One of the most important components in your PC is the computer case. It can have a real impact on how well your computer performs and crucially keeps key components cool.
The PC case can also determine the number of PC components you can have as well as how good your PC looks!
Computer cases (also known as the PC chassis) come in three tower sizes: mini, mid or full. The larger case (full) allows more component space and provides easy access than the smaller cases, but takes up a lot of room. You also have to ensure the motherboard you're including has enough connections for a mass of components, otherwise you're left with a lot of empty unusable space! For a vast majority of users, a mid-tower case is the most sensible choice. Typical mid-tower ATX cases are a good compromise. However, if you want to save space with a mini-tower case, make sure it is compatible with the motherboard you select and is expandable to meet your future needs.
When picking a PC case, look for the number of bays and slots. Drive bays are the spaces in the system case where you mount your hard disk, CD/DVD Rom and other drives. If you choose a case that has too few drive bays you will be out of luck when it comes to expanding your PC system.
If you are building a powerful system it will generate more heat than an ordinary PC. Therefore, you will need to select a case with a more advanced cooling system.
A spacious, well laid-out case is a critical part of proper system cooling. Make sure the case is well ventilated, has good airflow between the front and the back so it protects components such as the CPU and video card, and has high-performance cooling fans. All the power cables that lead from the motherboard to the power supply should be neatly aligned.
If you are building a super powerful PC you might want to make sure your case will allow you to add extra fans as needed.
Most computer cases that come with power supplies typically provide 300 to 400 watts and this may be sufficient for some systems. However, it does not mean you shouldn't expand your power - especially if your spec of choice includes high-end video cards, hard drives and CPUs. So if you are an extreme PC user or gamer you might consider buying a bigger power supply separately. Some of the latest PSUs aimed at gamers go up to 1KW (1000W)!