EUR156,15
Fractal Define 7 Compact Black TG Dark
ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
24 reviews
Good with minor weaknesses
The possibility of simply changing the case lid between a completely closed and "open" variant allows a lot of flexibility. The exchange is also done within a few seconds, for which great praise goes to Fractal.
The number of front USB ports is higher than in many other cases. The only thing that would have been even better is 4x USB-A 3.x instead of 2x USB-A 2.0 and 2x USB-A 3.x.
Unfortunately, a nuisance in almost all cases are the pre-mounted case fans, which, as a 3-pin variant, are simply no longer up to date. Yes, PWM costs more in production, but then either the enclosure is 5CHF more expensive and with PWM or a little cheaper and without fans at all. In many cases, the actually halfway usable fans certainly end up immediately in the electronic scrap.Pro
- Total of 5 USB ports front/top
- Two lids for system optimisation
- Overall good quality.t
Contra
- 3-pin fans are obsolete in 2021
- No additional fan screws included
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
As compact as possible
Pro
- Takes up little space
- Practical USB ports on top
Contra
- You hear the fans more when the box is closed. Some resonance...
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White TG (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
It was not difficult to convince me, but I am still enthusiastic
This is my first enclosure with sound insulation, dust filter and cable management. I came from a 10-year-old Cooler Master, where there were still 3.25" and 5.25" bays at the front.
I have installed Noctua case fans and a Grand Macho RT CPU cooler.
In IDLE, the computer is completely inaudible. I now sometimes forget to turn it off when the screensaver is on.
The cable management on the back is also nice. It can be a bit cramped, but that's just the way it is in a small space. In other words, the available space is used efficiently, even if you have to unplug one or two cables again to cleverly route them past other cables. With a full complement, however, it can get really tight. I have installed one SSD and one HDD. And the version with 2 x 120mm at the front. That's no problem.
Moreover, you don't have to make any compromises when it comes to graphics cards and CPU coolers. Only with the extremely large flagships can it become problematic. If you're into energy efficiency, you don't always buy the fattest hardware anyway, but rather more efficient and cheaper hardware more often.
The case also looks very smart and the dust filters are very easy to access.
It also has USB Type-C on the front. So it will definitely serve me well for the next 10 years. In terms of price, I think it's just right.Pro
- Cable management
- Soundproofed
- Large graphics cards, yet compact
- ATX layout, yet compact
Contra
- Side panels only clamped - caution during transport
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Exactly what I expected
Pro
- Airflow
- Design
- Cable management
Contra
- No optical drives possible
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Very high-quality PC case
Due to the compact design, there is no space for an optical drive (I use an external drive if necessary). If a traditional HDD or possibly an SSD is installed, the space for the cabling is relatively tight, but still just about manageable. It may be advisable (unlike me) to install SSD type M.2, so that there is no need for cabling.
Pro
- Very high quality and precise fit, no sharp edges
- Can be opened on all sides without tools
- Dust filter at the bottom can be removed from the front for cleaning
- Insulation layer inside for noise insulation
- Two fans already installed
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Excellent case
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Beautiful & quiet!
Pro
- Very good sound insulation
- Beautiful design
- Sufficient USB ports on the top
- Practical cable routing
Contra
- Mounting of 360 AIO on top not possible
- A version without pre-installed fans would be nice
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White TG (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
good price-performance ratio
Pro
- cleanly processed
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Practical and aesthetic
Pro
- Well soundproofed
- Easy to clean filter
Exemplary, uncomplicated support from Fractal Design
Others have already reported in detail on the advantages and disadvantages of this beautiful, very well-made case.
However, I would like to praise the very good support from the manufacturer Fractal Design. Within a week of reporting a defect on the front I/O panel, I was sent a replacement free of charge and without any complications, and this more than a year after purchasing the case.Pro
- Manufacturer support
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
As described
Meet my expectations. Nothing more nothing less.
Pro
- Compact
- finish
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black TG Light (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Good case
Pro
- Fairly complete
- Cable management pretty good
- Beautiful
- Accessibility inside the case easy
- Fan includes silent
Contra
- Fan not RGB
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White TG (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
High quality and spacious
Pro
- sufficient space
- Easy to open
Contra
- Enclosure fans are not as quiet as hoped for
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White TG (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Great processed housing
Pro
- No cable tangle
- Quiet
Well
The case is chic and simple, just the way I like it. Only in my model, the workmanship was probably a bit too imprecise. The front USB sockets were difficult to use. Also, the isolation is not enough for my component to maintain quiet operation. However, for a less resource-hungry computer, the insulation would suffice. However, my case went back.
Pro
- simple design
- Modularity
Contra
- Front USB sockets too narrow
- insufficient insulation
- side panels only clamped
- not enough space for cable management
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Quality housing for quiet operation
Fulfils my expectations of a silent PC, but the space for cable management, especially the motherboard power supply, is very tight. A few more mm are lost through the insulation.
No sharp edges, otherwise well thought out. My 280 radiator found space in the front without any problems.Pro
- Processing
- Easy assembly of the PC
Contra
- Cable routing / management backside extremely little space
- USB sockets initially difficult to operate
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Nice & clever Case
*If Wattage of GPU+CPU go over 450W buy Big Tower - otherwise it will be noisy even with isolation.
Pro
- Clever door opening
- Many holders
- Extra top
- Dust filters
- 2 Fans are enough to vent all*
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Very beautiful and functional compact housing
The Fractal Define 7 Compact (black, light tempered glass) is the perfect size: You can use an ATX mainboard, but it doesn't look empty if no custom water cooling is installed.
The case makes a very high-quality impression and can be customised. For example, it has a closed lid with insulation pre-installed, but the scope of delivery also includes an open lid and an accompanying dust filter. To get more space for cable management, I removed the hard drive cage. Since I only use SSDs anyway, this was planned from the beginning.
The advantage of the snap-lock side panels could also be a disadvantage in terms of cable management. But I didn't have this problem (probably only because of the removed hard drive cage).
At first I only used the two pre-installed case fans (120 mm in the back and 140 mm in the front) and the AMD box cooler. Recently, however, I retrofitted some (RGB) fans and an AIO. The temperatures are only slightly lower, but it looks better!
I'm glad that in summer 2020 I decided not to wait any longer and built my first gaming PC!
Photo 1: Box cooler and 2 fans
Photo 2: AIO and 4 more fans
Photo 3: Lights on!
Photo 4: Cable management without RGB cable
Photo 5: Cable management with RGB cablePro
- Noble and well processed materials
- Variable interior
- Suitable size for a compact enclosure
- Side parts with snap lock
- 5 USB ports (including 1 USB type C)
Contra
- Only 2 pre-installed fans
- Somewhat little space for cable management
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black TG Light (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
see below
see above
Pro
- Noise insulation
- Assembly and dismantling options
- Top cover 2 versions
Contra
- Stop (does not stand quite straight)
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact White Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Beautiful! Perfect finish!
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black TG Light (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Airflow not optimal
Pro
- Looks good
- Easy installation
- Valuable materials
Contra
- Airflow not optimal
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black TG Light (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Solid option
Pro
- Well build
- Simple, clear and refined design
Contra
- Too big for a compact case
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
Super nice case, has super pre-installed cabling. Very simple, beautiful design.
Pro
- Good size
- Design
compact yes, but almost too much
Pro
- silencer
- solid good quality
- fan supplied
Contra
- cable routing almost too narrow a few mm more wouldn't go amiss
- you have to choose your gpu carefully or it won't work, especially with a front-mounted aio
This review was created for a different variant: Define 7 Compact Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX)
