Computer Case: Tips how to Buy a good one

Computer Case: Showcasing your custom PC

Unlike most parts in a computer, I can’t recommend computer cases based on their performance for their price, since PC cases don’t directly influence performance.

However, the case is what protects your fragile components, cool them down and helps you showcase your awesome computer.

The Computer Case is what your friends, family and colleagues will see when they see your PC. If you want to make your own PC look awesome, professional or outstanding, this where your case will make a major difference.

Here’s What to Look for When Buying a Computer Case:

• Its look: What is the best look is based on your tastes obviously, so I can’t pick for you here. Pick a look that suits you, the environment where the computer will be located and the rest of the people living with you if applicable.
• Its size: Mini-Tower, Mid Tower, Full-size Tower, Mini-ITX, Media Center, HTPC, Desktop, etc. If all you want to build is a small discrete server, a smaller case will do for you. However, if you want a monster gaming rig with a powerful processor and two high-end video cards, a full size tower, with all the space and cooling that it offers, will suit you best.
• What motherboard size(s) it supports: Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, Baby AT, EATX (Extended ATX), etc. Make sure that the case you buy supports the size type of your motherboard.
• The material used and the thickness of the metal: Plastic is light and inexpensive, but also not very solid. Aluminum is light, looks good, but is expensive and less solid than steel. Steel is the most solid material, but also the heaviest. Keep in mind that there’s a lot of difference between a thickness of say 0.5mm and 1.2mm. Too thin and your case will be flimsy.
• Cooling: A bigger case gives more room for your components to breath. It also allows you to install more and bigger fans. When it comes to case cooling, the more fans you have and the bigger they are, the better your temperatures will be.
• Noise: Now, while more fans will cool better, more fans will also create more noise. For less noise, look for bigger fans (at least 120mm preferably) that rotates slower and moves as much or more air for a lower noise level compared to smaller fans that have to spin faster and make more noise to move as much air compared to bigger fans. Some cases are also equipped with noise dampening material and rubber mountings to absorb vibrations, reducing the overall level of sound. Note that you can also get a fan controller to control the speed and noise of your case fans.
• Tool-less assembling: A pro for some, a con for others. A tool-less design for assembling tend to make things more simple if it’s well designed, however, it it’s not properly executed, it can also be not as effective to secure parts, unlike good old screws. Pros system builders tend to prefer not having a tool-less design for a more secure installation and cut down on the case price. Beginners appreciate the friendly tool-less design because it’s usually more simple to assemble.
• Number of drives: 5.25″ drive bays for Optical Drives, external 3.5 for floppy drives, or swappable hard drive and internal 3.5″ drive bay. Most people only have a single hard drive and a single optical drive, so the vast majority of cases will be fine, but if you have a lot of hard drives, make sure that you have enough bays to install them all. Getting a SSD? Make sure that the case features either a 3.5″->2.5″ adapter or the specific space for a SSD.
• Front Panel Ports: USB, E-SATA, FireWire and Audio are commonly found on the front panel ports for easy access.