Choosing Computer Case

  Computer cases, or chassis, are the body housing all of the components and parts needed to run your system, including your motherboard, hard drive, case fans, and optical drives. Although computer cases seemingly do the same things, there are many factors to consider, like size and design. Let’s go over these factors so you can choose the right case.

         Know your space

  One of the most important factors is space. You can get a small Mini-ITX cube case or you can go with a very large full-tower case. If you have limited space, a full tower will simply be out of the question. On the flip side, a Mini-ITX small size limits the components you can have inside. For most people, a mid-tower case is the best option. Mid-tower cases can accommodate most motherboards, can hold multiple hard drives, and will usually have at least one area for you to install an optical drive while maintaining a small size. If you’ve used a computer before, it was mostly likely a mid-tower case.

 

      Form Factor

  “Form factor” is term you will hear a lot when building a computer. Form factor refers to a standardized size used across the industry to ensure that different components are compatible. For motherboards, you have mini-ITX, micro-ATX, ATX, and extended-ATX. ATX is the most common because it has the best combination of size and performance. As we mentioned earlier, mid-tower cases are often the best option because they can usually work with mini-ITX, micro-ATX, and ATX. A smaller motherboard can fit into a larger case, but a larger motherboard cannot fit into a smaller case. You can refer to the table below to give you a better understanding of the differences of each motherboard form factor. 
Your power supply will have different form factors, but everyday home and office PC’s will use a standard PS/2 form factor, which is also referred to as ATX.

 

 

NameForm factor         (width × depth)                 

FlexATX                         9 × 7.5 in (229×191 mm)   

microATX                       9.6 × 9.6 in (244×244 mm)

Mini ATX                      11.2 × 8.2 in (284×208 mm)

Standard ATX              12 × 9.6 in (305×244 mm)   

EATX (extended ATX) 12 × 13 in (305×330 mm)    

WTX (workstation ATX)14 × 16.75 in (356×425 mm)

 

 

How many storage drives

  Every computer needs storage drives to hold all of your programs, music, videos, and other files. The type, capacity, and number will differ depending on your specific needs. The typical 3.5-inch hard drive is the most common and ranges from a few megabytes to a few terabytes. You can choose a 2.5-inch solid-state drive, which offers much higher speeds, but at a much higher cost. The number of drives you plan to use will determine how much space your case needs.

 

     What kind of cooling

  Computers components generate heat, so you will need a way to cool your system to prevent overheating. You can use air cooling or water cooling. First, you will need to determine what type of mounting your motherboard requires, such as LGA 2011, and double check that your cooler is compatible. For air cooling, you need to double check the CPU cooler height limit. If your air cooler is too tall, it will not fit inside your case. 
 

  If you choose water cooling, there are a few options to decide between. You can choose an all-in-one (AIO) system or custom liquid cooling. Custom liquid cooling requires greater skill during installation and requires regular upkeep. An AIO system is more basic and provides the benefits of water cooling without the more complicated installation and maintenance. With either type of water cooling, you will need to make sure your case has the space and mounting holes to mount the radiator, which ranges in size from 120 mm to 480 mm. 
 

  Your case will also need fans to pull or push air through it to cool your system. Most cases come with at least one fan with options to mount more. There are a variety of case fans out there. You simply need to match the size and decide if you’d like any special color LEDs. There are many different designs, so look around to see what fits your personality.

 

  Cable Management Needs

  Computers are no longer only about performance. There is now a focus on aesthetics, which has lead to the creation of clear panels to let friends and admirers get a peek of your system components. In order to properly see, cable management is a must. Not only does this provide a clean look, it also provides unobstructed airflow through your case. Cutouts are made to the case to allow cables to be routed behind your components in the area behind the motherboard.

 

     “tool-free” or “tool-less”

  Tool-free or toolless cases let you install certain components without the use of any tools. Manufacturers use via clips and thumbscrews to make for a fast, easy build experience. Being toolless is a great feature and can save a lot of time when working on your computer. With a tool-free or toolless design, you can spend less time looking for tools and more time enjoying your computer.