Jeantech Aqua

Jeantech’s Aqua has one advantage that no other case here can offer: a quick-release fold-out side panel that gives full access to the motherboard. Since the expansion cards move with the motherboard, there’s no need to remove them as with other cases that have removable motherboard trays. The design makes it simple to build and maintain your PC.

The design isn’t subtle, though, and the front door is littered with blue LEDs, plus there’s a 120mm fan with more LEDs behind it. Power and reset buttons, as well as two USB and two audio ports, are only accessible when the door is open, which can be inconvenient. But, it’s good to see four 5.25in and two 3.5in bays. Inside, a removable 3.5in drive cage has space for four hard disks.

All the bays are tool-less, although the expansion slots on the rear aren’t. Spare drive rails are cunningly hidden in a clip-in box, which is stored below all the bays. A wide metal bar clips across the middle of the case and can house an 80mm fan to cool the expansion cards, while three extending supports can be used to steady the cards. Another 80mm mount is hidden to the right of the middle 3.5in bays, and a third mount is at the rear. No 80mm fans are included, and it’s a shame the mounts aren’t larger, since the case will inevitably be noisier with smaller fans.

It’s a shame, too, that there’s no FireWire port at the front, and that the plastic front panel looks and feels a lot cheaper than the Antec Solo’s. While the fold-out side panel is an interesting feature, there isn’t much else to make the Jeantech stand out at this price.