Labs

Solid aluminium fins run down each side of this heavyweight HTPC case. These take heat from heatpipes inside the case and dissipate it into the air, so there's no need for fans. Barring drive noise, the system is completely silent.

However, building this system properly is difficult and expensive. The instructions aren't the best we've seen, and you have to do things in a strict order for everything to function properly. Worse still, you have to buy extras such as heat pipes for the processor (£66 inc VAT) and graphics card (£50 inc VAT) to keep your components cool. There are no internal 3½in drive bays, so you'll also have to invest in a caddy to fit one of the 5¼in bays.

It has the same VFD as Thermaltake's Bach, and a fake front for your optical drive ensures that it fits in with the style of the front of the case. This is the only case in the group that will let you build a totally silent Media Center PC, but its real cost is closer to £400.