Build a PC Gaming configuration – Choose a computer case

After reading the article “What to choose when building a PC Gaming configuration”, you probably have an idea of the components you need to be able to build the configuration yourself or choose pre-built configurations. However, the importance of components is only briefly mentioned, for computer cases it is as follows:

For those of you who want to learn more and have searched on Google, you probably won’t be stunned by the complex knowledge of cases. In addition, most knowledge sites list a lot of case-related standards that you really don’t need to know. Therefore, this article was born to simplify as much as possible the knowledge related to computer cases, helping you to look in a few minutes and conclude: Is this case suitable for you?

Overview of computer cases

A computer case is an external part that covers the internal components of the computer, avoiding unwanted external influences such as external forces, dust, liquid, etc. Currently, in addition to the main use of protecting internal components, the case also has a decorative effect. Because of this decorative effect, the case is now replaced more often (RAM>Hard drive>Graphics card>Case>Power>CPU>Mainboard), no longer ranked below the mainboard like before.

Cases are divided into 4 main types according to size:

Mini Tower case: also known as mini ITX because this case only supports mITX size motherboards, the size is quite small, can be held in the arms.

Mid Tower case: this is the most popular case size and usually also the cheapest (cheaper than mini Tower), the downside is that it often supports very little heat dissipation because there is not much space left after installing components.

Full Tower case: the size of this case is quite large, the remaining space after installing the components is a lot so it can easily support many types of heatsinks, including custom water radiators.

Supper Tower case: these are giant cases, can even install 2 sets of computers at the same time, with almost no disadvantages except high price

Important parameters of Case

Compatibility

With motherboard – mainboard

As mentioned in the motherboard size section in the article Building a PC Gaming configuration – Choosing a motherboard, compatibility between case and motherboard is relatively important. If the motherboard cannot be mounted inside, the case is completely useless because all other components must be connected to the motherboard. Typically, larger sized cases will support any smaller motherboard. Biareview has compiled a table of mainboard sizes commonly supported by case sizes as follows:

Note: The information in the table is for reference only for quick estimation, exact information about the mainboard size supported by the case will have to be seen in the “Technical Specifications” of the product on the manufacturer’s homepage.

With graphics card – VGA

With regular graphics cards with 1 to 2 cooling fans, this problem can be ignored. However, if you build a configuration with huge graphics cards like RTX 2070 or higher or graphics cards with 3 fans, you need to see the maximum VGA length that the case supports if you don’t want to have to change to another case.

Recently, cases have added the ability to stand up VGA to show off the full power of the most important component in this PC Gaming. Of course, the price of cases capable of doing so is not cheap, not to mention that building a graphics card is not even suitable for cards with only 2 cooling fans because it gets entangled with other components.

With computer power source – PSU

A parameter that can also be ignored if your configuration is not too great and does not use Full Modular sources or psu with a capacity of 750W or more. The most common problem is that high capacity or Full Modular sources are often too long. Therefore, the length of the PSU and the length of the PSU supported by the case is also a parameter to consider.

With air cooling

The only parameter you need to pay attention to is the height of the air cooler and the height of the air cooler supported by the case because if the air cooler is too high, you won’t be able to close the side cover and have to accept particles. The dust will migrate into your computer. Cooler Master’s air coolers often cause side cover problems because they often have an excessive height. Therefore, if you are not sure about the height of the air cooler supported by your case, you should avoid buying air coolers from these brands.

With water cooling

The price reduction of both All in One and custom water coolers opens up more efficient cooling options that do not require RAM, do not require side covers and are highly aesthetic. The only thing is that the case must have a suitable place to mount the radiator. If you build a machine with Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 CPUs, you should look for cases that support 240mm radiators or larger. If you intend to build a configuration with a Core i9 or Ryzen 9 CPU, it is best to choose to buy cases that support 360mm radiator or larger, usually only available in Full Tower or Super Tower cases.

Connection ports

Most computer cases on the market have USB Type A 2.0 and/or 3.0 ports, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, enough for common needs. However, if you have many peripherals or need a Type-C connection port, you should consider the “Front connection port” section in the product specifications.

Wiring and heat dissipation capabilities

Wiring ability is a hard-to-notice difference between cheap cases and expensive cases because only… the person installing the device can feel it. If you want to install components for your PC yourself, you should choose a slightly expensive case, about over $90 to reduce the tire of the installation process. Cluttered cables and power cords not only affect aesthetics but also heat dissipation, the difference can be up to 5 to 10 degrees when over time, dust will stick to the wires, blocking airflow circulate.

In terms of heat dissipation, in addition to the number of cooling fans the case supports, the material of the computer case also makes a difference 99% of cases using glass will be 5 to 10 degrees hotter than the cases

​ Show off or hide the internal components?

If you plan to keep your PC in a hidden corner or under the table or simply… don’t like showing off the internal components, you should choose a case with steel or mica sides.

If you are someone who likes to watch the components work, especially the way the water lines of the custom radiator move, you should choose cases with glass sides or even the front. And if your house is not on the street or in a dusty place, you can consider open cases, they can be placed on a table or hung on the wall and always show off the maximum components inside, more importantly, they are less likely to “explode the glass” during sudden temperature changes.

Summary

In short, the outer case protects the internal components and also has an aesthetic effect. When choosing to buy a case, you need to pay attention to the case’s compatibility with previously selected components, the number of front connection ports and the number of supported cooling fans. If you plan to place the case in a hidden corner, you should choose cases that do not use tempered glass because of their superior durability and ventilation.