Final Thoughts
When you are a company like Fractal Design, and you have a very popular product line like the Define series, each new iteration of said series needs to improve upon the previous design to have continued success. Well, we can definitely say that the R6 is a worthy addition to the Define series of cases. From our first look at the case, we knew we were working with a product that had been designed with enthusiasts in mind.
The build quality of the Define R6 is top-notch, and examples of this can be found in every aspect. We were thoroughly impressed with the push-to-lock method of securing the side panels, especially on the tempered glass side, which results in a fully unobstructed plane of glass. This looks much better than the standard tempered glass mounting method seen on most other cases. With the Define R6 being designed with quiet operation in mind, the presence of sound dampening materials on multiple panels adds to the overall feeling of quality with this case, and the Nexus+ fan hub lets you adjust fan speeds based on your needs to get just the right mix of performance and sound.
The three included 140mm fans are a great start to keeping your components cool, and with room for many more fans throughout the case, the Define R6 is one of the more versatile cases with regards to fan mounting locations. These same fan locations can also serve as homes to radiators and other water cooling components, especially when the case has been configured in the Open Layout mode.
Component installation was trouble-free, thanks to the removable power supply bracket, large CPU cooler cutout, tool-less brackets throughout, and plenty of clearance for our slightly over-sized videocard. Speaking of component installation and videocards, we really wish the Define R6 included the Flex VRC-25 module that is necessary to take advantage of the vertical videocard mounting option. An additional $40 seems a bit high to us. The same can be said for the need for an optional front panel I/O module to gain access to a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, which will add on another $30 to the price of this case if you require that type of connectivity.
With a price point of $150 for the tempered glass version, the Fractal Design Define R6 is a great addition to the Define series of cases. This case has so many features that make not only building inside of it a pleasure, but provide multiple configuration options, all of which look great through the unobstructed tempered glass side panel. The Define R6 is exactly the kind of case we expect from a company like Fractal Design, and we give it a solid 9 out of 10, and our Recommended Award.
Pros
- Seamless Tempered Glass Side Panel
- Sound Dampening Material Throughout
- Great Cable Management
- Configurable Interior – Standard and Open Layouts
- Nexus+ – 9-Fan Hub With PWM Control
Cons
- No USB Type-C by Default – $30 Option
- No Included Vertical GPU Mount – $40 Option