Which Case: Antec 900 or CM 690

CM 690 is about as good as it gets for $79.00.

I use this.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/prod [...] zartTX.htm

You can get the antec 1200, it should be able to fit the heatsink.

I've been considering that... but a full tower just seems too big and unnecessary for me. I'm currently planning on getting 8800GT, GA-EP35-DS3L, Corsair 750W, E7200, one hard drive, one DVD burner, etc. Not that much. It would be great if there's a mid tower with a bit more width to it.

I have built the Antec 900. It's kind of cramped. I would think the CM 690 is larger and easier to build. I have only looked at it and handled it at Fry's and I liked the case a lot. The Thermaltake Mozart I am using currently is huge. It would easily hold the HSF you want. I have 13 120mm fans in mine. Coolest running case I have built to date. I would go with the CM 690. I bought a second Antec 300 because I liiked it so much or I would definately get the CM 690.

When you think about how the motherboard is mounted in the case - yes its the width that is the factor. Other considerations are the amount of space under the motherboard tray is greater in some cases than others. That would be why one case the same size doesnt fit a HSF but another might.

The CM RC-690 doesn't have a side fan above the CPU bracket. Its lower down over the video card and you can always move that side fan to the top if you have an extra tall GPU cooler. HDT-1283 fits in the RC-690 according to the Customer Review comments.

Sounds like a good idea, HDT-SD964... Will chek it out. Right now... game time.. hehe- Thank you

I have the cm690 and a Thermalright ultra extreme 120 in and it fits just fine... cant put a fan on the door as its to close, but otherwise it fits just fine

I want that Thermaltake case myself, it would be perfect in my slot (while I love my cm690, I dont have the most convient spot for a largish case).

But would need to find a smaller mobo..........

You mention the 300, I picked up a return at my local Microcenter for $39. Couldnt find anything wrong with it, it was just a return.

My impressions is its a pretty nice case with good cooling options for only $50. I got this for my wife (had to twist her arm at that) but for the money, its not as nearly as nice or option rich as the cm690, especially considering the smallish price difference. I dont like the lack of cable management. They give you a space to hide the bulk of the wires, but no routing options for a neat layout...

@xringx
So the cable management feature for CM690 is just providing a hiding place for the bulk cables?

@badge
Do you have a fan controller for all those fans? I'm currently looking for one to use in CM690, since it could hold 7~8fans and the mobo takes only 2~3..

zerox,

the cm690 makes it fairly easy to hide the wires with space behind the motherboard tray.

Here is a blurry pic..



Badge, the case came with the extra fan.... I thought I lucked out in that someone left one in there as it was in a box, but I then realized that no one would include an extra tri cool and it was supposed to come with 3....

There is no removable motherboard tray but you have some extra room working inside the case. The 80mm thin fan mounts under the motherboard tray. Some better pictures @ hi-techreviews.com and www.hardforum.com :

I had thought you might go for the 900/HDT-S964 combo because of the lower overall price (check shipping costs, etc)
If you're going with the CM 690 you do have the S1283 option. It runs a little cooler and a little quieter.

^ I guess you're right. I wanted to have both side fans(120mm ones) on, but I guess they're not as important as the CPU cooler. And since there's little price difference, I'll go for S1283/CM690. Thx WR2!

EDIT:
Can I use this mounting bracket for S1283?
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

Yes.

Eh, I heard either it's a very, very tight fit or doesn't fit at all depending on various factors.