Build Advice Is Fractal Define 7 a good fit for this setup?

[metropolis.jd]

Hello,

I had in mind the following configuration, and I was evaluating a Fractal Define 7 case for it.

I would highly value the possibility to have an internal DVD reader (a smaller alternative which still has it could be the Fractal Pop Silent), as I think I will use it from time to time, but I am a bit afraid that I would be buying something incredibly big for the amount of things I will put inside.
On the other hand, I have little experience with desktop assembling, so it could be beneficial to have some extra space to keep things tidy and work easily.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
• Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
• Motherboard: Gigabyte B650E Aorus Elite X AX Ice (or similar)
• RAM: 2x16GB Crucial Pro DDR5-6000 MHz
• Power supply: Corsair RM750x
• Graphic card: ASRock Challenger D Radeon RX 6600 (or similar)
• DVD reader
• WD Blue 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
• 1 x 3.5'' HDD I plan to buy
• 1 x 2.5'' SSD I already own
• 1 x 2.5'' HDD I already own

Do you think that this could be a suitable case for this build, knowing that I would be able to buy it for roughly 150 EUR?
Budget-wise, 180 EUR would be my upper bound

Thank you in advance.

 

[Lutfij]

Either case would fit your needs perfectly. Personally, I'd opt for the mini variant of both cases since I prefer matx/mitx builds, less space taken in the room but has all the functionality of an ATX motherboard. I would also get something with a tempered glass side panel since I like to look into my builds. The Pop Air variant is my preferred case since it allows for proper airflow = lower temps. The Pop Air has color options too, so that would help give some character to your build/desk space.

 

[thestryker]

I went through this same debate when building my last machine and ended up just buying an external blu-ray drive. While I do use it off and on the case options that still have 5.25" drive bays tend to be compromised in other ways.

While your system isn't going to be pulling a ton of power the Define series of cases tend to be rather poor choices for airflow. I do have a Define 5 for my server box and it works okay, but the vast majority of the time is low usage so it's using 80-90W. I think it's typically going to be a better choice to just opt for the one with better airflow.

If it's available where you are the Coolermaster NR600 would be an alternative to the Pop Air if you want the ODD mounted at the top instead of bottom.

 

[metropolis.jd]

Either case would fit your needs perfectly. Personally, I'd opt for the mini variant of both cases since I prefer matx/mitx builds, less space taken in the room but has all the functionality of an ATX motherboard. I would also get something with a tempered glass side panel since I like to look into my builds. The Pop Air variant is my preferred case since it allows for proper airflow = lower temps. The Pop Air has color options too, so that would help give some character to your build/desk space.

Thank you for your replies.

If I did not want to give up the 5.25'' bay, at the moment I would be able to buy the Pop Air with Tempered Glass for roughly 100 EUR, while the Define 7 TG would cost me 180 EUR and the Pop Silent barely 90 EUR.

I went through this same debate when building my last machine and ended up just buying an external blu-ray drive. While I do use it off and on the case options that still have 5.25" drive bays tend to be compromised in other ways.

While your system isn't going to be pulling a ton of power the Define series of cases tend to be rather poor choices for airflow. I do have a Define 5 for my server box and it works okay, but the vast majority of the time is low usage so it's using 80-90W. I think it's typically going to be a better choice to just opt for the one with better airflow.

If it's available where you are the Coolermaster NR600 would be an alternative to the Pop Air if you want the ODD mounted at the top instead of bottom.

Unfortunately those are the only two ones I found still sporting a 5.25'' bay, as the Cooler Master NR600 with ODD is not available in Italy.

Do you think then that the Pop Air + 80 EUR still in my pocket is better than a Define 7? Any other model which could make the shortlist, apart from the Pop Silent, which if I understand correctly you consider not enough focused on airflow and worse than the Pop Air?

 

[thestryker]

Unfortunately those are the only two ones I found still sporting a 5.25'' bay, as the Cooler Master NR600 with ODD is not available in Italy.

I figured that would be the situation since the availability was not very good in general.

Do you think then that the Pop Air + 80 EUR still in my pocket is better than a Define 7?

I do, but I think something like the Meshify, Torrent or North with a USB ODD would be a better choice than either.

Any other model which could make the shortlist, apart from the Pop Silent, which if I understand correctly you consider not enough focused on airflow and worse than the Pop Air?

I looked through the list of cases with 5.25" support on PCPartPicker's Italy site and don't see anything that would be a better choice than the Pop Air.

The case I'm using supports 5.25" drives, but it's also around €300. The only others I saw are either overpriced (older cases which aren't worth the current asking price) or just expensive cases.