The first and most important choice you'll make is the case size, or "form factor." This determines the case's physical footprint, what motherboards will fit, and how much room you'll have for components and cooling.

• Full-Tower: These are the giants. They offer massive internal space, ideal for E-ATX motherboards, elaborate custom water-cooling loops, and a huge number of hard drives. Choose this only if you have a specific, extreme build in mind.
• Mid-Tower: This is the versatile sweet spot and the most popular choice. It comfortably fits standard ATX motherboards, has plenty of room for large graphics cards and coolers, and is easy to build in.
• Mini-Tower: A more compact version of a mid-tower, typically designed for Micro-ATX motherboards. It's a great choice for saving desk space without making building too difficult.
• Small Form Factor (SFF): These are the tiny titans. SFF cases are incredibly compact, perfect for a powerful PC with a minimal footprint. They exclusively use Mini-ITX motherboards and require very careful part selection, as component clearance is extremely tight.

For most people, a Mid-Tower provides the best balance of size, compatibility, and ease of use. If space is your absolute priority, research SFF cases, but be prepared for a more challenging build.

Modern graphics cards, especially high-end models, are longer than ever. This specification tells you the maximum length (in millimeters) the case can accommodate, typically measured from the rear expansion slots to the front fans.

• Under 300 mm: This is a very restrictive clearance, usually found in SFF cases or older designs. You must be very selective with your GPU.
• 300 - 349 mm: A common range that will fit most dual-fan and many entry-level triple-fan cards.
• 350 - 399 mm: This is a safe and comfortable range for most modern, high-performance GPUs.
• 400 mm & Over: This provides clearance for virtually any consumer graphics card on the market, with room to spare.

Find the length of your desired graphics card on its product page, then find a case that has a "Max GPU Length" specification that is comfortably larger. It is heartbreaking to find your new card won't fit.

If you plan to use an All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooler or a custom water-cooling loop, this is a crucial spec. It tells you what size radiators the case can mount and where (front, top, or rear). Sizes are based on the fans they use.

• 120mm: A single 120mm fan. Good for entry-level CPUs or SFF builds. Usually mounts at the rear.
• 240mm: Two 120mm fans. A very popular AIO size with a great balance of performance and compatibility. Often mounts at the top or front.
• 280mm: Two 140mm fans. Offers quieter performance than a 240mm but has less universal case support.
• 360mm: Three 120mm fans. This is the high-performance standard for hot CPUs, mounting at the front or top of most mid-towers and larger cases.
• 420mm / 480mm: Enthusiast sizes (three 140mm or four 120mm fans) found only in very large cases for maximum cooling potential.

Check *where* the case supports the radiator. Top-mounting is often preferred as it exhausts hot air directly out, while front-mounting pulls cool air in through the radiator.

This is how you'll see (or not see) your components. This choice is almost purely aesthetic but can impact airflow in some specialized cases.

• Tempered Glass: The modern standard. This is heavy, scratch-resistant, real glass that gives a premium, crystal-clear view of your components.
• Panoramic Glass: A "fish tank" style where the side and front (or corner) are both glass for an uninterrupted view. This is a showpiece option that often prioritizes looks.
• Acrylic: An older, less expensive plastic window. It's lightweight but scratches very easily and can become hazy or yellow over time.
• Mesh: A full mesh side panel. Less common, but excellent for airflow, especially in SFF cases where the GPU is pressed right against the side.
• Solid Panel: The classic. A plain metal panel that hides everything inside. Perfect for "sleeper" builds, silent-focused PCs, or workstations where looks don't matter.

Most builders today opt for a Tempered Glass side panel to show off their handiwork and RGB lighting.

This is where you mount your storage drives. In the age of M.2 SSDs (which plug directly into the motherboard), the need for many bays has decreased, but it's still important.

• 3.5-inch Bay Count: These larger bays are for traditional spinning hard disk drives (HDDs) used for mass storage. Most modern cases have 1-2 Bays, which is plenty for most users.
• 2.5-inch Bay Count: These smaller bays are for 2.5-inch SATA Solid State Drives (SSDs). Look for a case with 1-2 Bays at minimum. These are often mounted in clever spots, like behind the motherboard.

Unless you are a data hoarder or media professional, a case with 1-2 Bays for 3.5-inch drives and 1-2 Bays for 2.5-inch drives is perfectly sufficient.

These are the quality-of-life features that separate a budget case from a premium one and can make building *so* much easier.

• Cable Management System: A non-negotiable feature. This means space behind the motherboard, with built-in channels, tie-down points, and Velcro straps to help you hide cables for a clean look.
• PSU Shroud: A cover (usually at the bottom) that hides your power supply and all its messy cables. This is standard on almost all modern cases.
• Magnetic Dust Filters: Easy-to-remove filters on the front, top, and bottom (for the PSU) that catch dust. These are a lifesaver for keeping your PC clean.
• Dual Chamber: A case design that splits the case in two. One chamber holds the motherboard/CPU/GPU, while the other hides the PSU and drives. Great for clean builds.
• Vertical GPU Mount: A bracket that lets you mount your GPU standing up to show it off. Looks cool, but usually requires buying a separate "riser cable."
• Reverse Connection Support: A new feature for motherboards that have connectors on the *back*. The case must have specific cutouts to support this.

Prioritize the "unseen" features. A great Cable Management System and good Magnetic Dust Filters will make your building and ownership experience far more pleasant than a flashy gimmick.