Fractal Design Define 7 XL Black Solid Brushed Aluminum/Steel E-ATX Silent Modular Full Tower Computer Case

Just finished a server build in the Define 7 XL. Fantastic case to build in, you can tell a huge amount of thought went into flexibility and compatibility. Modern 2025 cases from what I know are very aesthetic and are innovating, especially in airflow and fan/rad mounting. However, this case is insanely compatible and flexible and, if not supported, a little MacGuyvering could get just about any amount of PC components into this chassis. Even with an extended motherboard, loads of drives, SSDs, add in cards, an AIO, an extended PSU, and cabling to support all of these peripherals, the case feels roomy and airy. All of the exterior parts, top, sides, dust filters snap together in a really satisfying way and the (mostly) tool-less design makes building a breeze because you can just get to the build and don't have to work "around" the case. Excellent cable management with built-in velcro ties. Built-in fan controller adds lots of flexibility and 3 included 140MM fans are a nice to have, especially considering fractal's big fans are so quiet and reliable. Removable PSU mount gives me the flexbility to add my PSU and plug everything in and test before committing to mounting it. Alternatively, I can now 3D print a SFX or smaller PSU adapter for dual PSUs or just because. I have to really stretch to find any nitpicks with this case, truly. If I had to say *something* I would say the hole behind the motherboard tray could be a bit bigger (or shifted) in case you make the timeless mistake of forgetting to mount the CPU cooler backplate. My threadripper motherboard's CPU socket did not line up with this hole in the mobo tray although it is already pretty large. however, this is a nitpick I have to search to find since that wasn't even an issue for my build. 10/10 case - the sound material, quit built in fans, airflow, and build quality made for a whisper quiet server chock full of components and it's not even halfway full. I like this case even more than my beloved Fractal Node 804, though they have slightly different use cases.

The Define 7XL is basically an Erector Set for adults. You get an impressive set of parts from which you free form a custom build. I'm totally satisfied with the final result despite the criticisms that follow. However, I was very surprised at how minimalist and how poorly designed many of the features are. I didn't finish my new build using the Define 7XL until 8/11/2024 despite starting back in May. The whole Erector Set (or LEGO set) experience wasn't expected or to my liking. I just put it aside for weeks at a time. This is coming from a 20 year old Antec Sonata case in which I've built at least four computers over the years. The vastly superior design of the Sonata was potentially timeless, but it was never intended to hold a graphics card as large as a three fan Asus TUF. Reusing the Sonata for my fifth computer was not an option. The Define 7XL turned out to be the only suitable replacement. Must have features included a beautiful and understated dark finish, the ability to include an optical disk, and room enough for any current or future motherboard and graphics card. On to the negatives: (1) You will need to move your build on occasion. Absolutely zero thought has been given to this basic necessity. The only handhold is on the back panel. DO NOT attempt to lift by the front nose. The front door panel is sturdy metal but it's only attached to a flimsy plastic molding by four very small screws. In turn, the plastic molding is only secured to the main framework by eight plastic tabs. Your completed build will run in the 50 pound category. You will break the irreplaceable plastic molding if you try to carry by the rear handhold and front nose, leaving you with an ugly mess. Better to wrap two nylon straps around the case and lift by the straps. (2) The case needs castors. Again, zero thought has been given for the obvious. Working out this Erector Set problem held me up for a couple of weeks. Many thanks to Amazon for graciously refunding me for all the failed options I returned. So, let me make it easy for you. The castors have to be installed as early as possible, and definitely before the power supply or optional bottom mounted fans. Order the castor set with ASIN [Amazon Standard Identification Number] B09VYZ6L2W. Feel free to substitute, but the threaded stems must be either M6 or 1/4 inch diameter with stem length of one inch or less. Do not order stems with M8 or 5/16 inch stem diameter because the installation will be blocked on the side with the power supply shroud. Go to your local hardware store and buy twelve additional washers like the ones in the kit. You need them to get enough clearance under the case so that the castors don't bind on the filter screen holders. The castors on the side away from the PS shroud are easy. Remove the hard drive cages. Remove the plastic feet. Notice that removing each plastic foot exposes two additional holes in the case that were covered up by the foot. One of those holes at each corner is the right size for the castor stems. Put three washers on the stem, insert into the case, and secure with one washer and a nut on the inside the case. Snug up tightly and you're done on this side. BTW, the wrenches included with the castor set are soft garbage. You can use the thin wrench that fits on the castor itself, but I recommend using your own crescent wrench on the nut within the case. Unfortunately, the PS shroud interferes with installation on that side. The washer that goes inside the case has to be modified by cutting a flat into it with a coarse file or Dremel cutting disk. The nuts have a flange and you will have to remove the flange on one of the flats. Assemble with the flats against the shroud. Use your own crescent wrench to keep the inside nut from turning while you firmly tighten the castor. The PS shroud is soft metal and will deform, leaving the castor vertical or at least close enough to vertical. (3) More to come.

What can I say about this case, other than "What have I done?" LOL. This case is an absolute unit, if you have kids and another on the way, you could probably use this as a nursery for them, haha. All joking aside, I can honestly say this is a solid case, plenty of configuration options for customising, I had mine set to Storage configuration within about 40mins. Admittedly, it was a bit daunting where to start but after a quick gander at the manual (not included, you have to get it from Fractals website, 60 page PDF), it started to make sense what goes where and why. Make sure you have plenty of room to work with, this is not really a bang it together on a kitchen worktop type of case, better to give yourself plenty of room to work with. This will be getting used for a planned home NAS/server setup, at the moment, this is the only part I have bought for it, so I can't comment on motherboard fitting etc. But from what I can see, that's not going to be a problem, believe it alos has room/support for ATX and defo looks like it. There's plenty of holes and cutouts for pretty much every cable you'd need or for a water cooling setup. Not sure about the 3 x included Fracyal fans, I've never used them before but having a look online shows they might be a bit poor for taste, some have recommended Noctura NF-14 redux and others Arctic P14s (cheaper but seem to get good reviews). Comes with 2 x HDD cages that have 2 HDD trays each and the accessory kit included also has 2 trays, a 5.25 cage mount for optical drives in the 2 top bays and an extra top panel for more fans/radiator/airflow. Absolutely a great buy if your needing lots of space and drive bay potential, i would say the only downsides are there is no manual included (not a biggie, just inconvenient) and that there are only two 3.5 inch trays provided for more disks (excluding the 2 cages at the bottom, which also have trays). Very good build quality, I was worried about the trays as they look flimsy but they are pretty solid when fitted and screwed in. The HDD cages at the bottom do make a bit of a rattle when the empty case is moved around, that may be sorted when disk are installed or maybe just adding a bit of diy cushioning. Anyway, if the wife kicks you oot and files for divorce after buying this absolute monolith, at least you'll have somewhere to live while waiting for the homeless team to get you a place to live :)

This pc case gives you fantastic options and airflow. Case has fantastic finish and best possible quality. Plentiful options and room for fans, hdds, radiator with excellent cable management. Any configuration possible with this wonderfully designed case. Go for it.

Reichlich Platz, auch für 480mm WK. (Oben). WK vorne geht auch, aber darunter "leidet" der Luftstrom und der untere Käfig muß geöffnet (erweitert) werden. Top Produkt.!

Pas beaucoup de poussières à l'intérieur avec les filtres, bien ventilé, on peut mettre beaucoup de disques dur ce qui est très apréciable même si on veut aussi une grosse carte graphique à côté, aucun soucis. Il est aussi silencieux, et c'est vraiment appréciable de pouvoir brancher tous les ventilateurs sur le boitier, puis les alimenter avec l'alimentation directement, puis mettre le pin de tous les ventilateurs sur le pin system de la carte mère qui gére en fonction de la chauffe la puissance des ventilateurs.

Il Fractal Design Define 7 XL è senza dubbio uno dei migliori case che abbia mai utilizzato per un PC di fascia alta. Fin dal primo sguardo trasmette solidità e cura costruttiva, i pannelli in alluminio spazzolato e acciaio sono robusti, perfettamente rifiniti e danno subito l’impressione di un prodotto premium. Lo spazio interno è davvero sorprendente. Ospita senza alcuna difficoltà schede madri di grandi dimensioni fino al formato E-ATX, e la gestione dei cavi è resa semplicissima grazie all’ottima organizzazione del layout. È possibile scegliere tra la configurazione standard, pensata per installare fino a 18 dischi rigidi e 5 SSD, oppure optare per il layout “aperto”, ideale per chi vuole creare un impianto di raffreddamento a liquido personalizzato con radiatori fino a 480 mm. L’insonorizzazione è un punto di forza assoluto, infatti, i pannelli fonoassorbenti fanno un ottimo lavoro nel ridurre il rumore delle ventole e dell’hardware interno, rendendo il sistema silenzioso anche sotto carico. Inoltre, i filtri antipolvere integrati aiutano a mantenere l’interno pulito e in ordine nel tempo, facilitando la manutenzione ed allungando la vita stessa dei componenti. Un dettaglio che ho particolarmente apprezzato è la porta frontale con chiusura magnetica e cerniere reversibili, un tocco di classe che aggiunge praticità e eleganza. Tutto nel Define 7 XL trasmette la sensazione di un prodotto pensato con attenzione maniacale ai dettagli. In conclusione, è un case eccezionale, perfetto per chi cerca spazio, silenziosità e materiali di altissima qualità. Un investimento consigliato a chi non vuole scendere a compromessi nella costruzione del proprio PC.