Computer cases come in various sizes and designs, with two traditional styles: desktop and tower. Desktop cases are flat and box-like, while tower cases are tall and narrow. The motherboard is installed at the bottom of the desktop case and vertically inside the tower case. Ports are located at the rear of the case, with some models having front-facing ports. Towers are more popular than desktop cases and can be easily modified or customized. When choosing a case, consider the size, number of front bays, front doors, power supply, fan, and how the case opens. Computer cases range in price from $20 to over $100.
Computer cases contain the components that make up a computer system, minus the monitor, mouse and keyboard which are separate. Cases come in many sizes and designs to fit any body shape, with options for convenience and customization.
There are two basic and traditional styles of computer cases: the desktop and the tower. Desktop cases are flat, box-like cases with varying heights of approximately eight inches (~20cm), designed to literally sit on your desk, giving the model its name. People who use desktop computer cases often place their monitors on top of the case to save space. Tower cases are essentially desk cases that lean to one side, making them tall, deep but narrow cases. Towers are commonly placed under the desk.
A desktop case is opened by lifting the top, which takes the left and right sides of the case with it. The computer’s motherboard is installed at the bottom of the case, with hard drives installed in the bays. The front of the desktop case can accommodate one or more DVD/CD players, a floppy disk drive, an advanced sound card interface, and any other device made for a computer bay. Most ports are located on the back of the case, although some computer cases have connectivity for front USB, Firewire, microphone and headphone ports.
Tower cases are designed to save space, usually taking up residence on the floor by the feet or just right in a closet found on many modern computer desks designed for this purpose. A tower case opens by sliding one or both sides off, or lifting the top together with both sides, depending on the model. The motherboard is mounted vertically inside, with front bays filling the face of the tower. Ports are again located at the rear of the case, with some models housing front-facing ports, as described above, for USB, audio, and other types of connectivity.
Because towers save space, they’ve quickly become more popular than desktop cases, which can be hard to find, relatively speaking. Towers are also popular because they can be modified or customized easily. Many tower cases feature an acrylic window on the side of the case, allowing geeks to admire the hardware inside. LED lights might frame the inside of the window or shine from the internal fans or power supply unit (PSU). The internal wiring could also be colored.
Computer cases are available for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to build a computer from the components up. It’s best to choose your motherboard before deciding on a case, as the size of the motherboard will determine which models you can choose. A mini-tower might not house all motherboards, for example. If you plan to install a fanless video card, check the headroom, as these cards often have deep, grid-like aluminum cooling systems that won’t knock out very narrow towers.
Once you know what size you need, consider how many front bays it has and if that number fits your needs. It’s always wise to leave room for expansion. Also look for the front doors. While many cases have front-facing USB ports, not all of them have front-facing Firewire connectivity. Check to see if audio ports are available as well, as you won’t want to dig into the back of the case to plug in headphones or to get a line in to record material from your computer.
Some computer cases come with a power supply already installed, but this may not be the best choice, as the power supply may not meet your needs. If you want a case with a built-in power supply, make sure you have already chosen all the components and that you know the total wattage and efficiency you need for the power supply. Sometimes it’s a better idea to buy a bare case and get the power supply last. Also check to see what kind of fan comes with the case. Bigger fans move more air, and ball bearing fans are quieter.
Finally, consider the way the case opens. It is usually inconvenient having to lift the top of a tower, as there is rarely room above it without pulling the tower out from under the desk. A sliding side is usually more convenient.
Computer cases range in price from just $20 US Dollars (USD) to over $100 USD for the fancier models. Keep in mind that a larger case won’t take up much more space, while also providing much more internal space for you to install components and move around. A larger case is also more flexible and future-proof. Buy before you buy. Computer cases are available wherever computer components are sold.
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