Fractal Design Define Mini

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 7 expert reviews

Excellent:

5
Good:

2
Average:

0
Bad:

0

Pros:

Price.
Fits up to 6 hard drives.
Can install up to 6 fans.

Cons:

Room is a little tight behind the motherboard tray.
Very little space between mainboard and side panel.

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Last revision on May 8, 2020

Reviewers Liked

Price
Fits up to 6 hard drives
Can install up to 6 fans
Fan controller included
Internal USB 3.0 connector
Great build quality
All black interior
White Fractal Design accents still there
Plenty of space for large PSUs
Possibility to install long graphics cards
5.25 inch to 3.5 inch adapter included
Sound dampening
Dust filters

Reviewers Didn't Like

Room is a little tight behind the motherboard tray
Very little space between mainboard and side panel
Clips of front covers won't last long
Limited CPU cooler clearance
Only available in black
No more eSATA
USB 3.0 cable is blue not black
Tough cable hiding/management
Plastic front panel
The door does not open all the way
Front fans' fan holders block the air flow
Front fans' dust filters are installed by screws

Expert reviews and ratings

The Fractal Design Define Mini isn't a bad case, but it does need some tender loving care, and it's not as great as it could be. It's the only micro-ATX case designed for acoustics, though, and if that's what you're looking for, the Define Mini's about the best option on the market.

By AnandTech on April 22, 2013

Well I have to say that once again I am impressed by a Fractal Design case. When it comes to finding a mATX case there are not that many options that offer features like the Define Mini. Most mATX cases a cramped, have not room for storage and are...

By ThinkComputers on November 08, 2011

The perfect home for your mATX or mini-ITX mobo could well be the Fractal Design Define Mini. It's a lot of case in a small form factor.With the rising popularity mATX, and more especially the mini-ITX format motherboards, the demand for the smaller...

By TechRadar on November 06, 2011

100

and FVFractal has managed to design a case that is both extremely functional and stylish but at the same time they have avoided everything all of the other manufactures do. This is an almost all steel design that is designed to near silent while...

By LanOC Reviews on November 02, 2011

Starting with the Fractal Design Define Mini we have a compact case which is very flexible with good build quality. The chassis feels solid with no noticeable manufacturing defects and each section fits snugly without any effort. Inside there is...

By HardwareHeaven on June 06, 2011

Motherboards keep getting more components, you can fit several terabytes of storage on a single 3.5-inch hard drive, and the need for an optical drive keeps diminishing. Despite these developments over the past few years, the typical desktop chassis...

By uk.hardware.info on September 21, 2012

Compared to the Define R2/R3, the Define Mini is two inches shorter, sheds two hard drive bays, three expansion slots, and one optional fan placement on the ceiling. The smaller dimensions makes it seem sturdier even though the build quality is about...

By SilentPC Review on December 05, 2011

Color us impressed. This is simply a fine chassis in most respects. We are inspired by so much attention to detail and the high quality of materials and construction in addition to the highly pleasing aesthetic design for a street price of...

By Missing Remote on September 08, 2011

The Mini is a great addition to the product range of Fractal Design, they already had the hugely popular Define R3 and also the huge Define XL for people who need even more space, so it's only logical to address also the mATX-users out there. All the...

By Metku.net on August 08, 2011

Das Fractal Design Define Mini hat uns, abgesehen von ein paar Kleinigkeiten, komplett überzeugt. Das edle, puristische Design weiß zu gefallen und fühlt sich in praktisch jeder Umgebung wohl. Die tadellose Verarbeitung trägt dabei ihren Teil zum...

By Technic3D on October 15, 2012

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