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Cooler Master CM690 owners, enter here:

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djohn3853

Member
I just got my CM690. I don't have all my components yet, so I haven't really done much of
anything with the case yet. But I do have a couple of first impressions and a question or 2.

My first impression was when I saw the box and thought,'Wow thats huge'. After taking the
case out of the box, it doesn't seem quite so huge, but its still a good 2" longer, front to
back than my Antec SLK3700AMB. Width and height are about the same.

Next, I started to take off one of the sides and the little thumb screw came out and fell to the
floor. On my Antec they are captured, and now I realize I like that feature. Its minor, I
know, but i'm just giving my first impressions.

The plastic slide out trays for the hdd feel flimsy but you don't have to use screws to hold
the hd in so that looks kind of cool.

As to cooling, I do plan to oc my E8400 (which I haven't bought yet) and I've picked out
the Xigmatek 1283. Does everyone have enough cooling with the 3 supplied fans or have
you had to add more?

Anyway, just like to hear from other owners of the CM690.
 
I never had to use only the stock fans on my RC 690 since I added 3x Yate Loon HS 120mms right when I got it. However I must say in comparison to some other cases my friends run at LAN parties, I can comfortably say I could remove the YLs and still have better cooling than they do. Admittedly they're the type that chose form over function. 😛

Honestly, I am so happy with my RC 690 that the only case in the entire world I'd trade it for is a HAF. 🙂
 
I put some YL 140mm in mine, on the top and bottom, left the stock LCD fan in the front, put a high-CFM silverstone fan in the rear. I've got all the fans at low speed on a fan controller, and they still move a ton of air. I suspect you get a lot of movement with the stock fans.
 
I had a 690 for a while and there are a few problems that you can remedy if you wish and/or find it necessary: the top plastic bezel is pretty restrictive to air, so if you plan to use one of the top fan positions, you'll need to open up the bezel's breathing a bit (the ports toward the rear that look like vents but aren't could be opened to become actual vents) The top fan locations are usually not needed anyway. The front panel cabling shields aren't properly grounded at the case end (should ideally be grounded at both ends). I think I made a thread about the latter issue here which has pix of the way I fixed mine. I think I located the stock fans in front and bottom (as both of those spots have a bit of filtration) and added one stronger fan at the rear - can't remember if it was a Yate Loon 120 Medium speed or a Silverstone OEM fan I had kicking around. Similar should keep most systems cool. Also be aware that the fan grills in the case metal are weak points - the case isn't of the strongest metal to begin with so don't put any stress on the grill areas.

.bh.
 
I loved it, I used all 7 fans, all yate-loons. With a fan controller it was still pretty quiet. I traded it in for a Silverstone FT01, while build quality is completely on another level, I have to say the cooling in CM690 was a bit better, at least for the video card.
 
I like my CM690 very much. The one thing I experience from time to time is the grounding issue described by Zepper with the ports at the top (USB/audio/ESATA). The other issue is the 2 fan grills on the case door - if I leave my fans spinning full-speed it makes a buzzing noise. I tried some suggestions and sanded them down but still no use so I spin the 2 fans down and no more buzzing noise.

I couldn't get Yate Loons at my local computer store so I bought Arctic Cooling AF12 PWM fans for the back and top and they're cool and quiet (although 120mm). Using the 3 stock fans for the 2 sides and the front.

Other than that, the case is very roomy, good air-flow, and the "holed-pattern" design at the front and top allow the case to breathe a little more than other solid designs.
 
I love my 690. For the money, it's one of the best cases out there IMO. I'm using the stock fans without complaint tho I moved the one fan from the stock side location to the top-rear - needed clearance for the Accelero S1. The case keeps everything running cool and quiet with plenty of room for big CPU coolers, passive GPU coolers and long graphics cards. And the design is clean/simple.

I say stick with the stock fans for now and see how your E8400 fairs. They should be plenty unless you 1) want quieter fans (not that the stock ones are loud) or 2) go for a crazy OC and install a bunch of other components that generate a ton of heat.
 
Originally posted by: zerogear
I loved it, I used all 7 fans, all yate-loons. With a fan controller it was still pretty quiet. I traded it in for a Silverstone FT01, while build quality is completely on another level, I have to say the cooling in CM690 was a bit better, at least for the video card.
Click to expand...

How is cpu temp compared? Iam considering this or the Thermaltake Element S instead of my Lian Li V2110B which have no airflow and then using the Lian Li for my server instead.
 
I'm very happy with mine for the price ($70 CND) i got it for last year.

I don't find the stock fans bad, but i prefer my Noctuas, so i swapped out all of them & pretty much filled up the case with Noctuas.
Front, one on the side, two on top, & one on the back.
And one on my TR Ultima 90.

I only run a Celeron E1200 in there, & even OCed, it's not a very hot chip, so it's not the best gauge of temps, but i have no complaints & am confident a better hotter CPU would be just fine as well, for sure if you add the extra fans.

TBH the new TT Element looks really nice...i'm pretty sure i'd consider it a better case.
But AFAIK it's pricier too.
 
I havent found the Element S in Denmark yet, but I think I will get that one if it decides to show up.
 
Originally posted by: Mech0z
Is there space enough to have fans on the side and have a big CPU cooler (160mm high)
Click to expand...

You can't use a fan in the upper slot with heatsinks like the TRUE but who would anyway? You can use the other slot as intake for the GPU even with the TRUE.
 
You don't want fans above a cross flow CPU cooler anyway as they would work at cross purposes. The general flow pattern in a case should be in sync with the flow through the CPU cooler unless the CPU cooler has an independent source of air (e.g a duct).

.bh.
 
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