This category covers PC cases, mainly mid tower, full tower and mini cases, along with rack cabinets, rack server cases, drive enclosures, NAS storage and spare parts for laptops, phones and printers. It suits PC builders, IT departments and anyone fitting out a server room. Leading brands in our range include Thermaltake, Fractal Design, Corsair, ASUS, Lenovo and Synology.
How to choose a case
Product type. The category mixes several kinds of products, so start with the job. A mid tower or mini case houses a desktop PC, a rack cabinet or rack server case holds 19-inch equipment, a drive enclosure adds external or hot-swap storage, and NAS units are for shared network storage. Use the subcategories to narrow the list quickly.
Motherboard size. The case must support your motherboard form factor: ATX, micro-ATX or mini-ITX. Most mid tower cases take ATX boards and smaller ones too. Mini and compact cases usually accept only mini-ITX or micro-ATX, so check this before anything else. Full tower cases are for larger boards and bigger builds.
Airflow and component clearance. Check the number and size of fan mounts, radiator support if you plan to use water cooling, the maximum graphics card length and the maximum CPU cooler height. A mesh front panel generally lets more air through than a solid one, though a solid panel is usually quieter. Our range includes case fans and water cooling accessories for upgrades.
Storage and expansion. Count the 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drive bays you need, and check the number of expansion slots and front-panel ports such as USB and audio. If you want to add drives later, a drive enclosure or a NAS can be easier than a larger case.
Rack size and depth. For rack cabinets and server cases, rack height is measured in units (U). Check the usable height, the internal depth for your longest server and the load capacity, and leave space for cabling and ventilation.
Brands we carry
- Thermaltake: a long-established maker of PC cases, known for open-frame and tempered glass designs and for cooling products.
- Fractal Design: a Swedish brand known for understated, noise-damped cases such as the Define series.
- Corsair: known for airflow-focused cases with good fan and radiator support, alongside memory, power supplies and coolers.
- ASUS: offers cases from its ROG and TUF Gaming lines, designed to match ASUS motherboards and graphics cards.
- Lenovo: known for ThinkPad laptops and ThinkSystem servers, so its products here suit business hardware and replacement parts.
- Synology: a specialist in NAS storage, with its own DiskStation software for file sharing and backup.
- Icy Dock: known for hot-swap drive bays, docks and enclosures that add or swap storage without opening the PC.
- Inter-Tech: a German brand known for budget PC cases and 19-inch rack server chassis.
Also in our range: IT-Budget, DSIT, Samsung and CoreParts.
Frequently asked questions about cases
What is the difference between a mid tower and a full tower case?
A full tower is taller and deeper than a mid tower and has more room for drives, fans and radiators. Most mid tower cases are large enough for an ATX build with a long graphics card. Full towers make sense for extended ATX boards, extensive water cooling or many storage drives.
Which case do I need for a mini-ITX motherboard?
A mini-ITX board fits in a mini or compact case, and also in most larger cases. Small cases limit graphics card length, CPU cooler height and power supply type, so check these specifications first. Choosing a larger case gives easier building and better airflow.
What does U mean on a rack cabinet?
U stands for rack unit, a standard height of 44.45 mm used for 19-inch equipment. A 42U cabinet, for example, offers 42 of these slots, and a server listed as 2U takes up two of them. Also check the internal depth, because servers vary in length.
Should I buy a drive enclosure or a NAS?
Buy a drive enclosure to connect extra drives to one computer, and a NAS to share files across a network for several users or devices. A NAS runs its own operating system and stays on independently. An enclosure is simpler and usually suits personal backup or a single workstation.
