Micro ATX Case

Today’s computer cases are not like those made a decade ago; no longer are they clunky, nondescript boxes. There are a myriad of choices available today, but you must make sure that your case matches in size to your motherboard.

We have highlighted below a few of the bestselling micro ATX cases on the market today in the pictures below. Afterwards, we provide you with some timely micro ATX case buying tips.

Micro ATX Cases - Buying Tips

All motherboards have form factors which relate to their physical dimensions. This form factor must correlate to the form factor of the case you choose for your computer. Luckily, you can use standard ATX cases for your micro ATX motherboard; MicroATX was designed to be used with many standard ATX parts, including power supplies and cases.

However, micro ATX cases are usually much smaller than those designed for standard ATX motherboards. Even if you have a standard ATX case, you may want to upgrade to a micro ATX case to save space. As a result, they are more portable units, which is ideal if you plan to take your computer with you often.

However, be sure to balance their compact size against the features included. A case designed for a regular-size ATX motherboard will have extra room for several drives and additional components, so you may want to choose one of the larger cases if installing extra items like these.   Because of the compact nature of a micro ATX case, you may need a special low-profile PCI card, or a power supply with special dimensions. Be sure to consider this additional expense when looking at a Micro ATX case.

Another way to change the space your case will take up is by buying a case with a different orientation. Cases typically are produced in two traditional configurations relating to their shape and size - 'tower' and 'desktop'. A 'desktop' case is wider than tall, and configured such that the motherboard sits flat. A 'tower' case is taller than wide, and has an upright motherboard.

Another item to consider while comparing different cases is how many bays are available, either 5.25” (CD or DVD drives, drive racks, fan coolers) or 3.5” (floppy drives, card readers, zip drives). Having regularly used connections on the front or top of the case is one common convenience feature that many people look for when choosing a case.

Because most MicroATX computers are high powered systems, take a look at the cooling system of the case you’re considering. Most have one fan, although some have two, or include additional features to improve the cooling of your system. Especially if you’re building a high powered machine, cooling is one of the most important considerations when choosing a case.

If you're looking for a little more basic micro ATX information, we've got you covered there, too!