Verdict: Great value for money -just make sure you buy the optional side window with a 92mm fan

We first reviewed the Thermaltake Tsunami Dream about six months ago. Given the pace of development in the computer industry, it's hard to believe that the Tsunami is still one of the best midi-tower cases around.

The key to the success of the Tsunami is its combination of good looks and excellent airflow. Two 120mm fans - one intake at the front and one exhaust at the rear - should ensure that air moves quickly through the case. The only improvement we'd like to see would be slightly wider vents on the front of the case. The Tsunami is also available in black for the same price, or with a side window for £71.82. As the window is fitted with a 92mm intake fan, we'd definitely recommend spending the extra £4.52 to get the windowed model.

A thoughtful extra is the dust filter that protects the intake fan. Other useful features include the rubber washers on the 3.5in drive bay cage, which should stop vibrations from fast-spinning hard disks being transmitted to the case. The whole cage can be unscrewed and removed from the case too, which makes installing drives very easy.

The only thing we don't like about the Tsunami Dream is the location of the USB 2, FireWire and audio ports on the roof of the case. This makes them impossible to reach if the case is positioned under a desk, and awkward to reach if the PC is on top of it. Come on Thermaltake - put the I/O ports on the front of the case, for goodness' sake.

The Tsunami has been criticised for looking too similar to the Cooler Master Wave Master, but despite this, and the similar name, we know the Tsunami is a much better case. Even with two 120mm fans, it has excellent cooling potential, and if you bought the slightly more expensive model with the windowed side panel, which has an additional 92mm fan, the Tsunami is almost unbeatable for the price.

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