Fractal Design Define R2 XL Chassis Review

Along the top of the chassis we have two covered fan grilles, which support  2 x 120/140mm fans or 240/280mm radiators. The left side panel is held in place with two quick release thumb screws and also features pre-covered 140mm fan mount. These covers help reduce noise and prevent dust from entering the chassis but can be easily removed should you wish to install fans on these mounts.

The right side of the chassis features a plain panel which is also held in place with two thumb screws.

Along the top of the front panel we have the main I/O area, here you will find the headset/microphone jacks, reset, power and power LED, 2 x USB 3.0 and 2 x USB 2.0, pretty much all the basics you will need for day-to-day usage.

Much like the rest of the chassis exterior the front panel is plain in appearance, with a very sleek and expensive looking finish to it that screams high quality, but it’s very understated as there are no major standout features anywhere on the front or sides of this chassis.

Behind that door however lurks the firms glimpse of what this sleek monster is capable of. First we have a thick layer of sound proofing material on the reverse of the door, then four 5.25″ drive bays which features covers that can be removed from the front of the chassis, a three speed fan control switch and a large removable fan mount/filter.

The fans filter opens out for easy maintenance, allowing you to drop the front fans forward for even better maintenance and also very easy fan installations, you will also find a very high quality pre-installed 140mm fan. The left and right edges of the front panel feature ventilation slots that will allow for airflow to the front fans with the front panel door closed.

Around the back of the chassis we get a great first impression of the scale, which can be judged compared to the size of the motherboard I/O panel cut-out, which looks tiny! across the top we have some ventilation, with a 140mm exhaust fan pre-installed, although you can swap this out for a 120mm fan if you wish. 9 high quality, ventilated expansion slot covers with some further ventilation to the right of those and finally a bottom PSU mount.

The underside features four rubber coated feet and a large, slide out dust filter that will help provide clean airflow to booth the bottom PSU air intake and another high quality 140mm fan that is mounted in the base of the chassis.