14 DAY TRIAL // Owners of Fractal Design Define R3 or Define XL cases that want to add external USB 3.0 connectivity to their systems have now a reason to rejoice as the company has recently announced upgrade kits for these enclosures that add a pair of front-panel USB 3.0 ports.
Installation of the kits is quite easy and only requires for the user to unscrew the board carrying the front panel ports and replace it with the new part. This is then plugged into the USB 3.0 headers available on motherboards offering this functionality.
In the case of the Define R3, the upgrade kit changes the two USB 3.0 ports and eSATA connector available to the front panel into one eSATA and two USB 3.0 ports, while on the Define XL this swaps the four frontal USB 2.0 ports with two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 connectors.
“We got many request from the community about an USB 3.0 upgrade option and we are really happy and proud to support our customers” said Hannes Wallin, CEO and founder of Fractal Design.
Both the Fractal Design Define R3 and the Define XL are mini-ATX tower cases were designed for housing high-performance gaming systems.
As such, the cases come with a wide series of advanced features, including pre-fitted noise absorbing material for quiet operation, improved cable routing, an integrated fan controller, washable air filters and an improved airflow design.
Furthermore, users can install up to 14 3.5-inch storage drives, motherboards using up to the E-ATX form factor as well as graphics cards measuring a maximum of 330mm in length.
Fractal Design will begin delivery of the USB 3.0 upgrade kits in about a week from now. Prices are set at either 9.99€ or 9.99$, depending on which side of the pond do you happen to live.