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Case Sizes and Form Factors
Most do-it-yourselfers choose tower
or mid-tower cases. Most builders also prefer the ATX form factor. Smaller
cases are said to have a smaller footprint and they save space. However,
larger cases offer more room for expansion options. And, working inside
a larger case is somewhat easier.
I’d recommend choosing a quality
mid-tower or full-tower ATX case for your first PC build. These cases
are designed to be paired with any ATX mainboard.
Most cases will cost between $40
and $100. Unless mainboard manufacturers change the basic ATX case style
in the future, your case should last a long time and serve you through
several years of mainboard upgrades. Choosing a quality case is a good
investment.
Many quality PC manufacturers, such
as Gateway and Dell, use proprietary mainboards and case designs that
have unique drilling patterns that connect the mainboard to the case.
This means that many cases from big-name PC manufacturers are not as
easily upgraded.
For example, if you have a Dell computer
case, you won’t be able to replace an older mainboard with a newer
mainboard from another manufacturer. You’ll need to upgrade with
Dell boards only. From a consumer’s standpoint, this is somewhat
undesirable because it means you can’t upgrade by just adding a
standard, but newer and better, ATX mainboard in the future. If you
find a really great deal on a standard ATX mainboard, you can’t
just add it to your Dell case.
Building your own PC and using standard
components will give you maximum upgrade potential. Choose the ATX form
factor for your case.
With a standard ATX case, you’ll
have the fullest range of upgrade options to newer, more powerful mainboards.
This standardization of components, which allows easy upgrades, is one
big advantage of building your own PC rather than buying one.
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How to Build Your Own PC (http://www.PCGuide.com/byop/) on PCGuide.com
Version 1.0 - Version Date: May 4, 2005
Adapted with permission from a work created by Charlie Palmer.
PCGuide.com Version © Copyright 2005 Charles M. Kozierok. All Rights Reserved.
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