Whether you are buying a prebuilt desktop or you are about to undertake your own custom PC build, you need to take a few moments to think about the case you are using. In many ways, your case will determine everything about your new desktop computer, so needless to say it is a decision not to be taken lightly. There are a few things you should consider when buying a computer case.
Your Available Space
First, you must look at how much space you have for your desktop. If it sits on the floor, this may not be an issue, but if it rests on top of a desk or in a specific space in your desk, you don’t want to buy one that won’t fit.
Size of Your Case
After you determine what the size is of your available space, it is time to take a closer look at the overall size of your case. How large or how small will determine what you can put inside it. If you buy a case that’s too small, you may not be able to fit some high end hardware inside. At the same time, you don’t want to get something too large if you aren’t going to the available expansion.
Hardware
I mentioned hardware above. That is because not all hardware is the same size. Video cards, for example, can be pretty large and bulky. This means that you need to have adequate space inside your case for those larger cards to fit. If you go too small, you may find that your case simply won’t be able to hold the hardware you want to buy. Knowing the type of hardware you plan on using can help you select the right case.
Power Requirements
The more powerful your hardware, the more power you will need in your case. Some cases come with a power supply when you buy them. However, these power supplies are often very basic and designed to power only more basic hardware. If you want to add more powerful components to your computer to make a high-end gaming PC or VR-ready desktop, you may have to consider a new power supply, which means you need to make sure it will fit in your case as well.
Airflow
Airflow is important in every computer build. Air is used to cool the components inside your computer so they don’t overheat and fail. Remember, the more room you have inside your case, the better the airflow will be. The more powerful your hardware, the better airflow you will. So don’t try to pack in the most powerful specs into a cramped space, or you could run into performance problems.
Upgradability
You may be the type that likes to tinker with their computer, continually swapping out and even adding hardware as you go. If you do, you want to make sure you get a case with all the space you need to add different drives, cards and even other main components such as a motherboard and processor. If this sounds like you, you may want to look at larger cases with better expandability. If not, then you could save some money on something a little more basic.
Final Thoughts
The type of case you choose for your desktop is very important. Not only will it determine how your computer looks, but also how well it serve your needs, both today and even a year from now when you are ready to perform an upgrade. So take extra time when selecting a case and make sure you follow these steps above to choose the right one you need for any situation.
