Learn About Desktop PC Cases
Desktop PC Case quick guide
What is it?
PC case, also known as computer tower, is the enclosure that houses all the main computer parts (CPU, GPU, Memory, Storage, Motherboard, Power Supply). It comes in many shapes and sizes. Most notably:
-
SFF
It stands for Small Form Factor (SFF), They come with 2 to 3 expansion slots. Some don't have any expansion slots.
-
Mini-Tower
They come with 2 to 5 expansion slots.
-
Mid-Tower
They come with 5 to 7 expansion slots.
-
Full-Tower
They come with 7 to 9 expansion slots.
How does it work?
PC cases do the following:
- House PC Parts
- Protect PC Parts from electrical shorts
- Protect PC Parts from dust
Look for
-
Compatibility
Make sure it is compatible with your Motherboard
-
Clearance
Check if CPU cooler, GPU, Power Supply, and Motherboard fit
-
Ports
Check port types USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Audio, Ethernet, Thunderbolt
Make sure the port selection is suitable for your needs in terms of connection speed and quantity.
-
PCIe Slots
Make sure you get enough PCIe slots for all your parts
It is a good idea to get more than you need for future expandability. Also, keep in mind that some PCIe cards can take more than 1 slot, so you need to account for that as well.
-
Cable Management
Check how easy it is to manage your cables and how clean they look
-
Easy Upgradability
Check how easy it is to install and access your PC parts
-
Build Quality
Check the quality of the materials used
-
Noise Levels
Make sure the CPU cooler has acceptable noise levels while operating inside the PC case
Some PC cases have sound dampening to help reduce noise levels.
-
Airflow
Make sure the airflow is good for sustained performance for CPU, GPU, and SSD
-
Dust
Check out how the dust is controlled
Avoid
-
Poor Airflow
Avoid PC cases with poor airflow
Airflow is very important for maximizing performance of your components
-
Non-standard Parts
Avoid PC cases that use non-standard parts
Non-standard parts makes upgrading difficult and usually more expensive to repair.