Fractal Define XL R2 Case Review

Full tower PC cases are quite abundant in the PC enthusiast market; each manufacturer trying to make that perfect case with not only features and functionality, but also style. Sweden based Fractal Design is no stranger with making good looking cases that are easy to work with, so today we are going to take a look at the Define XL R2 Full Tower Chassis.

The Define XL R2 is a great looking full tower case that comes in either Black Pearl (FD-CA-DEF-XL-R2-BL) or Titanium Grey (FD-CA-DEF-XL-R2-TI). Sporting a price tag of $129.99 shipped on Amazon for Black Pearl, and $124.76 shipped for the Titanium, it puts this full tower case at a very reasonable cost. The case that we’re going to look at today is the Titanium Grey version. We’ll take a look and see if this case has what it takes to be successful!

Fractal Design Define XL R2 Specifications:

• ATX, Micro ATX, mini-ITX, E-ATX and XL-ATX motherboard compatibility
• 4 – 5.25″ bays
• 8 – 3.5″ HDD trays – all compatible with SSDs
• A total of 9 expansion slots
• 3 – ModuVent plates – two in the top and one in the side
• 7 – Fan positions (3x Silent Series R2 fans included)
• Filtered fan slots in front and bottom
• CPU coolers up to 170 mm tall (when no fan is installed in the side panel)
• PSU compatibility: ATX PSUs up to 190 mm deep when using the bottom fan location; when not using this fan location longer PSUs (up to 345 mm deep) can be used
• Graphics card compatibility: Graphics cards up to 330mm in length with the top HDD cage installed – With the top cage removed, graphics cards up to 480mm in length may be installed
• 26 mm of space for cable routing behind the motherboard plate
• Thick rubber grommets on all holes on the motherboard plate
• Colors available: Black Pearl (FD-CA-DEF-XL-R2-BL) & Titanium Grey (FD-CA-DEF-XL-R2-TI)
• Case dimensions (WxHxD): 232 x 559 x 560 mm (9.13 x 22 x 22.05 in)
• Net weight: 16.4 kg (36.15 lbs)
• Warranty: 1 year

This case takes a ton of design cues from its smaller sibling, the Define R4 mid-tower case, as well as others from their latest Define line. You can see our review of the Define R4 here. Built around being silent, this case will be in the eyes of anyone who dislikes a noisy computer room. Fractal doesn’t hold you to keeping it completely silent, as you can always put your own fans in by removing the ModuVent plates. You do get three Silent Series R2 fans included with the case, and from experience, these fans are very quiet, even on their highest setting.

Giving you a piece of mind, Fractal Design provides a 1 year parts and labor warranty on the Define XL R2 chassis.

Up next, we will take a look at how Fractal Design boxes this case and if it can take the punishment from shippers when you buy online.