Fractal Design Define 7 Compact Case Review

1. Introduction2. Fractal Design Define 7 Compact: Exterior3. Fractal Design Define 7 Compact: Interior4. System Installation5. Testing Methodology: Thermals/Acoustics6. Performance and Comparisons7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

Fractal Design has stuck with its traditional, understated front panel design again with the Define 7 series and while the design may be a little long in the tooth now, it still looks modern and sleek in 2020. The upgrade from a plastic front panel with a brushed aluminium finish in the Define C to an actual brushed aluminium fascia gives the Define 7 an even more premium appearance.

While this understated front panel is visually appealing, it does have a slight impact on thermal performance due to its closed design with narrow air vents along each side. However, this case is aimed more towards low noise rather than raw thermal performance with many of its panels equipped with sound dampening material, so it’s worth taking this into consideration.

Even with the closed front panel design, thermal performance of the Define 7 Compact is well within acceptable limits. With the case in the various side, front and top panel configurations, CPU temperature was within a couple of degrees Celsius each time. The only noticeable temperature change was with the GPU under load with the glass side panel removed and high airflow top panel installed. But again, this temperature reduction was minimal.

Improvements made to the Define 7 Compact such as the tool-free panel removal, multiple cooling layout options and storage drive configurations helps during the system installation. Even though the case is a very compact mid-tower, installing a system inside was a joy and during the installation, we didn’t hit any major issues.

There is plenty of space at the front of the case for AIO installation, even a 360mm AIO will fit up front with some adjustment of the HDD cage position. With a front-mounted 280mm AIO, as we used during our build, there is still enough space horizontally to install a long, high-end graphics card. The Gigabyte RTX 2070 Super used in the build left a little room at the front, so even longer GPUs than this could be installed.

The build quality of the case is also impressive. The base structure of the chassis feels solid, there is no flexing of the frame with all the panels installed and sound dampening material on the steel panels not only helps reduce noise, but also gives them a satisfying thud when you tap them rather than a cheap tinny noise.

Dust filtration has been covered well in the Define 7 Compact. The case floor, roof and front panel feature removable nylon dust filters, all of which are easy to remove for cleaning purposes and are hidden away well when installed to the case. All the external panels of the case are very simple to remove too, due to the tool-free solution Fractal has implemented, so anyone who likes to tinker inside their PC regular will find this a useful feature.

So overall, the Fractal Design Define 7 Compact is a very attractive looking and surprisingly spacious case. There is enough space and cooling configuration options inside to install a truly high-end system. If you are the type who likes a compact PC but doesn’t want to compromise on performance then the Define 7 Compact could be the perfect case for you.

One slight reservation I have with the case is the price. Other cases of a similar size with comparable features can be picked up for less than the Define 7 Compact and I feel that the £106.99 price tag of the tempered glass versions may be a little steep. I would have liked it to be closer to the £80-£90 mark. However, it does have some unique features that may justify the extra cost for some buyers.

The Fractal Design Define 7 Compact is available to purchase now from Overclockers UK HERE. The all-steel side panel version is priced at £96.95 and both the light and dark tempered glass models are £106.99.

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Pros

• Tool-free panel removal.
• Understated appearance.
• Space for up to 360mm AIO coolers.
• Sturdy build quality.
• Spacious interior.

Cons

• Priced a little high compared to similar compact cases.
• Limited space for top-mounted AIOs.

KitGuru says: The Define series of cases from Fractal has been an enthusiast favourite for years. The new Define 7 Compact doesn't disappoint with its handy features and a spacious interior that allows true high-end systems to be built inside. No matter the size of your build, the Define 7 series has got you covered.

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