Case - External

Like many cases in recent times the 690 has a black and silver colour scheme. The main panels on the case are steel (SECC) and the front is a metal mesh with plastic sides. Ventilation on the sides and front is excellent with a 12cm fan behind the Cooler Master badge on the face of the case, two 12cm vents on the left side (one populated with a fan) and an 8cm vent on the right. It is possible to change the left side fan and to have two 14cm fans attached if required. The hard drive and power LEDs are located on the right edge of the case as are two large power and reset buttons.

Along the top of the case the mesh design continues and at the back end the perforated metal acts as a vent (2x12-14cm fans can be placed inside). At the front are the external connectors for audio, firewire, 2x USB 2.0 and eSATA. As expected the various connectors, LEDs and buttons on the outside of the case have the normal wires on the inside. The only one which may need some explanation for those who are not up to speed with the latest technology is eSATA.  This cable actually ends in a standard SATA connector which can be plugged direct into the motherboard.

At the back of the case there is a 12cm vent which covers the pre-installed exhaust fan. This is placed alongside the motherboard back panel connectors and above the seven PCI/PCI-Express/AGP slots. These slots use a tool-less design where the blue latches are lifted from inside, the card placed in the system and the latch snapped back into place.  Alongside these slot covers are a small vent and two rubber lined holes. These holes allow external watercooling to be installed on the system without the need to drill or cut the case. Finally it is also possible to see the thumbscrews used to hold on the case sides.