Raidmax Smilodon Chassis vs Coolermaster CM690 + Window

[Kuga]

So it's that time to get a new case. After hijacking some threads and getting no response, I decided to create a seperate thread.

So here we go :

Raidmax case at PCint for R 865 incl.

Coolermaster case at Digitaladdiction for R 1,020.00

What would you take?

 

[DJNgoma]

CM690

 

[nick@KABTech]

Neither, too fancy for my liking.
Unless you a LAN'r, why spend the money on a case?
It's only to show off anyways, rather spend the cash on the PC (GPU, memory etc)
Those are the more important parts.

 

[PostmanPot]

CM690

 

[Keeper]

Neither, too fancy for my liking.
Unless you a LAN'r, why spend the money on a case?
It's only to show off anyways, rather spend the cash on the PC (GPU, memory etc)
Those are the more important parts.

No it's not.

Better Cooling.
Screwless makes for effortless removal & installing of drives
Removable mobo tray = amen
Extra tools, which can sometimes slot into a hidden compartment
More stable, durable and solid design.
Less vibration (some have nice rubber gripping feet)

Some cases are a lot of money which could be spent on other hardware, yes, but I see these as worth it. Did I mention better cooling?

small, cheap cases cannot fit those big 3D cards, and don't have much room if you NEED 8 HDD Bays or whatever.

Spend some cash on a nice chassis - you will see how much better it is once you have it.

 

[chickenbeef]

I vote CM690

 

[Sheepbot]

+1 for the CM690

 

[Kuga]

So far it's pretty unanimous. Thanks for the input so far.

I don't think I really need to upgrade my pc further, currently I'm running :

Intel Core2Duo E7400 @ 3.5Ghz.
Asus P5PKL/1600 Mobo
ATI Radeon HD4870 1 Gig
4 Gigs of Ram
1 TB of space.

*updates sig*

*edit* I currently have a Thermaltake Tsunami Dream that I painted green, it's served me well. I don't mind spending R1000 on a case, as I paid R1750 for my TT case back in 2003 I think it was.

 

[MaddyJ]

i have the raidmax smiladon case... i must say it could run cooler, but is solidly build... have never had problems. its been running for 3.5 years now.

 

[ToxicBunny]

CM690 without a doubt......

I have on my desk atm.. and its luverly.

 

[Kuga]

So I found some pics of the CM690 with the window version... I must say the window is fking tiny! Wtf were they thinking? I wanted one with a big ass window and 2 spaces for 120mm/140mm fans

And the Raidmax case has only an 80mm exhaust fan... would of preferred a 120mm exhaust fan. /sigh

 

[Keeper]

my smilodon has a 120mm Exhaust fan?

....and a big-ass window! 90% of it infact, if you take away the panel with those things that hold your GFX Card in place - For HEAVY cards (Yes it is removable, just like everything else in the case.)

-Removable mobo tray
-Removable HDD Rack
-Removable Side Panel
-Removable Chassis panels (Both Sides)
-And..a Removable Toolbox, if you can count that...heh..

 

[Kuga]

You sure it's an exhaust fan and not an intake fan? I checked some video reviews and they all show an 80mm exhaust fan...

 

[Keeper]

nope - exhaust & 120mm - just checked..

you get 1 x 120mm infront (intake) and 1 x 120mm at the back (exhaust) ,one 80mm on the right (intake) for HDDs, one 80mm on the left for CPU (intake) and another on the left again for GFX Card (Intake)

all of them are lit-LED fans too, except the one hidden away for your HDD's.

 

[MaddyJ]

isnt the 120 a intake? mine blows inward

 

[LFX]

Neither, too fancy for my liking.
Unless you a LAN'r, why spend the money on a case?
It's only to show off anyways, rather spend the cash on the PC (GPU, memory etc)
Those are the more important parts.

congratulations, you have won FAIL COMMENT OF THE MONTH!

 

[Keeper]

the front has an intake - why would the rear have one too? maybe you should turn your fan around Mamba..hehe

I think the Normal Smilodon might have a 80mm at the back then - I have the Smilodon Black Edition.

but back on topic - The CM690 just looks a tad boring to me - the smilodon looks awesome. (I might be a bit biased here though, heh..)

 

[Keeper]

from another thread:

i have the smiladon... must say its a really reliable case, but i think it could run a bit cooler.

yeah - turn your fan around, it's should blow OUT at the back, to circulate the air - I've probably got the hottest card ever made and it's currently running at 60 degree's - not bad at all. your case should be cold ?

 

[MaddyJ]

ha ha ha... my bad.. meant my front is intake and the back is extractor sorry. what should the side fans be doing though? i also get 60 degrees with my 9800gtx

 

[Keeper]

the fans on the side provide air to your gfx card, hard drives, and CPU (1 for each)

not sure how hot the 9800GTX runs since i'm no longer following nVidia news, but you can install better fans if it's still not good enough though...

60 is cold when I hear how hot my card is supposed to run (some reviews said it's normal for it to run at 90 )