HEX GEAR R40 Case Review. Today we examine a very unique product from the recently launched company HEX GEAR. Before we go any further, I think it’s key that we highlight what the company is about.
HEX GEAR is a company, founded by Hans Peder Sahl & Nate George in the spring of 2014. Both being very active in the PC modding community, we have heard and seen pretty much everything when it comes to cases. Despite the current market being flooded in all price ranges, we felt that there was a gap that needed to be filled. Many manufacturers try to please everyone at the same time, this results in cases that have an increasing amount of new features that work great as marketing material, but provide little, to no use for the end user.
We wanted to create a simple and elegant case without using plastic and thin metal sheets. We wanted something that was built as a tank, while still maintaining a clean design, and a small footprint. On top of all this, watercooling options and internal aesthetics needed to meet the high standards that we both demands of our daily work horses.
After almost a year of development, boxes upon boxes of prototypes and extensive feedback from some of the worlds best casemodders and builders, we finally settled on a design that would be the start of the HEX GEAR product range – the R40 Micro ATX case.
[Features and Specifications]
The HEX GEAR R40 is the pinnacle of MATX chassis, designed from the ground up by two industry enthusiasts, it is engineered with simplicity and efficiency in mind. The case is specialized for high-end components and is optimized for both watercooling and air cooling.
The R40 is built around four extruded aluminium profiles, weighing a total of 3 kilo alone. These profiles support the remaining chassis parts which, for ease of modification are made solely from flat sheets of metal. This means no more headaches with having to deal with thin sheet metal plates with odd shapes stamped into them.
– Materials: Aluminium | Steel | Acrylic
– Colours Available: Black | White
– Dimensions(WxDxH): 241.5 x 483 x 415
– Weight: 14 Kilo
– Motherboard form factor: mATX
– 3.5” Drives: 2
– 2.5” Drives: 3
– Cooling: 6 x 120mm (3 x top 1 x rear 2 x bottom)
– PCI Slots: 5
– Suitable for air or watercooling
The box was much larger than anticipated, and heavier too! When UPS delivered it, I assumed my wife had ordered something random online, thankfully it was the R40 instead. The case arrived in a flat pack style, so inside you’ll find a ton of parts, each carefully wrapped. The packing method is more than ample, but this amount is a sign that HEX GEAR, are going the extra mile, to ensure their products arrive in pristine condition.
It took me a good while to unwrap each and lay them out, You’ll need a fair amount of room just to store the pieces, before assembling! The model I have, is white and I examined each part carefully, during the unboxing. Every single part was finished to perfection, with no single flaw.
– Screws and fixings
– 1 x black vandal switch
– Motherboard standoffs
– Instruction manual
– Hex keys
– 90deg IEC adapter
Apart from the actual panels, also included is a vast kit for assembly, a nice touch is that they are HEX fittings. Further to this are some extras that baffled me at first, such as the right-angled PSU adaptor, but it’s purpose will become clear soon enough.
Next I gave the user manual a lookover, and studied the build process. What I really appreciated was the clean and concise layout, specifically the contents page, and how the parts are labelled. If you’re curious, you can view the most up to date manual online HERE
Having built a few custom cases myself, I know vibration can be an issue. To tackle just this, HEX included a long role of anti-vibration tape. The first step is to prepare the panels and fixtures with it.
The motherboard tray is a centre part of the case and all other panels, build around this. The main structure is held together with what, HEX refers to as the Alumium profiles. One for each corner, as well as adding rigidity to the case, they double up and allow the top and bottom panels to slide in/out
Step 11 (fixing the profiles) can prove rather tedious on the first attempt. Patience and care are key. As you need to have the fasteners neither too tight or loose to line up correctly. Page 1 of the manual suggests you read the entirety more than once, I concur. Having made a few silly mistakes on my first attempt with panels the wrong way around!
The next step is to add the front and back panels. Each is made up from a chunky acrylic sheet and metal panel. They attach with 4 oversized hex bolts, direct into the profiles. Slits in either lock into the motherboard tray and top/bottom panels. Securing the structure.
Notice that I have black inserts (acrylic)
you can actually order these in many colours, during the initial order, or add them in the future. You only need to remove 8 hex bolts to swap them out, so your build can remain inside.
Another option is to reverse the internal layout, with special RMatx accent packs, for inverted MATX layout, check HERE
The R40 does not have any front intake for air. It relies on the base and roof to pull in/out air. A single 120mm blowholes is found at the rear, in a …you guessed it HEX pattern
If you not sure how the case handles air flow, be sure to check out the video below
It’s hard to put into words, but assembling your own case feels very rewarding. Theirs a real sense of pride upon completion. Granted it’s actually an easy process, more so after a few attempts, but I did genuinely feel good after assembling the R40.
To finish of the R40, 2 clear stands are included raise up the case about 18mm from the floor. If you would prefer feet, Feel free to mod the bottom panel, or purchase the specific Rubber Feet Kit
[Observations & Points Of Interest]
Ok then before I even talk about radiator options and clearance, let me try to explain what options you have. Following the user manual you’ll have room in the roof for a 240mm radiator and a 360mm in the floor, which is awesome right? Well sure but what if you wanted the 360mm in the roof? You can indeed achieve this, simply backtrack to initial build and swap the top and lower plates around.
*Note* doing so, means the PSU mount will be inverted.
You have a few options for radiator setup here, firstly HEX GEAR have used a slit system on the R40. So you have some control as in, where you want it and this expands compatibility across brands. As some have larger tank ends or even access ports. I opted to use a thinner radiator here, which allowed me to use a push-pull setup. (room for a slim radiator with fans on either side)
From top motherboard standoff to roof is 50mm, which radiator you can install is slightly limited, if you want push/pull fans. In my build I installed the radiators inside the case, but you could do it the other way around, with them inside the top or bottom chambers.
(won’t work for all radiators, depending on the G1/4 port locations)
The height is 35mm in the top/bottom chambers
The 360mm radiator mount, uses the same slit system. Again offering flexibility. Theirs more room to work with on the bottom rad mount, allowing for push/pull and fan grilles.
60mm of clearance between floor and standoffs.
Unless you plan to use dual GPU’s with extensive cooling, this is more than ample!
When it comes to air or water cooling, their are a few ways to work with the R40. The latter require basic modification to single plate (drill required), but to ease the burden of mounting a pump or res combo. HEX GEAR do offer custom plates, that are compatible with the most common types.
Or if like me, if you prefer to mod and choose the location, drill your own.
Now In a regular case review I would perform a standard build, and talk about my experience in general. Covering positive and lacking areas that could be improved upon. This being a custom case, I found it fitting to build something custom inside. Cue my most recent personal project, dubbed “Yoshi”.
The idea behind the build was to demonstrate what the R40 can achieve with little or no actual modifications. On the flipside though, I hope it inspires and unearths some ideas for your own build, should you purchase one. I’m actually going to modify the R40 much further in the not so distance future, and will share the final work soon.
Anyhow, as said, I wanted something simple but eye catching, and I think I achieved just that. The only modification I made, was adding a small 20mm hole, to allow access for a fill/drain port.
[Cable Cover and Storage options]
You may be wondering about cabling and storage options. HEX GEAR have you covered, with the two plates provided. One to cover and neaten up the PSU cables, and the other for 2.5″ or 3.5″ drives.
3.5” Drives: 2
2.5” Drives: 3
That said, theirs no reason why you can’t add more, especially SSD’s as they can go where YOU want, or even customize the plate.
The complete album will be uploaded on another date, but if you’re curious about how I approach the build, then check out my build log at OverclockersUK
Motherboard: Gigabyte UK Sniper M5 (mATX)
RAM: 2x 4GB Kingston HyperX Beast 2400Mhz
PSU: BitFenix Fury 750G with custom sleeved cables
Radiator 1: Darkside Computer Modding – Dual LP240 Extra Slim Radiator
Radiator 2: Darkside Computer Modding – Dual LP360 Extra Slim Radiator
Fans: Noiseblocker eLoop 120mm
Reservoir: EK Water Blocks-XRES D5
Fittings: Bitspower Multi Links + few misc for fill/drain
Tubing: PETG tubing clear
GPU Block: Alphacool.com GPX M05 270 MSI 270X
Sleeving: Telios Self Sleeved
Other: E22 FG01 Fan grilles 1×240, 1x 360
It’s time to wrap and deliver my verdict on the HEX HEAR R40. Price, price and price is likely to the single off putting factor about this product for some. I will be completely honest, I had some reservations too. I personally followed the launch of the R40 on social media for a long time, and when the price was finally announced I was slightly disappointed. Let us realistic here about a few things. First of all, this a new company and I highly suspect over time the price will drop, tooling and production costs will be improved, and that’ll be passed onto the consumers
Above all, it’s all about the materials that HEX GEAR have chosen for the R40, sure it could have be made with thinner and cheaper materials, but as they said in their about page
We wanted something that was built as a tank, while still maintaining a clean design, and a small footprint. On top of all this, watercooling options and internal aesthetics needed to meet the high standards that we both demands of our daily work horses.
They didn’t want to go down that road, The R40 is meant to be built like a tank, and it really is. This product will last a lifetime, it’s not just about the sheet thickness and weight though, which yes are apparent and alone do warrant the more premium price tag. It’s the sheer quality overall. As I said during the unboxing stage, there was not a single flaw in sight, the cuts, the paint, the bundle, and even the packaging method oozes pure class and premium.
In terms of design I think it’s fantastic, and clearly from a modders mindset because their is a ton of scope for modifying even further, and making the R40 your own. You could achieve something unique with very little effort, because of the general simplicity, and panel design. Let’s say you change your build and want a new colour scheme? Simply purchase the accent pack and you’re done. Want a custom front panel, or top or side panel window?… it’s totally doable, either modding what’s already here or having something custom made up. HEX GEAR has a few add-on pieces for the R40 available here, and perhaps in the future even more may be added
Out of the box The R40 is unique and eye catching, ideal for LAN’s despite its weight. Really though is a perfect blank canvas, with a ton of scope to modify and make it your own.
Based on everything, I must grant the Design and Silver award. While I understand the need for the price point, it’s just to much for most. Had it been a touch cheaper, I would have gone with Gold.
HEX GEAR R40 Case Review HEX GEAR R40 Case Review. Today we examine a very unique product from the recently launched company…
