Case sizes are important because they affect your setup's general construction and aesthetics. Different cases also have different specs that affect your PC's performance and build quality. This article will break down the advantages of each size and make recommendations on the best size for you depending on your budget and purchase requirements.
What size PC case do you need?
Suppose you're a gamer or like to work on your computer in a comfortable environment. In that case, it can be helpful to choose a PC case that's roomy enough to fit your hardware and other paraphernalia. But is the size of the PC case really all that important?
It depends on what you plan to use your PC for. Suppose you intend to mainly use it for gaming or software that needs lots of processing power. In that case, you'll want to buy a gaming PC case that's bigger than standard cases. However, if you only use your machine for browsing the Internet, word processing, and other lightweight tasks, buying a standard-sized PC case might be more than sufficient.
So before you buy anything, consider what kind of tasks your machine will be used for and see which size PC case would be best suited for those purposes.
Which is the best PC case to buy?
When you're shopping for your next PC chassis, do you agonize over the size of the case? Or, is it more important to focus on other factors, like cooling, airflow and accessibility? And if you do focus on size, what's the best size to buy?
Generally speaking, there's no right or wrong answer for PC case sizing. However, certain factors will dictate which size is best for your needs. For example, if you're looking to build a small-form-factor (SFF) desktop PC, a smaller case may better suit your needs. Conversely, suppose you have a lot of hardware that needs space and cooling capabilities. In that case, a larger chassis may be a better option.
Additionally, consider your intended use for the computer - gaming or general use - and select a case accordingly. Ultimately, the size of the PC chassis doesn't have to be as important as some think; it's just one attribute to consider when selecting a new rig.
Different types of PC cases
If you're looking for a case that will fit all of your hardware, you may be disappointed to hear that not all PC cases are made the same. Depending on the type of PC you have and what you're looking for in a case, you may prefer one over another.
Here we'll look at three types of PC cases and discuss their respective benefits and drawbacks.
Mini-ITX Cases
Mini-ITX cases are designed specifically for small- or medium-sized PCs, usually with AMD processors. Because of this, they tend to be very compact and lightweight, making them perfect for use in portable devices or embedded systems. Some mini-ITX cases also have provisions for adding additional storage solutions, such as 3.5-inch SSDs or 2.5-inch hard drives. Mini-ITX cases are not as common as other PC cases, but they can still be found online and in some retail stores.
Pros: Very compact and lightweight; perfect for portable devices or embedded systems; provisions for adding additional storage solutions; rare species
Cons: Not common; not suitable for large PCs
Full tower Case: Full tower cases are considerably more common than their smaller counterparts. They typically have multiple removable trays to install drives and other components. However, many cases use a more modern design that does away with those trays and instead has standardized drive bays. RF-protected power supplies are also fitted to most full tower enclosures. They have been deemed essential to accommodate the latest and greatest hardware components adequately. These case types tend to be large and heavy and don't offer many advantages over their mini-ITX included counterparts.
Full Tower Mobility Compartment (FMC): This type of case is much like a standard ATX format case with two significant differences. First, it contains a prominent mobility compartment on the outside but lacks an interior baseplate. This mobility compartment leaves the motherboard tray, also known as the I/O shield tray (in contrast to a GPU cutout), exposed, giving you more flexibility in locating vital components. The main benefit of this type of case is that users can purchase the power supply separately and install it through an access panel in the mobility electronics compartment such as an eSATA port or an audio port's ODD bay opening.
Mid-tower case: Another type of slim design personal computer case with a total interior space that is more than average personal computer cases such as ATX and Micro-ATX. The case is divided into two parts: most commonly located CPU area and components/interfaces, which are installed separately; the motherboard tray or I/O shield compartment also called an E-ATX, USB3.0, PCI Express slots, audio jacks and two PSU's are usually installed directly on the motherboard. The main benefit of this design is its size. Although it looks bulky (but tapers to an L-shape only above), mid-towers offer ample space for expansion cards, OS drives and cooling equipment. This allows users to easily locate components within the case, such as audio and USB jacks for quick repairs. This feature is lacking in portable laptops. The modularity of a mid-tower allows users to replace or upgrade existing components inside the case without the need to remove the whole rack from it (although locking mechanisms are relatively rare in mid-towers). On the other hand, these cases lack personalization options compared with full tower enclosures; smaller systems are usually equipped with less versatile compartments with few additional brackets that can be used as mounting points for fans, radiators etc. Other than PS2 units and standard ATX PSU's [12], all large power supplies (up to 250W) designed to fit small to medium size configurations require custom mounting solutions:
Buying guides
When shopping for a new computer case, do your research and think about what matters to you. Here are some things you may want to consider: -How much money do you want to spend? Cases can range from around $20 to $200. -What kind of components will the computer have (PCIe cards, GPUs, etc.)? -How many fans will the case have? Some cases have only one fan, while others have multiple. -What's the size of the motherboard tray? Most cases have a standard ATX or micro ATX size motherboard tray. -Will the case allow for future upgrades or expansion? Some cases come with mounting points for rails or brackets that can add cooling water solutions. -Is the case stylish? Some people prefer flashy and colorful cases, while others prefer simpler designs. The important thing is that the case fits your needs and style. The space for placing the parts you plan to build into your PC is: which motherboard makes the most sense, all the coolers, power supply and other components. What these factors will influence depends on your individual needs and playing style. Things that are always a necessity are money and time. Money is needed to buy coolers, power supplies and motherboards, while time costs effort and money. As such, choose the side quickly when choosing equipment.