CM 690 2 Advanced vs Define R3 vs Nexus Prominent R

[blackle00]

Debating on these cases:
CM 690 II Advanced
Fractal Define R3
Nexus Prominent R

At the moment Im leaning towards CM 690 II Advanced but I wasnt too sure whether or not the Nexus was reliable seeing that i havent seen to much reviews/youtube videos on them. As for the spacing, I checked around and believed that the cases I checked out can have the parts picked out. I just cant decide on a case they all look good haha. Help me list the pros and cons maybe lol. Looking for a gaming case that can have good airflow and be quiet as well. Kind of trying to find the balance of both.


Also for the SSD and HDD Im starting to think I should just get an SSD later since it only affects load time by mere seconds. As for the HDD Ive checked out Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB and also WD Caviar Black and Blue 500GB. Or maybe a 1TB for either. Now my question is that which do you think is best for my system and mind explaining how RAIDing actually works? Thanks again

 

[refillable]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Nexus-Prominent-R-Case-Review/1431/1

I think the Prominent R is the best case from the 3. It has USB 3, noise dampening, Rubber grommets and 8 PCI-E bracket but it has no mount for fan in the side and no LED fans. But Other that I think it's your best choice.

For you I will not do RAID. Just get a 1TB HDD (anything 7200RPM and reliable would be fine) and then when you have the cash grab some 60GB SSD.

 

[blackle00]

Thanks for the input and having no LED fans will be fine because I did not want them in the first place. But my only concern how does not having a fan mount on the side affect the airflow?

 

[Uther39]

Need to no exactly what components you intend to instal in your case before advice can be given.

 

[blackle00]

Okay well this is what ive decided can still be up for change just suggest some stuff Also can you recommed some good fans that are quiet yet have good cfm?

So atm this is my list:

Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor $199.99 FREE $199.99 @ NCIX

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $29.90 $29.90 @ NCIX US

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard $121.99 $7.87 $129.86 @ Newegg

Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $47.99 FREE $47.99 @ Newegg

Video Card : Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card $249.99 FREE $249.99 @ Amazon

Case: Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced ATX Mid Tower Case $79.99 -$20.00 FREE $59.99 @ Newegg
$20.00 mail-in rebate


Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $86.99 FREE $86.99 @ Newegg


Optical Drive: Lite-On LightScribe Drive one or the Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive?
Monitor: No idea what to get lol but i dont want a huge screen mayb 20'-21' max. Suggest some pls


Total (before mail-in rebates): $824.71
Mail-in Rebates: $-20.00
Total: $804.71

Lowest Possible Total: $774.71 (View prices by merchant)

 

[Uther39]

OK that looks like a really solid build, only a couple of changes id make...

Mobo = $119
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

Case = $79 / $69 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

PSU = $89 / $79 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

 

[blackle00]

OK that looks like a really solid build, only a couple of changes id make...

Mobo = $119
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

Case = $79 / $69 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

PSU = $89 / $79 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

As for the mobo you suggested how does it differ from the ASRock and how about the ASRock Z77 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

What makes the MSi Z77 or ASRock Z77 better than the Z68? Im planning on OC my CPU and how does the mobo affect it?

As for the case, Im not particularly fond of that but out of the 3 im thinking of choosing the CM 690 2 Advanced.

As for the PSU you recommended, that was actually the first one I was going to get. Still debating on the Seasonic 620W or the one you said.

 

[Uther39]

Both ASrock and mSI are good boards, the 77 is intels latest chipset so has integrated USB 3 and SATA 3 and a host more features.

 

[blackle00]

Both ASrock and mSI are good boards, the 77 is intels latest chipset so has integrated USB 3 and SATA 3 and a host more features.

So would you say the MSI is just better overall compared to the Z68? And how bout the parts that I have listed? Will it be compatible with the MSI Z77? Also does it affect my i5 2500K Sandy Bridge CPU? Because i heard its for like Ivy Bridge or something. Thanks for the help again.

 

[Uther39]

your 2500k will be just fine and dandy with any z77 board.