I am going to build a new gaming system in the next few weeks. I am trying to decide on the case.
When considering cases the following are most important to me:
?1) Quality ? I want it to be sturdy and of good quality. No crackling and vibrating sounds, does not sit wobbly.
?2) Plenty of internal room ? I plan to get a new GTX 280 video card and want plenty of clearance for it. Also, I want room to be able to apply good cable management.
?3) Easy to install motherboard etc. Not cramped and hard to place things ? easy installation of system.
?4) Good cooling.
Currently I am looking at the Antec 900 and Cooler Master CM 690.
Antec 900
It seems really nice and has great reviews. I am concerned about it being cramp though and maybe having trouble with the new GTX 280 video card. Some users have stated the current long video cards almost hit the drive bays and that the back drive bay fan has to be removed to fit long cards. I assume the GTX 280 will be as long or longer than the longest gaming video cards out now, so I am concerned if the Antec 900 would be too cramped. And, I will be using a non-modular PSU and reviews have stated it is hard to route cables and manage their placement in the Antec 900.
Also, I had read user reviews indicating the fins on 200mm top fan break easily and the fan is hard to replace ? plus hard to find (I think you have to order from Antec.)
CM 690
The CM 690 is about 1.5 inches longer and higher than the Antec 900. That extra dimension will probably make it lot more roomy, as it is close to many full towers in size.
From looking at pictures, I am concerned about the tool-less features. The seem like nice features but the plastic fasteners on the expansion card slots seem like they might be flimsy and could break easily. Same with the hard drive holders.
Also, since the Antec 900 is known for superb cooling, but I have not found any reviews indicating how well the CM 690 cools.
Questions:
Is the Antec 900 small inside: would it present cable management problems and might be cramped with big video cards and more of a pain in mounting the motherboard?
Will the CM 690 provide noticeably more room than the Antec 900?
Are the CM 690 tool-less fasteners and hard drive bays good quality ? would they break easily?
If you add optional fans to the CM 690, will its cooling be close to the Antec 900?
Also:
Are there other cases that might be closer to meeting the important items I listed above? Full towers?
When considering cases the following are most important to me:
?1) Quality ? I want it to be sturdy and of good quality. No crackling and vibrating sounds, does not sit wobbly.
?2) Plenty of internal room ? I plan to get a new GTX 280 video card and want plenty of clearance for it. Also, I want room to be able to apply good cable management.
?3) Easy to install motherboard etc. Not cramped and hard to place things ? easy installation of system.
?4) Good cooling.
Currently I am looking at the Antec 900 and Cooler Master CM 690.
Antec 900
It seems really nice and has great reviews. I am concerned about it being cramp though and maybe having trouble with the new GTX 280 video card. Some users have stated the current long video cards almost hit the drive bays and that the back drive bay fan has to be removed to fit long cards. I assume the GTX 280 will be as long or longer than the longest gaming video cards out now, so I am concerned if the Antec 900 would be too cramped. And, I will be using a non-modular PSU and reviews have stated it is hard to route cables and manage their placement in the Antec 900.
Also, I had read user reviews indicating the fins on 200mm top fan break easily and the fan is hard to replace ? plus hard to find (I think you have to order from Antec.)
CM 690
The CM 690 is about 1.5 inches longer and higher than the Antec 900. That extra dimension will probably make it lot more roomy, as it is close to many full towers in size.
From looking at pictures, I am concerned about the tool-less features. The seem like nice features but the plastic fasteners on the expansion card slots seem like they might be flimsy and could break easily. Same with the hard drive holders.
Also, since the Antec 900 is known for superb cooling, but I have not found any reviews indicating how well the CM 690 cools.
Questions:
Is the Antec 900 small inside: would it present cable management problems and might be cramped with big video cards and more of a pain in mounting the motherboard?
Will the CM 690 provide noticeably more room than the Antec 900?
Are the CM 690 tool-less fasteners and hard drive bays good quality ? would they break easily?
If you add optional fans to the CM 690, will its cooling be close to the Antec 900?
Also:
Are there other cases that might be closer to meeting the important items I listed above? Full towers?