Labs

The Poseidon is the cheapest case with a brushed aluminium front here. The design is pretty stylish, and includes an unusual LED-powered slide projector that beams the case's name on to the desk in front of it. You can create your own slide using the spare provided.

Despite being relatively small, it has plenty of space inside. It uses tool-free clips and thumbscrews, so you won't need a screwdriver to change a drive. Clip-on rails are provided, and the hard disk trays are placed sideways to make them easy to insert and remove.

Two 120mm fans, one front and one rear, provide plenty of airflow though the case and run very quietly. Both are controlled by a single motherboard fan header. The case's side panel has a steel mesh section for ventilation, or you can change it for the supplied plastic window.

The Poseidon is easy to build with good airflow and low noise. Cooler Master's CM 690 just beats it to an award with its lower price.