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Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 Case Review: For Your MicroATX Build

Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 Case Review: For Your MicroATX Build
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Fractal Design is extending its popular Arc case family with the Arc Mini R2. It's a mini-tower for microATX motherboards, and it’s supposed to provide the same features as the Arc Midi R2 and the Arc XL. Does it deliver a familiar quality level, too?

Our German team recently reviewed Fractal Design's Arc Midi R2 and Arc XL cases, finding them to be solid offerings at their respective price points. Their main critique was of the stock cooling fans.

The Swedish company is now offering a mini-tower version of its Arc cases, built to accommodate microATX motherboards. Despite more compact dimensions, though, it's supposed to offer similar features as the larger versions. This includes modular hard drive cages, an integrated fan controller, spaces for SSDs to be installed on the back of the motherboard tray, and different options for mounting radiators and compact water coolers.

So, does the company make any compromises in the process of introducing its Arc Mini R2?

Packaging and Accessories

As we've come to expect, the Arc Mini R2 ships in a no-frills cardboard box sporting schematic drawings.

Also as expected, the case’s accessories can be found in their own box with a list of their descriptions and a quantity for each printed on it. There are some cable ties, a number of black screws for installing various components in the case, and the motherboard spacers, which are the only pieces that aren’t black. Noticeably absent is a piezo speaker.

Technical Specifications and Control Panel

ManufacturerFractal Design
Model
Arc Mini R2
TypeMini-tower
Dimensions (HxWxD)40.5 x 21 x 48.4 cm
WeightApproximately 9 kg
MaterialSteel
Plastic (Front and top covers)
Form FactorMicroATX, Mini-ITX
Drive Bays2 x 5.25" (External)
6 x 3.5" or 2.5" (Internal)
2 x 2.5" (Internal, back of motherboard tray for SSDs)
PCI Slots
Four

3-Level Fan Controller (12 V, 7 V, 5 V) for 3 Fans
Fans
Three-level fan controller (12, 7, and 5 V) for three fans
Front: 2 x 12 cm
Included: 2 x 12 cm (1200 RPM, blue lighting)
Top: 2 x 12/14 cm
Included: 1 x 14 cm (1000 RPM)
Rear: 1 x 12 cm
Included: 1 x 12 cm (1200 RPM)
Optional Water CoolingFront: 24 cm Radiator
Top: 24/36 cm Radiator
Rear: 12 cm Radiator
Bottom: 12 cm Radiator
CPU Cooler
Up to 16.5 cm
Graphics Card
Up to 28.5/42.5 cm (Both hard drive cages need to be removed for cards longer than 28.5 cm)
Power SupplyUp to 29/43 cm, including protruding cables (With/without bottom hard drive cage)
Cable Management
Up to 1.9 cm
PriceApproximately £65 (Street price, model with side window)

Compared to the two larger models in Fractal Design's Arc family, the front control panel loses two USB 2.0 connectors, leaving a pair of the more modern USB 3.0 ports. There are also HD Audio connectors, a power and (tiny) reset button, and a three-level fan controller that allows the fans to run at 12, 7, or 5 V.

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  • 0 Hide
    Marcopolo123 , 17 March 2014 11:44
    gud
  • 0 Hide
    5gtbilko , 19 March 2014 05:33
    Why all the storage space. Six HDD bays and two full sized optic drive bays. In a case that's tryng to be as small as possibe. Sorry Guys that just doesn't make sence.Ever heard of SSDs or a NAS? and WHO uses CDs or DVDs anymore? :-\
  • 0 Hide
    IRONBATMAN , 23 March 2014 06:29
    the Core series already has the essential features you need.