[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Cooler Master CM 690 III is the most recent version of one of the most popular mid-tower cases from Cooler Master. It comes with a 200 mm fan at the front panel, supports radiators up to 240 mm and up to ten 2.5” drives. Check it out!
We already tested two other models from the CM 690 series: the CM 690 II Advanced Black & White Edition, and the CM 690 II Advanced. Compared to the second generation case, the new model is a little taller and wider, but has a smaller depth.
The Cooler Master CM 690 III comes in two versions, one all in black, and one with green details. The black model has the option for the left panel with transparent window or with two openings for 120 mm fans. We tested the black and green model, which has a transparent window at the left panel, with no room for fans at it. Its part number is CMS-6930GWN1.
Figures 1 and 2 present the case.
Figure 1: the Cooler Master CM 690 III
Figure 2: the Cooler Master CM 690 III
Let’s take a closer look at the case in the next pages.
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
The front panel of the CM 690 III is all meshed and has three 5.25” external bays, also with meshed covers.
Figure 3: front panel
Figure 4 shows the plastic panel removed. Behind it, there is a 200 mm fan (model A20030-07CB-3MN-F1, 4 W, no more information available). There are air filters in the inner side of the plastic panel and in the bay covers.
Figure 4: front panel removed
[nextpage title=”The Top Panel”]
The top panel of the CM 690 III is shown in Figure 5. The buttons and connectors are at the front part of this panel, and behind them there is a “box” to keep small objects (it is a good place to store USB drives and adapters, for example.) At the rear of this panel there is a big meshed area.
Figure 5: top panel
At the front of the top panel there are two USB 3.0 ports, the audio connectors for microphone and earphones, two USB 2.0 ports, LEDs and buttons. The power on LED is inside the power button.
Figure 6: buttons and connectors
There is a cover that, besides closing the top compartment, protects the connectors from dust.
Figure 7: panel closed
The meshed cover of the top panel is secured by one thumbscrew and can be easily removed to access the fans or radiator.
Figure 8: panel removed
[nextpage title=”The Bottom and Rear Panels”]
The bottom panel of the CM 690 III has a big removable air filter covering the power supply fan and the opening for a 120 mm optional fan.
Figure 9: bottom panel
Figure 10 shows the air filter, which can be removed with no need to lift the case.
Figure 10: filter removal
The back panel of the CM 690 III is painted in black, with green slot covers. The power supply is installed in the bottom of the case.
There are three openings, one with 0.63” (16 mm) and two with 0.98” (25 mm) in diameter for an external liquid cooling system. These holes are covered by rubber covers.
The case has seven expansion slots, plus one transversal slot (for installing extra port connectors) with meshed removable covers.
The product comes with a black 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel (model A12025-12CB-3BN-F1, 1.92 W, no more info available).
Figure 11: rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the CM 690 III.
[nextpage title=”Inside the CM 690 III”]
Each panel is attached to the chassis using two black thumbscrews.
The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case. Besides that, there are holes that allow to pass the cables behind it. There is a 1.2” (30 mm) clearance between the tray and the right panel.
The case supports ATX (and smaller form factors) motherboards.
Figure 12: overall look
Figure 13 shows the case from behind the motherboard tray.
Figure 13: behind the motherboard tray
Figure 14 shows an overall look of the case interior. The top panel has room for installing two 120 mm fans, or one 240 mm radiator.
The expansion cards are held in place by thumbscrews.
You can install CPU coolers up to 6.7” (171 mm) tall.
The CM 690 III supports video cards up to 11.8” (300 mm) in the original configuration, but if your remove the 2.5” bays cage, you can install a video card up to 16.6” (423 mm) long.
Figure 14: overall look
The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. It may be installed with its fan facing up or down, pulling air from inside or outside the case. As shown before, there is an air filter for the power supply fan in the bottom panel.
There are four rubber pads that support the power supply and help to avoid vibrations.
You will be able to fit power supplies up to 11.8” (300 mm) deep if the bottom 2.5” bay and 120 mm fan room are unused, and up to 7.1” (180 mm) if there is a drive or a fan installed here.
Figure 15: power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The CM 690 III has three 5.25” external bays, where the devices are held using a lever system with no screws.
Under this bays, there are two cages. The bottom one has three drawers for 3.5” hard disk drives.
The middle cage has four drawers for 2.5” devices, but you can change it into a cage for four 3.5” drives, repositioning its side panel. It is also possible to install a 120 mm in this cage, which helps to cool the video cards.
Figure 16: disk drive bays
Figure 17 unveils the 5.25” bays.
Figure 17: 5.25” bays
Figure 18 shows the drawers for drives. Actually, they are both the same model of drawer, which can be open or closed depending on the width of the cage. While the install of the 3.5” units is screwless, 2.5” drives must be installed using screws.
Figure 18: drawers
The CM 690 III offers more three additional locations for 2.5” drives. To install a drive in one of those “bays”, you need to attach four rubber holders under the drive, and then slide it in place. You can install one 2.5” drive behind the motherboard tray, one on the bottom of the 5.25” bays, and one in the bottom of the case.
Figure 19: 2.5” bay behind the motherboard tray
Figure 20: 2.5” bay on the top cage
Figure 21: bottom 2.5” bay
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Cooler Master CM 690 III include:
- Style: mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors
- Material: zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: does not come with the product
- Available colors: black with or without green details
- Side panel: meshed with room for two 120 mm fans or transparent window
- Dimensions: 20 x 9.1 x 19.8 inches (507 x 230 x 502 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 19.6 lbs (8.9 kg)
- Bays: three internal 2.5” bays, seven internal 3.5”/2.5” bays, and three external 5.25” bays
- Expansion slots: seven
- Maximum video card length: 16.7” (423 mm)
- Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.7” (171 mm)
- Fans: one 120 mm fan on the rear panel, one 200 fan on the front panel
- Optional fans: two 120 mm or one 200 fan on the top panel, one 120 mm fan on the bottom panel, and one 120 mm on the drive cage
- Extra Features: air filter for power supply fan, object holder on the top panel
- More Information: https://www.coolermaster.com/
- Average Price in the U.S.*: USD 130.00
* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The Cooler Master CM 690 III is an excellent case, sturdy and with great overall quality, lots of internal room, great refrigeration, supporting 240 mm radiators.
Strong Points
- Sturdy and with great construction quality
- Excellent fan configuration
- Supports 240 mm radiators
- Air filter for the power supply
- Big opening on the motherboard tray to access the CPU cooler backplate
- Offers good possibilities for cable managing
- Good drive bay count
- Offers two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports at the top panel
- Brings one extra rear slot for installing adapters and extra ports
- Has a place to storage small parts at the top panel
Weak Points
- Do not support 140 mm or 280 mm radiators
- Price is a little high
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