Fractal Design Define C Build Log

[sheroo]

After seeing Tom's review, I just had to buy one of these. Its the case I've been waiting for, for a few years now.

Its going to be a straight forward build log, using mainly recycled parts form my old folding rig, and a few updated parts to bring things a bit more up to date.

I'm doing the build log to spare me on to get it done, otherwise the case might just languish in the box.

This just arrived this morning...

 

[AlienALX]

Ooo nice one dude. Looking forward to seeing this built

 

[sheroo]

I can't believe how small & light the box is. I normally brace for weight. I'm starting to get excited. Still haven't opened it yet - anticipation is everything...

Its so dinky - looks more like an matx case...

This is it compared to my HAF XB, that contains most of the donor parts...

Time to read the manwell...

 

[WYP]

Ooo, I look forward to the build Sheroo

 

[AlienALX]

Man that HAF XB was bloody bad ! Well, looks wise any way. I know they were awesome for fitting lots of gear but yeah, not a design that has aged well.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Thos epics are fine! Take all of the photos!

 

[Wraith]

That's it! I'm getting one. Love the define s but need lighter and smaller. Liking forward to more pictures.

 

[sheroo]

Man that HAF XB was bloody bad !

Good for a folding rig, lots of access & cool, but yeah pretty fugly...

My donor motherboard is an MSI Z77A -GD65, it has a 2700K in it overclocked @4.6.

I won't be using the NH-D14. My folding rig initially had an H100i in it - but having run it for a year 24/7 the pump died. So I replaced it with my faithful Noctua, but in the mean time got another H100i as a warranty replacement.

Its still in the cellophane....

 

[AlienALX]

Looks nice man. I have been racking my brains trying to remember who it was who cut up a Define and basically made this case. Then I remembered. I will PM you the link, so you can see where they got the idea for your case

 

[Dawelio]

Looks nice man. I have been racking my brains trying to remember who it was who cut up a Define and basically made this case. Then I remembered. I will PM you the link, so you can see where they got the idea for your case

Was it Wraith?

 

[AlienALX]

Was it Wraith?

No. I will pm you a link

 

[Dawelio]

No. I will pm you a link

Cool thanks bud ... But have Fractal really made it from that guy though?

 

[AlienALX]

Cool thanks bud ... But have Fractal really made it from that guy though?

I would imagine it inspired them yes. I mean if you think about it everything manus do is ideas from the modding community. PSU shrouds, cable management, extra fans etc. That has all been made by a modder before it became mainstream. Even painting a case black on the inside etc.

 

[sheroo]

Even painting a case black on the inside etc.

You try telling Lian Li that...

 

[tinytomlogan]

I would imagine it inspired them yes. I mean if you think about it everything manus do is ideas from the modding community. PSU shrouds, cable management, extra fans etc. That has all been made by a modder before it became mainstream. Even painting a case black on the inside etc.

If you think about what I did to the R5 (my server) the Define S isnt far away from that. If anything the S is more basic than mine!

 

[AlienALX]

You try telling Lian Li that...

hahaha a real sticking point for me that is.

 

[sheroo]

Made a bit of progress today...

The cable routing options are fantastic. The PSU cover has holes to route USB, audio headers & front I/O connections normally found on the lower edge of the board.

It also has a couple of holes for the front fans as well, and even the 2 holes at the top of the motherboard tray have grommets.

There are no excuses, cable management should make this build super neat.

Having captive thumb screws on the side panels is great. It even has a built in stub standoff in the centre of the motherboard tray.

When you normally put a motherboard in, the springs/foam on the I/O shield push the motherboard out of alignment with the standoffs. So you have to hold everything in place to get the first screw lined up, which can be a faff. The stub standoff means that the motherboard is lined up perfectly with the standoffs, meaning you have 2 hands free to get that pesky first screw in.

Took a shot of the accessories box...

After a quick air dust, the motherboard is in.

Don't have any more time today, so I'll hopefully get some more done tomorrow. No negatives so far...

*** Edit 18/11/2016 ***

Have made some more progress...

Rear fan in & connected with speed reducer.
FP audio, FP header & USB 3 connected.
4 x 8GB Corsair LP Vengeance installed.

Most importantly, I've freed up my Corsair AX850 from my current rig. This took most of the day. The PSU I needed for my current rig was in my home server, so I had to install another PSU in that....

 

[sheroo]

Finished

Bought some new parts & thought I'd finally have to embrace Windows 10...

Cable management was a breeze, no really frustrating moments - very enjoyable experience. There was only one problem at this stage, I had to remove the fan grill from the PSU - otherwise it wouldn't fit - there should be a little more tolerance than that...

Everything else fits perfectly - no wasted room at all...

I have 2 SP120 PWM fans in the front controlled from the bios & 1 AF120 on a fan speed reducer in the rear. The fans on the PSU & GPU don't even spin when its at the Windows desktop. The loudest noise is the H100i pump...

The only trick I think Fractal missed was to include some sort of mount for an SSD on the PSU shroud. I think that would have just finished the interior off.

One of the most enjoyable builds I've done. For me the hard work begins now - transferring all my stuff over from my old PC...