Fractal design define mini vs R4

[WolfGeezyie]

Would it be wise to build into the mini case vs mid? Which would give better airflow and keep the components cooler?

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Kfc3) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Kfc3/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Kfc3/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74770k) | Purchased For $219.99
**CPU Cooler** | [Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14pebk) | $74.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus GRYPHON Z87 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-gryphonz87) | $162.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d16gar) | $144.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $89.00 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx780dc2oc3gd5) | $519.99 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefminibl) | $109.98 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr650rm) | $99.99 @ Amazon
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $19.99 @ Microcenter
**Other**| Gryphon Armor Kit| $44.99
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1546.89
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-30 12:53 EST-0500 |

 

[tachybana]

Fractal makes some great cases. I was able to purchase XL R2 for $80. I don't see the logic in paying over $100 for a mini (and having to deal with heat issues). The R4 is great as well.