With this article, our website continues a whole series of useful materials, the purpose of which is to make it easier to choose any product from the thousands of options offered on the market. Agree, choosing a specific model of a device always takes a lot of time, which can be spent usefully. In today's material we will talk about choosing a case for a personal computer.

Introduction

The case is the home for all components of a personal computer, and experts recommend not saving on it. The fact is that a good PC case can last you many—many—years. The filling inside is relatively easy to replace, and the excellent quality and functional body will allow you not to worry about its safety and cooling. There are a great variety of cases available - a model can be chosen to suit every taste and for a computer of any purpose and size.

The choice of case determines the number of components you can use in your PC, the ease of putting them together (for example, due to convenient management of internal cables), the quality of overall cooling and the safety of all internal components. A cheap case made of thin aluminum with a pair of weak fans and no dust filters is definitely not suitable for a gaming PC, and in general, as a home PC it will not look very presentable, but it will certainly be suitable for office solutions.

It is worth noting that cases are not only big and stupid rectangles - some manufacturers produce interesting models with a design similar, for example, to media players, others (like Alienware) even make their cases look like some kind of starships.

In the next section, we will talk about the main characteristics of PC cases, and then we will present to your attention the 10 best models that are suitable for any budget and are considered the best in their class.

Main characteristics of cases

Form factor

Defines the form factor of the motherboard that can be installed in a specific case. There are quite a few form factors: ATX, mATX, BTX, mBTX, EATX, Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, Pico-ITX and FlexATX. The most common ones are ATX (standard size for regular motherboards), mATX (slightly smaller size, usually compatible with ATX), EATX (extended ATX) and Mini-ITX (for mini computers). If you have chosen a motherboard before you start choosing a case, be sure to make sure that it can be installed in it without any problems.

power unit

Some cases come with a power supply installed. Usually this is not a very powerful and cheap model, so we recommend buying a power supply separately (and we will talk about its selection in the hotel material).

In addition, the power supply in a regular rectangular case can be located at the bottom or top. There is not much difference between these options, but recently cases with the power supply located at the bottom have become especially popular - perhaps due to the theoretically more stable design (power supplies are quite heavy, and they are held on top by several strong screws).

Standard size

Characterizes the dimensions of the case and, more importantly, the number of 5.25" bays (for optical drives and other devices). There are also quite a lot of standard sizes (in increasing dimensions): Micro-Tower, Mini-Tower, Midi-Tower, Full-Tower, Super -Tower, Slim-Desktop (horizontal position), Full-Desktop (horizontal position) and Rackmount (for servers), Mini-Tower and Midi-Tower are suitable for home and office use, for a powerful gaming PC or workstation. you may need a Full-Tower or even a Super-Tower. Slim-Desktop and Full-Desktop are useful for multimedia computers located, for example, next to the TV.

Number of compartments, screwless mounting

The number of 5.25" and 3.5" bays determines the number of hard drives, optical drives and some other components that can be installed inside the case. Optical drives have declined in importance in recent years - when was the last time you used a CD or DVD? In general, now the number of compartments remains important only for those who are going to use several large mechanical HDDs, but their capacity already reaches several terabytes - you are unlikely to need many compartments.

Fastening disks and drives in bays can be done either using screws or using, for example, latches. Naturally, the fewer screws there are in the case, the easier it is to work with it.

Housing material

Some cases are made of plastic, but the vast majority are made of aluminum or stainless steel. Everything is simple here: aluminum is less durable and much lighter, steel is strong, thick and heavy (and also more expensive). If you plan to frequently move the case from place to place, perhaps lightweight aluminum is more suitable for you; in other cases, the case material is not so important.

Window, LCD display, etc.

Advanced cases are equipped with various “features” in the form of windows that allow you to look inside and admire the working components, displays that can display information about temperature and fan speed, doors to protect ports and aesthetics, as well as various mechanisms for opening the side panel (most common - ordinary removable panels). Some cases are even equipped with wheels and locks.

Cooling system

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a case. Each case is equipped with at least one fan, which is responsible for air circulation inside and overall cooling of the system. It is better to buy cases with at least two fans - for example, on the rear and front panels. This allows fresh air to be constantly forced through the housing.

Powerful gaming PCs and workstations need serious cooling, that is, several rather large fans on the case. Also, if you want to use a liquid cooling system, make sure that the case supports it.

Fan sizes are quite important. Small and powerful fans will make noticeable noise - it is better to look at cases with large (140x140 mm or more) fans. Cases often have free spaces for installing additional fans, which must be purchased separately.

Cases can also be equipped with separate panels for adjusting fan speed. This is not too important, but can be useful if you want to make your PC as quiet as possible, for example, when idle.

Faceplate and Ports

A modern PC case should have several USB 3.0 ports on the front panel (at least two), as well as a 3.5 mm audio output and audio input. Also on the front panel there may be eSATA and FireWire ports - if you have any devices that support them, they will certainly come in handy.

Much more interesting is the location of all these ports. They can be placed either at the bottom of the front panel of the case, or in its middle or top. Choose a case with this location in mind—for example, if your PC is going to sit under a desk, then the ports on the bottom of the front panel probably won't be very convenient.

Color, design

Most cases are produced in white and black versions, but sometimes you can find cases in other colors on sale - for example, red or silver. Each manufacturer tries to stand out with its design - some adhere to strict lines and right angles, others try to use imagination. There is only one recommendation here - first make sure that the case will be convenient to use, and only then make a purchasing decision.

10 Best PC Cases

An excellent inexpensive and quiet standard design solution for a multimedia PC or office computer. 1 x 120x120mm fan, 1 x USB 3.0 port on the front panel and durable stainless steel.

A good case for a gaming PC or a mid-range workstation: not too expensive, two 140x140 mm fans, two USB 3.0 ports on the front and a very clean design.

Steel Full-tower for beginner enthusiasts: three 140x140 mm fans, two USB 3.0 ports on the front panel, four 5.25" bays and 8 3.5" bays.

Budget solution for gaming PCs: two 120x120 mm fans, the ability to install five (!) additional 140x140 mm fans, two USB 3.0 ports on the front, convenient mounting mechanisms and a very attractive price.

A beautiful, expensive and large case for a powerful gaming computer. Three 140x140 mm fans, three USB 3.0 ports on the front, a nice red backlight and an interesting translucent side panel that is easy to open.

Huge and not too expensive for its class Super-tower with two fans (92x92 mm and 140x140 mm), a pair of USB 3.0 on the front panel and a bunch of compartments and places for installing additional fans.

Small premium steel case for enthusiasts. Three 120x120 mm fans, two USB 3.0 ports on the front, excellent dust protection and convenient carrying handles.

A non-standard case for multimedia PCs - this will look good under a TV or projection screen. Quite quiet, not too expensive and not too spacious (only one 5.25" bay).

A case with a unique modular design, designed for gaming enthusiasts. Equipped with three 200x200 fans (!), one 140x140 mm fan and has plenty of space for installing components.

Huge, expensive, but at the same time strict and pleasing to the eye Super-Tower. Three 120x120mm fans, one 140x140mm fan, 2 USB 3.0 ports on the front, plenty of space for components and the highest quality materials and workmanship.

Conclusion

We hope that this article helped you understand the difficult task of choosing a case. The next article will talk about

Hello friends! In today's article we will tell you how to choose the right case for your PC,After all, literally everything in a personal computer is important, including the metal box in which the components are located.

Over the past twenty years, I have seen a lot of computer cases and I can say with confidence that 99% of users, when buying a finished computer, do not pay enough attention to the case and choose it because of the design they like (stylish appearance), without taking into accountventilation options, power supply location (top or bottom), button location POWER and USB ports on the front panel, and other important nuances.

And those users who want to save money and order their choice often do not even first look at which case they will install the selected components, choosing the cheapest one.

Already on the first day of using a PC, the person who bought the computer begins to notice some inconveniences, for example, to turn on the system unit you need bend over becausethe power button is located at the bottom of the front panel, the same applies USB ports, you need to constantly bend your back to connect or disconnect a flash drive. More serious problems begin already during the operation of the PC - overheating and early exitcomponents fail due to incorrect ergonomics of the selected PC case.

Recently, more and more of our readers are beginning to, first of all, paying a lot of attention to the choice of video cards, but they put the metal box in last place and buy it as cheaply as possible, because they believe that the case has little effect on anything, but this is fundamentally wrong! Yes, I also choose the shell for the computer filling at the very end, but it’s not worth saving on it at all. And I want to tell you why. We will also talk about all sorts of types, types and characteristics of computer cases.

Case size

So, the first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a case is the size. All internal filling should fit without any problems. To do this, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website and see the size compatibility with other components.

The form factor of the motherboard must match the form factor of the case, or may be smaller. But in no case should the motherboard be larger than the format supported by your case.

For example, only mini-ITX and Micro-ATX can be installed in a Micro-ATX case, but ATX will no longer fit. Next, be sure to look at the dimensions of the power supply, the height of the processor cooler and the length of the video card. You will 100% find the necessary information on the manufacturers' websites.

Cooling system

Once we have decided on the dimensions, it is imperative to look at the built-in and potential cooling systems. For me personally, this is the most important parameter when choosing a metal box. Since the temperature of the internal components of the system depends on the ventilation of the case. And temperature, as you all know, directly affects the performance and service life of all components. Regardless of the size, any case must have at least 2 built-in fans, one for blowing cold air into the system, the other for blowing out hot air from inside the system. The blow-in cooler is located at the bottom of the hard drive bays. And the blow-out cooler is on top, near the processor cooler. This arrangement is directly related to physics - hot air always rises to the top.

There are cases with additional coolers on the bottom and top. This provides additional vertical air flow, which has a positive effect on the temperature inside the box.

But it is worth knowing that more does not mean better. I consider the most optimal and ideal option to have 4-5 coolers. 1-2 for blowing near the hard drive cages, 1 for blowing from below and 2 for blowing from above. Additional fans are unnecessary. By the way, built-in coolers, as a rule, turn out to be very noisy and short-lived, not counting the top models. Therefore, I recommend purchasing good coolers separately. The main thing is that the body has the intended seats, like here.

Although, of course, you can cheat and cut them yourself, but this solution is completely for everyone. Well, don’t forget about the size of coolers. Larger blades create more airflow at fewer revolutions, meaning they are more efficient and less noisy.

Location of the power supply in the case

Let's look at the pros and cons of each. When positioned at the top, the power supply takes air from below, that is, from inside the system, and releases it upward, from the system to the outside. The air inside the case is always hotter than outside, which means the operating temperatures of the top-mounted power supply are always higher than those of the bottom-mounted power supply. This leads to a decrease in the operating life of the unit itself. The only advantage I can note is that the power supply on top is less clogged with dust, but if you have good filters and the power supply on the bottom it will not become clogged. This is why I recommend that everyone buy a case that has a bottom mount for the power supply.

Since I mentioned dust filters, I’ll say a few words about them.

For some this is not a key factor, but I think it is a very important point. Filters do not allow dust to easily penetrate into the system; of course, it will still accumulate there, but the rate of clogging is much lower. Of course, if weekly cleaning of the system unit is not a problem for you, then you can not pay any attention to this criterion. Also, do not forget that dust directly affects the performance of any hardware, increasing its operating temperature. And we all know very well how this affects our PC.

If you have a lot of hard drives, then do not forget to look at the number of drive slots.

Location of the POWER, RESET button and USB ports on the front panel

Personally, I like this case. Location of the POWER, RESET button, USB ports, as well as outputs for connecting headphones and microphoneare located on top, which is very convenient. You sit down at the computer and don’t have to bend over to turn it on, restart it if necessary, or connect a flash drive, portable USB drive or headphones.

Cable management

The next important criterion when choosing is cable management.

It allows you to arrange all the wires in such a way that they do not just dangle inside the case. I think the thing is very convenient, but in addition to convenience, it is also practical. A huge number of wires interfere with the air flow inside the system, which negatively affects the temperature. And, as you already understand, the temperature inside the iron shell is everything to us. Although most cases are equipped with this function, in nature there are still specimens without it. I couldn't help but mention this.

Additional features such as connectors for installing a processor cooler, edging to protect against damage, anti-vibration feet and others, I think, are far from necessary, but it’s still nice if the case is equipped with all of this. Although this will directly affect the price of the product.

Since most of the models on the market are made of the same material and have wall thicknesses in the same range (0.5-1mm), I will not focus on this. I can only say that do not take a case with too thin walls, it will be very noisy.

As for appearance, this is a purely individual matter. The taste and color, as they say. But there is still one unspoken rule. Don't sacrifice functionality for beauty. For example, there are very stylish cases in which the flow of fresh air is limited by the front panel. It is not worth taking such cases due to poor ventilation.

So, remember these tips:

The form factor of the motherboard must match the form factor of the case, or may be smaller. The remaining components should also be installed inside without any problems.

The ideal cooling system is 4-5 coolers. Large coolers are more efficient and quieter.

The best location for the power supply is at the bottom.

Dust filters are the key to keeping your PC clean.

The walls of the case are 0.5-1mm thick.

Sacrificing functionality for the sake of beauty is the wrath of the god of all IT.

Don't forget about additional features that can make operation easier - cable management, side door, etc.

Finally, I want to answer why you shouldn’t save on the case. The thing is that most components become morally and technologically obsolete over time. They have to be constantly changed. But the metal shell of your system can see three, four, or even many more assemblies of different components. The case changes very rarely, which is why you shouldn’t skimp on it. See you soon in new publications!

One of the most important parts of the system unit is the case. All elements of the future computer are attached to it. There are a huge number of types of system form, such as vertical and horizontal, which in turn are divided into many subspecies.

First, we will talk about vertical system units. The first type will be low profile:

The cases assembled on the basis of the motherboard are quite miniature in size, take up little space, and in addition they have a rather attractive and beautiful appearance, which makes them worthy of a place on the computer desk. The only and perhaps serious disadvantage will be that there is absolutely no opportunity for modernization and improvement. Due to its small size, computer parts are located close to each other, which increases the risk of overheating. In addition to everything, the prices for this type of case are not at all attractive.

In general, a low-profile computer, a kind of office plankton. Due to their inconvenience, they do not allow for placement of a full-fledged motherboard, cooling and ventilation. In addition, it is recommended to periodically remove dust from the inside. This type of case is not in great demand at the present time.

The most common computer case. The large enough dimensions allow you to equip a full-fledged gaming computer; you can place a good motherboard, up to several hard drives and video cards. If you work hard, you can easily build a powerful home computer. There are no problems with the cooling system, everything is perfectly ventilated.

The largest of its brothers. Because of its size, you can pack it with whatever your heart desires. Mainly used as small servers or by advanced users.

File-server

The basis of any server. Has many compartments for additional devices. It has wheels for movement, a bunch of indicators that work continuously. In most cases, many coolers, fans and power supplies are installed in the case for greater reliability in their operation. The system easily maneuvers between power supplies.

The horizontal design of the cases is designed for installation on a desktop, as its name Desktop suggests. Quite elegant in appearance. The big disadvantage is that it is quite difficult and expensive to repair.

14. 02.2017

Blog of Dmitry Vassiyarov.

The system case is a home for your hardware

Hello dear readers.

Today we will talk to you about the system unit case, consider its types, as well as its purpose.

So, what is a system unit case? As we understand it, a system unit is a kind of box in which all the elements of a computer are installed: motherboard, video card, hard drive, and so on. If you remove all these elements from the system unit, all that remains is the box or case.

The housing is designed to protect the “filling” from mechanical damage and other unnecessary influences. Depending on what equipment you have chosen for your computer, you need to select a certain type of system case.

They differ primarily in form factor. Roughly speaking, the form factor is the size of the motherboard. This means that only certain equipment can be inserted into a certain enclosure. In addition, the cooling system of the system unit differs, since powerful hardware is more susceptible to overheating due to its high performance, and they need to choose the right system unit case.

Types of system unit cases

Initially, system unit cases come in three types: vertical, horizontal and for server (rackmount).

Horizontal cases, or as they are also called Desktop (from English “desktop”), are shaped like a DVD player. Place it on the desktop under the monitor (lying down). With the advent of lighter (LCD monitors), interest in them has increased somewhat compared to previous large monitors. In turn, horizontal housings are divided into several subclasses (by size):

• Full Desktop (540 x 420 x 150mm);
• Slim Line (406 x 406 x 101mm).

"Towers"

Now let's move on to the classification of the more common, vertical buildings, or as they are also called Tower (from the English “tower”):

Very compact cases, which is their only advantage. Disadvantages: difficult to upgrade (since all components are too close to each other), insufficient cooling system, little space inside.

This is a very good solution if you have very little space on your desk. But when buying such a case, you should think through a high-quality cooling system in advance.

This type of case is prone to rapid dust formation due to the small space inside. Dimensions 178 x 432 x 432mm.

• Big Tower (Super-Tower).

This case is used by advanced users.
Absolutely any motherboard can be installed. Ideal ventilation system (installation of a sufficient number of coolers). Your PC will definitely not overheat or become clogged under a layer of dust. These cases accommodate a maximum number of 5.25-inch devices.
Dimensions 190 x 482 x 820mm

• Full Tower

And finally, my favorite size :-).
In fact, this standard size is the same as the Big Tower, only even larger.
You can fit five or more 5.25 devices into this case. There is a lot of space inside, due to which you can install full-fledged water cooling and a large number of fans.
These cases are also used as home servers.

The sizes are different.

The main difference between tower-type cases is the number of bays for 5.25 drives (devices). Micro – 1, mini – 2-3, midi – 3-4, big – 4, full tower – 5 or more compartments and dimensions accordingly.

What's there for servers?

• File-Server case.

Used to create servers. Includes up to ten bays for 3.5" devices and several bays for 5.25" devices.

It is also provided with compartments for installing additional ventilation and power supplies (to ensure uninterrupted operation).

Form factor

Let's now talk about form factors. The form factor of cases is essentially a standard size for motherboards. Different types of cases can have different shapes - factors. There are a lot of them, I will describe only the most popular ones here:

1. AT is a very old form factor for motherboards, which was popular before 2000 (at the moment not used or used in “ancient” PCs).
2. ATX is a standard that is present today for personal computers. ATX (305x244mm) is a form factor for a full-size motherboard in a PC (it determines the size of the case, the number of connectors, the location of fasteners, and other characteristics). As for micro ATX and mini ATX, these are smaller connectors for motherboards that are used for compact PCs (can be cut down to 170mm).
3. ITX and Mini ITX - very small size (170 x 170 mm). I rarely use this size for home computers. But in principle, this is a very good option for Full Desktop and Slim Line cases. Like the micro and mini ATX form factors, it is typical for compact, inexpensive computers that are not designed to perform complex operations.

It seems like I told you everything the main thing is.

Well, I didn’t cover any monsters like these:

Because I think they are unlikely to be suitable for home use, they are mainly bought for all sorts of events, and they are called stand ones. Maybe someday in the future we’ll talk about them in detail.

Let's take stock

What we found out: the first thing is that you can assemble a good, productive computer in a vertical Midi Tower case, with an ATX form factor. It will be characterized by large dimensions and high performance, and the design of the housing will promote good ventilation.

In addition, the PC can be upgraded up to a certain point. And secondly, if you need a computer for office work, etc. – your choice should be a system unit in a vertical case (Mini Tower) and a simpler motherboard (micro/mini ATX, or mini ITX).

The PC will be characterized by sufficient performance for office work and Internet use, and small dimensions, but it will be a “breeding ground” for dust and you will have to clean it often.

That's all for today, subscribe to my blog updates.

There are a lot of interesting things ahead ;-).

Today, the cost of a system unit case ranges on average from $30 to $150. Which one should you choose? It is logical to assume that it is the most expensive. But no, you need to choose the one that best suits your needs.

We won’t talk about outdated case models; you’re unlikely to come across them; it’s better to talk about the most common ones.

There are two types of cases: horizontal And vertical .

Horizontal (Desktop). Cases of this type have become widespread in the West. It is most convenient to place such a system unit directly on the desktop, and place the monitor on top of it. This arrangement has both pros and cons.

The advantages include the ability to compactly position the computer on the table, as well as easy access to all buttons and devices of the system unit (for example, the CD drive).

In our opinion, there are several more disadvantages. Saving space is, of course, good, but the free space on the table can be increased by installing the system unit in another place, for example, on a shelf under the table.

As a rule, Desktop cases are somewhat smaller than their vertical counterparts (although there are exceptions in the form of full-size models). Therefore, further upgrading your computer may present you with unpleasant surprises, such as “where can I put another hard drive?” Limited internal space also does not have the best effect on cooling the components of the system unit.

On sale you can find Desktop cases equipped with a special stand that allows you to place the case vertically. Such cases can be classified as universal rather than desktop (Fig. 3.4).

Rice. 3.4. Vertical Desktop (left) and classic horizontal (on right)

Vertical (Tower). These enclosures are divided into several types.

– Mini Tower is the smaller of the brothers, its dimensions (W × H × D) are approximately 18 × 40 × 43 cm (Fig. 3.5). Small dimensions make such a system unit quite stable - this is a plus. The disadvantages include a small number of sections for attaching devices (you can’t get around much). And adding new components to such a case is quite inconvenient (there is still not enough space). Nevertheless, these cases are quite common. Many users who do not plan to improve their machine in the foreseeable future often lean toward this particular housing option.

Rice. 3.5. Mini Tower case

– Midi Tower is perhaps the most common case model, its dimensions are 19 × 45 × 45 cm (Fig. 3.6). This is what the “golden mean” means: the size is relatively small (only about 5 cm higher than the Mini Tower), and there are more sections than its smaller relative, in addition, decent ventilation and the ability to install additional fans (after all there is no limit to perfection). All these features have made this model the most popular in our time.

Rice. 3.6. Midi Tower

– Big Tower is a solid case for a serious computer, its dimensions are 20 × 63 × 48 cm (Fig. 3.7). It has the largest number of 5.25- and 3.5-inch sections for mounting devices, as well as excellent ventilation (and how much space for additional fans!). In such a case the computer will work better and longer. The disadvantages (and we describe it too laudably) include the size (it won’t fit under every table) and the price (the case is large and should cost more).

Rice. 3.7. Hats off, gentlemen! Here is Mr. Big Tower!

Advice

Recently, cases have begun to appear that are something between horizontal and vertical types; they are also called “cube” (Fig. 3.8). We will not dissuade you from such a purchase, but be prepared for the fact that some components will have to be purchased only from strictly defined companies (supporting this standard), and this is not very convenient. In general, we advise you to wait a couple more years with your experiments and see if these “cubes” take root.

Rice. 3.8. Cube housing

Having summarized the material presented above, we can briefly formulate the main parameters of system unit cases.

Orientation and size. We recommend using vertical Midi Tower enclosures. The disadvantages of horizontal cases, in our opinion, still outweigh their advantages, and the Mini Tower is not much smaller than the Midi Tower, so why complicate your life for the sake of a few extra centimeters!

Number of compartments for mounting devices. Perhaps now you only need one 5.25″ section (for a CD/DVD drive) and two 3.5″ sections (to accommodate the hard drive and floppy drive), but who knows what awaits you and your computer in the future. Tomorrow you will want to add two more hard drives and an internal card reader to the system unit (which, by the way, is also located in the 3.5-inch bay). Therefore, when choosing a case, you should look into the near future. In other words, the case must have a certain number of spare compartments in case of modernization.

For clarity, we present a summary table with information about the possible number of compartments for various types of cases (Table 3.1).

Table 3.1. Number of compartments for mounting devices in different types of cases (depending on the specific model, different options are possible)

Possibility of adding fans. If you choose the right case, you won’t need to change it for a very long time, but, as a rule, you have to improve the “stuffing” of the system unit quite often. And the more powerful your computer becomes, the more heat it generates, which means the more it needs good ventilation. So take care of this in advance so you don't have to change the case along with everything else later.

Quality of construction. Externally, the case may look chic and original, but this does not mean that it is of high quality. Carefully examine each part for any defects (such as poorly drilled holes or bent edges). Then inspect all the parts together: do they fit together properly, are there any unnecessary gaps, are the screws screwed in and out well? High-quality cases, as a rule, have walls made of fairly thick metal: when disk drives and fans operate, the unit vibrates less (less vibration means less noise). Therefore, one of the main signs of a high-quality case is weight (the more, the better). However, this statement should not be taken as an axiom. The name of the manufacturer can tell about the quality. Among the most reliable are cases from manufacturers such as PC Power & Cooling and Antec. The cost of such models cannot be called low, but this is the case when savings can be more expensive.