Cooler Master CM 690 III Case Review

1. Introduction2. CM 690 III (Exterior)3. CM 690 III (Interior)4. Testing Methodology5. Thermal Dynamics6. Acoustics Performance7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

Overall, we feel the Cooler Master CM 690 III is a good chassis design, though we do have some mixed feelings.

The build quality is excellent and the whole case feels sturdy. We are confident it can withstand multiple builds without having to worry about the possibility of bits and pieces snapping off.

We quite like the more rounded design of the CM 690 III … in particular with regards to the front and top panels. Cooler Master have done a great job retaining the rather rugged, some might even say ‘industrial' appearance of the original, while doing away with any features that may distract observers.

In terms of cooling performance the CM 690 III is on par with the CM 690 II. It is safe to say the CM 690 III can easily accommodate powerful hardware without restricting airflow to critical components.

The results from our acoustics tests show that Cooler Master have certainly made the right choice by including a 200 mm front in-take fan. Not only does it reduce noise levels dramatically, it also delivers plenty of front to back airflow.

In a world without the CM 690 II we would have gladly awarded the CM 690 III our Must Have award. However as it stands we cannot help but feel that removing the external SATA and power connectors is a step back. Although some might feel that additional external SATA connectors is a gimmick, we believe they add flexibility for tasks ranging from back ups to large file transfers and even troubleshooting hard drives.

In the past year we have seen many graphics cards with large coolers that tend to sag. Although manufacturers take extra care to ensure their cards do not snap, there is something to be said for offering users peace of mind. We feel that including the graphics card support bracket found in the CM 690 II would have made the CM 690 III stand out more.

Retailing for around £80 inc vat the Cooler Master CM 690 III definitely offers great value for money. Overclockers are selling the CM 690 III with a windowed side panel for £79.99 inc vat.

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Pros:

• Excellent build quality.
• Refined design.
• Excellent cooling performance.
• Easy access to all areas during installation.

Cons:

• Removing the SATA and power connectors in the top compartment is disappointing.
• Graphics card support bracket found in the CM 690 II would have been a great addition.
• Mostly an aesthetic update.

KitGuru says:  The CM 690 III definitely is worth the money, though we would have liked to see some of the CM 690 II's key features make a return.

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