Fractal Design Array R2 NAS & Media Center Case Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

This unboxing and first look showcases the Fractal Design Array R2 NAS and Media Center Case, a compact mini-ITX enclosure designed to hold six 3.5 inch hard drives plus one 2.5 inch drive. The host highlights the aluminum construction with a black anodized finish, noting the premium feel and clean, modular design that Fractal Design is known for. It comes with a 300 W SFX power supply, a front 140 mm fan, and a front panel that emphasizes simplicity with a single power switch and internal LED indicators. The packaging and build quality are praised, and the discussion touches on the case’s intended audience: home servers, NAS setups, and media PCs with large storage needs. Setup parity and assembly are walked through, including the removal of top panels, the modular drive cage, and the peculiarities of installing six drives inside a compact chassis. Throughout, the presenter emphasizes careful handling of anodized aluminum to avoid fingerprint marks and the potential for user-driven customization, such as adapting the drive cage for different power supply configurations. By the end, the speaker reflects on the case’s suitability for FreeNAS and similar NAS workflows, while acknowledging the depth of hardware inside and the room for future modifications. The first segment anchors expectations around build quality and storage capacity, while the second segment transitions into practical assembly steps and potential hardware adaptations, underscoring a balance between elegance and functional expandability.

Topics · computer_hardware · nas_storage · unboxing_video · mini_itx · case_and_cooling