Fractal Design released it highly acclaimed Define S2 case a little over seven months ago and they are already back with a new iteration, the
Fractal Design Define S2 Vision RGB. That's a mouthful, but even if the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, this
DIY PC chassis is easy on the eyes.
The Fractal Vision S2 RGB takes everything that made the Define S2, and the Fractal R6 before it, great but it but now it brings RGB lighting and tempered glass panels into the mix. We aren't talking just a single tempered glass panel here, however. Fractal has literally surrounded the case with tempered glass. The front and side panels are all tempered glass, as is a portion of the top panel. These days it seems that no tempered glass case is complete without
RGB lighting though, so Fractal Design has included its Prisma AL-Series ARGB fans for even more visual flare. If that's not your thing, so be it, but the option for big, colorful low noise fans is in here as well.
Other than the visual upgrades, very little has changed with this new iteration. Rather than reinventing the wheel, so to speak, Fractal just wanted to make a splash in the RGB-lighted case market, as well as offer a more premium build with more visual impact strapped in smoked glass.
We've listed all the specifications and features for the Fractal Define S2 RGB below. We'll of course take a deep dive into the exterior, interior, installation and cooling performance of the case, but before we do, we have some tech specs for detailed edification...
 |
| Fractal Design Define S2 Vision RGB Case
|
|
Specifications & Features
|
|
Specification
|
Define S2 Vision RGB
|
3.5"/2.5" Universal drive brackets
|
3
|
Dedicated 2.5" drive brackets
|
2 include, 5 positions total
|
Expansion slots
|
7 + 2 vertical
|
Motherboard Compatibility
|
EATX (up to 285 mm wide)/ ATX / mATX / ITX
|
Power supply type
|
ATX
|
Front ports
|
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, Audio
|
Total fan mounts
|
9 (6 + 3 with included bracket)
|
Front fan
|
3 x 120/140 mm (3 x Prisma AL-14 PWM ARGB included)
|
Top fan
|
3 x 120/140 mm (with cooling bracket installed)
|
Rear fan
|
1 x 120/140 mm (1 x Prisma AL-14 PWM ARGB included) |
Bottom fan
|
2 x 120/140 mm
|
| Dust filters |
Bottom fan + PSU, front fans, top panel (with cooling bracket installed)
|
Front radiator
|
120/240/360 mm 140/280 mm
|
rear radiator
|
120 mm
|
| Bottom radiator |
120/240 mm, 140 mm
|
PSU max length
|
300 mm
|
GPU max length
|
Copper |
CPU cooler max height
|
185 mm (7.28 inches) |
| Cable routing space |
23 mm (0.90 inches) |
Cable routing grommets
|
Yes |
Fixed velcro straps
|
Yes
|
Tool-less push to lock
|
Both sides
|
Captive thumb screws
|
HDD brackets, SSD brackets
|
Left side panel
|
Dark tempered glass
|
Right side panel
|
Dark tempered glass
|
Additional lighting
|
400 mm AR-4020 ARGB strip with 20 LEDs
|
Dimensions
|
543 x 233 x 465 mm (21.37 x 9.17 x 18.30 inches)
|
| Pricing |
$239.99 USD MSRP, Currently $277 @ Amazon
|
The Fractal Define S2 Vision RGB is a premium case and as such it commands a premium. At the time of launch this case had a $239 MSRP, though even Fractal is selling it for much
more on Amazon. That's a lot of green backs for a computer case, putting it up there with some elite competition such as the CORSAIR
Obsidian 500D RGB SE and the
Thermaltake Core P5. Fractal Design did however, release a cheaper version of this case; the
Fractal Design Define S2 Blackout. It offers everything the RGB version we have for review here does, sans the RGB. So, if lighting isn't important to you then you can save some scratch and still have a visually eye-catching chassis.
The Fractal Define S2 Vision RGB maybe built on an older (R6) skeleton, but Fractal gave it one hell of a face lift. The only question is, is the face lift an updated aesthetic worth the asking price? Let's find out...
