Author: Dave Melchiore
Original article
can be found
here at xoxide.com
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So the time has come to build a new PC, and you already have a good idea
of how you want it to perform. Perhaps you already know exactly what
components you are going to put in your case, but what about the case
itself? If you need help sifting through the myriad choices available to
computer builders, this article will be of benefit to you. After you
have read the article, exploit the information you have gleaned by
checking out Xoxide.com’s vast selection of
PC Case.
Case Size
The first thing to consider when selecting a case is
size. How much room do you have for this computer? If space is not a
limiting factor, go with a full tower case, because it will provide the
best cooling and most room for upgrades. If you must fit the computer
into a smaller space, a mid-tower ATX case will do nicely, because they
were designed exactly for that purpose. If you want a tower case but
have very little room, a mini-tower case will suit you. Finally, if you
need to store your computer horizontally (underneath the monitor,
perhaps), a desktop case is the best choice. You can shop at Xoxide.com
for your .
Once you have determined what size best suits your needs,
you must take into consideration the size of the motherboard you have
selected. If you select a Mini Tower case, you will need a motherboard
which is micro-ATX compatible. Conversely, if you selected a full ATX
motherboard, a mini tower case will probably not be able to fit it. Make
sure the motherboard and case you purchase are compatible size-wise; it
would be a real bummer to have all of your parts arrive one day, and
just as you’re about to start putting your computer together you
discover that your motherboard doesn’t fit in your case.
Case Specifications
When choosing case size, space confines are not the
only considerations which need to be made. Different size cases can hold
different numbers of components. A full tower ATX case usually has two
or three external 3.5” bays (for floppy drives and some fan
controllers), between 3 and 6 internal 3.5” bays (for hard drives), and
usually 5 or 6 external 5.25” bays (for CD drives, DVD drives, fan
controllers, etc.). Naturally, this is the type of case you would want
if maximum upgradeability is a concern. A mid-tower ATX case usually has
two external 3.5” bays, four 5.25” bays, and between two and four
internal 3.5” bays. A mini-tower case usually has between one and two
external 3.5” bays, between one and two 5.25” bays, and between two and
four internal 3.5” bays. A small form factor case usually has two 5.25"
bays, zero or one external 3.5" bay, and two internal 3.5" bays. A
desktop case usually has two external 3.5” bays, two 5.25” bays, and
between one and three internal 3.5” bays. Make sure you take into
consideration the amount of expansion room you will need when choosing a
case.
Case Material
Now that you have a size picked out, what about the
materials? The three most common materials for case construction are
steel, aluminum, and acrylic. Steel is the most common, because it is
inexpensive and strong. Aluminum is more expensive than steel, but looks
better (in most people’s opinions) and conducts/transfers heat more
effectively, leading to cooler case temperatures and longer component
life. Acrylic is designed for extreme case modders due to its
transparency and relative cutting ease. Acrylic will not cool as well as
either aluminum or steel because acrylic is a thermal insulator, meaning
it does not conduct heat very well.
Final Considerations
Now you have a size, motherboard configuration, and material picked
out, there are a number of other things to keep in mind when selecting a
case. Make sure to note whether the case comes with a power supply of
adequate wattage and quality to power your system. The power supply is
the most important component in your computer; it is recommended that a
standalone power supply is purchased from a reputable manufacturer
regardless of whether the case contains a power supply or not. Most
Computer Power
Supplies are inexpensive and cheaply built, and will not be adequate
for a high-end computer or one which is being overclocked. In addition,
you will need to pick a case which will meet your
Computer Cooling needs.
This subject is gone into more in-depth in our
Computer Cooling
Article; just remember to pick a case with adequate room for fans of
the proper size and position. Finally, if you are planning on
water-cooling your computer, a full-tower case is recommended because
the extra room will be needed for the reservoir and radiator.
Now you know all that you need to select the right case for your
situation. When you’re ready, browse our huge selection of over 300
Computer Cases or use
our Xoxide
Advanced Case Search to find exactly what you are looking for.
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