The CM 690 II Advanced Case Thread

[Sproinket]

I'm looking forward to pictures of your side window. For me, I did a window mod once and it took me about 4 hours to get it right. I ran through 3 cut off wheels and used a jigsaw and a Dremel so it was a learning process. The results were pretty good, but for me the cost of my time was actually more expensive than $40. I am sure now that I have that experience I could do a window mod in half the time, but I think comparatively for the time saved, $30 USD plus shipping for a pre made window is pretty good. I think in general when modding, a lot of modders discount the value of their time. I'm glad modding comes pretty easily for you.

I agree with you there on alot of points.

Doing a simple Window mod like that can be pretty darn difficult for people who have no clue what a jigsaw may be or an electric cut off wheel is for that matter. I know when I was younger when working with my father on cars, I was afraid of doing the most smallest task since I never held those kind of tools before.

However luckily he's been doing body work for roughly 28+ years and I've been working with him on the side for a bit while. He doesn't have a dremel but that's not a big deal since it's really only needed for the initial cut in the panel, which will be done with the cut off wheel.

I 40$ shipped a good amount for a Side panel Window for the CM 690 Advanced? To me, no since I know I can easily make almost 4 side panels at that price. But for those who don't want to learn or already have a fair idea of how to make one, then sure it's not a bad deal at all.

But I still see it as expensive simply because there are plenty of DIY videos out there for Window mods that one can easily follow and save themselves the cash. But like you said, it may take them time to complete and can be prone to permanent mistakes. And as I said, some people just arn't comfortable with the tools needed to do a job like that so it's also a deterring factor.

None the less, I'll be making that Project log post tomorrow evening and briefly describing alot of ideas that will hopefully turn into things with it. The Phenom 965, 790fx board and Toxic 5850 should be here then.

If not, I'll be pissed since they are calling for yet ANOTHER snow storm here in PA which may/could delay shipping although the package is already in PA so I have hope!

I am very excited to post the project log as well and to let others who are interested in it follow along.

While I am not new to overall "Handy" work, Body work and general metal work...I have never done any sort of modding to my PC Rigs now OCing, so this in itself is new chartered land for me as well. However I have the confidence to know that the more simpler things will not be a mess like the Window mod and WV System....OCing on the other hand is something I'll be reading a shit ton about and probably posting a boat load more questions about haha.

Edited to add: I still don't know yet whether or not I want to add in the two fan mounts/holes into the Window that are found on the stock side panel. I'm sure they are good to have there for the extra fans, but at the same time could turn out to be tacky if they are there and not used etc, since I always like my builds to be as clean and organized as they can be. I think I'll be ok without them since the case still has good air flow, and I can always add them in down the road so long as I keep the cut outs as a diagram for the new holes

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

It's all relative related to your skills and, yes, how much time and effort expended. Significantly more if you don't have experience.

The "pro" I referred to was CyberDruid, btw.

 

[Icejon]

I agree with you there on alot of points.

Edited to add: I still don't know yet whether or not I want to add in the two fan mounts/holes into the Window that are found on the stock side panel. I'm sure they are good to have there for the extra fans, but at the same time could turn out to be tacky if they are there and not used etc, since I always like my builds to be as clean and organized as they can be. I think I'll be ok without them since the case still has good air flow, and I can always add them in down the road so long as I keep the cut outs as a diagram for the new holes

I agree with your points. It's really a nice thing to be able to use tools. About the side window fan areas, I guess it depends on what kind of fan you have needed on the side. For me I don't have something sharp enough to cut a nice 120mm hole exactly on center. I would say keep the fan hole where the Cooler Master engineers put it. I think in that position it would help the GPU cooling a great deal.

 

[Icejon]

Ooh,

Guy's the CM 690 II Basic just landed on the web! Its awesome for the price and has some of the same features that we have on our advanced.

It's about $79.99 which totally beats the pants off NZXT, Thermaltake, Antec chassis at that price range.

Newegg
NCIX

Compared to Advanced:

- No X-dock HDD Hot Swap
- No top fan
- No GPU retention holder
- No front 140mm fan (replaced with 120mm)
- Cardboard box instead of printed box
- Not so many tool free ODD
- No 3.5" front panel adapter
- No 2 in 1 SSD drive tray

It keeps
- Modular removable hard drive bays
- Filters all around
- Black interior
- Everything else

 

[Sproinket]

On the rig as I type. Pics will be uploaded tomorrow since it's super late and the Project shall begin

 

[OVRKIL]

Yea, I added in shipping to the total estimate. For me it's like just over 40 shipped.

A "professional" modder is basically an overused name for someone who dabbles around with that stuff.

Granted some modding is indeed more of an art form and does take some experience....Taping off a side panel and using double adhesive mounting tape to put on a piece of clear window is not by all means a professional only job.

My window mod is going to cost me about 3 dollars to do. And that's only because the piece I am using for my window is 3 dollars....16 dollars for a much larger piece that I could probably make 4 windows out of.

If I were to charge someone for a window mod job, I'd probably quote them at like 30-40 dollars shipped, depending on window size and cut-out design.

My design cut-out isn't your normal Square/Round window. Not that it takes extra skill to cut, it's just not a complete symmetrical cut.

Nothing a Cut off wheel, or in the case of not having any sort of cut off wheel or dremel, a sharp nail and hammer will work just as well...Then use the jigsaw and walla.

The problem I think with most window mods is the material being used. Stuff that you really don't need to use since there are things out there cheaper than acrylic, almost as sturdy as acrylic but has some flex to it and is capable of being drilled into for fan holes.

This week, I'll upload a pic of my window panel once I start my Project log. Right now I'm just waiting on my last 3 pieces, putting everything together to make sure it works...Then starting the Mod process

I bought a window kit for about $24 shipped and I thoroughly enjoyed modding my side panel. I'm quite the amateur when it comes to modding, but if I can save myself a buck and learn something in the process, then thats fine by me. Plus I got to choose the exact window config I wanted, although I ran into a few snags with the side panel...there's a small gap in the upper left from a screw hole, eventually I fill it somehow.

 

[OVRKIL]

I got some more pics ready and some design changes...I decided to do a little experiment, I moved my Corsair H50 towards the front of the case and mounted it on the outside of the HDD cage. Now I'm working on a custom "wind tunnel" to isolate the airflow from the from 140mm intake fan on the front...Luckily, at the moment I only plan on having a single HDD, so my mounting options are flexible. I may mount it below the air tunnel and alter the tunnel so it directs some air over the top of the drive. Also, I decided to try a push/pull setup for the H50. I barely have enough room for my power connection to my graphics card and I'll be adding a 2nd card soon, it's gonna be tight!! Enough typing, here's the pics...

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Lookin good!

 

[dr.rooke84]

lol in the photo of the cm690 cases do i see a imac in the back ground or is it just the mouse.

 

[dr.rooke84]

http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/2535.html

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

lol in the photo of the cm690 cases do i see a imac in the back ground or is it just the mouse.

That is the mouse and keyboard for my G5 tower. Got it free from work actually as the case got crushed by Fed Ex and I got us paid for them after an initial denial because my company spent $6 million on Fed Ex shipping last year alone . If you have ever scene a more recent Mac tower you realize what a jaw dropper that was. Those things are sturdy, man. They must have put a fork lift on top of the box.

 

[OVRKIL]

I finally rec'd my remaining parts and my new PC is complete!! It just needs some tweaking as I've entered new territory with Core i7 and CrossfireX. Here's some more pics of the final build...the last picture is of my socket 478 Abit Ic7-MAX3 based PC that I've been running strong for 7 years and now I'm gonna rebuild and use it as back up/media/network PC.

 

[Chicken Patty]

I finally rec'd my remaining parts and my new PC is complete!! It just needs some tweaking as I've entered new territory with Core i7 and CrossfireX. Here's some more pics of the final build...the last picture is of my socket 478 Abit Ic7-MAX3 based PC that I've been running strong for 7 years and now I'm gonna rebuild and use it as back up/media/network PC.

That looks awesome bro. How do you like the c/f with the i7?

 

[OVRKIL]

That looks awesome bro. How do you like the c/f with the i7?

Don't know yet...I was so anxious to play a new game on it, I haven't done any testing. I think there may be some issues with my graphics set up. I was playing Mass Effect 2 and I saw some artifacts in the textures. I think I may have only installed drivers for a single card, or does it even matter!? I found some Crossfire guides while browsing here at work, I'll check'em out at home and do some troubleshooting and tweaking.

 

[(FIH) The Don]

try at delete your drivers with driversweeper, and then get the 10.3a beta, http://sites.amd.com/us/underground/tips/Pages/catalyst-10-3-preview.aspx

and see if that helps you

 

[Chicken Patty]

Don't know yet...I was so anxious to play a new game on it, I haven't done any testing. I think there may be some issues with my graphics set up. I was playing Mass Effect 2 and I saw some artifacts in the textures. I think I may have only installed drivers for a single card, or does it even matter!? I found some Crossfire guides while browsing here at work, I'll check'em out at home and do some troubleshooting and tweaking.

Try using this method in this guide, worked great for me

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=51219

 

[Binge]

Recently chose the CM690 II Advanced as the case to house my revised i7 build. I've taken a few pictures to show exactly what I've been able to accomplish with the space/features. Any suggestions are welcome

CPU and Cooler are OTW expected 3/22

Great case, plain and sharp. Creeper PC You'll never see her coming.

I'm really glad I don't own a 5870 or 5970. It would require some modding.

Foam affixed behind the side fan mounts to keep out dust from getting in these un-used ports.

The case has more than enough space for cable management/routing, but I do wish it had a bit more width behind the mobo tray.

140mm front fan (stock), but shows a front 140mm rad could be used.

Top dual 140/120mm fan mounts. Amazing solution for watercooling

Bottom dual 140/120mm fan mounts. More watercooling possibilities I love this case. Installed a 120mm yate for more air intake to the case.

I like the looks of these trays and the minimal materials used in construction, but I would have liked them hot-swappable.

 

[Chicken Patty]

good observations binge, I've been eyeballin' this case for a while now.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Looking good Binge thanks for sharing...

 

[Kantastic]

Recently chose the CM690 II Advanced as the case to house my revised i7 build. I've taken a few pictures to show exactly what I've been able to accomplish with the space/features. Any suggestions are welcome

CPU and Cooler are OTW expected 3/22

Great case, plain and sharp. Creeper PC You'll never see her coming.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0608.jpg

I'm really glad I don't own a 5870 or 5970. It would require some modding.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0611.jpg

Foam affixed behind the side fan mounts to keep out dust from getting in these un-used ports.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0607.jpg

The case has more than enough space for cable management/routing, but I do wish it had a bit more width behind the mobo tray.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0606.jpg

140mm front fan (stock), but shows a front 140mm rad could be used.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0605.jpg

Top dual 140/120mm fan mounts. Amazing solution for watercooling
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0603.jpg

Bottom dual 140/120mm fan mounts. More watercooling possibilities I love this case. Installed a 120mm yate for more air intake to the case.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0602.jpg

I like the looks of these trays and the minimal materials used in construction, but I would have liked them hot-swappable.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0601.jpg

Binge, would it be possible to fit a dual rad in the front while retaining the 2 hard drive bays and also having room for a bottom rad? Something like putting a rad where the 140mm fan is and putting the rad fans between the front of the case (metal part) and front panel?

 

[Binge]

Binge, would it be possible to fit a dual rad in the front while retaining the 2 hard drive bays and also having room for a bottom rad? Something like putting a rad where the 140mm fan is and putting the rad fans between the front of the case (metal part) and front panel?

There's no way to put a dual rad in the front without some serious modding. I don't see why you wouldn't just put duals down on the bottom and then up top except that one rad would get the warm exhaust from your rig. You'd be VERY surprised what a (front intake)140mm rad and a (bottom intake)280mm rad can accomplish! It's really astounding. Technically you'd beat a 5x120mm rad with less surface area O.O Isn't that nuts?

 

[_33]

I'm really glad I don't own a 5870 or 5970. It would require some modding.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu239/BiNGEaNiNjA/IMG_0611.jpg

I don't agree! The 5870 has it's PCI-E connectors on the top, compared to your card. What is your card btw, is it the 5770?

 

[Kantastic]

There's no way to put a dual rad in the front without some serious modding. I don't see why you wouldn't just put duals down on the bottom and then up top except that one rad would get the warm exhaust from your rig. You'd be VERY surprised what a (front intake)140mm rad and a (bottom intake)280mm rad can accomplish! It's really astounding. Technically you'd beat a 5x120mm rad with less surface area O.O Isn't that nuts?

So let me get this straight, it IS possible to put 3 rads in the case, except the front intake being 1x140mm?

 

[Binge]

So let me get this straight, it IS possible to put 3 rads in the case, except the front intake being 1x140mm?

4 rads. 2x280mm rads(top/bottom), 1x140mm(front), 1x120(rear)

::EDIT:: Technically with something like a radbox you could mount a much larger radiator on the back because there are inlets for water tubing on the back of the case.

@_33- It's a 5850. Good observation on the 5870, but it'd still be too long for this case IMHO. Not that it wouldn't fit, but that it's just large and this case isn't long.

 

[_33]

@_33- It's a 5850. Good observation on the 5870, but it'd still be too long for this case IMHO. Not that it wouldn't fit, but that it's just large and this case isn't long.

Listen I also have this case, and I know because I measured that it has 12 inches clearance for the expansion cards. The Radeon HD5870 is 11.1 inches long, and the PCI-E connectors are on the side. There is absolutely NO reason why it shouldn't fit. And I'm just waitying for the guy that has a CM 690 II Advanced and owns a HD5870 to prove you wrong, because you are.

Oh and if you're so stuck on your beliefs, why don't you go check this thread and tell them all how you think the HD5870 doesn't fit in the CM 690 cases in general and for what reason it doesn't fit: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=106242