You need to select the correct computer case sizes when building your computer. It might not matter in the past, but nowadays, you have multiple options for building your pc. Finding suitable computer case sizes is an enjoyable process; if you are new to this trend in building your computer, you still know that computer cases are essential for PC building because they enclose different components inside.
It might look easy to get a suitable computer case, but you have to be careful because it involves different factors. It’s not all about fitting components inside the computer case; you must check the case as it has proper water cooling, fans are available, and it should be capable of cooling the system.
Don’t worry! This article will give you enough PC case size guide. The more extensive cases tend to have a premium cooling system, more air dissipates heat, and accommodate more fans and taller heat sinks. Let’s dive in!
What Is A Desktop Computer Case?
The computer case is just like a protecting structure for the components of the computer. So the computer case sizes matter a lot because they can determine that they can adjust the different parts of the computer, especially the motherboard.
The main work of PC case is its cooling system that represents how much space it has to function the radiation and air circulation. They also work as a shield for computers and prevent them from external damage. Mostly game streamers need them the most. They come in both shapes, vertically and horizontally.
Main Components Inside The PC Case:
- Motherboard
- Central processing unit
- RAM
- Hard disk drive and SSD
- Cooling fan
- Power supply unit
- Expansion cards like video cards, sound cards, graphic cards, network adapters, etc.
Types of PC Cases
4 Different Computer Case Sizes
There are four types of PC cases available for computer cases you can decide which one is suitable for you according to your needs and desires.
1) Small Form Factor (Mini ITX Case)
Small form factor cases are considered niche cases with limited uses. Mini tower form factors are gaining massive popularity in recent years; let’s see how it helps if you have a small PC because it will take up a tiny amount of space under your computer desk. It can work as an alternative to your laptop in cost and power. Some small form factor has come with customized bags that will help you carry them from one place to another.
Small form factor can work as HTPC (home theater PC) for your computer and home multimedia entertainment. The most considerable edge is its weight and size; you can hang it onto the wall and place it under your TV table. Its computing powers are enough to give you good audio and video in any modern format. Many small form factors come with a motherboard with a cooling system different from other computer case fans.
They produce a small amount of heat because it has a built-in sound and video motherboard. So they don’t need a more powerful cooling system that also a cause to come in small size. If you have a small space (small living room or small office etc.) for working and playing with the computer, it suits you.
It’s easy to repair because of its portability feature. But don’t think it’s minimal to fit in or carry; you don’t carry it into some small box. ITX computer case sizes weight around 5 to 7 kg when fully loaded with components.
But still, it’s an excellent choice for those who move a lot from one place to another. Of course, for those gamers who attend LAN parties. It also has one drawback: they have limited to only one CD drive.
2) Mini Tower (MicroATX Case Size)
Mini towers occupy a little physical space and are suitable for you if the size is not the main concern for performance. They are gradually replacing mid towers because they are not limited space as the small form factor has, but they don’t occupy space as much as mid-tower. But still, every case has its advantage and disadvantage because if you are an average consumer, it’s suitable for you; otherwise, go for the mid and full tower that I will discuss later in this article.
The length of the mini-computer tower dimensions is between 35 to 45 cm in height and 15 to 25 cm in width. Size can also vary for different cases; mentioned size is considered the standard computer case sizes. If you are using low consumption components in your pc, it’s good for you because it doesn’t have an excellent thermal enclosure.
They are cheaper among common computer case sizes. The mini-tower supports a MicroATX motherboard and still has less price. And it also accepts standard-size components in less price when compared to the Small form factor because they have an SFX power supply and low-end graphics card but is still sometime expensive than the mini-tower. Mini towers have built-in configurations for back-office machines and network terminals.
If you want to use it at home for standard regular video games, go for it. There are some drawbacks in space; you can’t expand the components due to space problems, and Mini-tower is not popular among computer assemblers because of its size and space. Because they are not capable of carrying more components inside the desktop PC case, keep in mind that expert assemblers can beautifully arrange components inside the PC case even when it’s not much space.
3) Mid-Tower (ATX Case)
The mid tower case size is the most popular and widely used PC case. It is also known as the universal option for desktop user’s because you can assemble a wide range of components. So it’s suitable for low-profile offices, regular gamers, and home media centers.
It allows you to use many components and a Motherboard inside the case with acceptable dimensions. Average mid-tower PC case dimensions cm relies on between 35 to 54 cm in height and 15 to 25 cm in width. It is still quite popular; even small cases have some shares of mid-tower, but it can be the best choice for you if you are a gamer or do heavier work.
Mid-tower has more space inside for installing full-size components like extensive video cards over 300mm longer, 120,140, 200mm fans, 2 to 3 thick expansion slots, and a better cooling system. If you want to build a regular gaming pc, mid-tower is the best suitable choice for you, but in the case if you want to build a hardcore gaming pc.
Mid-tower receives a good amount of cold air with the proper use of fans. So the temperature of GPU and CPU never exceeds 70 to 80 degrees Celsius in stressful conditions. You are using a productive computer with a ventilation system if you have a mid-tower case. In mid-tower cases, you can use mini ITX, MicroATX, and ATX motherboards.
Mid-tower has a cable management feature that means this PC case can degenerate into a rat’s nest of wires if the data connector, power cables, and case wires are left unchecked.
4) Full Tower (EATX Case)
The full tower PC case can able to accommodate EATX and CEB motherboards. They are helpful for high-performance servers. You can use multiple components, an all-size motherboard, RAM, ROM, and other storage units in one case. The full tower PC case size is between 54 to 75 cm in height and 22 to 32 cm in width. It has 4 to 9 additional bays to install up to 7 expansion slots for optical drives.
Full towers are gaming PC case sizes and suitable for hardcore gamers, overclockers, PC enthusiasts, and server admins. Let’s discuss them in detail:
If we talk about servers, then servers have to accommodate the second CPU and extra RAM slots, and the Motherboard of that servers gets pretty massive, which means they need colossal power and high-end components to work smoothly. Mid towers can’t be able to hold this type of larger motherboard. So this problem is only solved with EATX and SSI CEB motherboards.
If you are an overclocker, then it means your PC wants a lot of cooling and power handling capacity. The cooling system and fans take up a lot of space to use the full tower because it has 230mm case fans, triple radiators, higher air volume, better ventilation, and dual-tower heat sinks.
If you are a hard-core gamer, you must go with full power because the latest games don’t run smoothly without 4k resolution, Ultra settings, and triple monitor settings. If you want to play hardcore games, the full tower is suitable for transforming into a gaming ghost with triple and quad-core graphic cards.
The one drawback it has is that it is massive and takes a lot of space, making it harder to hide. But if you have a lot of space, the full tower is the best choice.
Read the Dimensions
PC Case Size Comparison & Some Other Features
Let’s see the computer case sizes chart of different computer case sizes:
1) Small Form Factor
The small form factor has space or can have a mini ITX motherboard, 1 (5.25 drive bays), 1-3 (3.5 drive bays), 0-4 (2.5 drive bays), and two expansion slots, one graphic card, and 1-3 case fans.
2) Mini-Tower
The mini-tower has space or can have a mini ITX or MicroATX motherboard, 1 to 2 (5.25 drive bays), 4-6 (3.5 drive bays), 0-4 (2.5 drive bays), four expansion slots, 1 to 2 graphic card, and 2-4 case fans.
3) Mid-Tower
Mid-tower has space or can have mini ITX, MicroATX, or ATX motherboard, 2 to 5 (5.25 drive bays), 6 – 8 (3.5 drive bays), 0 – 10 (2.5 drive bays), 7 – 8 expansion slots, 2 to 3 graphic card, and 3 – 9 case fans.
4) Full Tower
The full tower has space or can have a mini ITX, MicroATX, ATX, or EATX motherboard, 3 to 6 (5.25 drive bays), 6 – 13 (3.5 drive bays), 0 – 11 (2.5 drive bays), 7 – 10 expansion slots, 3 to 4 graphic card, and 5 – 10 case fans.
Pro Tips
How To Choose A Computer Case Size?
The size of a computer case matters, but there are some other factors that you must consider at the time of purchasing pc cases. Let’s take a quick look:
5.25 Drive Bays: It is a room that holds DVD, and Blu-ray drives called optical drives, fan controllers, cooling fans, multi-card readers, drawers, and whatever you want to add. Mostly 5.25 drive Bays are external, not internal.
3.5 Drive Bays (internal): These hold the hard disk drives.
3.5 Drive Bays (external): It has a USB port hub, multi-card reader, and cooling fan.
2.5 Drive Bays: It holds laptop hard drives and SSD, primarily internal drive Bays. Some older and low-end bays lack 2.5 drive Bays, but you can install SSDs into 3.5 drive Bays using converter brackets.
You must buy a computer case that meets your requirements. You should examine the case’s size regarding the available space at your job space or home and the internal components that you wish to install within the case.
