| writes this article on "choosing the right computer case | | | | Physical measurements of a motherboard are mostly |
| for your computer" to help you in your decision making | | | | unimportant. As long as the form factors of the case |
| process. There are literally thousands of computer | | | | and motherboard match then you should have no |
| cases on the market which sometimes makes | | | | problem with installation.What size power supply does |
| choosing the right computer case quite a task.First and | | | | the computer case have? Ask yourself this important |
| foremost select a computer case that appeals to your | | | | question because most companies that sell computer |
| personal tastes. Once you have found one that looks | | | | cases will include a small power supply that is, most of |
| good to you then there are a few other attributes | | | | the time, too small for your application. Having an |
| about computer cases that you should be aware | | | | undersized power supply can lead to erratic computer |
| of.Does it have front USB? It almost doesn't make | | | | operation, most often denoted by frequent rebooting. |
| sense to have a computer case without front usb. | | | | Most computer cases at ATXPowerSupplies come |
| Front USB ports come in handy for hooking up digital | | | | standard without a power supply. People have |
| cameras and downloading images. This enables you to | | | | different needs so we provide the opportunity for the |
| avoid pulling the computer out to search for the usb | | | | customer to add whichever size power supply they |
| ports in the back. Almost all motherboards have ports | | | | need in their case. |
| for front usb as well as rear usb. Other uses of front | | | | Be sure to check out our article on choosing the right |
| usb ports are: memory stick insertion, mp3 player | | | | power supply for your computer.How many device |
| docking, portable printer docking, and temporary | | | | bays will your computer need? It is necessary to know |
| networking between computers.How does the | | | | how many 5.25" and 3.5" bays you'll need in your |
| motherboard install into the case? If possible try to find | | | | computer case. If you're installing four cdroms in your |
| a case that has a removable backplane for mounting | | | | computer then it will be necessary to have a case |
| the motherboard. The backplane is able to be | | | | with at least four 5.25" bays. You'll also need a certain |
| removed from the case to mount the motherboard. | | | | number of 3.5" bays. Floppy drives and hard drives fit |
| Using this method it is possible to install the | | | | into 3.5" bays. For floppy drives the bays should be |
| motherboard out in the open where there is plenty of | | | | external, meaning that they are accessible from the |
| room to work. Installing a motherboard in a computer | | | | outside of the computer case. Hard drives are |
| case without a removable backplane can be cramped. | | | | mounted in the internal 3.5" bays. The bottom line is to |
| You also run the risk of cutting your hands on the | | | | be sure you have enough bays for all of your |
| surrounding case chassis. Of course, if the computer | | | | devices.Will the physical dimensions of the computer |
| case is large then it may not be necessary for it to | | | | case fit into your location? Be sure to pick a computer |
| have a removable backplane. The removable | | | | case that fits inside whatever space you have |
| backplane feature becomes more important if the | | | | designated for your computer. Pay close attention to |
| computer case is small sized.What form factor is your | | | | the overall height, width, and depth.Does your space |
| motherboard? There are several form factors that | | | | provide for ample cooling of your computer? In most |
| motherboards are usually manufactured. The major | | | | applications where the computer is set in open space |
| form factors are: Micro ATX, Full ATX (commonly | | | | the fans in the power supply and on the cpu are |
| referred to as ATX), and Extended ATX. Every | | | | enough to cool the computer. In places such as |
| computer case should denote which motherboard | | | | cabinets you might want to add one or two fans to aid |
| form factors it accepts. If the case doesn't describe | | | | in the cooling process. Another application that might |
| which motherboard form factors it accepts then it's | | | | call for additional cooling fans is when overclocking of |
| best to move on; you run the risk of buying a | | | | the processor is performed.Check out our other article |
| computer case that doesn't fit your motherboard. | | | | on how to install a front usb adapter. |