Antec 300 Illusion vs Cooler Master 690

I'm looking to get one of these cases for my new rig, but am not sure which one to get. Both are $79.99 on Newegg.ca: the Illusion has more fans and its LEDs appeal to me, while the CM 690 is a tad bigger.

The Illusion is 18" x 18.3" x 8.1" while the CM 690 is 20.7" x 8.4" x 19". My specs will probably be the following:

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX - Retail

XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7K2/4G - Retail

Sony Optiarc 20X DVD±R Burner Black IDE Model AD-7200A-0B - OEM

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail

I would like the Antec, however if the 4870 is too big and would fit better in the CM 690, then I have no problem choosing it. Apart from that, does everything else look good?

The CM 690 FTW.04dcarraher

I have the CM 690 and I love it!

But... the cable holders aren't too good. One of them blocks two of the SATA ports on my MoBo, and another is in the way of my GPU, os I had to cut it off.

And the toolless clamps that are supposed to support the GPU and other PCIe cards did not fit on my GTX 275.

I had to cut those down as well. And the "multimedia panel" is on the top, so if you're gonna use them a lot, you don't want it to be under a desk.

But other than that, it's a great case, that's looks gorgeous, and and it fits my stuff.

And as the guy above me said, it's pretty damn cold to sit next to it.

My old Pentium 4 computer turned my room into an oven, but this thing is like an AC.

I have the CM 690 and I love it!

But... the cable holders aren't too good. One of them blocks two of the SATA ports on my MoBo, and another is in the way of my GPU, os I had to cut it off.

And the toolless clamps that are supposed to support the GPU and other PCIe cards did not fit on my GTX 275.

I had to cut those down as well. And the "multimedia panel" is on the top, so if you're gonna use them a lot, you don't want it to be under a desk.

But other than that, it's a great case, that's looks gorgeous, and and it fits my stuff.

I was "forced" the side panel window. I actually wanted it without it, and there was no indication on the box, that it came with the window panel. But what can you do? And I'm warming up to it.Antisimal

I'm about to buy the cm 690 too, it looks like the better case to me. BTW do you know if Cooler Master provides a mesh dvd drive cover or is it left exposed?

I'm about to buy the cm 690 too, it looks like the better case to me. BTW do you know if Cooler Master provides a mesh dvd drive cover or is it left exposed?

powerslide67

I would go with the illusion personally because I'm not a big fan of coolmaster, IMO it just seems the antec 300 gives you the most for your money while with the cm 690 doesn't.Recontrooper

[QUOTE="Antisimal"]I was "forced" the side panel window. I actually wanted it without it, and there was no indication on the box, that it came with the window panel. But what can you do? And I'm warming up to it.Marfoo

[QUOTE="Recontrooper"]I would go with the illusion personally because I'm not a big fan of coolmaster, IMO it just seems the antec 300 gives you the most for your money while with the cm 690 doesn't.Marfoo

Well I didn't say the 690 was bad I just don't perfer it. For one sure you can add lots of fans, but I'm saying for what you get with the illusion is way better stock cooling. With the 300 you get 3 120mm like the cm 690 plus a great 140mm on top. I don't want to get into a big debate I just feel antec makes more quality products. I look at the 690 yes it looks nice though it has its flaws just like the 300 That's just my thought, I would go for the 300.

Well I didn't say the 690 was bad I just don't perfer it. For one sure you can add lots of fans, but I'm saying for what you get with the illusion is way better stock cooling. With the 300 you get 3 120mm like the cm 690 plus a great 140mm on top. I don't want to get into a big debate I just feel antec makes more quality products. I look at the 690 yes it looks nice though it has its flaws just like the 300 That's just my thought, I would go for the 300.

Recontrooper

Okay, so the CM 690 seems to be the better choice. I don't plan on buying any other fans (unless they are needed for some reason down the road), nor do I plan to buy any LEDs (unless I get really bored with the case one day and decide to spice it up a bit). If I do buy any fans, how many more can I get in there, and of what size(s)?

you can add up to 4 120mm fan, and you can get them for $12 here

what a coincidence tho i was planning on getting it too and i have a post up about it, if u want any more votes id go for the cm690, i dont think anyone mentioned the tool less design as one of the positives which i find is pretty neat :)

i love my antec 300, plenty of room, simple design, easy to work with, everything is nice and cool.