Which new case?

[mraquinn]

I've been looking at the HAF 922 and the Antec 902 but thinking now that they might be a bit big.

Hexus reviews recommended the Coolermaster CM-690 V2 Dominator Black Midi Tower - does anyone have one?

And will it fit an i7 + 4890?

[Pob255]

Lots of CM690's about, yes it should fit that fine.

However I'd also have a look at the Lancool K58 and K62
Very nice case.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lanco...97-Audio-ports
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lanco...97-Audio-ports

Main differences between them is that the K62 comes with LED fans, a couple fans more pre fitted, all black interia, side window and a couple of other small decorative changes.

You may also want to consider the Xigmatek Midguard, it's basically the same case as the cm690 but a different top and front panel
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigma...-Holes-w-o-PSU
Also all black interia and changed drive trays

[Flibb]

Seems to be somen ice cases around at the moment, and in a range of prices. Pondering shoving my rig in a new case later in the year. Any thoughts on the panzerbox?
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/NZXT-...r-Case-w-o-PSU

[LuckyNV]

Personally I would go with the HAF-922, price wise, features and cooling looks to be the best IMO
comes with a top 200mm fan, front 200mm fan and rear 120mm fan (pictures show a side 200mm fan that is just illustration apparently, but you can mount a further 2x120mm side or 200mm side)

with high end components you do need decent enough airflow and the 922 will provide that, plus the larger internal space will make things easier to work with.

I had a CM690 which I have passed on, at the time it cost me £50 which was cracking value given what was available back then, however its risen in price beyond my recommendations, there are only 3 120mm fans supplied, the front and top grilling is highly obstructive, build quality is suspect particularly the side panels, but overall the whole thing fits poorly together and quite rickety (like driving an old banger about to fall apart)
The Midgard is cheaper but again appears only 2 fans are supplied, no idea about build quality though.

[mraquinn]

Hmmmm...not sure. HAF 922 is great but a fair bit more. The bit-tech or Hexus review of the CM690 is really quite good.

[LuckyNV]

Its well worth the extra

[mraquinn]

To be honest, I'm not keen on how it looks either. Sure I want to play games on my new rig but I don't want it to look like it belongs in one!

[Pob255]

I really like the panzer box, both it's layout, function and looks.
There are some issues with it.
Graphics cards where the power connects on the side can be blocked by the psu, esp if you have a long psu or shorter graphics card

It's not really designed for many hard drives, one or two is fine more is not.
The mount for the hard drives is nicely designed for anti-vibration, but not so good for cooling (although hard drives don't need much cooling)

Cableing can be a bit tricky.


I would seriously look at the Lancool's Bill Owen really liked it.
http://www.casemodblog.com/?p=1103