Contents
Whether you’re upgrading your current gaming PC or building a new one, eventually you’re going to have to start thinking about which case you’d like to have. Choosing the best one goes far beyond mere aesthetics, and today, we’re going to unveil the things you need to consider before setting your eyes on the final pick.
Size
Your choice mostly boils down to the following three sizes: full tower, mid-tower, and mini-ITX. ATX cases (the first two options), as the name implies, were designed to be able to fit ATX motherboards, which includes the smaller versions.
If you’re searching for something suitable to carry your components while still trying to keep the case within reasonable dimensions, going the mid-tower way is probably the best of both worlds. In concrete numbers, these cases are usually less than 20 inches tall.
Only go for the smallest option if you have a mini-ITX motherboard, otherwise you might run into compatibility issues with some other hardware. Note that these are too small to house any kind of decent cooling system, and some of them don’t even support graphics cards of typical sizes.
Looks
The case of your PC is its outer skin and something you’re going to be admiring for years to come if you take the time to pick something that is visually pleasing. Although this is mostly a question of aesthetics, thinking hard about what to pick and acquiring something great will make you proud of your purchase (while also providing other similar psychological benefits).
The cases not only come in different shapes and colors, but also designs and materials. Luckily, most online retailers allow you to take a look at them from all different angles, making your decision somewhat easier.
Tool-less design
If you don’t fancy the idea of needing specialized tools in order to be able to install the hardware into it, then the tool-less design might just be the thing for you. With it, no screwdrivers are necessary!
Dust filters
Although not necessary, if the case of your choice has dust filters, even better. This will prevent the dust from accumulating inside, which could potentially cause some problems with the hardware over time. Having dust filters will also prevent it from overheating.
Water-cooling support
Water coolings are rising in popularity recently, especially among the gaming crowd. Not all cases support it by default, so if this is important to you, make sure your case is on that list.
Cutaway for the CPU cooler
This will allow to replace your CPU or its cooler without having to interact with the motherboard. Even if this is not exactly something you’re going to need often, it sure is a nice feature to have when you do.
Front-panel connectivity
Even the cheapest units will probably have USB ports, but depending on your preferences, you might also want other ports such as the audio port.
Conclusion
Now you know the most important things about what to look out for when buying a new case for your gaming PC. The only remaining thing for you to decide is how much you’re willing to pay for it and your designated budget will play a huge role here. Still, you shouldn’t hold back too much, since your gaming computer case will be with you for all eternity if you pick a high quality one.