Choosing the Right Case to Mod - Pay Attention to the Details
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Lastly, the single most important feature of a mod worthy case is to make sure it’s the right size. This is a two fold detail to consider before purchasing. The first thing is to make sure that if you plan to use an ATX motherboard be sure to buy an ATX case, not an MTX or a mini-ITX. This may seem like a point hardly worth mentioning but a great deal of modders get so involved in an idea that basic considerations like components actually fitting is hardly worth worrying about. At the end of the day, it’s still supposed to be a computer, a computer that’s been turned into art. The other side of this equation is to make sure that the case is the right kind for your hardware plans.
If you are planning to use some of the latest and greatest technology out there like a 10,000 RPM hard drive and a powerful 256 MB video card with a Zalman copper CPU heat sink and other high-end hardware, you need enough cooling. The last thing you want to see happen is to watch your temperatures raise into the dangerous range doing the simplest task because you designed a mod that put all these components into hazardous proximity of each other without adequate cooling. It’s a waste to put all those hours into an awe-inspiring case mod that can’t handle the computer you put into it.
To put things simply, be aware of the following simple rules when purchasing a case to mod: is the case steel or aluminum, how many optical drive slots are there, are the panels plain enough to make what I want, and will my components fit? With a solid understanding of these principles, you can be assured that the case you choose will not only fit into your designs but also prove to be a strength of the mod rather than its defining weakness. Taking the time to properly plan out your case purchase not only improves the final product but keeps you focused on modding rather than second-thoughts.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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