Table of Contents
Fractal Design has announced its latest redesign of their Define Series, the Define 7 and 7XL. As similar to the old model as the new one looks, there are small changes that Fractal describes as “the most comprehensive refinement of design elements yet”. Almost five years ago we reviewed Fractal Design’s Define R5 Case, we gave it our stamp of approval with statements regarding how quiet and spacious the case was.
The Define 7 Series now features a spacious and extensively adaptable dual-layout interior, and the top panel is fully removable, which Fractal says gives “completely unhindered interior access”. With pricing starting at $159.99 on Newegg, these cases may just be what you are looking for when needing more space. Read on for specifications and their official press release.
 |  |
Specifications
| Define 7 Series | 7 | 7XL |
| 3.5″/2.5″ Universal drive brackets | 6 included, 14 positions total | 6 + 2 included, 18 positions total |
| Dedicated 2.5″ drive brackets | 2 trays included, 4 positions total | 2 included, 5 positions total |
| 5.25” drive mounts | 1 | 2 |
| Expansion slots | 7 + 2 | 9 + 3 |
| Front ports | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, Audio I/O, Power button, Reset button | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, Audio I/O, Power button, Reset button |
| Total fan mounts | 9 x 120/140 mm | 11 x 120 mm or 9 x 140 mm |
| Front fan | 3 x 120/140 mm (2 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included) | 4 x 120 mm or 3 x 140 mm, (2 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included) |
| Top fan | 3 x 120/140 mm | 4 x 120 mm or 3 x 140 mm |
| Rear fan | 1 x 120/140 mm (1 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included) | 1 x 120/140 mm, (1 x Dynamic X2 GP-14 included) |
| Bottom fan | 2 x 120/140 mm | 2 x 120/140 mm |
| Dust filters | Top, 2 x front, full length bottom | Top, 2 x Front, Bottom + PSU |
| Fixed velcro straps | Yes | Yes |
| Cable routing grommets | Yes | Yes |
| Captive thumbscrews | HDD brackets, SSD brackets, PSU bracket | HDD brackets, SSD brackets, PSU bracket |
| Left side panel | Industrial sound-damped steel | Industrial sound-damped steel |
| Right side panel | Industrial sound-damped steel | Industrial sound-damped steel |
| Motherboard compatibility | E-ATX (max 285 mm) / ATX / mATX / mITX | E-ATX / ATX / mATX / mITX / EE-ATX / SSI-CEB / SSI-EEB |
| Power supply type | ATX | ATX |
| PSU max length | 250 mm (with HDD cage installed) | 250 mm (both HDD cages installed) |
| GPU max length | Storage layout: 315 mm – Open layout: 491 mm (467 mm w/ front fan) | Storage layout: 359 mm – Open layout: 549 mm (524 mm w/ front fan) |
| CPU cooler max height | 185 mm | 185 mm |
| Front radiator | Up to 360/280 mm | Up to 480/420 mm |
| Top radiator | Up to 360/420 mm | Up to 480/420 mm |
| Rear radiator | 120 mm | 120 mm |
| Bottom radiator | Up to 240/280 mm | Up to 240/280 mm |
| Cable routing space | 30 mm | 30 mm |
| Case dimensions (LxWxH) | 547 x 240 x 475 mm | 604 x 240 x 566 mm |
| Case dimensions w/o feet/protrusions/screws | 533 x 240 x 451 mm | 590 x 240 x 548 mm |
| Package dimensions (LxWxH) | 558 x 363 x 641 mm | 646 x 357 x 708 mm |
| Net weight | 13.49 kg | 16.53 kg |
| Package weight | 15.98 kg | 18.73 kg |
Featuring the most comprehensive refinement of design elements yet, the Define 7 brings a new body to the long established Define series while staying true to its heritage as a solid platform for the silent PC.
Always pushing boundaries, Fractal product developers added loads of new features to ensure that the 7 series is the most capable and cohesive Define range ever released. Thanks to an adaptable dual-layout interior, the Define 7 can easily accommodate motherboards all the way up to 285 mm E-ATX, extensive storage arrays with up to 14 HDDs, 4 SSDs and an ODD bay, and robust cooling with a 420 mm radiator and up to nine fans. Versatile new multi-brackets allow you to convert any unused fan position to an HDD, SSD or pump mount. The new front panel features an improved reversible hinge design with magnetic latching, and the fully removable top panel opens to provide totally unhindered interior access.
The 7 XL is the most expandable Define case ever. With its bold and innovative design, it sets a new standard for what you should expect from a full tower case in terms of modularity, flexibility and ease of use. Supporting the largest E-ATX and enterprise boards, multi-GPU setups, and almost two dozen storage devices (in Storage layout), you’ll be hard pressed to find a limit to what you can do with your build in the Define 7 XL.
The extra elbow room isn’t the only feature that makes for a smoother building experience – the top panel can be fully removed for completely unhindered interior access, and is interchangeable from sound damped solid steel to filtered ventilation using the included accessory panel. Define 7 XL also comes with two new and versatile multi-brackets for converting any unused fan position to an HDD, SSD or pump mount, which will be welcome news for anyone not utilizing all eleven 120 mm (or nine 140 mm) fan positions.
The Define 7 and the Define 7 XL are available worldwide now, and will be complemented with a unique range of accessories to help customize your building experience.
Key Features: Define 7
- Spacious and extensively adaptable dual-layout interior easily accommodates large motherboards up to and including 285 mm E-ATX
- Support for radiators up to 360 mm in front, 420 mm up top, or 280 mm in the base in the default Open Layout
- Convert to Storage Layout for up to 14 HDDs along with 4 dedicated SSD mounts and one ODD bay (6 HDD/SSD + 2 SSD brackets + 1 multi-bracket included)
- The single 5.25” ODD bay can be converted to an additional 140 mm front fan mount with filtered louver covering
- Silence-optimized construction with industrial sound-damped front, top, and side panels
- Top panel effortlessly swaps from sound-damped solid steel to filtered ventilation
- New chassis design opens up to fully expose the case interior for totally unhindered installation and cable routing
- Outstanding cooling capacity with a total of 9 x 120/140 mm fan mounts and three preinstalled Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans
- Versatile new multi-brackets convert any unused fan position to an HDD, SSD or pump mount
- Tool-less, top-latching panels allow quick access while preventing accidental drops
Key Features: Define 7XL
- Spacious, extensively adaptable dual-layout interior easily accommodates large motherboards up to E-ATX and SSI-EEB
- Mount up to 18 HDD/SSDs plus five SSDs in the Storage Layout (6 HDD/SSD trays + 2 SSD brackets + 2 multi-brackets included)
- Use the Open Layout for more headroom and gargantuan water-cooling with radiators up to 480 mm in front or top and 280 mm in the base
- Two 5.25” ODD bays can be converted to an additional front fan mount with filtered louver covering
- Silence-optimized construction with industrial sound-damped front, top, and side panels
- Outstanding cooling capacity with a total of 9 x 140 mm or 11 x 120 mm fan mounts and three preinstalled Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans
- Five front USB ports including one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C with fast charging support and speeds up to 10Gbps
- Ultra-slim Nexus+ 2 fan hub connects up to three PWM fans and six 3-pin fans directly in line with cable channels along the edge of the case
- 13 pass-through holes with ten rubber grommets and two removable covers make for clean cable routing regardless of motherboard size
- Detachable PSU cable shield and integrated cable guides with Velcro straps further simplify cable management behind the board
No replies yet
Loading new replies...
Join the full discussion at the Overclockers Forums →