Computer Components and the Importance of the Case

For those who prefer to design and build their own computers from scratch, the internal features that comprise the system's operating power are but one of the considerations that go into the design and planning process. The casing is another of the important computer components that cannot be overlooked. Not only does it cover your CPU, motherboard, and other essential elements - it also provides protection and aesthetics for what would otherwise be an open collection of sensitive parts.

There are a wide variety of cases available to house your computer components, most of which are based on the industry's ATX standard for size and layout for housing motherboards. Since all of your computer components will be housed within the casing, it can easily be considered the backbone of your computer system. When choosing a case, there are some important considerations you need to make.

Those considerations include the number of expansion bays, and ease of access. Expansion bays are the slots in the front of the casing through which you can access various removable drives like a DVD or DC-Rom drive. If you plan on upgrading your system throughout its life, you will want to ensure that you have an excess of expansion bays to accommodate future drive additions. The ease with which you can access the internal components is an important factor, as it will determine how easily you can perform anticipated upgrades, as well as perform regular cleaning to remove dust and dirt.

How your casing is laid out will indicate how efficient your computer's fans are at keeping the internal computer components cool - thus reducing or eliminating the cause of most computer freezes and crashes. In addition, casings with quality filters over the fan area can help to eliminate dust and other particles that can contribute to excessive heat.

As you can see, the casing for your computer is one of the most critical computer components you can buy. Taking the time to choose the right case can go a long way toward ensuring that your custom designed computer has a long and efficient life.