The £100–£150 bracket covers premium mid towers and entry-level full towers. At this price expect thick steel construction, full tempered glass panels, PCIe 4.0 riser cables on vertical GPU mount variants, high-capacity radiator support, and in some cases aluminium accents. These are cases built to last multiple hardware generations, with internal layouts designed for serious thermal management rather than simply fitting the components.
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What the Extra Money Gets You vs Under £100
Spending £100–£150 on a PC case rather than £50–£80 brings measurable improvements across several areas.
Steel thickness is the most immediately noticeable difference. Budget cases typically use 0.8mm steel panels, which flex under pressure and transmit vibration easily. Cases in this price range use 1.0mm to 1.2mm steel throughout, which contributes to a more rigid chassis, reduced vibration resonance, and a noticeably more substantial feel overall.
Sound dampening becomes a genuine feature rather than an afterthought. Cases such as the be quiet! Dark Base 700 include factory-fitted noise-absorbing foam on removable panels. Budget cases rarely include any dampening material, and aftermarket solutions are rarely as effective as integrated designs.
GPU clearance increases significantly. Mid-range cases often cap out at 320–360mm for GPU length. Cases at this price point typically offer 400mm or more, accommodating even the longest triple-slot, triple-fan GPUs available. Some include vertical GPU mount support with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable included in the box.
Storage capacity is more generous. Expect four to six drive bays as standard, with some full tower options offering considerably more. Budget cases commonly provide two to three bays.
Expansion and airflow flexibility also improves. Additional fan mounting positions, better cable routing channels, and removable drive cages for radiator installation are standard features in this bracket.
Available PC Cases £100–£150 UK — Full List
The table below lists the main options available in the UK in this price range. Prices are approximate and vary between retailers.
| Case | Type | GPU Clearance | Motherboard Support | Front Panel | Radiator Max | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO | Mid Tower | 420mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Tempered glass | 360mm (top, side, bottom) | ~£120–£140 |
| Fractal Design Torrent | Mid Tower | 461mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Open mesh | 360mm (top), 280mm (bottom) | ~£130–£150 |
| NZXT H7 Flow | Mid Tower | 400mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Perforated mesh | 360mm (top), 360mm (front) | ~£110–£130 |
| be quiet! Dark Base 700 | Mid Tower | 369mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Tempered glass / solid panel | 360mm (top), 360mm (front) | ~£130–£150 |
| Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 | Full Tower | 503mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Tempered glass / mesh variants | 480mm (front), 420mm (top) | ~£130–£150 |
| Corsair 5000D Airflow | Mid Tower | 420mm | Mini-ITX to ATX | Mesh front | 360mm (top), 360mm (front) | ~£120–£140 |
| Lian Li Lancool III | Mid Tower | 435mm | Mini-ITX to E-ATX | Mesh / tempered glass variants | 420mm (front), 360mm (top) | ~£100–£120 |
| Thermaltake The Tower 100 | Mini-ITX Tower | 320mm | Mini-ITX only | Tempered glass (all sides) | 240mm (top) | ~£90–£110 |
Case-by-Case Notes
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO is a versatile dual-chamber design with exceptional radiator mounting flexibility. The EVO revision over the original O11 Dynamic adds a modular front panel, additional PCIe slots, and E-ATX support. The dual-chamber layout separates the power supply and cable management from the main build area, keeping the visible side clean.
The Fractal Design Torrent prioritises airflow above all else. Its large open mesh front panel and two 180mm intake fans included in the box produce substantial positive pressure airflow. GPU clearance at 461mm is among the highest available in any mid tower at this price point, making it suitable for the largest current-generation graphics cards.
The NZXT H7 Flow takes a cleaner aesthetic approach with a minimalist exterior and a fully mesh front panel. Cable management behind the motherboard tray is well-considered, and the interior layout suits tidy builds with AIO liquid cooling. The H7 Flow is an upgrade over the standard H7 in airflow terms due to its perforated front panel replacing the previous solid glass option.
The be quiet! Dark Base 700 is the strongest option for noise-sensitive environments. It ships with pre-installed sound dampening material on removable panels and supports both a standard and a vertical GPU orientation with a PCIe 4.0 riser included. The front panel is reversible, accommodating either left-hand or right-hand side panel as the primary viewing face.
The Corsair 5000D Airflow uses a dual-chamber design similar to the O11 Dynamic but with a mesh front panel optimised for intake airflow. It is compatible with Corsair’s iCUE ecosystem and supports both front and top 360mm radiators simultaneously. Unlike some competitors, it does not natively support E-ATX motherboards.
The Lian Li Lancool III is notable for shipping with three pre-installed 140mm fans. It supports front 420mm radiators and has a modular drive cage design that can be removed entirely to accommodate large radiators or custom loop reservoirs. E-ATX support is included.
The Thermaltake The Tower 100 is the outlier in this list — a mini-ITX tower format rather than a conventional mid or full tower. Four tempered glass panels on all sides make the build fully visible from any angle. It is designed specifically for small form factor builds and will not accommodate ATX or larger motherboards.
Full Tower Options at This Price
The £100–£150 bracket is where full tower cases become accessible. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 is the primary example, offering 503mm GPU clearance, support for up to 480mm front radiators, and space for dual systems in some configurations. It supports E-ATX motherboards as standard.
A full tower makes practical sense in specific situations. Custom water cooling loops with large reservoirs, dual-radiator setups running a 480mm front and 420mm top simultaneously, or workstation builds with multiple full-length PCIe cards and several 3.5-inch hard drives all benefit from the additional internal volume. The Enthoo Pro 2 also accommodates dual power supply installations, which is relevant for high-wattage workstation or rendering builds.
For a standard gaming PC using a single GPU, a single AIO, and a modest number of drives, a premium mid tower such as the O11 Dynamic EVO or Fractal Design Torrent is sufficient and occupies considerably less desk or floor space. Full towers are best justified when the build genuinely requires the capacity.
Custom Water Cooling Capability
Not all cases at this price point are equally suited to custom water cooling loops. Key requirements for a custom loop are: space for a pump and reservoir, multiple large radiator positions, enough clearance to route tubing without sharp bends, and ideally a removable motherboard tray or drive cage to simplify installation.
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO is widely used for custom loops due to its three radiator positions (top, side, bottom), dual-chamber interior, and large internal volume despite being a mid tower. The bottom radiator position allows for pump and reservoir placement in the lower chamber.
The Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 is the most capable option for complex custom loops, with dedicated pump and reservoir mounting positions, front 480mm radiator support, and enough internal space to manage tubing comfortably. It is purpose-designed for enthusiast water cooling as much as standard air-cooled builds.
The Lian Li Lancool III and Fractal Design Torrent support large radiators but have fewer dedicated custom loop features. They are better suited to AIO installations or straightforward custom loop configurations rather than complex multi-radiator setups.
The be quiet! Dark Base 700 and NZXT H7 Flow support AIO coolers up to 360mm effectively and can accommodate a custom loop, though their layouts are not as purpose-designed for complex configurations as the O11 Dynamic EVO or Enthoo Pro 2.
For builds using AIO liquid cooling only, any case in this list with appropriate radiator clearance is suitable. The Fractal Design Torrent, Corsair 5000D Airflow, and NZXT H7 Flow all have strong airflow characteristics that complement AIO cooling well, maintaining low ambient temperatures inside the case that support radiator efficiency.
Further Reading
For a broader overview of PC case selection across all price points, see the PC case buying guide.
Related articles: Best PC Cases UK: Complete Guide
