Board placement
The position of the motherboard in the case; it is assumed that the body is in its original position.
The motherboard is most conveniently placed along the case — this gives the most space for it (and "motherboards", we recall, are large in size). And since the most popular nowadays are vertical-layout cases (mainly certain types of “towers”), the boards in them are arranged vertically. The horizontal arrangement can be found much less frequently — in separate Mini-Towers and "cubes" (Cube Case), where the height is not much greater than the width, as well as desktops designed for horizontal placement.
Fan max height
The highest cooler height allowed for this case.
In this case, we mean a cooler used to cool the processor — such a component is found in the vast majority of modern PCs. Height is measured relative to the motherboard.
Lighting type
The type of
illumination provided in the body design.
The backlight plays mainly a decorative role, it gives the computer an original appearance, which is appreciated by fans of external tuning. Lighting can be mounted separately, but it is easier to purchase a case where it was originally provided. The types of illumination can be as follows:
— Illuminated fan. One or more coolers are illuminated, facing the side or top surface of the case.
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Cases with backlight. Separate parts of the body are illuminated, usually from the inside, in such a way that the illumination can be seen through a transparent window / windows or a lattice surface. Sometimes external lighting can be provided.
There are cases in which both types of illumination are provided simultaneously. And for office needs
, cases without backlight are suitable.
Graphics card vertical mount
The ability to install a graphics card in the case vertically, facing the side panel. To do this, the design provides for an appropriate bracket, and the graphics card is connected to the motherboard with a special extension cable — a riser. This feature is found in open cases and models with a viewing window (see relevant paragraphs), its purpose is primarily aesthetic: a vertically placed graphics card is clearly visible from the outside, which gives the case an original appearance, designed for fans of external modding. But
vertical installation does not provide any fundamental practical advantages.
Liquid cooling (top)
The size of the seat for the water cooling system provided on the top side of the case.
In cases with CBO support, water cooling radiators are installed in the same slots as traditional fans. In other words, either a fan (fans) or a CBO radiator can be installed on the same seat. The size of the seat under the CBO is indicated by one number — the length (on the larger side); the width can be determined based on these data. The fact is that modern CBO radiators usually use fans of one of the standard sizes — 120 mm or 140 mm; and if there are several such fans, they are arranged in a row. As a result, the length of the radiator turns out to be a multiple, and the width is equal to one of these numbers: for example,
280 mm is 2x140 mm with a width of 140 mm, and 360 mm is 3x120 mm with a width of 120 mm. In general, the size of the upper radiator of
240 mm or less is considered relatively small, 280 mm — medium,
360 mm — large, and in some models it reaches
420 mm or even more.
Note that in this case, the same nuances are relevant as for air cooling: a larger fan takes up more space and costs more, but it is considered more advanced, as it can work efficiently at a lower speed — and this reduces the level of noise and vibration.
Side panel window
The presence of
a viewing window on the side panel of the case, allowing you to see the “filling” without opening the case. It gives the case a stylish appearance; in addition, it allows you to install a lighting system inside, which is appreciated by gamers compared to
case models without a window.
The materials for manufacturing the windows on the side panel are:
- Acrylic. Acrylic or plexiglass is an inexpensive material of relatively light weight, which, however, actively collects scratches and can be deformed when exposed to high temperatures.
- Strained glass. Tempered glass panels have excellent transparency, are resistant to scratches and are easy to clean from dirt. At the same time, they weigh a lot and can break to pieces if not handled carefully.
- Metal grid. Wire mesh is a simple type of window material used on the side panel of a cabinet. It allows air to pass through and provides additional heat removal from the internal components of the system unit; dust can leak through the mesh overnight.
More features
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Front cover. A hinged cover that completely or partially covers the front panel. Gives the computer a neat appearance, hiding connectors and external slots under a solid, uniform surface and performs the function of child protection.
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Panel display. A display on the front or side panel of the case, used to display various service information: the current processor frequency, data on the system temperature, cooling operating mode, etc. Various important data can be displayed on the display without reference to what is happening in the software part of the computer.
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Video card holder. A design solution for supporting a video card inside the case. Specialized stands or holders prevent the graphics adapter from sagging over time and reduce the load on the PCI-E slot of the motherboard. The fact is that many models of modern video cards have gained some weight - the holders are designed to compensate for their weight. Stands are available both as built-in solutions and as separate accessories that can be installed inside the case independently.
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Side panel lock. The presence of a special lock on the removable side panel of the case. Such a lock prevents unauthorized access to the internal volume of the system unit.
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Noise isolation. Availability at the case of
...additional sound insulation. This can be either a special coating on the inside, or other, more specific solutions (for example, damping systems on “seats” for individual components that reduce the level of vibrations transmitted to the body). Anyway, this feature helps to reduce the noise level emitted by the system — sometimes quite significantly.
— Removable basket for HDD. The presence in the design of the case of a removable basket for the inner periphery of the 3.5 "form factor (in the vast majority of cases these are hard drives, hence the name). Such a basket facilitates assembly due to the fact that it is much easier to remove it and install a hard drive inside than mount it in a non-removable compartment inside the case; this moment is especially useful if you plan to install several hard drives in the system.
— Docking station for HDD. Built-in docking station for quick connection of internal hard drives. In fact, this function allows you to connect an internal HDD as an external one: the docking station connector is located outside the case and is equipped with quick-release fasteners for easy connection.
— Concealed wiring. The ability to run wires from the power supply on the back of the motherboard (if we take the side where the processor and slots for expansion cards are located as the main one). Thus, the space on the main side of the "motherboard" is freed from wires, which, in particular, has a positive effect on the cooling efficiency.
— The window for installing the cooling system(Cooling system) for CPU. The presence of a separate window in the case opposite the CPU fasteners. The mounting system is located on the back of the motherboard, and usually, in order to change it, you need to remove the entire "motherboard"; the Cooling system installation window saves the user from such a need and greatly simplifies the installation and change of Cooling system.