| A computer case (also known as the computer | | | | power, hard drive activities are often |
| chassis, cabinet, tower, box or housing) is | | | | located near the power button which are |
| the enclosure that contains the main | | | | powered from wires that connect up to the |
| components of a computer. Cases are usually | | | | motherboard. Some cases come with status |
| constructed from steel, aluminum, or plastic, | | | | monitoring equipment such as case temperature |
| although other materials (such as wood and | | | | or processor speed monitor which appear on an |
| perspex) have also been used in case designs. | | | | LCD on the side. |
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| Size and shape Cases can come in many | | | | A panel on the side, covers up and protects |
| different sizes or form factors. In 2006, the | | | | the inside of the computer when being used, |
| most popular form factor is ATX, although | | | | which usually slides on and held with a |
| small form factor cases are becoming popular | | | | screw. Most cases require a large amount of |
| for a variety of different uses. | | | | screws to put together. |
| | | | |
| A case with an ATX motherboard and power | | | | Recently there has been a move to "screwless" |
| supply, for example, may still take on one of | | | | cases, where cases are held together with |
| several specific shapes, also known as form | | | | other methods than screws. |
| factors. Common case form factors include | | | | |
| towers (such as mini tower, mid-sized tower, | | | | Since the early 2000s, computers have begun |
| and full-sized tower); desktops or pizza | | | | to have clear side pannels so that the user |
| boxes (also called flatbed or horizontal); | | | | can look into the computer while it is |
| and slim desktops, which integrate the | | | | operating. |
| display into the housing. Tower cases are | | | | |
| taller and typically have more room while | | | | Appearance The current iMac G5 contains the |
| desktop cases are more compact and are more | | | | entire computer in a two inch-thick |
| popular in business environments. | | | | screen—there is no tower. |
| | | | |
| Small form factor cases are a variety of | | | | Traditional designs are beige and |
| cases that are becoming more and more common. | | | | rectangular, but have evolved in style, |
| Companies like Shuttle Inc. and AOpen have | | | | especially after the introduction of the iMac |
| been producing such cases and Mini-ITX is the | | | | in 1998. Beige box designs are typically |
| most common motherboard designed for these | | | | found on budget machines; some people still |
| cases. Apple Computer recently announced its | | | | prefer the traditional design. |
| Mac Mini computer, which is around the size | | | | |
| of a CD-ROM drive. | | | | Case modding is the artistic styling of |
| | | | computer encasings, often to draw attention |
| Function Cases usually come with room for a | | | | to the use of advanced or unusual components. |
| power supply unit, several expansion slots | | | | Modded cases may include internal lighting, |
| and expansion bays, wires for powering up a | | | | colored cable covers, clear side panels, or |
| computer and some with built in I/O ports | | | | liquid cooling systems. Companies such as |
| that must be connected to a motherboard. | | | | Alienware are known for unusual cases. |
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| Motherboards are screwed to the bottom of the | | | | Stickers are common on cases. These may |
| case, its I/O ports being exposed on the side | | | | include the manufacturer's logo, the |
| of the case. Usually the power supply unit is | | | | computer's specifications (CPU, RAM, Hard |
| at the top of the case attached with several | | | | drive, etc), the operating system (such as |
| screws. The typical case has four 5.25" and | | | | "Designed for Windows XP") and processor |
| three 3.5" expansion bays for devices such as | | | | (such as Intel Inside). |
| hard drives, floppy disk drives and CD-ROMs. | | | | |
| A power button (and sometimes a reset button | | | | Brands Case manufacturers include Chenbro, |
| that can be turned-on and off using a remote | | | | ASUS, Lian Li and Thermaltake. Cases may be |
| control) are usually located on the front to | | | | composed of acrylic glass. |
| turn the computer. LED status lights for | | | | |