Fractal Design Define 7 XL review - Product Showcase

Product Showcase

When we flip around the unit we can see the side panel a little better. The chassis has a very simplistic approach, stylish and dark, along the front sides you can see air intakes.  The IO at the top includes USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, Two USB 3.0 + two USB 2.0 for a total of five front USB ports.

The frontside can house two 5.25" storage units like ODDs. At the front, top and left side panels Fractal Design applied sound dampening materials to make the chassis even more silent. 

The bezel ventilation grill can be taken out. In fact, let me show you that. The bracket can be removed. The lower 'mesh' can be pulled out giving you access to the two fans behind it. Yep, West Coast Custom style man!

At default the Define 7 XL hols three fans, these are rated low RPM for low noise operation. These are Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-14 fans, rated at 1000 RPM, an acoustic level of 18.9 dBA with airflow rated at 68.4 CFM. Internally there is a fan HUB present, it's powered by itself, but RPM or PWM regulated through your motherboard. 

The side panels are a thing of beauty as can be removed thanks to floating hinges with magnetic latching ensure smooth operation and clean looking front, even with the door open. So no more thumbscrews, you just give it a pull and they are free, closing the panel is much of the same but reversed. The panels close very securely and sturdily, this is an impressive mounting mechanism top be honest. At the backside rear IO, we spot the 3rd 140mm fan, factory installed. Below it can see 9+3  expansion slots (three for horizontal mounting of a graphics card (riser cable not included).

The top cover and cooling brackets are fully removable for complete open access to both sides of the board from almost any angle. Extremely handy, included in the accessory box also is a mesh top cover. Again, included for free.