Computer Case

Computer Architecture
Cases - Chassis
Last Class’ Objectives
• Learn that a computer requires both hardware and
software to work
• Identify and describe the purpose and characteristics of

the components of Personal Computer Systems
• Learn to identify and explain the considerations when

selecting appropriate PC components
• Describe the Configurations for Specialized Computer

Systems
Key Terms
• Case
• Chassis
• Form Factor
• ATX and ITX
• Protection
• Ventilation and Cooling
• Dust Prevention
• Compatibility, Will Your Components Fit
• Tower, Mid Tower, Mini Tower, HTPC, Server, Super Tower
• Thin Client
• Bench Case
• Mounting Points
• Case Fans, Heat Sync, Cooling, Active, Passive
• Liquid Cooling
• Expansion, Expansion Slot, Expansion Bay, Rear I/O Shield
• PSU - Power Supply Unit
• Tool-less Case
• Wire Management, Zip-Ties, Twist-Ties
• LEDs - Light Emitting Diodes
Case
• Objectives
1. Overview
2. Today's Computer Case Options
3. The Features and Specifications to Consider
4. Which Computer Case is Best for Me?
• Google Sketchup
• Questions
• Up Next
Objectives
• Understand the importance of the case when building a
PC
• Understanding the options, accessories, and limitations

of each case
• Selecting the right case

Overview - Today's Options
Overview
• The computer case is perhaps the most important
decision you will have to make
• For all of your valuable components it has to:
– Fit and house them (hold/store)

– Protect (keep dry, clean, and untouched)
– Power
– Ventilate (provide air)
– Cool (has to regulate heat)
– Allow Expansion
Today's Computer Case Options
• The first decision when picking any PC case, or
designing any PC, is what form factor will you select?
– Form Factor = the Shape, Size, and Component Layout of the

case
• You will need to select the Type and Shape
– Type - What Motherboard form factor will this PC need to accommodate? (ex.
ATX)
– Shape - What shape and size of case? (Ex. Tower, or Workstation)

• ATX Desktop:
– Sometimes called a workstation
– Made to house an ATX styled

motherboard
– Easy to access the components
– Average amount of expansion

bays and potential
– Monitor is sometimes placed on

top of a desktop case
• ATX Bench Case:
– Open air computer case

(exposed)
– Made to house an ATX styled

motherboard
– Extreme access the components
– Great heat dissipation
– Almost zero protection

(keep in clean and safe area)
• ATX Full Tower Case:
– StandardATX motherboard
– Great access the components
– Great potential for heat dissipation
– Great component protection
– Great potential for expandability
– Servers, Workstations, Gaming

PCs
• ATX Mid Tower Case:
– The most common PC case
– Standard ATX styled motherboard
– Good access the components
– Good heat dissipation
– Good component protection
– Good expandability
• ATX Mini Tower Case:
– micro ATX motherboard
– Good access the components
– Good heat dissipation
– Good component protection
– Good expandability
– Good for smaller tables or

locations
• ATX Super Tower Case:
– Standard and XL ATX motherboards
– Multiple CPUs
– Great access the components
– Great heat dissipation
– Great component protection
– Insane expandability (9 slots)
– Computer enthusiasts
• HTPC Case:
– Micro ITX motherboards
– Limited access the components
– Limited heat dissipation
– Limited component protection
– Limited or No expandability
– For small and enclosed locations

near TVs
– Limited power
• Server Case:
– Variety of shapes and sizes:

• Tower
• Home
• Rack Mounted
• Small form factor
– Multiple motherboards supported
– Multiple CPUs supported
– Locks and Safety devices not found

else where
– Various cooling, expansion, and

maintenance options
The Features and Specifications to Consider
• Form Factor:
• Power:
• Mounting Locations:
• Expansion:
– Expansion Bays:
– Expansion Slots and Rear I/O:
• Cooling Options:
• Cable Management:
• Tool Free Cases:

• Form Factor:
– Shape, Size, Layout
– Motherboard compatibility
– Power compatibility
– Amount of expansion, cooling, and

access to components
– Cost
• Power:
– Shape, Size, Layout
– Type, number, and location of power

connectors
– Motherboard and component compatibility
– Total amount of power (watts)
– Mounting options
• Mounting Points:
– Where will you mount the motherboard?
– Where does the PSU fit? Which?
– Where do the hard drives fit?
– Can you mount additional brackets?
– Where can you attach fans, heat sinks,

and coolers?
• Expansion:
– How many cards can the case hold?
– How many drives? Size?
– What rear i/o expansion does it have?
– Does it all line up?

• Cooling:
– Number, size, location, and power?
– Active: Fans
– Passive: Heat Syncs
– Liquid Cooling
• Cable Management:
– Some cases allow room and

channels to route power cables
– Clears up the case, improves airflow,

improves heat dissipation, and
makes access easier
– If this is not mentioned you will have

to sort out the cables on your own
• Tool Free Case:
– Cases often require screwdrivers
– Some cases remove this need
– Providing thumbscrews and adaptors

to remove screws
– Allows easier access to components

Which computer case is best for me?
Which computer case is best for me?
• Students
– Form Factor
– Number of USB Ports
– Power Supply Unit
• Home Entertainment Users

– Appearance
– Form Factor
– 5.25" Drive Bays
• Gamers
– Cooling Options
– Ventilation / Side Air Duct
– Power Supply Unit
– Room for Graphics Card(s)
• Home Users
– Cost
– Power Supply
– USB Slots
• Business Users
– Form Factor
– Power Supply
– Expansion Slots
Sketch Up
Questions
1. What is a form factor?
2. What are the considerations you will need to make when picking a case?
3. What is a tool-less case?
4. What is an expansion bay?
5. What is a Mini Tower?
6. What are the two most common server form factors that we mentioned?
7. What case would you buy for an enclosed area? Why?

Up Next
• Please review these additional resources:
http://kanduit.co.uk/objectives/?page_id=18
http://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/a-plus-videos/bios-and-cmos-
overview/
http://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/220-701/motherboard-form-factors-
2/
http://www.professormesser.com/free-a-plus-training/a-plus-videos/professor-messers-
free-comptia-a-certification-training-course-motherboards/
http://www.tomshardware.com/t/motherboards/
• Up Next:
– Introduction to Motherboards - Hardware
References
• http://www.newegg.ca/Product/CategoryIntelligenceArticle.aspx?articleI
d=334#topic1

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Computer Architecture

• Identify and describe the purpose and characteristics of

• Learn to identify and explain the considerations when

• Describe the Configurations for Specialized Computer

2. Today's Computer Case Options

3. The Features and Specifications to Consider

4. Which Computer Case is Best for Me?

• Understanding the options, accessories, and limitations

• Selecting the right case

• For all of your valuable components it has to:

– Fit and house them (hold/store)

– Form Factor = the Shape, Size, and Component Layout of the

• You will need to select the Type and Shape

– Shape - What shape and size of case? (Ex. Tower, or Workstation)

– Sometimes called a workstation

– Made to house an ATX styled

– Easy to access the components

– Average amount of expansion

– Monitor is sometimes placed on

– Open air computer case

– Made to house an ATX styled

– Extreme access the components

– Great heat dissipation

– Almost zero protection

– Great access the components

– Great potential for heat dissipation

– Great component protection

– Great potential for expandability

– Servers, Workstations, Gaming

– The most common PC case

– Standard ATX styled motherboard

– Good access the components

– Good heat dissipation

– Good component protection

– micro ATX motherboard

– Good access the components

– Good heat dissipation

– Good component protection

– Good for smaller tables or

– Standard and XL ATX motherboards

– Great access the components

– Great heat dissipation

– Great component protection

– Insane expandability (9 slots)

– Micro ITX motherboards

– Limited access the components

– Limited heat dissipation

– Limited component protection

– For small and enclosed locations

– Variety of shapes and sizes:

– Multiple motherboards supported

– Multiple CPUs supported

– Locks and Safety devices not found

– Various cooling, expansion, and

– Expansion Slots and Rear I/O:

• Tool Free Cases:

– Shape, Size, Layout

– Amount of expansion, cooling, and