Help me choose... Antec 300 vs. Coolermaster 590

[cyborg28]

Need help choosing.

Best reasons for the coolermaster I can think of are the 2 to 120 mm fan holes which look perfect for watercooling (very long term, probably never), no hard to find 140 mm fan like the antec, and a front 1384 port.

Best reasons for the antec, it's an antec, price, appearance, hinged front panel and fan mounts.

I want to use this with an earthwatts 500 that I already have, so the ATX main 24 pin power cable length may be an issue.

http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?act=detail&id=3927

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15300

 

[ausch30]

The Cooler Master RC690 is an outstanding case at a very inexpensive price although a little higher than the ones your looking at.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

If I had to choose between the two you listed I would go with the Cooler Master but you should really look at the 690.

 

[runswindows95]

<also agrees with ausch30

 

[badge]

I've built with the Coolermaster Centurion and more recently with the Antec 300. Both have excellent cooling capabilities with the mesh front panels. I got the Antec 300 for $49 about 10 days ago. Great price, great case. The 300 has the PSU mounted in the bottom of the case, so make sure you have a PSU with a long 24 pin and 4/8 pin 12v leads. The Antec 300 takes it. I also looked at the Coolermaster 690 at Fry's. It's a very nice nice case I would like to buy soon. Can't go wrong there.

 

[dratsabizan]

<also agrees with ausch30 and runswindows95
I have this case. It can hold alot of fans,a lot of space for all components. EXCELLENT AIR FLOW!
Very easy for wire mgmt.

 

[cyborg28]

Other than Front Port Placement and Cosmetic Differences what is the difference between the 590 and 690? ( I like the look & port placement of the 590 better)

 

[halcyon]

...but you should really look at the 690.

+1

You may also want to look at the Thermaltake M9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133059 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133058

 

[royalcrown]

coolermaster, because you get the firewire port too. DAMN, I woulda bought one of those instead of my 532 if they had em at newegg !

 

[royalcrown]

+1

You may also want to look at the Thermaltake M9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133059 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133058

-1..Thermaltake = FUGLY !

 

[cyborg28]

Not a fan of Thermaltake Cases.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 590 & A 690?!?!?!?

Please.... Somebody... Anybody?

...It's my thread and I'll shout if I want to, shout if I want too....

 

[runswindows95]

The 690 is bigger and comes with an extra fan.

 

[royalcrown]

As far as the main cable length don't worry...you can safely use an extension.

example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812162006

 

[cyborg28]

As far as the main cable length don't worry...you can safely use an extension.

Aaargh! Will I need to? Will the smaller 590 reduce the chances of this? I WILL NEVER run CF or SLI & I have a server for storage.

Why the heck to these cases not come with these if it is a regular issue?

 

[Andrius]

The 690 is bigger and comes with an extra fan.

I think they use the same sidepanels (so I'm not sure about the size difference).
The 590 has a 4 drive cage while the 690 has 5 trays for HDDs.
The 590 also lacks cable management (stock) but you can always do it yourself.
The rest is details like foam padding for PSU on the 690 and the plastic trim on top of the 690.

 

[rockyjohn]

If you are planning on getting the 300 at newegg for $70, you might consider spending an extra $10 to get the Antec 900 for $80 after $40.00 in rebates. For $10 more you are getting another $50 of case - and it is considered an excellent case. You might not need the extra size now, but you might grow into it. The nice thing about cases is that they can last a little longer than a cpu - and take you through several generations.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

 

[halcyon]

That's why I wish the Lian-Li A70 I got ~month ago was less expensive. I wish more people could get to experience that kind of quality. Anywho, I'd pick the Antec 300 over the 900 even if the 900 was cheaper than the 300, but I know the 900 is a popular "gamers" case.

 

[godless]

i strongly recommend the cooler master cm 690 case.

 

[husky mctarflash]

If you are planning on getting the 300 at newegg for $70, you might consider spending an extra $10 to get the Antec 900 for $80 after $40.00 in rebates. For $10 more you are getting another $50 of case - and it is considered an excellent case. You might not need the extra size now, but you might grow into it. The nice thing about cases is that they can last a little longer than a cpu - and take you through several generations.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

I would say the Coolermaster. But if the Antec is on sale--GRAB IT! Aim for the top, and then have no regrets!!!

 

[cyborg28]

I'm in Canada so No NewEgg for me.

CM 690 will be $75, Antec 900 $100, CM 590 $70, Antec 300 $55.

I don't need the space, this rig was in an Ultra MiroFly SFF

I'm looking for Cooling, efficient use of space, front (not top) ports & conservative good looks.
The only thing the 690 has going for it for me is Cable Management. Something the 300 & 590 lack.

I find the thought of water cooling intriguing but will probably never do it. I take my rig apart way too often.

This won't have anything over an *600 (1600/2600/7600/8600/9600) series video card in it. Midrange price/performance in 3D is fine for me.

*EDIT*

Vote People! Over 200 views and under 10 votes. For Shame! Come on and exercise your democratic right (to slightly influence my highly biased decision).

 

[husky mctarflash]

CM 690 is a classic. I actually bought it on sale over the Antec 900--but Microcenter stiffed me a week later and canceled my order saying they were out of product6. I see it as a functional equivalent to the 900--slightly different, with different strengths and weaknesses, but excellent either way.

I got the '900 and am happy. But my brother DID manage to get the 690 and he is happy with it. I think the 690 looks a bit better, and I suspect it is built a bit better.

I know you have to draw the line somewhere, but the 590 is a no-brainer over the 300, and for $5, the 690 is DEFINITELY a no-brainer over the 590. Get the 690 and don't look back!!!

 

[royalcrown]

The cooler masters have PLENTY of space ...you're worryin bout nothin'

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9163/dsci0047qb1.jpg

look, here is my full size atx board in my cooler master 532.

 

[halcyon]

I'm looking for Cooling, efficient use of space, front (not top) ports & conservative good looks.

In my mind you've just described this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112068 or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

All aluminum, so you have the entire case acting as a heatsink, light, and with "conservative good looks".

 

[rozar]

Antec 300 all the way. I do also like Coolermaster too but that Antec 300 is very nice. I have 5 - 120mm fans (inc CPU) in mine with the 140mm in the top.

 

[husky mctarflash]

Rozar has a good point, but probably not what he intended: by the time you add the extra fans, you are at the same point as the Antec 900 (which already comes with 3 x 120mm, and 1 x 200mm fan.) 590 has 2 x 120mm, 690 has 3.

 

[cyborg28]

In my mind you've just described this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112068 or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

All aluminum, so you have the entire case acting as a heatsink, light, and with "conservative good looks".

Not a fan of aluminum after the MicroFly, I found it light to the point of flimsy, the expensive material and focus on weight pushes manufacturers to skimp. Also the LianLi is a little too plain (read boxy) and has a top mount PSU.

It is down to the two CMs and the 300. I am not concerned about space. Just the length of my 24pin power cable.