Cheap Computer Cases

The computer case is an important part of your computer and you can find cheap computer cases in many places. The computer case not only houses and protects all the components of your computer but also serves as part of the cooling system for the CPU and other components. Although it may seem logical to have the computer open to keep everything cool, cases are actually designed to be closed for maximum cooling potential.

There are some attributes to consider when purchasing a computer case.

Tower vs. Desktop

Tower computer cases are more common today. They are the vertical cases like the picture above and are more expandable than desktop cases. Desktop computer cases are the ones that lay flat and horizontal on the table top. The desktop computer case allows you to put your monitor on top of it so it does have its space saving qualities.

Diablo Tek Silver Demon ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case with Front USB Ports
$49.99

A Full Tower Computer Case can be quite large and stand up to three feet high. It will come with a large power supply to support all of the expansion capabilities it offers. Unless you plan on building a monster type system, then you will not need a case of this size.

Most likely you will want to get a mid or mini-tower computer case. These are the most popular today and you can get one for a very affordable price. These offer room for expansion and most likely come with a power supply adequate to support whatever you put in the case. A power supply of 300-350watts is usually satisfactory for today's users.

PCMCIS Cobra Silver ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case with Front USB Ports, Clear Side and 420Watt Power Supply
$69.99

Form Factor

This term relates to the size of the motherboard you will be placing inside of your case.

The most common size (form factor) is the ATX. An ATX computer case is a newer design and supports ATX size motherboards. This is the most popular size offered today and you can find great deals on these computer cases with or without a power supply. I recommend getting a computer case with a power supply because it is almost always cheaper and it is already installed. Although installing a power supply is not big deal, if the power supply form factor does not match the case then it doesn't fit. The less headaches the better when building your own system so get a case with the power supply already in it.

Putting the Case Together

Though computer cases are cheap today compared to the past, sometimes the instructions with the computer cases are not as clear and concise as one would expect. Some cases come with a minimum of directions on how to connect the wires from the front panel of the case to the motherboard. Usually, the connectors on the wires are clearly marked and the connectors on the motherboard are clearly marked so you can make the connections without too much trouble. The USB wires may be a little more difficult because they sometimes connect one by one to the motherboard. Don't worry though, connecting them incorrectly will not damage the system, the ports just wont work. A little trial and error and some logical thinking will most likely get them connected.