How to Choose a PC Case – Guide

One of the most interesting aspects of building a PC is choosing a case. The case is often the most important aspect of the aesthetics of your build. However, a PC doesn’t just look cool; it also performs several important tasks and should include certain features to ensure that your build is as efficient as possible. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the most important aspects when choosing a system unit.

The entire process of building a new PC often starts with the processor and graphics card. These two components have the biggest impact on your computer’s performance. Then you select a motherboard, then dive into coolers, SSDs, and power supplies. And only at the very end

You’ll be looking for a PC case that fits your budget and style.

There’s nothing wrong with following this order, but it’s important to remember that looks aren’t the only thing that matters when choosing a PC case. The most important question you should ask yourself before choosing a case is whether your motherboard will fit inside it. This means choosing a form factor, whether it’s E-ATX, ATX, or microATX. Even if the case supports the type of motherboard you want to buy, check the exact dimensions to avoid any issues.

You also need to consider the size of other components. This includes the graphics card, CPU fan, and water cooling system, if you’re going to install that in your system unit. Even power supply can be an issue if you choose a huge model and try to fit it into a small box. Below, we’ll go into more detail on everything you need to know before making a purchase.

Regardless of the order in which you select components, the form factor will be your main criteria to consider. Do you need Full Tower, Mid-Tower, or Mini-ATX? Let’s take a closer look at each type.

Full tower – This is the largest type of case. If you choose a full tower, you will of course want sufficient space on (or around) your desk.

This type of case is one of the best because of the large amount of free space. They are spacious enough to accommodate graphics cards like the RTX 4090 with their demanding power connectors and a special loop cooling system. More often than not, a full-size tower will be able to accommodate even the largest E-ATX motherboards, but make sure to check before purchasing one.

These types of cases are recommended for high-end builds because of the ability to install large heatsinks and additional fans. There will also be room for additional expansion slots.

Middle tower – this is essentially the same as Full toweronly on a smaller scale. Most are just under 8 inches long, but they are still big enough for an ATX motherboard.

Although smaller in size, the available space is usually sufficient for most closed-loop coolers (also known as All-In-One or AIO).

These small cases are designed for motherboards of this size mini ITX. They are great if you are building a small form factor PC. These system units are great if you need something portable and unobtrusive. But you can run into cooling issues if you load them up with the latest hardware.

This case is not suitable for water cooling, so be careful when purchasing a CPU fan. Pay special attention to the size of the motherboard and video card, along with all cables. Larger cards such as RTX 4090 or RTX 4080will significantly complicate the purchase of a motherboard and its associated case.

The cooling system plays a key role in the overall performance of your computer, and keeping all of your components running and cool can be a challenge. There are several angles to approach this issue, but the choice of a specific cooling method directly depends on the size and capacity of your case. You can read more about each cooling option in our article here.

Today’s world favors thin NVMe SSDs, making hard drive bays in a PC case far less important than they used to be. However, you can still use a SATA HDD or SSD, which means they will require some storage bays.

In most cases, the 2.5″ and 3.5″ slots will be sufficient for general consumers. However, if you need a lot of storage, it’s worth considering. Your case may also have SSD mounting points on the back of the motherboard tray.

While all of the I/O ports on the back of your computer are part of the motherboard, the front ports are usually provided through the PC case. Depending on the style of your case, you may or may not have many ports on the front. This includes things like USB and USB-C ports, an audio jack, and card readers.

Choose a system unit based on the number of ports you use and the convenience of their location.

Proper cable routing can improve airflow inside the case. Additionally, if you choose a model with a tempered glass side panel (which is very common these days), cable management becomes even more important.

Some cases have cutouts in the motherboard tray, which is great for keeping all of your cables organized and tucked away. You may also find cheaper cases that have holes in the motherboard tray, but more expensive options may also have handy mounting points.

Style plays a big role when buying a case, as it can take up space in your room for years. The cases are usually black or white, but sometimes you see other colors. In many cases, you can see inside through the glass side panel and see the components.

With the exception of small cube-shaped PCs, the shape of your case doesn’t matter as much as the amount of space you have left after installing all of your system components. And the number of fans that keep the inside of your PC cool at all times. Keep in mind, though, that oddly shaped cases can have poor airflow, so read a few reviews before purchasing one of these.

While most people are looking for a new PC case with all the features they want, the right PC case should fit within your budget. The right way to choose a new PC case is to set a budget. Decide how much you want to spend, and try to balance cost and quality to get the most bang for your buck.

In addition to budget, you should also consider the reputation of the manufacturer. Many well-known brands such as Corsair, Thermaltake, LIAN LI, HYTE and many others produce high-quality budget system units. Read reviews, see ratings, gather user reviews, and consider the PC case that meets your specific needs.