Looks
The Cooler Master CM 690 II and the new 690 III look a lot alike. The mesh in the front remained, along with the chrome strips on both sides of the front panel. The CM 690 III sits a bit higher on its feet, which have a nicer and more integrated design than before. The front is no longer recessed, and along with the extra 2 centimeters width it gives the CM 690 III a more solid look. The finish looks better, the seems are smaller and everything fits just a little better. The one exception is the cover on top, which sits a bit loose.
Cooler Master CM 690 III...
...Cooler Master CM 690 II (2010). Find the differences
Underneath that cover is a little holder for knick knacks such as USB sticks or lost screws, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports and the audio jacks.
The build quality of the CM 690 III is solid. The steel sides are thick enough, which translates to a weight of 8.8 kg. The chassis measures 50.9 cm x 50 cm x 23 cm. That's more than 2 cm wider than the CM 690 II. The top is made out of mesh, and the dust filter will keep dust out. Whether that filter has a negative impact on cooling we will see in a bit. n.
The back side is standard fare, with three openings for optional liquid cooling or other cables. One expansion card can be placed vertically. The power supply goes in the bottom, which is standard by now.
