Editing Computer case (section)

==Sizes and terminology==
{{further|Comparison of computer form factors}}
{{See also|Desktop computer#Form factor}}
{{PanoViewer|Interior_360_view_of_a_gaming_PC_–_2_of_2.jpg|Inside a gaming case during gameplay. 360° photograph.}}
[[File:Computer case - Full Tower.jpg|150px|thumb|right|A full tower case. Accessories shown include: a [[computer fan control|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 (design)|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 server]]s 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 [[computer tower|''tower'']] (designed to sit on the floor, height > width), a flat [[Desktop computer|''desktop'']] (height < width) or ''[[Pizza box form factor|pizza box]]'' (height ≤ {{cvt|5|cm|0|disp=or}}) designed to sit on the desk under the computer's [[computer monitor|monitor]]). Full-size tower cases are typically larger in volume than desktop cases, with more room for [[drive bay]]s, [[expansion slot]]s, and custom or all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solutions. Desktop cases—and ''mini-tower'' cases under about {{convert|18|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}} high—are popular in business environments where space is at a premium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcguide.com/ref/case/styles.htm |title=Reference Guide – Case – Styles}}</ref>

[[File:Stripped-computer-case.JPG|alt=An empty computer case|thumb|330x330px|An empty computer case]]

Currently, the most popular form factor for desktop computers is ATX,{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} although [[microATX]] and [[Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)|small form factor]]s 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3566-e-atx-is-a-lie-vs-xl-atx-eeb-ceb|title="E-ATX" is a Lie: XL-ATX, E-ATX, ATX, EEB, and SSI-CEB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-what-you-need-to-run-amds-new-64-core128-thread-ryzen-threadripper-3990x/|title=Here's what you need to run AMD's new 64-core/128-thread Ryzen Threadripper 3990X|website=[[ZDNet]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/15483/amd-threadripper-3990x-review|title=The 64 Core Threadripper 3990X CPU Review: In the Midst of Chaos, AMD Seeks Opportunity}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/15121/the-amd-trx40-motherboard-overview-|title=The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/15121/the-amd-trx40-motherboard-overview-/14|title=The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed}}</ref> Companies like [[In Win Development]], [[Shuttle Inc.]] and [[Acer (company)|AOpen]] originally popularized small cases, for which [[FlexATX]] was the most common{{Dubious|date=November 2009}} 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]], [[Micro-Star International|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 {{convert|56|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} 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 server]]s 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 disk]]s and [[CD-ROM]]s 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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kitguru.net/components/leo-waldock/corsair-obsidian-1000d-watercooled-dual-system-part-2/|title = Corsair Obsidian 1000D Watercooled Dual System – Part 2 &#124; KitGuru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/12762/corsair-launches-obsidian-1000d-supertower-case|title=When Size Matters: Corsair Launches Obsidian 1000D Super-Tower Case}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/size-does-matter-meet-the-corsair-obsidian-1000d-super-tower-pc-case.html|title = Size Does Matter ? Meet the Corsair Obsidian 1000D Super Tower PC Case}}</ref> They may also hold two computers (as is the case with the Corsair 1000D) and dual power supplies (Corsair 900D).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.storagereview.com/review/corsair-obsidian-series-900d-case-review|title = Corsair Obsidian Series 900D Case Review|date = 19 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/obsidian-900d-case-review,3482-7.html|title = Corsair Obsidian 900D Review: Making Room for High-End Gear|date = 23 April 2013}}</ref>

''Mid-tower cases'' are smaller, about {{convert|46|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} high with two to four external bays. They may also hold two computers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3379-phanteks-evolv-x-case-review-dual-system-thermals|title = Phanteks Evolv X Case Review: Dual-System, Thermals, & Quality}}</ref>

A ''mini-tower'' case will typically have only one or two external bays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.overclockers.com/coolermaster-cosmos-ii-ultra-tower-case-review |title=CoolerMaster Cosmos II Ultra Tower Case Review|work=Overclockers|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gilster |first=Ron |date=2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2tYAAAAYAAJ&q=%22midi-tower%22+%22mini+tower%22+%22mid+tower%22 |title=PC Technician Black Book |publisher=Coriolis |page=359 |isbn=9781576108086 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Other times the term may be synonymous with ''mid-tower''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rosch |first=Winn L. |date=2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S90OaKQ-IzMC&dq=%22midi-tower%22+%22in+between%22&pg=PA1065 |title=Winn L. Rosch Hardware Bible |publisher=Que |page=1065 |isbn=9780789728593 |via=Google Books}}</ref>