Fractal Define 7 Review - The ultimate home server chassis?

Gaming cases filled with RGB are a dima-a-dozen these days. Fully-featured workstation cases with full water cooling support that can also support a metric ton of hard drives? Those are more rare. Introducing the Fractal Design Define 7, possibly the best of both gaming and professional worlds.

But first... What am I drinking???

I've had a number of Ghostfish (Seattle, WA) beers before today, and I've been a longtime fan. They produce Gluten Free beers in a variety of styles, and while the flavors are different from tradition beers they're replicating, they are always good. Unfortunately their Shrouded Summit Belgian White beer not only doesn't taste like a Belgian white... it isn't even good. 1/5.

Thanks to Fractal Design for sending out the Define 7 for review. While I am keeping this review sample, Fractal Design did not pay for this video in any way, nor did they have any input or see the video before it was published.

*Links to items below may be affiliate links for which I may be compensated*

Follow me on Twitter @CraftComputing

Music:
Covert Affair by Kevin MacLeod

[CraftComputing]

Minor correction, because I can't count (again). The Define 7 actually holds 14 3.5" hard drives. I missed an additional HDD sled mount when counting. Even better value for the money!

[hilldog]

That revolving shot at 6:28 of the different configurations seamlessly put together is super neat dude

[TheCptnOfFail]

I can have glass, cooling, a DVD drive, all my hard drives, and cable management?
Hell yes i'm in.

[dorrzun]

I always love how solid your videos are! You maintain an air of professionalism and honesty through your disclaimers and mannerism. It’s genuinely enjoyable to watch your reviews!

[reecehanson]

FYI, You can mount an AIO in the front even with HDDs installed (see Define 7 Manual).

[ScottFitton]

"It's like Blue Moon made a light beer."

Nope. Hard pass.

[yoonseo-kang]

Excellent review. Thank you for mentioning that the Define 7 comes with 4 HDD mounting trays.

[CYBONIX]

Omg... I was driving and had to pull over to comment on this video. I about DIED when I saw the look on your face drinking that beer! Love you show! Awesome review on the case!

[Parker]

I just subscribed. Your video is excellent. Fades and transitions - outstanding. Content very good, almost as smooth as my Guinness Stout, Cheers!

[ja]

Oh my word. I picked up the white 7 and what a case. I’m old school and have a Blu-Ray drive and a bunch of SSD and hdd drives. This is a quality and versatile case. Best I have owned so far. The review is spot on and I just like looking at it. Massive fanboy. And thanks god it doesn’t have LED #*%+%*#. Great review and content. Keep it up.

[ziaride]

A lot of nice improvements over my old R5. Really like the side panel latching from the top vs the back, mine can be a pain in the butt to align properly in tight quarters under the desk not to mention getting those screws back in after it's closed.

[freakyweirdo]

Hi there.. i got a question, hopefully you can enlighten me. i just bought the fractal design 7 and i'm trying to screw in the hard disk to the trays provided.
Added the rubber spacer and screwed it in with the slightly long screw. However, the hdd still have some small movement in it even after tighten all screws. is this by design?

thanks in advance

[rdsii]

After transferring my daily driver to a Rosewill 4U rack mount chassis I can’t go back to vertical case. The ease of getting inside to add a drive or whatever is too much to give up. This is one of the better vertical cases though

[asdf]

Ok, I like the case review + beer review format. And your reaction to the beer was hilarious. :)

[Andrew_M_Ward]

(New Subscriber) Hey, at least you kept giving the beer an honest chance... and the Fractal is on my shortlist of cases - love the flexibility and build quality

[atlanteean]

was looking for a case to upgrade from my (still wonderful) Phanteks Pro M, because i plan to buy some additional 8TB HDDs. this is superb, aesthetically and functionally

[guywhoknows]

Ohhh .
You kind of hard me sold at solid design.
Improved.
Multi configuration.
Price is good too. Wonder if that will translate to our GBP.?

[martinrandall]

Excellent review - this is the first case I've considered buying for over ten years, mostly down to the drive bay configuration as a smallish a home server.

[liangzhou]

I enjoyed your reaction and comment to the beer like a lot!

[mr_beezlebub]

I love Fractal's mesh cases, so hopefully they'll make a mesh version!