| One of the most important but overlooked | | | | ATX motherboard and it couldn't fit into my PC |
| components in your PC is the PC case. Selecting a | | | | case! Imagine my frustration!Power SupplyMost |
| good PC case is an important step in building your | | | | PC cases come with power supplies. With more |
| computer, since it determines several things. It | | | | and more components being fitted into a PC, you |
| determines the number of PC components you | | | | will certainly need enough juice to power them. |
| can have, as well as how well your system's | | | | My advice is to go for at least a 400W power |
| temperature. And heck, it also determines how | | | | supply. Also make sure the unit is ATX 2.01 |
| good your PC looks!Let's take a look at the | | | | compliant to avoid motherboard compatibility |
| different factors to consider when selecting a | | | | issues.CoolingIf you're a overclocker or have |
| good PC case.External SpaceThe first factor to | | | | many system components, you'll need to ensure |
| consider is how much space your PC case is going | | | | you've got enough fans in that case to cool the |
| to take up. Are you placing it on a tight, crammed | | | | system. Good PC cases allow multiple (4 or more) |
| desk? Or on a large desk? If you have the space, | | | | cooling fans to be installed, ensuring good |
| tower PC cases are a good choice. If you're short | | | | ventilation.LooksJust a few years back, PC cases |
| of space, you may wish to consider smaller mini | | | | were boring white boxes. These days, you can |
| PC cases which are getting more popular these | | | | find a plethora of colorful PC cases - if you're |
| days.Internal SpaceAnother factor to consider is | | | | concerned about your PC's 'look'. Many PC |
| how many components you wish to fit in your PC | | | | enthusiasts I know go for good looking PC cases |
| case. If you're a computer nut like me, you'll want | | | | that come in a variety of colors - red, black, |
| to fit in a good motherboard, CPU, a couple of | | | | green, blue and what not.ConclusionIn summary, |
| hard drives, video card, LAN card, cooling fans, a | | | | always remember to consider the above factors |
| CD-ROM drive and a DVD writer. That's a lot of | | | | when selecting PC cases. For the average home |
| components to be cramming into a PC case! | | | | or business user, a good, simple case like the Just |
| Again, a good choice would be a tower PC case. | | | | 4 PC case is recommended. If you're a hardcore |
| However, with so many components, you have | | | | computer enthusiast, you'll want to pay more |
| to watch out for overheating problems - make | | | | attention to factors like internal space, |
| sure you deck out the system with a couple of | | | | motherboard support and cooling. Cases like the |
| good fans.Motherboard SupportOne thing you | | | | Premium 2531 and the Ultra UV Wizard would be |
| must absolutely remember - check that your | | | | ideal. Just consider your budget and your needs |
| motherboard can fit into the case! Some cases | | | | carefully - then go grab that case!Gary Hendricks |
| are flexible enough to support AT, ATX and | | | | runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his |
| Baby-AT boards, but others only support one of | | | | website at for tips and |
| these sizes. Even then, you need to be careful - | | | | tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good |
| some cheaper 'ATX' cases don't really fit ATX | | | | computer components. |
| motherboards. I remember buying a wonderful | | | | |