Got me a CoolerMaster CM 690

[kenkickr]

In the last picture you should see the mesh is back on for now til I start painting but I'm trying to figure out if I will be able to put the 120mm fans on top now since I cut that plastic crap away. If I can then I can put my radiator in and start getting ready for some water cooling action. All the water cooling probably will not happen until X-mas however.

 

[kenkickr]

More pictures. I'm now starting the outside panels paint job and front button removal. Already I think this is going to be sweet but anyways here are some progress pics.

Plastic gettin the primer treatment

Bondo, the button remover

Sunbathin the paint

roughed up panels ready for primin

Top of the chassis gettin its primer ON

 

[Odin Eidolon]

good job! Cant wait to see how it looks finished!

 

[will]

In the last picture you should see the mesh is back on for now til I start painting but I'm trying to figure out if I will be able to put the 120mm fans on top now since I cut that plastic crap away. If I can then I can put my radiator in and start getting ready for some water cooling action. All the water cooling probably will not happen until X-mas however.

I took the plastic crap off the top as well so I could fit a couple of 120mm fans there, not the best job in the world lol, unless you get slim fans or something there is not quite enough space between the top of the case and the mesh... so basically my mesh is now bent upwards where the fans are and is not attached properly to the top any more! It works really well though with the fans there and the rad inside the case... just doesnt looks too great on the top, I could probably fix it but I cba!
I love the painting you've done on the interior, any tips for a painting noob? Im thinking about painting mine black inside, yours looks awesome!

 

[kenkickr]

Thanks guys!! For painting the interior I roughed the metal up a bit just to make sure the primer stuck to the metal pretty well. Some sand in between primers and some don't, that's up to you but sanding between primers does help. Same for the paint. I used automotive primer, I think it adheres better, but there are cheaper and crappier primers out there. For the paint I used Rustoleum's Metallic gun metal(That's what it looks like to me but not the real name and I don't have the can with me at the moment). Same goes for the paint when it comes to the quality. I did 3 coats each on the primer and paint. Also the darker the primer you go with will make your paint darker to...I can't wait to see what the metallic blue is going to look like on the outside!!

Sucks about the mesh there Will. Did you completely dissembles everything(the I/O ports, ESATA, and most importantly the mesh)? Did the basic 120mm fans push the mess up? I'm thinking about shaving some off the fans when I put mine up there if that is the case since I haven't tested it out yet.

 

[neo1231]

wow very nice paint job, btw nice system!

 

[psyko12]

Gj with the case hope it turns out wonderfully, plus you got a pretty system to put it in can't wait to see how it looks when its done

 

[kenkickr]

It's getting there. I just started with the blue metallic paint that I think looks freakin cool! I swear depending on the angle you look at it it will shift from purple to blue. Thanks guys.

 

[neo1231]

oh man please post pics of the metallic paint!

 

[kenkickr]

When I get back to painting some more I will. Been a little busy lately.

 

[kyle2020]

Alright, finally home and ready to post some pics of a few mods. It's only the beginning though!

The 1st picture is of the fan gril in the front of the case. All I did was cut out the filter cause my Raptors need some nice cool air

The 2nd pic is of the squares and rectangles I cut into the mb tray to give this case the much better cable management I knew it could have. I think the cable management looks alot better except for the 8-pin board connector but that will be fixed.

The next step is going to be cutting away the plastic crap that is in front of the front fan behind the mesh on the front panel and the same on the top panel. Will keep you updated.

on the second picture it shows the 8 pin connector leaving its ugly trail up the motherboard - how about going underneath it?

 

[kenkickr]

Havent posted any new pics but once I do you'll see the 8 pin is now behind the motherboard try. I had to buy an 8-pin extender since that was the only cable not long enough but looks much better. Also I bet once I put my Corsair 750W in I wont need the extender, cables are damn long! Once I can get back to painting it shouldn't be very long before I'll show some new pics.

 

[CDdude55]

I have the same case, and i love it. Lots of room for fans and space for long video cards. I had a Antec Super Lanboy before it and it is way better.(i changed from the super lanboy when i saw the 9800 GX2). I was all like .

 

[calvary1980]

see if you can remove the hard drive cage and turn it 90' it's the one problem that plagues the 690 no air flow from front. I like the black you chose

- Christine

 

[candle_86]

see now your making me think about modding my centurion 5 case which i love, i need to add some 120's to it and open it up more

 

[kenkickr]

see if you can remove the hard drive cage and turn it 90' it's the one problem that plagues the 690 no air flow from front. I like the black you chose

- Christine

I've thought about cutting some of the extra 3.5" drive bays away that I won't use but trying to figure out the best way without screwing up the paint job. I'll probably have to repaint some of the case anyways since the blue I went with got onto the black. I'm not showing pics yet, trying to keep it suspenseful! Don't give any away Onry!! (It's over in his shed since he's been kind enough to let me work on it over there)

 

[kenkickr]

I have the same case, and i love it. Lots of room for fans and space for long video cards. I had a Antec Super Lanboy before it and it is way better.(i changed from the super lanboy when i saw the 9800 GX2). I was all like .

It is an AWESOME case! Right now til I get the painting done I'm using my Antec Solo case. Not a bad case but for my config the Solo just doesn't cut it! The one sweet thing about the 690 is the cost. You just can't beat it for what you get!

 

[kenkickr]

Something else I've been thinking of doing is taking the chrome pieces on the top and changing them out for some acrylic pieces and attaching LED's to each end. One side will be HD activity and the other will be the Power LED side. I think it would look pretty sweet.

 

[gimpster123]

Looks great so far- can't wait to see it when its done!

 

[onry]

i aint tellin nuttin.
i started putting some paint on my cm690 BUT im not puttin any pics up til it is done .
yours is lookin pretty damn good tho

 

[kenkickr]

I brought the case parts home so I can work on it and some other stuff around the house at the same time. I guess I'll throw some up so here you go.

Chassis and top panel(I did this to compare to make sure the paint would look right)

Side Panels(just coated them again)

Front Panel and other pieces

 

[HyD3]

hope it turns out well......

I like the CM690.....lots of air flow. It's really good for overclocking your system. Here's a pic of my CM690. This is just an experimental airbrushing.....so bare with it. I plan on getting another one.....but i want to paint it red!!!!

 

[kenkickr]

That looks really cool there Hyd3, you mind if I send my case your way and you do that to mine!

 

[HyD3]

thanks kenkickr for the compliment. You don't want me doing your case, you can do it.....just do a search on youtube on how to do airbrushing flames. After a few practice runs, you can do it!!!!!

 

[kenkickr]

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.