Hardware Repair

Everything You Need To Know About Picking PC Cases

February 25, 2024

Introduction

Choosing the right PC case is one of the most important decisions when building a new computer. The case determines how much hardware you can install, the expandability of the system, airflow and cooling performance, aesthetics, and more. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the perfect case. This guide will walk you through everything I need to know to choose the ideal PC case for my needs. From form factors and motherboard compatibility to cooling performance and extra features, I will cover it all. By the end, you will have the knowledge to select the perfect computer case with confidence.

Form Factors

The first thing to consider when choosing a case is the form factor. This determines what size motherboard and other components the case can accommodate. The main form factors are:

ATX

The standard form factor for most mainstream builds.
Supports full-size ATX motherboards up to 12″ x 9.6″.
Offers excellent compatibility and expansion options.
ATX cases offer robust airflow and cooling support.
The most popular and widely available form factor.

Micro-ATX

Supports the smaller micro-ATX motherboards (9.6″ x 9.6″).
Takes up less space but with fewer expansion slots.
Micro-ATX cases are more compact without sacrificing much functionality.
Great for smaller builds where space is limited.

Mini-ITX

For tiny mini-ITX motherboards (6.7″ x 6.7″).
Extremely compact case and board size.
Ideal for portable and living room PCs.
Limit expandability to save space.
Can still accommodate high-end hardware.

E-ATX

For extra large E-ATX motherboards up to 13″ x 13″.
Offer the maximum expansion slots and compatibility.
Support extensive water cooling configurations.
Require a large tower case.
Mostly for high-end enthusiasts and workstations.

I should choose the form factor based on the size of my intended motherboard and how much expandability I need. ATX offers the best balance for most users.

Size

The overall size and dimensions of the case are also important considerations. The main size categories are:

Full Tower

The largest mainstream cases available.
Stand over 20″ tall and can be over 10″ wide.
Offer virtually unlimited space for components and cooling.
Support the largest E-ATX motherboards and extensive water cooling.
Ideal for high-performance gaming and professional builds.
Can be difficult to position and heavy to move.

Mid Tower

The most popular size for ATX builds.
Typically stands 14″-18″ tall and under 10″ wide.
Supports full ATX motherboards and high-end GPUs.
Offer ample room for drives, cooling, and cable management.
The ideal balance of size and expandability for most users.

Micro/Mini Tower

Compact cases under 14″ tall and 9″ wide.
Designed for micro-ATX and mini-ITX builds.
Great small form factor cases with good hardware support.
Limit expansion options but ideal for tight spaces.
Portable and easy to transport to LAN parties.

When deciding on case size, I need to consider my motherboard, component choices, cooling needs, and available space. Mid tower cases offer the best compromise for most ATX builds.

Motherboard Compatibility

It’s crucial to pick a case specifically designed for my motherboard’s form factor. An ATX case won’t work with a mini-ITX board and vice versa. Some key compatibility factors:

Form factor – ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX, and E-ATX.
I/O panel cutout – Case must fit the rear ports on the motherboard.
Power supply mount – Most cases use standard ATX PSUs.
Drive bays – 3.5″ and 2.5″ bays for HDDs and SSDs.
Clearances – Enough room for CPU coolers, GPU length, and other components.

Matching the case to my specific motherboard and parts ensures everything will physically fit together. I don’t want to end up with compatibility issues down the line.

Expansion and Connectivity

The case greatly impacts how much I can expand my system down the road. Important features that enable upgrades and connectivity:

PCI slots – Number of rear expansion slots for GPUs and cards.
Drive bays – 3.5″ bays for HDDs and 2.5″ bays for SSDs.
Radiator support – Room for all-in-one or custom liquid cooling radiators.
Cable management – Well-routed cables out of sight and out of airflow paths.
Front I/O ports – Convenient USB, audio, and other ports on the case front.

More premium cases offer more expansion room and options. I should decide how much I might want to upgrade later on – more PCIe slots enable multi-GPU setups for example.

Cooling and Airflow

The case layout plays a huge role in cooling and airflow. Effective cooling depends on good case ventilation and airflow. Some useful cooling features include:

Fan mounts – More 120mm/140mm fan mounts for intake and exhaust.
Water cooling support – Room for radiators and custom loop components.
Mesh panels – Improved front panel airflow over solid panels.
Dust filters – Keep internal components cleaner.
GPU clearance – Accommodate the largest graphics cards.
Side panel – Tempered glass looks great but restricts airflow.

Good airflow starts with fan-mount locations. Intake at the front and bottom with exhaust at the rear and top is ideal. A quality mesh front panel also helps maximize airflow. I want to ensure my chosen case can cool my high-end components.

Aesthetics and Theming

For many builders, aesthetics are just as important as functionality. Some styling elements to consider:

Color schemes – Match a black, white, or themed design.
Lighting – Integrated RGB LED strips and lighting effects.
Side panel – Show off internal components through tempered glass.
Hardware displays – Angled drive mounts to show off SSDs for example.

I can choose anything from a minimalist black box to a case loaded with RGB fans and a tempered glass side panel. Premium branding from Corsair, NZXT, Lian Li and others also offers status and style. Don’t forget to match the theme I have going with other peripherals and my room.

Extra/Advanced Features

Higher end cases offer bonuses like these extra features:

Power supply shroud – Covers the PSU and drive cages for a clean look.
Vertical GPU mount – Displays the GPU through the side panel.
Removable filters – Magnetic dust filters that are easy to clean.
Fan/RGB control – Built-in control hubs for fans and lighting.
Mod friendly – Allows for custom water cooling loops.

While not must-haves, features like these can make building and maintaining a PC much easier. Convenience and design extras like these might be worth the premium cost for some builders.

Budget

Finally, I need to consider my budget for a case. Prices typically range from:

$30-60 – Basic but decent budget cases. Mostly solid panels and minimal features.
$60-120 – Ideal mainstream price range. Mix of airflow, cooling, and features.
$120-200 – Higher-end cases from premium brands. Excellent cooling and expandability.
$200+ – Over the top cases with intricate designs. For showcase builds and enthusiasts.

I don’t want to bottleneck an expensive high-end build with a cheap low-airflow case. But most builders don’t need a $300 display case either. The $60-120 range offers excellent quality and features for most builds.

Conclusion

Choosing the optimal case involves considering size, expansion options, cooling performance, aesthetics, and my budget. The ideal balance for many is a mid-tower ATX case in the mainstream $60-120 price range, with good airflow and some premium features. This provides great compatibility, flexibility for future upgrades, and performance to match high-end components. There are also smaller form factors to save space, and flashy premium designs to create a showcase build. By knowing my priorities and using this knowledge, I can select the perfect PC case to meet my needs.