Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower Case Review

[Verithiell]

this is definitely my favourite case out there at this pricepoint! I even like it mroe than some more (and way more) expensive cases.

[eBombzor]

Dam Good VALUE?? This thing is only $99 and it can fit a FULL 240 RAD!! This is the BEST option for the $99 price.

[0peppers]

@eBombzor Actually there is a problem with the rad support. Bill Owens from MNPCTech said that the radiator screw hole placements are weird. What I mean by that is that none of the standard radiators can be screwed in there without modding. Maybe they had a specific brand in mind idk but it would be inconvenient to find out when you get it. Thank Bill for pointing that out.

Oh and also at this price the Corsair Carbide 400R (wich I proudly own :P ) can be considered it's competitor. :)

[eBombzor]

@0peppers I own a Fractal Arc with full sized 240 rad (~60mm). I have no idea what you are talking about. I never had to mod the case.

[0peppers]

@eBombzor Well either Bill Owens made a mistake or he got a faulty sample or Fractal design revised the case or the rad he was using was different. Here's the video I was talking about. He talks about the mounting holes at about 2:40 minutes.

/watch?v=AV3tDaaTPec

[UrHideless]

Corsair 300R NAO!

[Moonface00z]

The thumbs down are stupid

Most of us are using motherboards with USB 3.0 already

Dust filters are easy , just buy a mesh that cost 50 cents and paste there.

cpu cut out is quite big compare to some cooler master casees

[TeamModernWarfail]

@Moonface00z For people who are first time builders, this may not be obvious and they could possibly not realize this without the thumbs down.

[Zillerz3]

This is what I call Quality.

[McManus667]

5:11 Dat flex... :O

[AgentHydra]

should get a different board, X58 SLI is obsolete and its CPU placement is alot higher than most boards

[UrHideless]

400R is still better

[HarisMustagrudic]

Fractal, the best stuff!

[soundzor]

Its always fun to see reviews on Fractal Design outside of the Swedish boarder =) 

[MrShnuggleMuffins]

whens someone gona say it... FRACTAL's are so boring.... they look like they belong in an office... or in the R3's case a kitchen, storing drinks

[toonygamer2004]

@MrShnuggleMuffins

Fuck looks when practicality is alive in this tower.

[iceveiled]

Nice review, thanks.

[vesleengen]

Looks good but the new Corsair 300R minght be better..

[MN12BIRD]

Really nice looking case! But what's with the single USB 3.0 port if it uses a full size internal USB 3.0 header on the motherboard? I thought for sure with only 1 port it would have one of those early style rear exit male USB 3.0 cables hanging out the back. It doesn't make sense to only have 1 USB 3.0 port on the front if it's wasting two off the mobo. Shame too because otherwise this is a REALLY nice looking case.

[xXclemouneXx]

Ugh this front panel is so ugly! Such a turnoff for a good case.

[goattke]

Kind of wondering why HardwareCanucks is just reviewing this now. Is it just now available in Canada? I've been considering getting it for about 6 months now, although I went with something else.

[crazy88boss]

This is one of the best cases I've ever seen at this price range.

[Fastes15]

@crazy88boss how about Cooler Master CM Storm Enforcer?

[crazy88boss]

@Fastes15 I have that one. It's not so great.

[toonygamer2004]

@crazy88boss

How are you using it? I'm considering this case for my future build. What issues did you run into?

[crazy88boss]

@toonygamer2004 There weren't very many issues with installation. A top 200mm fan is optional but it was a little difficult to install -- I had to force the screws into place. A top fan will set you back $16-$18 so add that to the total cost of the unit. Also, even with the additional fan there really isn't much in the way of cooling. One 200mm fan as intake does not cut it and there is no option for side mounting because of the window; its cooling is lackluster at best.

[toonygamer2004]

@crazy88boss

The main problem your having with this case is insufficient air flow?

Are you not using the optional third intake on the top of the case while keeping your 200mm fan mounted on top? How about the fan intake from the optional bottom mount? How about the two 140mm fans you can use for intake in the front of the case?

Are you restricted by how many fans you may because of income?

[crazy88boss]

@toonygamer2004 I believe you're confused, friend. The Enforcer can mount two 120mm fans in the front if you don't want the 200mm, but there is only room for one 200mm on top, or two 120mm and 1 120mm exhaust in the back. I am using the top as exhaust as per the instructions, leaving me with only a 200mm fan in front for intake. You may be thinking of a Cooler Master HAF-series case, but the Storm Enforcer is sadly limited in fan mounts.

[toonygamer2004]

@crazy88boss

Oh my goodness! Yeah, I didn't realize you were discussing about the Enforcer. Woops. That's what I get for not reading into the full discussion you had with the other person.

By the way, not to be an asshole, but I don't know you well enough for you to call me "friend." :) Have a nice day otherwise. Didn't mean to bother you.

[crazy88boss]

@toonygamer2004 I'm not offended. Just trying to be cordial. gl hf

[effectpower]

Not only IKEA made swedish quality ey, Fractal delivers to :D

[esy928]

awesome review hardware canucks!!

[ehab007bob]

waiting a review for nzxt phantom switch and phantom 410 

[ZnuppeNTheZnupp]

SWEDISH STYLE!

[babydash123]

I haev this case is very good. i use it with rampage 3 extreme and it fits like a dream : )

[worldsfirstlol]

awesome review, great case!

[seroyer2]

I don't want to be a dick, but do you only review cases?

[layol692k7]

good review as usual keep them coming i enjoy the vids

[TheEquivalentXchange]

I guess we are each to our own opinion so ill leave it at that

[mario11168]

Does anyone actually use those spaces for fans at the bottom of cases, and if they do does it actually make a difference? It seems completely useless, unless you have some gigantic $300 case.

[TheEquivalentXchange]

@mario11168 For ideal airflow, one on the bottom of the case with one on the top (directly above) would be used. If you want the highest chance of cooling and extending your hardware's life, you cannot go wrong with adding fans, just as long as they are orientated properly XD.

[mario11168]

@TheEquivalentXchange How much could you possibly benefit from that particular spot, though? It seems, especially in a case this size, it would just get in the way. There's also a point when fans aren't worth adding and the hardware won't get much cooler unless the temperature surrounding your case drops, as shown with that one case that has 15 fans and there being a 1-degree difference with a few added vs all 15 added...

[TheEquivalentXchange]

@mario11168 Video Card cooling (those large ones.) 15 fans is ridiculous, however fans are needed in a pc since you need the air(heat) to circulate. Also note that people use that in conjunction with vertical aftermarket cpu cooler. But if you are still having doubts, try removing the rear fan for a month and see what will happen to your pc XD.

[mario11168]

@TheEquivalentXchange You act as if I haven't built 5 systems in my lifetime.

For the longest time I never had a rear-exhaust, just a top-exhaust since I was too lazy to buy another fan. These days I use two 200mm fans and 1 rear exhaust for a Corsair H70. That one by the PSU still seems useless.

[crazyredneckwifknife]

@mario11168 PSU really does need a fan, unless it is very efficient, Pulling a lot of amps out will create heat

[mario11168]

@crazyredneckwifknife I know the PSU needs a fan, I'm talking about the spot right next to the PSU.

[doomtomb3]

@mario11168 The side panel fan is much more effective but I think the bottom mounted fan can aid in cooling if you are going with multiple video cards.

[TheExprima]

Not late at all...

[Mathjj1222]

Bent Graphics card...

[yeeyoh]

Looks like a good case in that price range... :)

[orenezzre1990]

Can i install Noctua NH-D14 in this case?

[eddles777]

@orenezzre1990 yes you should be able to. the noctua nh-d14 needs about 170mm clearance to the side panel. this case can do about 200mm to the sidepanel in case you find something bigger lolz

[loctran1994]

i hope they have the 3th 5.25" drive on top so you can put an extra stuff like fan controller

[Tr1pTr0p]

Finally, something almost as good as the 690 II (which is absolutely perfect, imo). Me likey.

[Soap706]

Thanks for always giving great reviews

[bytesexual]

oh and side panel can only fit 140mm/180mm @ 2:15

[bytesexual]

i bought this case about 3 weeks ago. this case is massive on the inside, i have a H100 installed and I can still configure in a push/pull configuration. It's a great case for enthusiasts! :)

it fits about everything today and i'm really happy with it :)

[tranzeagle]

I got its little brother the Arc Mini. Based on what I have seen on my case Fractal Design doing good in my book.

[Roland0314]

Looks nice. About time someone makes a clean looking case (like the 650d/800d) with tons of air cooling for a very good price! Oh, and can't forget tons of dust filters.

[experimentalcake]

0 Views. Do I win something?

[xxkevinxx323]

cool case

[Blackcupra43]

first

[Costerguy1234556]

@Blackcupra43 Shut up.