Define S vs Define R5 temps

[mcle]

Hi all.
I'm about to upgrade my gaming pc and am looking for a new case. I liked the look of the master case pro 5 but i want my computer to be quiet so i've narrowed it down to the define S and Define R5 from Fractal. In Australia the Define R5 is only $5 more, so i don't see any advantage in the Define S. So what i'm asking is for a person that only has 2 HDDs and 1 SSD, which case is better regarding temperatures (i heard the define s gets a hotspot under the GPU)? and can i put 3 140mm fans in the front of the R5 if i take out the ODD cage? also, if i take out the Front HDD and ODD cages for an AIO in the R5 will a 280mm rad fit and will my cpu be the same temp as the Define S?
thanks in advance for your help

 

[Sakkura]

I don't see why the Define S would get a hotspot under the GPU any more than the Define R5. If you're referring to the side panel fan mount, that thing doesn't help much.

You cannot install a third front fan in the Define R5 without seriously modding the case. The case isn't even really tall enough to have room for a third 140mm fan if you did decide to start sawing through the optical drive bays. But you should be able to fit a 280mm front rad just taking out the HDD cages. You can still have one of the cages installed, just moved away from the front, to the spot in front of the PSU (it could be blocked by a long PSU though). Temperatures should be basically identical to the Define S.

 

[mcle]

I don't see why the Define S would get a hotspot under the GPU any more than the Define R5. If you're referring to the side panel fan mount, that thing doesn't help much.

You cannot install a third front fan in the Define R5 without seriously modding the case. The case isn't even really tall enough to have room for a third 140mm fan if you did decide to start sawing through the optical drive bays. But you should be able to fit a 280mm front rad just taking out the HDD cages. You can still have one of the cages installed, just moved away from the front, to the spot in front of the PSU (it could be blocked by a long PSU though). Temperatures should be basically identical to the Define S.

thanks, how about 3 120mm fans? And would you recommend the define S over the R5? how much louder is the define S with a window vs the Define R5 without a window?

 

[Sakkura]

It would only fit 2 120mm fans. The issue is that the plastic fascia behind the door only has space cut out for 2 fans.

I can't say how much noise difference there would be, but I don't think it would be dramatic. I have a Define R5 with a window, and I think it's pretty quiet still. But if you're focused on having a quiet build, and the Define R5 is only $5 more, then that's what I would recommend. A 280mm liquid cooler still fits, either top or front, and either way you shouldn't need more case fans than the Define R5 can accomodate.

 

[mcle]

Thanks. i'm looking at a 6700k, will a kraken x61 or nh-u14s or nh-d15 work better for OCing to around 4.5Ghz. im paranoid about an AIO pump breaking or leaking and the nh-d15 snapping my mobo, so will the nh-u14s OC safely with one fan?

 

[Sakkura]

All three should work. It could get a bit toasty with the U14S, but with a sane voltage it should be good enough.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/noctua_nh_u12s_u14s_review,11.html

 

[mcle]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll go with the define S and NH-D15