Replacement for CM RC 690

[ExcaliburMM]

Sup Cases and Cooling,
My trusty RC 690 has seen better days. Its scratched up a good bit, I broke one of the top USB connectors, and even after I clean it out it just doesn't look so nice anymore. It was a roomy, well cooled, and good looking case by my tastes. But it was never convenient. It always seemed to me like the designers didn't consider a lot of things in regards to edges, HDD mounts, cable routing, and things like that.

So I'm coming here to get suggestions for a replacement. But I don't want just any case, and I've been trying to think of a criteria that really defines what I'm looking for. And I'm not sure its something I can just list easily in bullet points.

For price, I want to spend over 100$, usually people state a maximum not a minimum, but I know I'm looking for a premier case. A Lian-Li, a Silverstone, or going further down maybe an Antec Performance One like the P193 which is one of my current considerations. I'd not like to spend any more than I have to, but I want a quality case and I want that to show both in the exterior and the interior, and especially when I'm working with it.

I want to be able to accommodate at least 4 120mm or 140mm fans. Front intake, back outtake, side intake, and a top outtake would be ideal. But a double front/side or top isn't going to change much, its just a configuration. The main point is I don't want any dead heat spots. Good airflow is a must. I'd also like the case to have its own dust filters.

I'm not a fan of multiple LEDs, and I'm looking for something more sleek and refined rather than wow factor, that whole side panel windows and door made of fans sort of thing just isn't my style.

Finally, it needs to be big enough to accommodate my 920/4870/general ATX rigg without being cramped. I'm probably getting a new, modular PSU so if the case happens to have a lack of room to hide cables that shouldn't be a big deal.

That's about it. If I could get some recommendations on what I should consider, that'd be great. As of right now, the only thing on my radar is the P193 which I like a lot.

 

[modestninja]

Check out the Silverstone FT02. It's got excellent cooling (the mobo is tilted 90 degrees so the airflow is top to bottom). It's got positive pressure meaning the only air coming in is through the dust filters so it stays relatively dust free. It's got plenty of cutouts that you can route cable through. It's very quiet for the amount of airflow (SPCR gave it a good review). It's very nice looking in an understated way (IMO) and both interior and exterior look and feel well made

The negatives are that it's ~$230, it's very long for a mid tower (think full tower turned sideways) and the top 5 1/4 bay doesn't fit long drives.

Anyway, check it out:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=FT02&area=usa

Also, the cheapest place I found the case was at Amazon since they have free shipping.

If you want to spend less and get pretty much all the above features (although less good looking) check out the Silverstone RV02. Same basic design, but a different exterior. It actually looks better in real life than in the pictures:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/index.php?model=RV02&area=usa

 

[faxon]

why not consider the 690 II advanced? they fixed most of the issues i had with the 690 i had before i gave it to a friend, running my second milkyway box in it now

 

[ExcaliburMM]

@modestninja
I've checked out the RV02. It looks nice and the model with the side panel window is one of the few windowed cases that I didn't think was tacky. Its certainly one I'll look into, but I'd be much more inclined if I could find one on sale. The case price itself doesn't seem so bad but most places want an arm and a leg shipping it. Though since its a case I can understand, heavy things.

@faxon
I've looked into the 690 II Adv, and although its nice and fixes some of the issues I had with the 690, it just doesn't have that sleek factor I want this time around.

And speaking of sleek, I'm looking into the NZXT Whisper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146051

I think its a really nice looking case, and because its so plain, I'm considering modding it a bit. Its a full tower and I could probably mount rads or just add some side fan slots with little effort. Definitely a sort of blank canvas case that's very open to personalization. And the price tags nice too.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I upgraded my wife's comp from a 690 to a haf 922. The cm690 was a great case and it's still good but it was starting to show it's age(design wise). Building in the haf 922 was a delight. Airflow is great and it's pretty quiet too. The front led fan can be run with or without the red led via a button on the top. It's a great upgrade from a 690. If your looking for a superb case and has that blank canvas appeal try the cm atcs 840. Here's mine.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

I purchased the CoolerMaster Cosmos case for a song a couple of years ago. Bought it for $200 with a $100 MiR, so basically $100 (the rebate came within a week of sending it out too!). It will probably be the last case I ever buy. So easy to work in. Great airflow. Quiet. The only verrrry minor gripe I have with it is that the hard drives are mounted vertically with no hot-swappable plate in the back.

 

[modestninja]

@modestninja
I've checked out the RV02. It looks nice and the model with the side panel window is one of the few windowed cases that I didn't think was tacky. Its certainly one I'll look into, but I'd be much more inclined if I could find one on sale. The case price itself doesn't seem so bad but most places want an arm and a leg shipping it. Though since its a case I can understand, heavy things.

@faxon
I've looked into the 690 II Adv, and although its nice and fixes some of the issues I had with the 690, it just doesn't have that sleek factor I want this time around.

And speaking of sleek, I'm looking into the NZXT Whisper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146051

I think its a really nice looking case, and because its so plain, I'm considering modding it a bit. Its a full tower and I could probably mount rads or just add some side fan slots with little effort. Definitely a sort of blank canvas case that's very open to personalization. And the price tags nice too.

I didn't see the Silverstones go on sale while I was looking to buy a case, but the RV02 is $159.99 with free shipping at Amazon which made it less than anywhere else I could find it.

A couple other cases I looked at were the ATCS 840 (I was able to see one in person at Microcenter and didn't like how thin the side panels were, but otherwise thought it was a nice case) and the Corsair 800D (it isn't as good for air cooling as the Silverstones, but is great for water cooling and is even more expensive). They did just come out with a 700D which is pretty much the same but doesn't have a side window or the hot swap bay.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

ATCS 840 looks roomy, and has that nice simple black thing going for it. Though I still think the NZXT Whisper looks a bit nicer. Definitely one to consider.

The Cosmos on the other hand, although nice, looks like a tank. And there's some good and bad to that. I don't really plan on moving this rigg around but to me it looks like the Cosmos would be a nightmare to move any more than five feet, even with those handles. I also dislike the HDD bays and bar across the center. Don't really like it.

So right now, I'm looking at the following:
1. NZXT Whisper
2. Antec P193
3. SilverStone RV02
4. CoolerMaster ATCS 840

 

[Sentrosi2121]

The bar going across the side of the case is for the video card to aid in cooling. Think of it as a shroud helping to exhaust hot air from the card. And it is removeable. Of course, if you don't want it there, you don't have to put it in.

Like I said, the Cosmos is probably the last case I'll ever purchase. Each person has their gripes and praises about everything. This fit my build and I couldn't be happier about it.

 

[Occas]

I'm really fond of the Lian Li PC-7FN at the moment.

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=359&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62

I'm planning on using it for an i7 930, dual 5850 build soon...

May not have enough dust filters for you though...

 

[darkewaffle]

Another option is the Lian-Li PC-8FI or PC-9F. The 8FI has limited availability presently and I believe the 9F is supposed to be available in NA towards the end of this month. The 8FI is very similar to the 9F but with slightly different interior features and, imo, an uglier front grill.

I'm building a new system and was strongly considering the CM 690 II Advanced but I'm now rethinking that after doing a bit more reading, and I may just wait for the 9F to become available. It's standard with a dual front (120mm), rear (120mm), and optional top (140mm) fan; however only the powersupply intake (bottom) has it's own dust filter. I'm sure they'll release an optional side panel with vents eventually if you're really hellbent on fans too.

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/produc...ex=526&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62&g=q for the product page. Personally I think it looks great, and the pricing estimates I've seen put it at something like 130$ - 150$, but I wouldnt be surprised at a bit higher.

 

[nyker96]

my personal favorites: arrange according price.

Silverstone FT02 ($250)
Haf X ($200)
haf 932 ($150)
haf 922 ($100) or CM 690 II ($100)