We liked NZXT Tempest a lot and we think that it provides an outstanding cost/benefit ratio to users looking for an inexpensive enthusiast-level case.

First it provides two hard disk drive cages supporting four drives each, for a total of eight hard disk drive bays. This is something we always criticize in high-end cases; some cases cost the double of NZXT Tempest and still have only one HDD cage supporting only four drives.

Second, its screwless installation mechanisms are really screwless. Some more expensive cases still require you to use screws to attach rails to the hard disk drives or to the optical drives, which isn’t the case with Tempest.

Third, it provides six fans and you probably won’t have any heating issues with this case.

And fourth it allows you to install some water cooler radiators based on two 120-mm fans directly inside the case, below the two 140-mm fans available on the top panel. According to NZXT this case is compatible with Swiftech MCR220, Asetek Dual radiator solution and Thermaltake TMG2.

The case construction is very sturdy and there aren’t any sharp edges where you could cut your hands and fingers while building your PC.

This, however, isn’t a “perfect” case. It has some minor flaws that depending on how picky you are may lead you to choose a different (and more expensive) product:

• Lack of a Firewire port.
• The two USB ports are too close to each other, preventing you from using two “fat” USB devices at the same time.
• Front panel is fastened to the chassis by pressure. You can break or crack it if you use too much power when removing it.
• Need to remove the front panel to remove the covers from the 5 ¼” bays and the hard disk drive cage.
• No screwless mechanism for fastening daughter boards to the case.

But as we mentioned the price of this case compared to its features is fantastic and that is why we think that this case deserves our “Golden Award” seal.