If you're in the market for a new PC case, it's important to know what to look for. After all, this is the piece of hardware that will house all your expensive gaming components, so you want to make sure it's up to the task. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a new PC case.
Form Factor
The form factor is one of the first things you need to consider when buying a PC case. This refers to the size and shape of the case. The most common form factors are ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX. ATX cases are the largest and can accommodate more components, while microATX and mini-ITX cases are smaller and more compact.
If you already have a PC and you're just upgrading the case, you'll want to ensure that you get a form factor that matches your current setup.
However, if you're looking to build a gaming PC, this should be one of the first things you decide. If you're okay with a larger setup, an ATX case will give plenty of space for components and future room to upgrade. However, if you're looking for something more compact, you might need to sacrifice some of the components of your PC build and get an mITX or mATX form factor.
Cooling Options
Another important consideration when choosing a PC case is cooling. Even if you aren't overclocking, improper airflow can lead to high temps which then causes hardware failure with your components. This can be remedied with fans, but fans need ventilation to let the air circulate. This is where the airflow of your case comes into play. One of our newest PC cases,the H7 Flow, supports multiple fan configurations and comes pre-equipped with a quiet cooling system
Cable Management
The last thing you want is a rat's nest of cables inside your case, so good cable management features are a must. Beyond just aesthetics, improper cable management can actually block fans and cause overheating in your system.
When you buy a PC case, you'll want to make sure it has cable management perks to make the task easy. Look for features such as grommeted pass-throughs and dedicated cable routing channels to help keep your cables tidy and out of the way. A good case will also have plenty of Tie-Down points so you can secure your cables and prevent them from getting snagged on anything inside the case.
Drive Bays
Finally, and this is more optional in an era of M2 SSDs, you'll want to make sure your PC has the right drive bays. If you plan on storing a lot of media/games and want the ability to install HDDs/SSDs, you'll need a case that has enough bays to accommodate them.