[section_title title=The Build & Test Setup]
The Build & Test Setup
So here we are, time to build inside the Fractal Design Define S and with all that extra space inside, it was obviously not going to be a problem to install any type of component etc. To build inside the Define S today, I decided to strip one of the test benches and put a selection of hardware I would personally put in a case like this; our Noctua NH-D15 was being used in another system today but the L9i is still a fantastic cooler, albeit a little small.
So the specification list of the build is as follows:
CPU – Intel Core i7 4770k
Motherboard – MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
Cooler – Noctua L9i
Memory – 16GB Crucial Ballistix (2x8GB) 1866MHz
Graphics Card – XFX R9 380
Power Supply – Superflower Leadex Platinum 750w
Quite a potent little system and such a beautiful case to build inside; plenty of space available for high spec SLI or Crossfire systems and impeccable water cooling support potential included!
Looking at a different angle, you can see how small our full size ATX board and test bench setup is in comparison to the oodles of spare space inside this case. One interesting design feature is being able to mount pumps or reservoir’s where the drive bays would have gone; Fractal Design have included some mounts to aid with this in the accessories box.
The Define S is such an easy case to cable manage inside and here we can see a better look at how drives are installed into the case. The SSD bays are held in with a thumb screw which allows for removal of the plate, thus allowing for installation of your drives. The SATA port/power port are to face the bottom due to the cut-out in the place, but I feel the Define S has had some pretty good design team time spent on it, as I really do like this case so far.
It’s hard to get shots of cases with windowed side panels due to reflection of light among other things, but here is one anyway with the Fractal Design Define S ready to go; apologises about the studio light umbrella in the shot, much better than me in it in all honesty!
