Review of the Fractal Design Define Mini C Case

During its existence the Fractal Design Company has already created quite a large number of externally similar cases. Unprepared in technical matters, the buyer will clearly find it difficult to understand which one will suit him. After all, the internal structure differs quite much, and it is reflected just by a pair of letters in each model name.

Today’s review is dedicated to the Define Mini C case. The basic concept of its design is minimalism. It got rid of the extra 5.25" compartments, bulky racks of 3.5" hard drives (as, in fact, few people use more than two such drives). The manufacturer tried to reduce external dimensions as much as possible without compromising compatibility with standard components. And, following modern concepts, they covered the power supply with a casing, thus dividing the internal space into two parts.

Features

Case type: Mini-Tower
Dimensions, mm: 412 (H) x 210 (W) x 413 (D)
Material: ABS plastic, steel
Weight, kg: 6.9
Color: black
Form factor: MicroATX, Mini-ITX
Devices 5.25": –
3.5" external devices: –
Devices 3.5"/2.5" internal: 2/3 (2.5" drives can be placed instead of 3.5")
Supported number of expansion slots: 5
Front fans: 3 x 120 mm / 2 x 140 mm (1 x 120 mm installed)
Rear fans: 1 x 120 mm (installed)
Upper fans: 2 x 120/140 mm (optional)
Bottom fans: 1 x 120 mm (optional)
Interface socket: 2 x USB 3.0, microphone input and headphone output
Other: noise insulation of front, top and side panels, easily detachable front and bottom dust filters, removable storage device basket, support for liquid cooling system radiators, replaceable magnetic grid on the top panel, Velcro for cable management

Packing and Equipment

The case packing is devoid of color printing, but it has the most important thing – detailed technical information about the product, its image in different angles and handles for carrying. Transportation damage protection is quite ordinary: two foam dampers and a plastic bag.

A set of the case small parts is packed in individual bags and folded into a small box. The additionsl equipment is as follows:

• • assembling instructions;
• • red leaflet explaining the guarantee terms;
• • magnetic metal filter for the upper panel;
• • 6 disposable cable ties;
• • metal adapter for a Phillips screwdriver for mounting motherboard racks;
• • 8 motherboard racks;
• • 4 hexagonal screws for mounting the PSU;
• • 8 screws for fixing the motherboard;
• • 20 small screws to fix 2.5" devices;
• • 8 large screws for mounting 3.5" hard drives.

Outlook

In the external design of Define Mini C, Fractal Design remained true to itself. This is absolutely straight black box. The front panel is made of plastic; its texture is stylized as polished aluminum. It does not open and has no elements on itself, except for the indicator window in the middle of its top part.

External ports are placed on the top edge of the front panel. There are two 3.5-mm audio inputs for the microphone and headphones, a small reboot button, a nice round start button and two USB 3.0 sockets. All ports are oriented vertically, which means that they tend to quickly accumulate dust.

From the bottom of the front panel it is easy to remove a dust filter, which covers the bottom of the case. This is a very successful solution which allows not moving the case at all when it is required to clean it from dust.

After dismantling the bottom filter, a groove is formed under the front panel and it can be easily removed by just pulling it. On the sides of the panel there are a number of large ventilation holes, and from the inside it is glued with a layer of noise-insulating material. No wires are tied here.

The front panel is covered from the inside with one more dust filter. Thus, all the holes through which air penetrates inside the case are protected from dust.

This filter is made of high-quality fine mesh glued to a plastic grid. The grid itself is held in place by three stops and two plastic snaps.

The filter has elongated holes suitable for mounting three 120- or two 140-mm fans. One 120 mm propeller with a white impeller is already pre-installed here for blowing-in.

The left side door is flat and solid. It has a stamped handle at the back and two knurled fastening screws fixed directly to the panel (thus reducing the risk of their loss).

From the inside, the door is covered with a layer of noise-insulating material. Torsional rigidity is simply excellent. The right panel is completely analogous and mutually interchangeable with the left one. It also has a layer of noise isolation inside.

Most of the upper metal panel is closed by default with a plastic ModuVent plug, so the case can be used as a shelf or stand without problems.

If the plug is removed by pulling it from the inside of the case, a glued layer of noise insulation will be found on its underside. And on the top panel a large mesh grating can be seen; it is possible to fix two 120- or 140-mm fans here. The elongated seating holes are biased towards the left panel. This facilitates the installation of liquid cooling system radiators and reduces the likelihood that they will conflict with the protruding elements of the motherboard.

If during the case usage the priority is given not to silence, but cooling, then the plastic top plug can be replaced with a metal mesh. It will be held on the chassis by means of magnetic tapes fixed around its perimeter. In practice, this is another dust filter (not allowing dust to enter the case when the system fans are off), as well as a decorative element.

The back panel looks very standard. At the top there is a large-mesh ventilation grid, on which a 120 mm propeller is pre-installed on blowing-out. The five expansion slots are closed by traditional for Fractal Design white vented reusable plugs. To the right of the slots there is another small grid, and from the bottom there is a place for the power unit.

The frame for the power supply unit is removable; it is fixed by two knurled screws. With its help, the PS can be oriented both with its fan up and down. But its main purpose is to simplify the installation process. The PSU is initially attached to the frame itself, then pushed inside the chassis and fixed with these two screws. The solution is very convenient, given the limited space for manipulations inside the case.

The entire bottom panel of the case is covered with a removable dust filter. On the bottom panel, the rear grid is responsible for the ventilation of the power supply, and the storage device basket is attached to the front one. It can be removed and a single 3.5" hard drive or one 120 mm fan can be placed on the grid. So Define Mini C also has a partially modular design.

The legs are rubber placed in plastic holder stylized for chrome-plated metal. Their height is only 10 mm.

Internal Organization

Fractal Design Define Mini C supports the installation of the format MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboards in a vertical position. The permissible height of the processor cooler declared by the manufacturer is 170 mm. But 175-mm models fit here as well. The possible length of the expansion slots is 315 mm taking into account the front fans of standard thickness (25 mm). The permissible length of the standard power supply is up to 175 mm inclusively, although taking into account the possibility of displacement and dismantling of the drive basket this figure can grow up to 200 mm or even a bit more. The case internal space is divided into two parts. At the top there is a motherboard with video adapters, and at the bottom a power supply and a basket with 3.5" drives are placed.

The space under the top panel to the edge of the motherboard is 30 mm. Installing radiators, fans and connecting the motherboard sockets here should not cause any problems.

On the rear panel a 120mm fan is pre-installed for blowing out. Its position can be adjusted in height within 30 mm. Plugs of PCI slots are held with knurled screws

The fan belongs to a new line in the assortment of the company and is called Dynamic X2 GP-12. As a bearing the so-called LLC is used. The company does not specify what exactly is hidden behind this name but judging by the period of 100 thousand hours operating time-to-failure, it is likely that this is some variation of the hydrodynamic bearing with magnetic stabilization of the axle sleeve. The fan operation generally leaves good impression. It is able to stay quite in the range from starting 3 V and 400 rpm to 7 V and 900 rpm without exceeding the noise threshold of 38 dB (A). However, a parasitic crackle increasing with the growth of speed is heard. After 900 rpm there appears aerodynamic noise from the blades and at maximum 1200 rpm the impeller is already clearly audible (43 db (A) from the distance of 10 mm from the bearing). Finally, this is a good option as a stock case propeller, but it can be easily replaced by something better. The soldered power cord of black color has a length of 500 mm.

The case bottom part separated from the remaining space with a non-detachable metal cover. As always, this is done mostly for aesthetic reasons rather than for separating heat zones. Although in terms of reducing noise, such a decision may be useful in some ways. At the rear part of the cover there is a ventilation grid in case the power supply vent is oriented upwards, and a few holes for pulling the wires.

In its front part there is a detachable plug which is exactly above the basket of drives. The plug is fixed by two screws which can be removed from the front panel side. After it is deleted, the storage device basket can be removed and more fans or radiators installed in its place. If the basket is pushed back as far as possible, there is a 60 mm of free space between it and the front panel. If the basket is completely removed, the space to the front panel is as much as 130 mm.

In front a 120-mm fan with a white impeller is installed for blowing-in. It is the same Dynamic X2 GP-12 as the one fixed on the rear panel.

All the free space behind the motherboard pallet is used as rationally as possible. Above the large cutout under the amplifying plate of the processor cooler, the bar designed for mounting 2.5" drives is fixed. Four large holes for wire pulling are closed with rubber shutters. On the pallet there are a large number of eyelets for fixing cable ties, and in the front part three Velcro tapes are placed for fast wires fixing. The space between the pallet and the side door varies from 15 to 35 mm which is more than enough for easy laying of all cables even overlapping in a couple of layers. In the guides for fixing the side panels on top, bottom and both sides rubber gaskets are glued which nullifies the probability of rattling or strange sounds from closed doors.

The 2.5" drives plank can accept up to three disks fixed with screws. It is held by one metal knurled screw.

The seat for the power unit is equipped from below with four round rubber dampers.

The basket for two drives in individual sleds has been pushed forward by default. In this position, the maximum reserve of space for PSU is 220 mm.

In the metal sled there are rubber dampers for a 3.5" hard drive. Still a 2.5" drive can be installed here as an alternative. Both the first and second versions of the disk are attached using special screws.

If the drive basket is moved closer to the case rear panel, then a space of 60 mm is created in front of it. However, the place for the power supply will be significantly reduced and only 178 mm will remain which may not be enough even for turning the fixed PS cables. Therefore, it is better to select the optimal position of the basket for each specific assembly.

The basket can be dismantled completely by removing the four screws from the bottom, and then removing it from the top cover of the PSU casing.

One 3.5" drive can be installed in its place (using long screws and rubber gaskets removed from the sled), or one 120-mm fan which will improve the thermal mode of the video adapter. The liquid cooling system pump can be placed here as well.

The set of wires includes standard black cables from the indicators of drive activity and system power, PC start and restart buttons, one USB 3.0 and one HDAudio socket.

Assembly

The assembly of the system in the Fractal Design Define Mini C case goes without any difficulties worthy of attention. All the wires are easily stacked and fixed behind the motherboard pallet. The side panels are fixed without any effort. All this emphasizes the overall well-considered design of the product.

The backlighting of the power and the drivers activity indicator is combined. It faintly illuminates the outline of the power button and the main blue LED in the deepening of the upper edge of the front panel shines and blinks brightly. If looked at directly, such light is slightly dazzling, especially in the dark. When viewed from an angle, it does not irritate the eyes.

Conclusions

Fractal Design Define Mini C is an uncompromising version of the case for building up a powerful and quiet system based on MicroATX or Mini-ITX motherboards. It does not have a superfluous space, but is able to take on board components of almost any size. It can be equally well adapted for both air cooling and for installation of the productive circuit of the water cooling system. Despite the small internal volume Define Mini C has a good ventilation scheme.

The design of the chassis is thought out and every part is of high quality, it has high rigidity and is able to suppress parasitic noise well. Dust protection is also made here at the highest possible level. It not only covers all the input and partly even the outlet vents but is also quite easy to clean. There is this case modification with a transparent side window on sale, made especially for those who like to brag about their system.

These findings are fully applicable not only to Define Mini C, but also to its larger brother – Define C. It differs only in three parameters: it can accept ATX motherboards, has seven PCI slots and has a little more weight.

The Fractal Design Define Mini C case is really close to the ideal chassis, it has no flaws worth mentioning. It simply absorbed all the best what the evolution of the Define series came to and can definitely be recommended for purchase.