Buying a case when building a new computer may seem like a simple task and usually the look or style may be the deciding factor that seals the purchase. There are a wide range of ATX cases available, so what should be considered when purchasing a case when building a PC or replacing an existing system case? ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) is a standard designed by Intel. It enables the standardisation of computer cases, motherboards and power supply allowing interchange ability of these components.

When buying ATX cases the first thing to consider is the type of motherboard that is going to be installed. The most common motherboard types of formats are ATX and Micro ATX. The Micro ATX boards are slightly smaller allowing them to be installed in the smaller Micro ATX cases.

Computer cases can be supplied with or without a power supply unit installed. If a case comes with a PSU then power rating should be checked to see if it can power all the devices that may be installed in the PC. Also of note is the amount of power connectors provided by the power supply. This should be checked to ensure there are enough to connect all required devices.

Other things to consider are the amount of bays the case has for installing CD/DVD Rom Drives and hard disk drives. This is especially true if card reader devices are to be fitted as well as the standard drives. Also many cases offer screw less solutions allowing most of the components to be fitted easily without the need of a screwdriver.

Most cases have a number of ports built into the front bezel. USB, Firewire, Headphone and Microphone ports are commonly found on ATX cases. It is worth checking to be sure that these extra ports can be utilised and connected to the motherboard.

One more important consideration is the air flow inside the case. When all the components are fitted there must be enough room to enable a good airflow throughout the case. Sometimes extra case fans and cooling devices are required to keep all the components cool. Make sure the case has enough room for these extra devices if required.

Once all the previous points have been considered we are left with the colour, shape or style of the case. There are hundreds of case designs available on the market today so finding the right case shouldn't be an issue for most enthusiasts.