When building a PC, everyone focuses on getting the best motherboard, RAM, CPU, cooling fans, and other crucial hardware components. But when it comes to the computer casing, it’s mostly an afterthought. Even though a PC case doesn’t contribute directly to the computer’s performance, it still shouldn’t be left out. There are a lot of factors that you must consider before purchasing a case for your PC.
You should always keep your budget in mind when shopping for a PC case. Look for a case that has a better cooling system and can easily fit all your components. There must be multiple ports for better connectivity, and the case should provide good cable management.
Choosing the right size casing can better accommodate your computer’s hardware. A high-quality PC case also helps in cooling your computer, and most of all, it protects the essential internals.
Overall, an exceptional PC case can help increase your computer’s productivity. We will cover everything related to a PC case below so you can make the right buying decision.
Things To Consider Before Buying a PC Case
Here’s a list of all the factors you must consider before buying a case for your computer.
Case Size
Determining which case size will suit your needs should be your priority. PC cases come in many dimensions depending on the motherboard size they can accommodate. The commonly used cases are the full-tower, mid-tower, mini-ITX, and micro-ATX.
Full-Tower Case
A full tower case provides the maximum space out of all the options. It is usually used for specially built PCs having unusual-sized internals. These towers can fit all the bulky custom parts, especially those used by enthusiasts.
Mid-Tower Case
A mid-tower case is the most commonly used type. It is because they are easily available and can fit ATX motherboards used by a vast majority. They also sit at a sweet spot size, not too large or too small for a PC case.
Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX Cases
These cases are used for small PCs that need to be kept in confined spaces. They are usually difficult to handle as they provide a very measured amount of space. Your components will not fit properly if you get the measurements wrong.
You can choose the size according to your needs; however, if you’re not a hardcore hobbyist, you should go for a mid-tower case.
Case Clearance and Compatibility
Choosing the right size will make all the regular components fit easily in your PC case. However, other additional attachments, such as CPU coolers, may not completely adjust in your case. Some fancy and bulky fans provide better cooling but are difficult to fit in.
The same goes for special graphic cards that are usually longer than regular cards. Before buying any of these components, you should consider whether they will be compatible with your casing.
Cooling Ability
A minimum of two fans should be inside your PC for optimum airflow; the more fans, the better. One fan should take in the air, and the other should be used for the outflow of air. Look for a PC case with openings for multiple fans, preferably behind your CPU.
Some cheaper casings come with only one single fan or cutout, which doesn’t dissipate the heat well, decreasing your computer’s performance.
Cable Management
Having a bunch of cables tangling around your PC is a big problem. However, some PC cases can solve this for you. Look for a case with cable management features like small cutouts through which you can pass the cables.
The casing can also feature a power supply shroud that can keep most of the mess to a minimum. Having proper spaces for cables is a little feature, but it can relieve you from frustration.
Front Panel and Drive Bays
An advanced front panel on a PC case is always beneficial. Having a lot of ports can come in handy on different occasions. An ideal front panel should include USB-A and Type-C ports with mic ports and audio jacks. This versatility will make sure you’re covered at all times.
The same can be said for the internal space. Everybody needs to have the maximum amount of storage on their computers. It is only possible with hard drives and SSDs. So, to connect these storage devices, the casing should have some 3.5-inch hard drives and extra 2.5-inch SSD bays for that additional and fast storage.
Additional Features
Apart from these basic features, you can look for some additional features in a PC case that can improve the overall look and even performance to some extent. These little options include dust filters, sound-dampening abilities, and water-cooling support.
For a modern look, you can also opt for tempered glass casings. Even if you’re buying an aluminum case, having RGB lighting fittings all around can take the casing’s look to a whole new level.
The Bottom Line
Most users don’t put much thought into when buying a PC case. However, buying the perfect case for your computer can really improve its longevity and performance. You must consider many factors before buying a PC case, such as case size, clearance, compatibility, cooling ability, cable management, front panel, and drive bays, to name a few.
Considering all these factors before purchasing can improve your experience in the long run. We have tried to cover all of them in this article. We hope it helped you in making a wise decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
A bigger casing would be better for most people and purposes simply because you can do more. You can have more ports, fit in more components, and better cool your system.
Cost is never a fixed parameter for any product. If you’re buying a new case, you can get a solid one for around $50-100. Beyond the $100 limit, you will enter the custom case territory where you should expect maximum features.
