Fractal Design ARC Mini R2 Review

Fractal Design ARC Mini R2

Introduction

With M-ATX motherboards offering more features and capabilities and so becoming ever more popular it necessarily follows that manufacturers will begin to focus more of their attention on enclosures that will enable the consumer to take advantage of all this M-ATX goodness in a case that doesn’t take up half the desk.

Having reviewed both the XL and the Midi R2 we were excited to get our hands on the ARC Mini R2.  Smallest of the ARC fleet, but by no means the smallest case from Swedish Manufacturers Fractal Design who also produce a range of Mini-ITX HTPC focused cases.  Although able to accept the M-ITX board, the ARC Mini is primarily designed around the M-ATX form factor.  It does though have a few more tricks up it’s sleeve than simply being a smallish case. 

 

Technical Specification

Case Type

Mini Tower

Motherboard Support

Micro ATX
Mini ITX

Power Supply Support

ATX up to 170mm Depth

Maximum GPU Length

260mm with Top HDD Cage Installed
400mm with Top HDD Cage Removed

PCI   Expansion Slots

4 + 1

External 5.25″ Drive Bays

2

External 3.5″ Drive Bays

n/a

Internal 3.5″ Drive Bays

6

Internal 2.5″ Drive Bays

6 using 3.5″ Drive Bays
2 Dedicated Behind Motherboard Tray

Front I/O Panel

2 x USB 3.0
Audio
3 Speed Fan Controller

Colour

Black

Removable Motherboard Tray

n/a

CPU Mounting Hole

Yes

Materials

Steel

Dimensions (LxWxH)

484mm x 210mm x 405mm

Front

1 x 120mm Silent Series R2 Fan (space for 2)

Rear

1 x 120mm Silent Series R2 Fan

Top

1 x 140mm Silent Series R2 Fan (space for up to 2 x 140 or 2 x 120)

Bottom

option for 1 x 120mm Fan

Side

n/a

Watercooling   Support

Yes

Radiator Support

Space for 240mm in Front up to 272mm in Height
Space for 240 or 360mm in Top, 360mm Will Require Removal of ODD Cage

Package Contents

1 x Fractal Case
Accessory Box
Instruction Manual

 

Key Features

  • A compact micro ATX case designed for exceptional airflow and cooling
  • Superior water cooling support for its size, accommodating multiple thick 240mm radiators or even a 360mm radiator for an uncompromised cool system build
  • Three Silent Series R2 fans included, giving you excellent cooling straight out of the box! 4 additional fan positions are available
  • Featuring an integrated three-speed fan controller and USB 3.0 on the front panel for easy access
  • Multiple easy-to-clean dust filters designed into the case to help maintain a dust free interior
  • Great storage capacity for a mini chassis, with up to six 3.5” drives and two additional 2.5” drives
  • Innovative SSD position mounting, using brackets to allow for easy access once your system is completely built
  • Featuring a large stylish window side panel to show off your set up in style
  • Designed with ample space for easy, tidy cable routing and an overall a neat build

 

Cooling Options

  • Front: 2 – 120mm fans (included is one hydraulic bearing 120mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1200 RPM speed)
  • Rear: 1 – 120mm fan (included is a hydraulic bearing 120mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1200 RPM speed)
  • Top: 2 – 120/140mm fans (included is one hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed) 1 – 120mm fan (not included)
  • Bottom: 1 – 120mm fan (not included)
  • Fan controller: 1 – integrated fan controller for up to 3 fans (included)
  • Water cooling compatibility:
    • Front – 240mm radiator (thick and slim) when HDD cages are removed, radiator cannot exceed 272mm in total length with the ODD bay in place.
    • Top – 240mm or 360mm radiators (thick and slim); the use of 360mm radiators requires removal of the ODD cage.
    • Bottom – 120mm radiators
    • Rear – 120 and 140mm radiators