Fractal Design Define XL Computer Case Review

Manufacturer: Fractal Design
Product Name: Define XL
Model Number: FD-CA-DEF-XL-USB3-BL
Price As Tested: $149.99 at NewEgg

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Fractal Design.

“Long Live the Extra Large Full Tower PC Case?” My last review at Benchmark Reviews left off praising the shrink factor of technology and the maturation of micro cases (Silverstone PS07b micro case ). At the same time, Benchmark Reviews has been busy reviewing monster sized cases. One conclusion that can be derived from the size and options of PC cases is that the PC case is not nearly as dead as some surmise, be they large or small. Otherwise, we'd be getting less variety and more generic offerings, along with fewer manufacturers.

Diametrically opposed to the idea of PC and PC case obsolescence, the venerable PC computer enclosure doesn't seem to be in any danger of extinction. Rather, the PC case seems to be moving forward at a quickening pace. In fact, new offerings seem limitless and one might argue that the PC case is just now hitting its stride.

Although small is the way of technology, huge and imposing cases have their market share and their followers too (me being one of them). Thus, to the zeal of full tower aficionados, the Fractal Design Define XL Full Tower Silent Case should fit right into the current market of PC case enclosures. It's a solidly built and heavy case, weighing in at 39.5 lbs. dry, which outweighs the Rosewill Blackhawk-Ultra HPTX Case by 3.0 lbs (and the Define XL is not an HPTX case)! I don't know what the “XL” stands for, but it should stand for “extra solid, extra heavy, and extra large” and I intend to show you just why that is.

Define XL Features

-Stylish design
-Pre-fitted with noise absorbing material
-Configurable thermal chamber design
-Great cooling possibilities, 3x fans included (2x 140mm, 1x 180mm)
-10x HDD slots Unique ModuVent™ design in side panel

Define XL Specifications

*2x 140mm fans (one 140mm included, one optional) with removable and washable filters, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
*x 120mm fan optional with removable and washable filter, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
*1x 180mm fan included in the top of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
*1x 140mm fan included in the rear of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
*1x 120/140mm fan optional in the side of the case. Recommended for intake of air.
*4x 5,25" bays, 1x 5,25" to 3,5" converter included
*Mini-itx, micro ATX, ATX and E-ATX motherboards
*10x HDD trays. 4x HDD trays in the HDD cage in the main chamber. This HDD cage is removable and rotatable.(Space ~330mm with HDD Cage and without ~480mm)
*6x HDD trays in the lower HDD chamber. These HDD cages are fixed.
*A total of two 140mm fans and one 180mm fan included.
*Front 140mm fans are mounted with removable, washable filter.
*A fan controller is included, for mounting in one of the rear expansion slots.
*Pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing material in both side panels.
*ModuVent^TM feature, allowing the user to choose between an optimal low noise level, having the cover mounted or optimal airflow by removing the cover and mounting a fan for intake.
*Maximum PSU length: Supports PSU's with a depth of maximum circa 180mm
*Maximum Graphic Card length: Supports graphic card lengths up to 330mm when removable HDD-Bay is in place
*Maximum CPU cooler height: Supports CPU coolers with height of 180mm
*Expansion slots: 7+1
*On top of front panel: 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0 and Audio I/O
*Case size (WxHxD): 232x560x561.3mm
*Net weight: 17.95kg

Closer Look: Interior and Exterior

This is what the entire outside of this case looks like. Matte Color (titanium or black) without blow holes, windows, lights, or anything else. This is the entire I/O panel: audio ports and four USB ports, two being USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 connectors are of the internal type. There is also an external SATA port.

The only visual difference between the sides, top and bottom of the Define XL comes in the form of one side panel intake hole, receiving either one 120mm or one 140mm fan, and the bottom PSU intake with filter. Other than that, they're identical. Below we can see the side panel intake vent with its provided sound insulated cover installed. Yes, this case is sound insulted with extremely dense insulation. On the front bezel, we can see the side intake vents serving the front fans.

Foam inserts cover the bottom chromed plastic feet. A PSU air filter rounds out the bottom.

In this image we see the foam insulation on the main inside door. The door latches magnetically. The plastic front door is also extra thick, no doubt to help with sound insulation. The door is nonremovable.

As shown in the Fractal Design stock photo below, one of the Define XL's unique features is that it's split into three compartments: (1) motherboard compartment, (2) PSU area, and (3) nonremovable drive bay compartment. The top to bottom separator is plastic #2, while the drive bay to PSU separator is steel #3. If you look at the motherboard area, you'll see what looks like a missing cooling tower backplate hole. It's actually a door that you can open or close, completely sealing the motherboard from the cable side area. Why? I have have not a clue.

In this image we see the now open cooling tower backplate hole and the door that covers it. We also see the opposite side front bezel side intake vents that serve the front fans.

Keeping in mind that the Defne XL allows you to seal the bottom drives and the PSU from each other and from the motherboard compartment, the bottom drive's front mounted fan (not included) exhaust needs to go somewhere. In this image, we see where it goes. The exhaust runs out of the hard drive compartment and into the side panel. After it moves into the side panel, it can move in two ways to reach exhaust completion. First, the holes we see here (1) are in the top of the case where the top 180mm fan resides. Second, on the right, we have passive exhaust ventilation holes exhausting from the back of the case (2).

The back of the case is your average back, except for a few items that deserve explanation. Above the exhaust fan we have ventilation holes. Well, those are for the top 180mm fan exhaust. As we'll see later, this innovative design allows for a top exhaust fan without a top exhaust port, reducing fan noise. Note also the vertically mounted expansion cover to the right of the normal expansion card covers. That's for the included fan controller.

If we look right above the PSU hole, we see more ventilation holes. This is for an alternate (or additional) bottom hard drive exhaust option obtained by removing the PSU to hard drive partition. Removing the hard drive to PSU partition allows air from the front, bottom fan to move over the bottom hard drives and pass over the PSU and out of the cases' back. Turning our attention to the left of the case, we see a vertical line of ventilation holes. As we saw in the last image, those are passive exhaust ventilation holes for the bottom hard drive fan.

Here we have a shot of the back 140mm fan and top tilted 180mm back exhausting fan. The 180mm fan carriage is sealed and directs exhaust out of the rear instead of the top. The 180mm fan carriage does protrude into the working area a little; therefore, if you have trouble working on your rig, simply unscrew the fan carriage (four screws) and the entire assembly drops out.

It's now obvious that the Define XL is a case with many options. Next, we'll cover those options in more detail.

Detailed Exterior Features

As mentioned beforehand, this is the only outward difference in external terrain. It's an intake that can mount a 120mm or 140mm fan. It's covered with it's own sound material when a fan is not installed because the Define XL is also a sound dampened case. However, there is no side filter.

In this image we see the front door open again, but this time with the inner door opened also. Now we see the front fan filter and carriage combination, more evident in the next image. The internal door latches with push to open push to release buttons, one on right top and one on the bottom right. We can also see four external bays.

This is an image of the combination filter and fan mount carriage. You can't remove the filter without taking out the entire contraption. That's why I called it a “combination filter and fan carriage.” By squeezing two release tabs with your index finger and thumb, the carriage pops out. The release tab position, which is on the same side as the inner door hinges, makes removal somewhat awkward.

These are the two tabs that release the combination fan carriage and filter.

The 5 1/4” bay covers are easy to remove. Just pull the release mechanism out, and the bay covers snap easily off to the front.

Here we have the front again without the bay covers. You can mount an additional 140mm or 120mm fan here if you wish, but at the expense of three external bays. Primary fan intake at this location is from the bezel side intake vents, as the bottom fan(s) have a bottom inlet also. This fan carriage is also a fan and filter combination.

Let's move on to the detailed interior features and see what's cooking inside the Define XL.

Detailed Interior Features

If you want airflow from the bottom drive cage area to flow out of the PSU compartment exhaust area, then remove the separator panel between the PSU and bottom hard drive compartments, as shown below. Otherwise, the bottom front drive fan exhausts into the cable side panel to be sucked out by the top 180mm fan and passively through the rear vents, as shown earlier.

Here we have a shot of the PSU top ventilation option. You can leave the PSU facing downward, or if you want to use it for additional exhaust, pull this panel out and turn the PSU upward. This passageway also doubles as an optional cable runway.

This shot doesn't look like anything special, but if you notice the air holes for the top and bottom drives, you'll notice that the bottom drive cages have much larger air holes between them than does the top cage. You can turn the top drive cage to face the drives either back into the case, for better cooling, or sideways, for better cable routing. Or, you can take the top cage completely out. The bottom drive cages, however, are not removable.

This is an image of the top cage completely removed, showing the mounting connectors and the top cage guide rail (in the case). The cage just slides in either direction you need, drives facing sideways or backwards. Two thumb screws, which are the same for all connectors in this case, secure the cage. The tool-less drive mounts are excellent quality, made of steel, and snap in firmly. They are exactly like Cooler Master's, if you're familiar with them.

When I first lifted this case, I almost suffered a hernia. This case is solid, and then some, weighing in at 39.5 lbs. The side panels alone weigh in at nearly 7.0 lbs each. As you can see, the scale reads 6.9 lbs. There are two reasons for this: The sound material on both panels is extremely dense and the panel steel is very thick. (Below: side air intake with its fan hole insulated cover installed).

Can you believe this? That's 0.047” thick! I've never measures a case with panels this thick. Most fall into the 0.025” to 0.030” area. The Define XL is built like a Volvo.

Here's what the PSU compartment looks like with a 140mm PSU mounted. Notice it comes right out to the edge of the cable holes.

Here's what it looks like with a 180mm PSU. So, yes, you're blocking the cable routing hole somewhat, but you can still get your cables behind the PSU with a little threading. The other option is to remove the PSU top hatch and run cables from the top. And, unless you have cable extensions, you may need to use that option (e.g., video card power cables). A 180mm PSU is the largest recommended for this case.

Let's get some measurements now. Cable space is good at one inch. I measured it through the CPU backplate hole to the side panel.

From the motherboard standoffs, you get almost 8.0” of space for cooling towers.

With the top drive cage installed, you have approximately 13.5” of video card space. Without the top drive cage, space is virtually unlimited.

Well, there you have some information on a very large and very solidly built case, with some unique options. Let's finish off with some words and the conclusion.

Define XL Final Thoughts

First, the front fan/filter assembly and the internal door need reworking. As it is now, the front, inner door functions only as a beauty cover for the front fans. Moreover, the front fan filter is actually a combination fan carriage and filter assembly (see above image). In other words, if you want to remove the filter, you will need to pull the fans out with it. A better solution is to convert the front, inner door to a combination pop-off beauty and filter cover, while converting the current filter and fan carriage combo to a fan carriage only, without a filter. In other words, the front fan cover (currently the internal hinged door) could look exactly the same, the only difference being that it (1) pops off instead of using hinges and (2) the filter is contained in the pop-off assembly, and not connected to the fan carriage.

Second, the PSU cable routing hole is fine unless you use a larger PSU, such as 180mm, which is the largest recommended by Fractal Design. At 140mm, the hole is mostly unobstructed. When you move to a 180mm PSU, it covers more than half of the hole. This isn't going to stop you from using the entire hole because there is still over a half inch of space on the side of the PSU for cable routing. It just might take a little threading. If you go back and look at the images, you'll see this could have been avoided by simply moving the hole toward the front an inch. Another option is to remove the power supply to motherboard partition and run cables through it. This might come in handy for video card power cables.

Third, if you use an E-ATX or ATX motherboard, the bottom of it will bump up against the bottom compartment separator. This means you can only run cables and wires around the front and top of the motherboard, and that means some of your cables might not be long enough. So remember you may need extensions or plan on buying them as needed. Of course, as stated above, you can always remove the power supply to motherboard partition and run cables directly into the motherboard area.

Fourth, although the 180mm top fan allows rearward instead of top exhaust, thus reducing fan noise, it also limits space for building inside. This isn't going to prevent anyone from running cables to their 12 volt, or installing the tallest coolers, but it could be a little more challenging. One way around this is to simply unscrew the top fan cage and remove it while you do your install. It's four screws and the entire cage pops off.

Fifth, the Define XL ships with only three fans, but the hardware mounting options leave that fan number wanting. For instance, if you want to use the bottom drive cages, and you want a fan with them, you'll need to cannibalize it from the top drive fan area or the back exhaust. This means either no front intake or the loss of the 140mm exhaust fan. If you want drives in both the top and bottom and they're mechanical drives, then you simply need another fan. That, or you risk busy hard drives overheating.

Sixth, the Define XL isn't just a large case. It's also marketed as a sound dampened case with insulation in all doors, and even a sound insulated side fan cover. Thus, it makes more sense to offer the same airflow with a lower noise ratio, which means a 230mm top fan, and for the same reason, one could argue for a side 230mm option also. (Actually, the top would be more logical since having a 200mm hole in the side of the case would allow more sound to escape.) On the other hand, if the 140mm/180mm option moves enough air for your build, without sounding like a vacuum cleaner, then the included fan options are fine. At the very least, the inclusion of an additional 140mm fan would improve out of the box cooling options. As it is, the factory cooling options might be a little lacking, depending on your hardware.

The Fractal Design Define XL Silent PC Chassis is interesting in that there are many uses for it and many options. If you need tons of drives, then this might be your case. If you want to build an OC'ed system, and you don't need tons of drives, then you have the option to remove the top drive cage (for better air flow) and install three 140mm front fans, one at the expense of three external bays, plus the side 140mm option. That's if you're willing to buy three additional 140mm fans. Without those extra fans, cooling options for hot systems are limited, at best.

Even after all of that, if you need a very sturdy, heavy, quality built and sound insulated case, then this is definitely a case you should consider. The Define XL is a serious and an extremely high quality chassis, with deliberate attention to quality and detail throughout.

Define XL Conclusion

Although we strive for objectivity here at Benchmark Reviews, please remember that each author perceives these points differently, and our conclusions and recommendations will necessarily differ from others. Also, prices can fluctuate and designs change after publication, so that the product we review might not have the same price and specifications of a product that's available later. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested, which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary of each of the areas that we rate.

Overview:
This case is an obviously serious offering. It's a large case, all one color, without dancing lights or viewing windows, or other woo woo and foo foo. However, it's a sleek and good looking case because of its spartan design, giving way to a low visual profile. There are also many options for cooling, noise reduction, and cable routing, with plenty of room everywhere.

Construction:
Construction is not an issue. The Define XL is one of the best built and thick cases I've seen, or tried to lift. The side panels alone weigh in at 7.0 lbs each. All of the panels and screws lined up perfectly, and the interior has nicely rolled edges and is nicely painted inside and out. I didn't see any skimping on build quality. The Define XL's build quality is simply superb.

Functionality:
Functionality is good, but not excellent. First, the Define XL only comes with three fans, but to make use of it's hardware options, you need at least one more fan. If you're willing to buy three more 140mm fans, then all of your cooling options become available. Space wise, you have enough room for everything you'd want, with the possibility of ten mechanical drives and four external drives, or a total of fourteen mechanical drives. The way the case is designed, however, you may need power cable extensions; alternately, you may alleviate the use of extensions by removing the partition between the motherboard and PSU unit compartments, and running cables directly into the motherboard area. Speaking of cables, behind motherboard cable routing space is a full 1.0”. There is almost 8.0” of cooling tower space, and either 13.5” of video card space, or, with the top drive bay removed, virtually unlimited video card space. Plus, you get the option of water holes and an included rear fan controller.

Value:
If you need a really big, well built, quality case with the option of ten mechanical drives, or more using the external bays (up to fourteen), and you're willing to buy an additional two fans, then for $149.99 (NewEgg) this is a good value. Huge internal space, build quality second to none, and the possibility of decent cooling options mean that this case is right on target value-wise.

Summary:
With a couple of smaller concerns resolved, such as the PSU cable routing hole being moved toward the front an inch or so, the redesign of the front fan/filter intake assembly (as described above), the addition of a 230mm top fan option, and the inclusion of at least one more 140mm fan, the Define XL would no doubt be Gold. As it is, I'm giving it a recommendation and waiting on version two. As always, your comments are appreciated.

Pros:

+ Extremely well built
+ Sound insulated
+ Tons of space
+ Ten plus hard drives
+ Unique compartmentalization
+ Nice looking
+ Good value
+ Excellent mechanical tolerance
+ Lots of options

Cons:

- Front fan filter release tab location akward
- Only three included fans
- PSU cable hole needs relocating
- Horizontal divider can limit cable routing
- Could use side and top 230mm fan options
- Front inner door/filter needs reworking

Ratings:

• Presentation: 8.50
• Appearance: 8.50
• Construction: 10.00
• Functionality: 8.00
• Value: 8.00

Final Score: 8.6 out of 10.

Benchmark Reviews invites you to leave constructive feedback below, or ask questions in our Discussion Forum.

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