Choosing
the Right Computer Case
First and foremost select a
computer case that appeals to your personal tastes. Once you
have found one that looks good to you then there are a few
other attributes about computer cases that you should be
aware of.
Does it have front USB? It almost doesn't make sense to have
a computer case without front usb. Front USB ports come in
handy for hooking up digital cameras and downloading images.
This enables you to avoid pulling the computer out to search
for the usb ports in the back. Almost all motherboards have
ports for front usb as well as rear usb. Other uses of front
usb ports are: memory stick insertion, mp3 player docking,
portable printer docking, and temporary networking between
computers.
How does the motherboard install into the case? If possible
try to find a case that has a removable backplane for
mounting the motherboard. The backplane is able to be
removed from the case to mount the motherboard. Using this
method it is possible to install the motherboard out in the
open where there is plenty of room to work. Installing a
motherboard in a computer case without a removable backplane
can be cramped. You also run the risk of cutting your hands
on the surrounding case chassis. Of course, if the computer
case is large then it may not be necessary for it to have a
removable backplane. The removable backplane feature becomes
more important if the computer case is small sized.
What form factor is your motherboard? There are several form
factors that motherboards are usually manufactured. The
major form factors are: Micro ATX, Full ATX (commonly
referred to as ATX), and Extended ATX. Every computer case
should denote which motherboard form factors it accepts. If
the case doesn't describe which motherboard form factors it
accepts then it's best to move on; you run the risk of
buying a computer case that doesn't fit your motherboard.
Physical measurements of a motherboard are mostly
unimportant. As long as the form factors of the case and
motherboard match then you should have no problem with
installation.
What size power supply does the computer case have? Ask
yourself this important question because most companies that
sell computer cases will include a small power supply that
is, most of the time, too small for your application. Having
an undersized power supply can lead to erratic computer
operation, most often denoted by frequent rebooting. Most
computer cases come standard without a power supply. People
have different needs so we provide the opportunity for the
customer to add whichever size power supply they need in
their case.
Be sure to check out our article on choosing the right power
supply for your computer.
How many device bays will your computer need? It is
necessary to know how many 5.25" and 3.5" bays you'll need
in your computer case. If you're installing four cdroms in
your computer then it will be necessary to have a case with
at least four 5.25" bays. You'll also need a certain number
of 3.5" bays. Floppy drives and hard drives fit into 3.5"
bays. For floppy drives the bays should be external, meaning
that they are accessible from the outside of the computer
case. Hard drives are mounted in the internal 3.5" bays. The
bottom line is to be sure you have enough bays for all of
your devices.
Will the physical dimensions of the computer case fit into
your location? Be sure to pick a computer case that fits
inside whatever space you have designated for your computer.
Pay close attention to the overall height, width, and depth.
Does your space provide for ample cooling of your computer?
In most applications where the computer is set in open space
the fans in the power supply and on the cpu are enough to
cool the computer. In places such as cabinets you might want
to add one or two fans to aid in the cooling process.
Another application that might call for additional cooling
fans is when over clocking of the processor is performed.
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