A computer case, also known as a computer chassis, is the enclosure

that contains most of the hardware of a personal computer. The components

housed inside the case (such as the CPU, motherboard, memory, mass
storage devices, power supply unit and various expansion cards) are referred
as the internal hardware, while hardware outside the case (typically cable-
linked or plug-and-play devices such as the display, speakers, keyboard,
mouse and USB flash drives) are known as peripherals.

Conventional computer cases are fully enclosed, with small holes (mostly in
the back panel) that allow ventilation and cutout openings that provide
access to plugs/sockets (back) and removable media drive bays (front). The
structural frame (chassis) of a case is usually constructed from rigid metals
such as steel (often SECC — steel, electrogalvanized, cold-rolled, coil) and
aluminium alloy, with hardpoints and through holes for mounting internal
hardware, case fans/coolers and for organizing cable management. The
external case panels, at least one of which are removable, cover the chassis
from the front, sides and top to shield the internal components from physical
intrusion and dust collection, and are typically made from painted metallic
and/or plastic material, while other materials such as mesh, tempered glass,
acrylic, wood and even Lego bricks have appeared in many modern
commercial or home-built cases. In recent years, open frame or open air
cases that are only partly enclosed (with freer ventilation and thus
theoretically better cooling) have become available in the premium gaming
PC market.

Sizes and terminology

Further information: Comparison of computer form factors

See also: Desktop computer § Form factor

Inside a gaming case during gameplay.

360° photograph.
(view as a 360° interactive panorama) A full tower case.
Accessories shown include: a fan controller, a DVD burner, and a USB
memory card reader.

Cases can come in many different sizes and shapes, which are usually
determined by the form factor of the motherboard since it is physically the
largest hardware component in most computers. Consequently, personal
computer form factors typically specify only the internal dimensions and
layout of the case. Form factors for rack-mounted and blade servers may
include precise external dimensions as well since these cases must
themselves fit in specific enclosures.

For example, a case designed for an ATX motherboard and power supply unit
(PSU) may take on several external forms such as a vertical tower (designed
to sit on the floor, height > width), a flat desktop (height < width) or pizza
box (height ≤ 5 cm or 2 in) designed to sit on the desk under the computer's
monitor). Full-size tower cases are typically larger in volume than desktop
cases, with more room for drive bays, expansion slots, and custom or all-in-
one (AIO) water cooling solutions. Desktop cases—and mini-tower cases
under about 46 cm (18 in) high—are popular in business environments where
space is at a premium.[1]
 An empty computer case

Currently, the most popular form factor for desktop computers is ATX, [citation
needed]
although microATX and small form factors have also become very
popular for a variety of uses. In the high-end segment, the unofficial and
loosely defined XL-ATX specification appeared around 2009. It extends the
length of the mainboard to accommodate four graphics cards with dual-slot
coolers. Some XL-ATX mainboards increase the mainboard's width as well, to
allow more space for the CPU, Memory PWM, and in some cases, a second
CPU socket. While the market share of these exotic high-end mainboards is
very low, almost all high-end cases and many mainstream cases support XL-
ATX (10 expansion slots). As of 2018, no major motherboard manufacturer
has made an XL-ATX board for several years. E-ATX is similar to XL-ATX in
that it is larger than ATX and is also loosely defined. Unlike XL-ATX, E-ATX
motherboards and cases are still in production (as of 2020), and support
quad-channel memory across 8 slots of ram, up to 4 PCI-e expansion slots for
up to 4 double slot graphics cards and a single CPU such as the AMD Ryzen
Threadripper 3990X.[2][3][4][5][6] Companies like In Win Development, Shuttle
Inc. and AOpen originally popularized small cases, for which FlexATX was the
most common[dubious – discuss] motherboard size. As of 2010 Mini ITX has widely
replaced FlexATX as the most common small form factor mainboard
standard. The latest mini ITX mainboards from Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock,
Zotac and Foxconn offer the same feature set as full size mainboards. High-
end mini ITX mainboards support standard desktop CPUs, use standard
memory DIMM sockets, and mostly feature a full-size PCI-E 16× slot with
support for the fastest graphics cards, although some instead use a PCI, or
PCIe slot of fewer than 16 lanes. This allows customers to build a fully-
fledged high-end computer in a significantly smaller case. Apple Inc. has also
produced the Mac Mini computer, which is similar in size to a standard CD-
ROM drive, and many manufacturers offer mini-ITX cases of similar size for
low-wattage CPUs with integrated graphics.

See also: Computer tower

Tower cases are often categorized as mini-tower, midi-tower, mid-tower, or

full-tower. The terms are subjective and inconsistently defined by different
manufacturers.

Full tower cases are typically 56 cm (22 in) or more in height and intended to
stand on the floor. They can have anywhere from six to ten externally
accessible drive bays. These cases were originally developed to house file
servers which would typically be tasked with serving data from expensive
CD-ROM databases that held more data than the hard drives commonly
available at the time. Hence, many full tower cases include locking doors and
other physical security features to prevent theft of the discs. However, as
computing technology moves from floppy disks and CD-ROMs to large
capacity hard drives, USB flash drives, and network-based solutions, more
recent full tower cases typically only have none, one, or two external bays
for CD drives, with the internal bays moved elsewhere in the case to improve
airflow. Today, full tower cases are commonly used by enthusiasts as
showpiece display cases with custom water cooling, lighting, and tempered
glass (replacing acrylic).[7][8][9] They may also hold two computers (as is the
case with the Corsair 1000D) and dual power supplies (Corsair 900D). [10][11]

Mid-tower cases are smaller, about 46 cm (18 in) high with two to four
external bays. They may also hold two computers. [12]

A mini-tower case will typically have only one or two external bays. [13]

The marketing term midi-tower sometimes refers to cases smaller than mid-
tower but larger than mini-tower, typically with two to three external bays. [14]
Other times the term may be synonymous with mid-tower.[15]