With all the other computer components out there usually being talked about far more often, you’d likely be surprised to know how much thought is actually required to go into choosing the case for your PC. What kind of case will often determine what kinds of components you can fit in your case and vice versa, which is why having a good understanding of what case is right for you from the outset can help. In this article, we take a look at a few considerations you’ll need to make when choosing the best PC case for your needs.
Understanding how space factors in
If you’re planning on building a powerful PC with a hefty graphics card and 750 watt power supply, the first thing you should know is that you won’t be able to fit it all into a slim case. It’s also important to consider how large the case is in relation to the space you have to contain it – if you only have a small space under your desk or are looking for a subtle look for a media centre, that’s another reason why you won’t be able to get a beefy case. Cases usually come in three basic sizes in micro, mid and full tower, but these are more guidelines than anything – manufacturers don’t build cases to specifications and what they label a case is often just a rough guide. Size is so important because there is no chance of you having a full liquid cooling setup with a micro case, but you also shouldn’t necessarily buy the biggest possible one “just in case.” Working around your components like motherboard and GPU can give you a good idea if you’ll run into clearance issues.
What’s your case going to look like?
It’s increasingly the case that PC cases are being designed with style in mind, and many PC aficionados are placing greater emphasis on good looks when it comes to their computers. Whether it be clear panels to allow you to see all your computer components or a ton of LED strips, showing off your pride and joy becomes a lot easier with a flashier case. When you are considering style, make sure you’re doing it for a reason, though – if your PC case is shoved under a desk there’s little point in getting a fancy case, and cheaper cases can often go for a style over substance approach which can severely limit the potential of your components due to them overheating easily. Airflow should be your priority, so getting a gorgeous case with bad airflow should always be considered a no-no.
Factoring your budget in
With all the considerations above, you’ll still need to take into consideration your budget – even if you find the perfect case, it may very well be because it’s super expensive. If you don’t have much to work with, sometimes you have to make sacrifices when it comes to your case – you might get a great functional case with good cooling but it might not look the best, or you might find a beautiful case that runs a bit how. It’s all about weighing up the pros and cons, but when it comes to PC cases its often better to go for function over style.
