1. 1. Computer Case Buying Guide Overview The computer case is one of the main parts of any PC. It houses all the main components of your computer, so choosing the right one is one of the most important things when you decide to self build or upgrade. Thats why at The Computer Hub we have been busy writing guides to help you make a more informed choice when it comes to your next PC case purchase Although generally called a case, there are many other terms used to describe a PC case, these include: chassis, tower, enclosure, housing, and rigs. Do not get confused by them, they all mean the same thing. Before Buying a PC Case a Few Things to Consider Before buying any computer case, we recommend you ask yourself several questions so you can get a better idea of what kind of enclosure you are looking for. These are: What motherboard will I be using? The most important factor when buying a new chassis. You need to make sure that your motherboard is compatible with your case. Every PC case will have a list of the motherboards it supports. Where will my case be? No point buying a case too big to fit on your desk is there? Find out exactly where you plan on keeping your PC and measure it. All too often we see people buy cases either too small or too big for their permanent location, causing a lot of embarrassment and stress. What will I be using my computer for? If you are planning on building an all out gaming machine you need to consider the space your components will need, and on top of that you will need to think of how you are going to keep it cool. Look at how many fans the case can support and whether it is capable of water cooling. In contrast if you just want a case to upgrade the aesthetic feel to your PC, cooling will not be a major factor but the look and feel will be. Will I be upgrading it in the future? If the answer to this question is yes, than you will need to plan what kind of modifications you will be doing. A case with too much space is nowhere near as bad as one with very little. Plan your build well and be realistic in what you need. Look at how many disk drives the case can hold and how many expansion slots it has to ensure it will meet your future needs. After you have answered all these questions you will have a better understanding in what you need from your case, and should be able to make a better choice when finally taking the plunge to buy a new chassis. Materials There are three main types of materials used to build a chassis, and each one
2. 2. has its own pros and cons. Listed below are the three most common and the pros and cons associated with each one SECC (Steel, Electrogalvanised, Cold Rolled, Coil) This form of steel doesnt rust, and is a lot lighter than common steel. Many cases are made up of this because it is cheap and can easily be manipulated and welded into shape. Although it is lighter than common steel it is still not as light as aluminium or as thermal conductive. Aluminium Aluminium is extremely light and has been proven to have a slight cooling advantage on the key components within the case. It is also an easy material to modify, and even the most amateur modder can cut out a window with ease. Because of the way pure aluminium is extracted from the ore it is an expensive material compared to SECC. Acrylic Acrylic is usually left for extreme modifiers, and is seen as completely unique. It is extremely easy to cut and modify and these cases can look stunning when LED lighting is used within them. Chassis used with this material are usually used for shows and LAN parties, as acrylic is extremely poor at conducting heat. Types of PC Cases by Size As we all know PC Cases come in all shapes and sizes. But in general we categorise them into four segments. These are defined by their physical size, drive bay numbers and expansion slots. Although this isnt always the case, (excuse the pun) as you can find some midi towers with just as many drive bays as a full tower, and vice versa. Full Tower Cases Usually stand at 558mm in height, has between 6-10 drive bays and 7-10 expansion slots, this type of case generally sits on the floor and are used by serious gamers and folders. Midi Tower Cases Usually stand at 457mm in height, has between 2-4 drive bays, and gain sits on the floor. This is the most common case type and is the best compromise between the three sets of towers. Mini Tower Cases Usually stand at 381mm in height, and has between 1-2 drive bays, these cases could sit on a desktop without being too intrusive, and are usually used for standard computers doing word processing and internet browsing. Desktop Cases The width of this case is larger than its height, and is generally seen in offices. Monitors are usually placed on top of this case to save space, and the drive bays are installed vertically instead of horizontally. These cannot be used for high end performance as they are too small to fit enough fans to cool key components when in high usage. HTPC This case is a newly evolved concept, and is one of the fastest growing markets in the PC case industry. HTPCs are generally sold with integrated software that supports video, photo, music playback, and are in most cases
3. 3. sold with a remote control. Many have LCD screens built in so the user can find information about the media beforehand. Motherboard Types Overview Motherboard form factors are determined by their size, shape, and specifications. Each type of motherboard specifies what type of PSU and case can be compatible with its use. A PC case is deemed compatible with a motherboard when its mounting points (the points where you fix the motherboard to the motherboard tray) are in the same location as the motherboard itself. Types of Motherboard There are three main types of motherboard in use today; each has its own benefits and disadvantages. ATX At around 300mm x 250mm this is considered the first integrated form factor, and helped to standardise the locations for key components attached to it. The expansion slots were put on separate riser cards helping to reduce the overall size when in use, and reducing overlap onto the drive bays. It also has integrated I/O soldered straight onto the motherboard helping with the standardisation. This is now the most common motherboard in use and is considered the best for upgrading. Micro ATX At around 250mm x 250mm this motherboard is slightly smaller than the ATX but it still has the same placement for the mounting holes to ensure backward compatibility in enclosures. The I/O panel is also in the same place. Because of the smaller size this motherboard doesnt have as many expansion slots. To combat this many are produced with integrated peripherals, such as graphic cards, Ethernet cards, and sound cards thus freeing up the space on the expansion slots. Mini ITX At around 150mm x 150mm this is the smallest out of the three. It uses less power to run this board and so less heat is emitted into the cases making it ideal for desktop and mini towers. Although they are aimed towards the smaller end of the case market the mounting holes are in the same place as the ATX and so are the expansion slots and back plate. These are generally used in home theatre systems and cases that need to emit little sound. Thank you reading and for more information please visit www.thecomputerhub.co.uk