Gallery (Clean and Simple) Black/White/Blue Fractal Design Define S

[Mayoo]

I decided to change my HAF-X for something smaller and cleaner. So I finally chose the Define S and installed everything yesterday night but I am still missing some elements. I also have to redo my cable management. It's clean-ish but I still struggle to close the rear panel. On another note, the BitFenix LED is amazing! Not too strong for now, I still need to test it at night. The magnetic part is very strong (pictures).

Edit 2016-11-02: Combs and white sleeved 6+2. Upgrade complete!
Edit 2016-10-13: Begone 570s, hello Asus 1070 Strix OC
Edit 2016-07-03: Gone dual fan. Because why not!
Edit 2016-06-07: Kraken with fan between case and rad.
Edit 2016-05-30: NZXT Kraken X41.
Edit 2016-04-20: SLI Bridge Cover.
Edit 2016-03-20: Got all cables installed.
Edit 2016-03-28: Changed post title to properly be a build log.
Edit 2016-02-20: Added 2 fans, GRID+ v2 and white LED. Also added SATA space issue. (See pictures)
Admin 2016-02-20: Can we move this to Case "mods"? I think it belongs there the most. Your call!

Review
Pro : Excellent build quality.
Pro : Spacious.
Pro : Included hardware for everything (PSU/Mobo/HDD/SSD/Reservoir screws, zipties, reservoir mounting brackets).
Pro : Silent with 4x GP-14 (3 front, 1 back).
Pro : Cannot loose thumbscrews.

Con : Panel holding system is old and not convenient. Hinge should have been used.
Con : Angle in back panel to leave more space for cables game me a headache for SATA; can't use 90°. See pictures.

Bottom line: Buy this case. Seriously, I can't see anything simpler yet so versatile!

Pictures

Before

Comparison

Temporary final look (missing some sleeved cables, LED and fans)

Cable management (not my best, meh)

SATA space issue

Front fans (2 added)

BitFenix LED magnetic strenght

Final look v2 (still missing second GPU and 24pin white sleeved)

Final look v3 (All cables are in)

SLI Bridge Cover

Added NZXT Kraken X41

Kraken with fan between case and rad

Gone dual fan

Asus 1070 Strix OC

Combs and white sleeved 6+2. Upgrade complete!

 

[Mayoo]

Reserved JUST in case I take too many pictures.

 

[Mayoo]

Added 2 fans and GRID+ v2. Also added SATA space issue and BitFenix Magnetic LED pictures!

Admins: If you feel it should be move to case "mods" section, please do so.

 

[Soultribunal]

Added 2 fans and GRID+ v2. Also added SATA space issue and BitFenix Magnetic LED. Pictures!

Admins: If you feel it should be move to case "mods" section, please do so.

I moved it, it does feel more like a build log than anything else. Looks really good.

Though....stock cooler?! Why?!

(Sorry I have a particular hate for Intel Stock Coolers)

-ST

 

[Mayoo]

I hate it too. Not because of performance but simply the look of it. But I don't OC and the rig is aging. I might go aftermarket when I change mobo/cpu. For now I'm keeping it.

 

[Mayoo]

Updated, all cables are in. Two new pictures at the end of original post. Plus I need suggestions.

What to do next?
- Paint GPU covers white (Linus just did it with a 980ti, looks sick)
- Get a cpu cooler (because, let's admit it, it's ugly. Soultribunal is right)
- Stick with that, wait for next GPU gen
- Other (please comment the suggestion)

 

[sswilson]

Updated, all cables are in. Two new pictures at the end of original post. Plus I need suggestions.

What to do next?
- Paint GPU covers white (Linus just did it with a 980ti, looks sick)
- Get a cpu cooler (because, let's admit it, it's ugly. Soultribunal is right)
- Stick with that, wait for next GPU gen
- Other (please comment the suggestion)

The up side of upgrading from a stock intel cooler on a rig that you don't overclock is that pretty much anything is going to be a step up so you can go with pure bling if you wish...

https://www.google.ca/search?q=blue...CrvTUzpumF5kLa6t9IMdcE=#imgrc=2gcPuUqcmcsH6M:

edit: or sticking with the white fan theme...

http://www.ncix.com/detail/phanteks-tc12ls-black-low-profile-11-111036-1302.htm

(Not necessarily the best performer out there, but again... when compared against the stock intel..... )

 

[Mayoo]

Thanks for the suggestion. You are quite right, I have all the choices in front of me. I just have to be careful around dba. I love having something silent.

Your second option looks really good. If I don't go with that, I would go with a Noctua but I find their brown fans fugly.

And yes, since I'm not OCing, it's all about the looks. That's a real 180 from my opinion on aesthetics in PC from a few years ago!

 

[Lysrin]

*snip* And yes, since I'm not OCing, it's all about the looks. That's a real 180 from my opinion on aesthetics in PC from a few years ago!

Yeah it is funny how that happens eh? I used to say "who cares what it looks like as long as it's fast and works well?" Then I bought a windowed case that allowed cable management, then I bought a modular power supply, then I bought some RAM that matched the motherboard and bam! It's been all downhill from there! :haha: Now I want it to run fast, work well, and show well! Some times though the showing well does help the performance with better airflow, etc. so perhaps in the end it is win-win?

Thanks for the pics of the Define S. I have been thinking about that case too so nice to see another build in one.

 

[Mayoo]

Thanks for the pics of the Define S. I have been thinking about that case too so nice to see another build in one.

If you want my two cents. It's perfect. Air cooling is awesome. There is a LOT of place for water coolers. The only downside is if you need place for optical drives or front panels.

And in my case (pun not intended), I had some troubles with closing the rear panel. Mainly because all my white sleeved are extensions which means I practically doubled the amount of cable on the back.