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Computer Cases Buying Guide

Computers  are expensive pieces of electronic equipment that basically house our entire lives.  From photos of our friends to our favourite MP3s  and tons of professional and personal documents, we put a lot of faith in our computers to protect  and store the things we love.  So why shouldn't we care just as much about protecting our computers?  If pages of memories and information isn't enough to move you, remember that today's high-performance computer components  cost a pretty penny to replace.   So it's probably a good time to get serious about choosing a quality computer case.

Why You Need Them

  1. They guard against dust and debris that could potentially get lodged into intricate PC  parts.
  2. They protect internal components from being bumped out of place or broken.
  3. They regulate the temperature of your computer, keeping all of the pars in working order.  Metal cases  work better as giant heat sinks, providing better cooling than acrylics  or plastics. 
  4. They add to the overall style or look of your PC if you're building computers to sell or trying to spruce up your home office. 

What To Consider

All computer cases are not created equal. 

Different Sizes

A full tower case  is the largest model available.

  • It can hold the most components.
  • It has the largest carbon footprint.
  • It is meant for professionals and gamers who need peak performance cooling.

A mini tower case  is on the opposite end of the spectrum, taking up the least amount of space of all the available models.

  • The number of components that they can house is limited.
  • Good choice for basic PC users who need the internet, word processing, music storage and photo sharing.
  • Bad choice for the gamer  who needs a bunch of high-performance accessories like graphics cards.
  • They are not the best for cooling, since the lack of internal space decreases the efficiency that heat can dissipate.

A mid tower case  falls in between the two extremes, capable of housing most computer system components while still taking up a bit less space.

  • It is the standard because it is expandable if need be, and it does not have a large footprint like full tower PC cases.
  • If you currently don't need tons of performance extras but may be looking to add on in the future, these are the best investment.

Other Important Features To Consider

  • Bays.  Look for the number and size of bays in prospective computer cases.  You want to make sure you have enough bays for all your drives from CD  to DVD  and beyond.
  • Fans.  If you have a high-tech gaming computer, you need a case that is equipped with multiple fans that can effectively cool all your gizmos and gadgets.   A more basic computer might not need as many, since there are fewer components running at any one time.
  • Vents.  Another way to eliminate heat is with front, back and side vents.  This is especially useful if you like to overclock your components.
  • Expansion Slots.  These are designed to match up to the slots on your motherboard so you can secure add-in cards and devices.
  • Style.  If you want something more than a plain black case,  you're in luck.  Computer cases can be customized with everything from glowing lights to bright colours, detailing and see-through sides  that let you get a peak at all the cool stuff going on inside.
  • Power. You're going to need a large enough power supply to support all your components.  Not every computer case ships with a power supply unit, so read the fine print before you buy.
  • Motherboard Compatibility.  Your case must be able to fit your motherboard.   Motherboard sizes are measured in "form factors," with the most common being ATX.  Read the case description to see what form factors it supports.

Major Manufacturers

Related Guides

Laptop Bags

Building a Computer

Desktop Computers

Computer Care and Cleaning

Computer Speakers

External Links