Not too long ago, choosing a computer case for a new PC was a pretty simple affair--there weren't that many styles to decide on. Now, it's one of the more major decisions you'll make in this process.

There are a few things you must take into consideration when choosing your computer case. First, what type of motherboard will you be purchasing? (you should have already decided this in Step 2). This is important when considering what size case to purchase. For example, if your requirements dictate you need a full size ATX motherboard, then you MUST have a case that supports it. In other words--don't buy a case that will only house a micro ATX board. I know... this seems like common sense, but it's pretty easy to loose track of these details when you're putting together your order online--especially if you're like me and prone to changing your mind at the last minute on certain aspects of your system.

Also, make sure that you have enough expansion slots available for your hard drives, CD/DVD drives, etc. Have you decided how many HDDs you want to install?? Do you want an internal media card reader? Many of these will fit into a standard floppy drive bay, but if you plan on installing an actual floppy drive--you should make sure that your new case has at least TWO floppy drive bays--one for the actual floppy drive and one for your media card reader.

And don't forget about your power supply. Most cases come with a power supply pre-installed, and the wattage is typically adequate based on the size and capacity of the case. But you should always double check, especially if you plan on installing any non-standard equipment or high-end components such as a high-performance graphics card.

CoolerMaster NV690 nVIDIA Edition ATX Mid-Tower Case
Uploaded by ComputerTV

Here's a quick summary of the power required by a few typical PC components:

Motherboard: up to 30 watts
CPU: between 50-100 watts
RAM: about 60 watts/GB
PCI Card: about 10 watts (typical)
Video card: about 60 watts (average)
Video card: up to 120 watts (high performance)
Hard disk: between 15-30 watts
CD or DVD drive: between 15-25 watts


When you select your case, be sure to examine ALL aspects of it. Some cases look great on the outside, but are ridiculously difficult to work with on the inside. Get the best case that you can afford. Look for a well-built case--preferably a tool-less case design, meaning "no screws and bolts needed to open and close the case." Take my word for it... if you get the cheapest case you can find, you'll end up a very frustrated person with at least 2-3 cuts on your fingers to show your friends.



See Available Computer Cases


Here are some of the key features to look for in a new computer case:

• Removable motherboard tray
• Multiple locations for installing cooling fans
• Tool-free hard drive carriers
• Hard disk activity LEDS on front panel
• Front-panel USB and/or Firewire connectors
• Front-panel headphone/microphone jacks
• Adequate power supply (if purchased with the case)