After digging around, taking it apart and installing a system I will have to say that I believe the Corsair 680X RGB is made mostly for high airflow cooling. Corsair does list a lot of possibilities to mount radiators of all sizes, yet you really have nowhere to install a good size pump and reservoir. This leads me to think that they are hoping/pushing you to install one of the Corsair AIO’s. Which is not a bad idea, considering the smaller inside size of the 680X. Now I am not saying that a custom water cooling loop could not be installed. You will just have to down-size some the components or maybe placing in them on the non-viewable side. But, as case modders will do, a window could be easily be added to show off the water cooling hardware.
Not being a fan of all the crazy RBG stuff when it is pushed upon you and can’t you can do nothing about it or with it. I will say that the NODE Pro and iCUE software helped ease my pain. Playing around with it and being able to set a nice single color that was not too bright, made me rather happy. The two products allow you to do so much with the lighting that found myself playing with the lights and effects for quite some time.
Placing the power supply vertically behind the motherboard mounting was smart for several reasons. One is that you have now created a compartmentalized case that has removed some of the heat from one area completely. Second, you have now lowered the overall height of the case, yet you can still install an ATX sized motherboard. Lastly, you made a huge area to route and hide every single cable. Great for those that just hate to do cable management but want a clean looking inside, but also great for those that must make sure that every tiny cable is folding, routed, and tied down.
At a suggested price of $249.99USD, some might think that is a very tall price to ask for. But, if you step back, look at what you are getting and add up the pricing of the NODE Pro, three LL120 RGB fans and a fourth 120mm rear fan you are already at about $160+. So this means you are only paying about $80 for the case. Overall I do like the look (minus the top glass piece…) and size of the Corsair 680X RGB. The white color gives a great base for someone like me, a modder, to paint the case any color I want it to be. If you are looking for your next custom build and want it to be incredibly easy and undeniably cool then I would recommend that you take a long look at the 680X RGB. So with that said I have already installed a new system into the Crystal Series Corsair 680X RBG and will be using it soon as my daily PC, but I think I am going to keep it white… for now.
You are the only one out of 100 to say it had high air flow. When in fact the front window chokes the air coming in a great deal. Did you even try to remove the front glass to test out the difference? I guess the 32 odd screws will be enough to make anyone not want to try it. If they would have made it like the top and only held in by 4 or 6 extended screws to remove it they would have won the battle. Giving the user the ease of leaving it on or removing it. Then you could have 3d printed a front mesh cover to mount there.
Filling up the bays with 4 x 3.5 full mechanical drives is also a nightmare for heat. As the heat has no way to be pushed from that bay side. You can either get creating and mount some 120s in there or smaller. Or 3d print a fan holder and add fan to the bottom to keep the air moving.
Next time you do a review put a little more effort into it. This was a very bland review with no AIRFLOW testing done at all.
Thanks for the feedback. BTW I am STILL using the case and have had no issues with airflow. Also remember that the bottom of the case is open to allow more air in or to be forced out.
I do believe I did state in the video that I wish the glass was removable or why did they even do it other than keeping the look of the case the same. You also have to keep in mind that we, as enthusiast, think of terms of things as running the PC 1-2 degrees cooler than the average person and that sometime looks out weight the things we think are important.
To @LOGI_MASTER:
Just writting this cause I got this case and EVERYTHING you say is so true, FINALLY someone speaks the truth about this case. The entire case is very nice to the eye wont deny it, it is pretty yeah but the way it lacks basic stuff like being able to remove the front glass as mentioned without DYING with so many screws really, its very very annoying do NOT buy this case, Corsair wont care wether it fullfits your needs or not.
Not to mention also my build, I do own a EVGA 3080ti hybrid, liquid cooling AIO and having to install a double radiator was just…stupid really. Contacted Corsair, again they DIDN’T care. It wa sold to me as a case that could fit ANYTHING inside..and no it cant, try fitting inside a 3090 suprim or similar.
I really regret having purchased this thing, and this review, I Understand it takes some effort to let others know and the like, thank you for that but really,please dont lie this case overheats with just looking at it if you have average latest components, specially graphic cards of the new generation, even with some custom tweaks here and there, liquid cooling, fans…anything it IS really bad with temperatures. There cheaper options, that actually keep your stuff cooled down, I sold my Lian Li XL and got this one, if you could see my face now…
Worst part is the way Corsair, contacted them to check on my build, see if they could give me a hand and they really ignored me, very disappointed wish I had not bought this thing, so many years buying their stuff, never again.