How To Choose A Computer Case

Things to think about When Choosing a Computer Case

In the past, computer cases were all very similar... Clones of an equivalent boring, beige box. With all of the alternatives available today, this is often not the 'case', and other people can use their systems' chassis as a way to precise themselves and line their system aside from the remainder. Although appearance could also be an enormous one, it is not the sole think about the choice process and therefore the following items should be considered when buying a replacement computer case.

1. Form Factor

There are different sizes of motherboards, which successively require different cases to deal with them. Case form factors share the names of the motherboards they support, and a few of the common ones include ATX, Micro ATX (mATX), FlexATX, and Mini ITX. ATX motherboards are perhaps the foremost common, and therefore the largest of the four, measuring at the most 12" x 9.6" (305mm x 244mm). A Micro ATX board is at the most 9.6" x 9.6" (244mm x 244mm), a FlexATX is 9.0" x 7.5" (229mm x 191mm) and a Mini ITX comes in at a small 6.7" x 6.7" (170mm x 170mm). ATX and mATX are far and away from the foremost popular motherboard sizes for consumer motherboards, and hence, most cases are made to support one or both of those sizes.

different sizes of motherboards

An mATX motherboard can obviously slot in a smaller enclosure than an ATX motherboard, and thus there are different size cases available to match. The larger cases are generally downward compatible with smaller form factor motherboards, but the other isn't true. for instance, someone with this Amptron mATX motherboard could save a couple of inches and install it during this 14.25" tall mATX case, or pick something like this black ATX case that stands just a touch taller at 16.5".

Many branded systems (ones that you simply may buy prebuilt and with preinstalled software) are usually a mixture of a typical form factor (such an mATX) with some sort of proprietary design (usually within the front panel switches and it's cabling) and buying a replacement case for these sorts of motherboards are often tricky. Some branded systems also use lesser-used form factors like NLX and LPX (which employee riser cards for the expansion slots) and finding replacement cases for these sorts of systems is often a really difficult and pricey endeavor.

A smaller system could also be desirable where space is tight, but larger form factor cases provide more room for multiple drives and other peripherals, and a smaller motherboard could also be better suited to a bigger case during a system like this.

2. Size

Size may go alongside form think about many respects, but even while considering cases of an equivalent form factor, there are often variations in size during a few respects. Areas, where size can vary, are in overall dimensions, the amount of exposed 5.25" and 3.5" bays, and therefore the number of internal bays.

ATX cases obviously got to be large enough to carry an ATX motherboard; some are just large enough, while others seem cavernous as compared. If a case must fit under a coffee shelf, or between items of a particular width, it's important to settle on an appropriately sized case. Cases are available two basic configurations when it involves their size and shape, either desktop or tower. Work area cases are more extensive than they're tall and are arranged in this manner the motherboard lays level, while tower cases have the motherboard standing upstanding, and are accessible in three essential heights... mini-tower, mid-tower, and full tower. Tower cases are more common lately, and currently the sole style within the Computer Geeks case inventory.

The number of exposed drive bays is usually in direct proportion to the general size of the case. a better number of exposed 5.25" bays could also be desirable for those with quite one DVD or CD drive, removable drive racks, and fan controllers. Uncovered 3.5" inlets are commonly involved by floppy drives, Zip drives, fan controllers, and things like this 9-in-1 Card Reader, and as a rule, you'll get a couple of those bays, maximum. This case is extremely similar in appearance to the present another one, but they need one difference which will convince be an enormous factor. They both have four exposed 5.25" bays, but one has two exposed 3.5" bays while the opponent only has one. If a user had a floppy drive and therefore the 9-in-1 card reader, they might either need to prefer to install just one, or use an adaptor and take up one among their 5.25" bays.

Internal bays are generally reserved for hard drives, and systems with multiple drives require the required space. So, if a user decided he really wanted a yellow-colored case, but needed room for five hard drives, he would be forced to settle on this one (5 drive bays) over this one (4 drive bays).

3. Cooling

Cooling

Cooling may be a critical feature to think about when selecting a computer case. High-end systems can generate an honest deal of warmth, and therefore the case must be adequately cooled to stay the system running and stable.

The basic configuration for case cooling involves having one intake fan on the lower portion of the front surface, and one fan above on the rear surface. this enables cooler air to be drawn in, omitted the varied heat-generating components, and exhausted out the rear. There are many other cooling configurations available which will provide improvements in terms of cooling performance and noise.

One approach to diminish commotion, and possibly move more air, is for a case to utilize 120mm (4") fans instead of the standard 80mm (3") fans, as bigger fans don't get to spin as fast to push an equivalent volume of air. This A-Top Z-Alien utilizes a 120mm fan that also features another key feature to good cooling. The fan grill is extremely open, meaning that there'll be minimal resistance to airflow and reduced noise because the air rushes past it. Many fan grills are made up of perforating the case's sheet, and that they don't provide enough open area permanently airflow.

Another approach to raised cooling is to throw more fans at the warmth. This Matrix case adds another fan to the side panel which can draw cool air in the right top of the processor and video card, two of the warmer items during a system. Other cases will add a fan to the highest of the case, which pushes the warmth out a bit like a chimney.

No matter the approach, cooling is one area that needs close consideration when it involves cases intended for today's high powered systems.

4. Installation Features

Installing a system into a case is often a time-consuming affair, which may become annoying to those that find themselves during a continuous cycle of upgrading. Many cases now include convenient features to form installation much simpler, and much less time consuming

A portion of these conniveent establishment highlights incorporates a removable motherboard plate, removable drive confines, device less development card mounts, device fewer sideboards, and device less drive rail frameworks. having the ability to get rid of the motherboard tray and drive cage makes it easier to figure on those specific areas within the open, and having a tool-less system for mounting drives or cards means there's no need for screws or a screwdriver. Definitely time savers!

Although the listing on the pc Geeks site doesn't specify it, this X-Blade ATX case features both a removable drive cage and a tool-less drive rail system, consistent with this review.

5. Convenience Items

It is not enough for a case to deal with a computing system anymore, it now must multi-task. Having regularly used connections on the front or top of the case is one common convenience feature that a lot of people search for. Cases like this A-Top Z-Alien model let users ditch the annoyance of reaching round the back of their case to plug things in, as USB, Firewire, headphone and microphone jacks are located on the highest.

Other cases are available that take convenience to a different level by including clocks, digital thermometers that monitor specific components, and fan controllers to assist maintain a healthy balance between noise and cooling performance.

6. Style

Style

A couple of years of prior cases just came in one shading and one essential style... plain beige boxes. If you're nostalgic for the olden days of computer cases, Computer Geeks still has one purchasable during this style, the KG-200. But cases now are available styles from mild to wild, and during a whole rainbow of colors. Some have large windows within the side panel to point out of the case's insides, some include special lighting effects, and a few have appearances which may scare the youngsters. At now, there seem to be few limits just in case design, but there are always classically styled cases in updated color schemes for those that want something modern looking, but nothing too intense.

7. Power Supply

Power Supply

Many cases are sold with an influence supply included, but this power supply won't be the right one for the system to be installed inside it. An adequate power supply must be chosen to satisfy the stress of the system, and this might alright mean buying a further power supply to exchange the one included or selecting a special case with a more appropriately sized power supply.

For example, someone may decide their high-end gaming system would go well during this black ATX case, but the included 300W power supply might not be strong enough for a top-notch graphics card, multiple drives, water cooling, and other power-hungry peripherals which may be installed.

Final Words

There are many factors that enter selecting an adequate case for a computing system, including the seven mentioned above. What may finish up being the foremost important factor wasn't discussed, but can hopefully be addressed by balancing the importance of those factors... price. Computer cases can cost anywhere from several dollars to many hundred dollars, meaning that a decent budget may decide which of the opposite features is basically all that important.