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Computer Tower

Computer Tower Casing: How To Choose What is Best For You

Choosing your computer case is the first major step in you parts selection process for building your desktop.  When choosing your case there are many factors to take into account.

Some of the factors are solely aesthetic, while on the opposite end of the spectrum  some of the determining factors of the case are purely functional.

Let's start with the functional properties.  It is easier to match aesthetics to function than to match the function to the aesthetics.

The first factor to analyze when deciding on a case is the size and orientation of the case.  Computer cases come in many shapes and sizes: they range from

• mid-tower cases
• full-tower computer casing
• all-in-one units

Computer Case & Casing Functionality

The major differentiation factor of computer tower casing is the size of the case is what determines the availability of expansion room withing the computer.

Obviously, the larger the case the more room will be available for additional hardware upgrades in the future.

Many tower cases, whether they are full tower or mid tower computer cases, have easily accessible

• USB ports, a
• headphone jack, and a
• microphone jack installed into the front of the case.

Some are located towards the bottom of the case, but some are located in the middle of the case or closer to the top of the case.  Based on where the CPU will be stored in location to the operator of the computer will determine which option is best for you to choose from.

If you have trouble bending over but want your CPU to sit under your computer desk it might be wise to choose a mid-tower or full tower computer case that has the front ports located farther towards the top than to choose a tower case that has them located at the base of the case.

Casing Aesthetics

After you have decided on the layout of your computer case, as far as the functionality aspects, the next step is to look at the aesthetics or the way the computer looks from the outside.

Today's custom computer cases have so many visual differences that there is potential to create as many computer tower cases as there are people in the world.

When you are determining how you want your case to look, keep in mind

• light displays,
• 'chrome' plating,
• color of the case itself, and
• whether or not you want to be able to view the inside of the case from any angle, if at all.

LED light displays are very common in tower casing and come in a variety of colors.  They are most commonly available in blue, green, or red, but they can also be found in purple, yellow, and orange.  However, it is much more difficult to find LED displays for computer cases in those colors so it may increase expenditure.  If that is not a factor then feel free to browse away at the less commonly found colors.

Many computer cases come in black by default.  They are available in many other colors, but the black case is the easiest color to fit into any motif of any room that a computer may be located in.  There are also options available to get an entirely clear case where the inside of the computer is visible from 360 degrees.  Cases come in a plethora of blues, greens, reds, golds/yellows, and silvers.  If there is a certain color case you want, it is very likely that one is available that meets the specifications you are looking for.

About the Author

CP YoU BUild IT offers computer parts, accessories, and the information to properly assemble, install and maintain your personal computer(PC) from the case to the hard drive to DVD drives.  We offer it all here!

CP YoU BUild IT offers its services to all level of persons who are interested in learning to assemble and maintain their own personal computer system whether this is your first attempt at building a computer or you have done it numerous times.

By providing the knowledge to assemble your own PC and optimize your operating system for free, CP YoU BUild IT creates an opportunity to maintain a highly functional and operational PC without having to deal with the time and hassle it takes to talk to a tech support team that other name brands force you to deal with.

I have been working on computer for approximately thirteen years, beginning with the assembly of the first computer I ever owned with my father in the second grade. Computers have come a long way from a 486 processor with a 5.5" and floppy disk drive.

All information contained in this blog was written based of of personal experience with computers, and what I have used them for over the years.

What does it mean if my computer tower is making loud noises?

my computer tower is making like loud whirring noises when it is turned on. i think there's like air blowing out of it, too. it seems a lot louder than it used to be, but my computer recently had a virus. the virus is gone, i think, but my computer hasn't really sounded the same since then. could the virus still be there? or is it just normal? the sound seemed to get a little worse when i went on the internet as opposed to just being on the regular computer. please help! thanks =]

This isn't going to be down to a virus. It is normal for air to be blowing through your machine - this is how the computer is cooled. However, those fans have bearings and they do wear out and become noisier over time.

The other thing with bearings that may cause the noise is your hard drive and this is potentially more worrying since a hard drive failure will cause you to lose data (although you should have decent back ups anyway). It takes a certain amount of experience to listen to a machine and determine if the noise if from the fans or the hard drive, and it is impossible to diagnose remotely.

You might like to try setting your hard drive to spin down very quickly (e.g. after 1 minute inactivity) in power management (control panel). You machine will sound different when the hard drive has spun down. If the noise you are concerned about is the hard drive I recommend replacing it ASAP. Cooling fans are less important. However, bear in mind that both are noisy in normal operation - you need only be concerned if they get noisier all of a sudden.

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