There are several sizes of PC cases, each having their advantages, disadvantages and various configuration possibilities. Depending on its use, your PC will need to be more or less large to accommodate the components you will need. Overview of the different sizes available to build your configuration and know how to choose the size of your PC .
The Barebone – Mini PC
The Barebone is ideal if you would like to have a Mini PC , a type of case that has become popular since 2010 among PC builders. It is characterized by being the constituent base of a desktop computer or even a laptop. Indeed, in the majority of cases it has by default an power supply and a motherboard with slots for USB sockets and headphone jacks. The Barebone is therefore a starter kit for setting up a configuration . It is associated with a particular brand like MSI or Asus because all the preinstalled components are dependent on each other.
Unlike a complete Mini PC, if you want to get a Barebone, take into account the fact that not all components are included . You will therefore need to complete the missing elements upon purchase and ensure that they are compatible. The great advantage of Barebones is that they are a good compromise between a PC already assembled and a PC to be assembled. You can start with a good base recommended by the manufacturers while supplementing or improving them according to your needs.
They are just as compact as mini-towers, or even more so because they measure on average between 10 and 20 cm in height. These are perfect PCs for office use .
The Mini I TX
The mini tower is a favorite choice for people who want a compact and functional computer without spending a lot. Although useful for integrating into most setups, whether in a living room or a small office, the mini-tower is however limited in the maximum power of the components it can accommodate.
Due to its small size, between 30 and 40 cm high , the mini ITX case cannot be fitted with large components. The vast majority of mini-towers are only compatible with mini-ITX motherboards , although some cases support micro-ATX. Additionally, a large graphics card will not always fit due to lack of space, but generally most of them will be installable up to 350mm in length.
If you want to have many storage bays, a mini ITX case will probably not be suitable for your needs. A box of this size will generally have 2 slots and very rarely more than 3.
Due to its small size, the mini-tower is generally very discreet for the eyes and ears. Indeed, given that its components are not powerful and that its use is not made for AAA video games in ultra HD, its operation will remain silent . However, be sure to ventilate your case well through efficient air circulation or a watercooling system if it is possible to install one.
For those looking for a PC of this size, take a look at our comparison of the best mini ITX cases .
Mid-tower (ATX)
It's the perfect compromise between size and power. The mid-tower allows you to have more freedom in the choice of your components which will be 90%, even 95% compatible. Only E-ATX or XL-ATX motherboards may not be installable in your case. However, the possibilities are already significant and sufficient to build a competitive gaming PC .
Motherboards in ATX format (305 x 244 mm) will allow you a much greater power gain compared to mini-ITX (170 x 170 mm) and micro-ATX (244 x 244 mm) formats.
You will therefore be able to design a PC without real component compatibility limitations and thus build your configuration according to your needs. In addition, the latter will be more scalable in the future and the assembly of components facilitated by better accessibility of locations.
You can add many hard drives to store your Windows or Linux operating system on an SSD for fast processing speed and your data, games and other programs on HDDs with a larger storage limit.
Regarding the cooling of your PC, remember to properly install your fans and radiators in order to create optimized air circulation. Unlike mini-towers, medium-sized cases (between 35 and 45 cm high) can certainly accommodate more powerful and numerous components, but they risk heating up more inside your PC. You will therefore need to facilitate the airflow and if possible install a watercooling system connected to your graphics card or motherboard.
The big tower (ATX)
If you have a very big budget and enough space, you can build the PC of your dreams with a tall tower. This type of case allows almost unlimited possibilities, supporting all components and sometimes being able to accommodate several graphics cards .
It is obviously not recommended for all profiles because the point of the large tower is to take advantage of its available internal space to build a real war machine. On the other hand, it is perfect for a high-performance Gaming PC allowing you to run all games in UHD , provided of course that you equip yourself with the appropriate components.
A more powerful configuration also means higher energy consumption and the need for mandatory efficient cooling. Take advantage of the space to organize your configuration in the best possible way with a well-designed management cable to facilitate the entry of cold air and the evacuation of hot air.
Use the numerous ventilation outlets as well as the fan locations to make your job easier. A liquid cooling system is strongly recommended to reduce the temperature of your powerful graphics card or any other components likely to heat up a lot.
After this overview of the different PC sizes available, there are other secondary factors to consider.
Factors to consider before purchasing your PC case!
Silent box or not?
The first concerns the noise of your PC, which may be more important on a mini-tower than a large tower, because having components closer to each other does not promote air circulation but also increases the risk of components touching each other.
However, if you do not use your PC for gaming but simply for watching movies or doing office work, there is little chance that your PC will be noisy. If you absolutely want to have a PC that makes no noise, we invite you to read our comparison of silent cases .
Connection
The second is the connectivity available on your box, allowing you to connect your peripherals or smartphone to your computer using the USB ports. However, this factor may vary depending on the range of your case. A high-end will have recent connectors like USB Type-C and 3.0 while a mid-range will only have 3.0/2.0 and an entry-level will only have 2.0.
Assembling your box
Finally the third factor is the ease of assembly of your PC, because the smaller it is, the more difficult it will be to assemble it because it will require better organization of its components upstream and during its execution. If you want a mini PC but don't have much (if any) assembly experience, go for a Barebone or fully pre-assembled PC. If, on the contrary, you are not afraid of challenges, head to a mini-tower and create your PC from A to Z!
