Your computer case has multiple functions. It houses all the various components that make up your computer, and it usually comes with the power supply that supplies electricity to your computer system. Don't overlook the importance of the computer case, look for a sturdy, well-built model, that gives you ample room to work in and enough power to suit your needs. Look for a computer case with the power supply on top as this is a more efficient way of keeping heat (a major computer killer) out of the case.If aesthetics is a factor, their are lots of cases being marketed that are downright funky, just make sure that you don't compromise the interior for the exterior.

WHAT IS AN ATX CASE?

First off, make sure your case IS one. It will make your life much simpler. An ATX Factor case orients the motherboard so that more room is available for component expansion.It also places the parts that produce the most heat, namely the memory and CPU next to the power supply for better cooling. You'll also need an ATX case to take advantage of the advanced power management features found in todays computers. Basically all computers sold today are of the ATX variety. AT cases are only available as surplus, sold to Do-It-Yourself bargain hunters, or used as Bait-and-Switch fodder to help unscrupulous dealers push a more expensive system. All cases sold at BuildYourOwnComputer.Net are of the ATX variety.

TOWER This is a HUGE case, and is usually only reserved for the most demanding applications, such as a server, these monsters have room for more than a half dozen disk drives.

MID-TOWER This is by far the most popular choice for the Build-It-Yourselfer. It stands upright and usually has about Four Drive Bays and Six Expansion Slots-just right for most people.

MINI-TOWER For those who don't need extensive expansion and have size needs. this model is a popular choice.

DESKTOP Once the most popular style it's overly bulky look and limited expansion capability have caused it to lose favor to the more hidable towers.

There are two kinds of bays. Those with Front Panel Access and those without.
Front Panel Access bays are for devices using removable media (E.G. CD-Rom Drives, Floppy Drives, Zip Drives ETC...)They have an opening at the front of the case to be able to slide in or out a disk. An Internal Bay has no front panel access and is built just below the bays with Front Panel Access. This Bay is primarily used for the computers Hard Disk Drive.

Usually bundled together with the computer case, your Power Supply keeps your computer running. It is important that your computer recieves sufficient power, and equally important that the power is high quality and non-variable. Variation in the electrical current can cause equipment failures and data corruption. Most cases come with power supplies that have between 150 and 300 watts of power. A 300 watts power supply is major overkill as most pc's can mosey along on 150 watts without breaking a sweat.

*MUCHO IMPORTANTO!!! MANY COMPUTER CASES HAVE 110/220 VOLTAGE SELECTABLE POWER SUPPLIES ALLOWING THEM TO BE USED IN MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. MAKE SURE THIS TAB (LOCATED ON THE BACK OF YOUR CASE) IS SET CORRECTLY, IF IT IS NOT THEN EITHER YOU COMPUTER WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY OR WORSE GET FRIED!!!

You'll need a surge protector to keep your computer safe from power spikes, This is a necessary piece of equipment, it's also relatively cheap so their is no real reason not to get one. As an added bonus these surge protectors also double as outlet strips, giving you the extra outlets you are sure to need when setting up your computer. If a sudden power outage would cause an irretrievable loss of information than an Uninterruptible Power Supply, known as a UPS (no relation to our favorite package delivery company) is also a neccessity. This is essentially a big battery that kicks in when you lose power, allowing you to save your work, and shut your computer down till you get your juice back.