I don't like are the standoffs being like .5mm off and some of the screw points for my new PSU were a bit off as well. Nothing really bad but I think Fractal should consider making a slightly more expensive R3 variant for the $150 price point and it would totally destroy. Also the top cable routing grommet for 8pin mobo power was very hard to make use of.
All in all I'm very happy with the switch, my PC is used in a home studio and the silence + cooling offered is superb.
I currently have 3x Noctua S12B's as intake and one S12B as exhaust.
CPU HSF is a Noctua NH-D14 with the ULNA and my mobo set to silent, it doesn't start the 120mm fan until it's needed and the 140mm is running at 600rpm. It's barely audible. I may test not running the bottom 120mm to further reduce noise.
I've also put an Asus 6950 DC II in it and it just barely fit, I had to tilt it during installation to fit.
Temps (rig in sig) - 40c idle CPU, 65c prime95 for an hour.
6950 is at 45c idle and got to 82c with furmark for an hour. I ran prime95+Furmark for that hour to get my temps. Very impressive.
I only have a few pics but here you go!
I've just switched to a Fractal R3 from a Corsair 650D, I have to say it's a very nice case.
The R3 is smaller than the 650D yet much much quieter, however, it was harder to work with due to space constraints. Some things I don't like are the standoffs being like .5mm off and some of the screw points for my new PSU were a bit off as well. Nothing really bad but I think Fractal should consider making a slightly more expensive R3 variant for the $150 price point and it would totally destroy. Also the top cable routing grommet for 8pin mobo power was very hard to make use of.
All in all I'm very happy with the switch, my PC is used in a home studio and the silence + cooling offered is superb.
I currently have 3x Noctua S12B's as intake and one S12B as exhaust.
CPU HSF is a Noctua NH-D14 with the ULNA and my mobo set to silent, it doesn't start the 120mm fan until it's needed and the 140mm is running at 600rpm. It's barely audible. I may test not running the bottom 120mm to further reduce noise.
I've also put an Asus 6950 DC II in it and it just barely fit, I had to tilt it during installation to fit.
Temps (rig in sig) - 40c idle CPU, 65c prime95 for an hour.
6950 is at 45c idle and got to 82c with furmark for an hour. I ran prime95+Furmark for that hour to get my temps. Very impressive.
I only have a few pics but here you go!