Advice and Deals on Computer Tower Cases

There are a wide variety of computer case designs and configurations to choose from. You can get a computer case with a clear side panel to expose the internals. Maybe you would like a black computer case, blue computer case, or some other color. Front panel ports are also popular allowing easy connectivity to your peripherals. For those that require extra cooling, aluminum computer cases are also available. These features are nice, but not all are necessary. Below, I have divided my advice into essentials and non-essentials.

Here are essentials to look for in a computer case:

• Case Size

  Cases sizes are mini-tower, mid-tower or full-tower case. The mini-tower is a compact type of case and usually comes with 5 to 7 drive bays. The mid-tower is probably the most popular size. Mid-tower cases usually come with 8 to 10 drive bays which is sufficient room for expansion. The full-tower case can have anywhere from 10 to 14 drive bays. It is overkill for most users, but you do have more space to work with and expand.

• Power Supply

  If you get a case with a power supply, make sure it is compliant with your CPU and that it will have supply enough power to all your peripherals. Most of the cases with power supplies come with a 300W or higher which is usually sufficient.

  You can also buy just a computer case without a power supply if you want total control over your selection. Check out my power supply page for a good unit to go with it.

• Case Ventilation

  Case ventilation is important to keep hot air flowing out of the case. Good, flexible case designs will have fan mounts on both side panels and in the front and rear of the case. That is not to say you need to utilize all of them. They are just good to have if you need extra cooling. Some cases include an 80mm fan while others do not. You should not rely just on the power supply fan to blow out hot air. There should also be one intake fan mounted somewhere on the case.

Here are some features to consider in a computer case:

• Case Color

  There are many computer case colors to choose from besides the standard beige color. Just keep in mind that the faceplates for your various drives may be harder to find in that color if you want to match them up with your case color. However, TigerDirect has a good selection of major computer parts in different colors.

• Clear Side Panel

  Allows you to show off the inside. Check out some of the best clear side panel cases.

• Front Panel Ports

  Instead of fumbling behind the case looking for the connector, you can make your connections in the front. This is a useful feature if you are constantly plugging and unplugging external devices, such as a digital camera.

• Aluminum Casing

  Cases made out of aluminum are lighter and cooler than the standard cases made out of steel. They cost a bit more than steel cases, but may be worth it if you plan on overclocking or carrying it around a lot to LAN parties or whatever. Check out some of the best aluminum case selections.

Check out the top 10 computer cases to see what is popular.

Looking for a particular case color? Shop for parts by color.