How to build your own gaming PC

Most home users are confused or intimidated by the myriad of abbreviations commonly used to

name and describe computer components.In this series of articles we'll follow a step by step approach to selecting, installing and setting up

the components needed to run a custom built PC.To continue this discussion or ask for advice and tips from industry professionals, join us at:

www.Forum.iburst-gaming.com in our hardware section.

01 // Case/Chassis Selection.

Although the Case is one of the largest contributing factors in the overall longevity and

performance of the system, it is often overlooked by most users as an aesthetic component.

Consider the following criteria wen selecting a case for a new system:

Size:

Will there be enough space to install the selected components?

*Check the form factor of the motherboard against that of the case – Mid Towers and Full Towers

generally support most size motherboards , but offer different numbers of drive and expansion bays.

Weight:

Will the system be stationary or will it be moved around a lot?

*If the case is intended to be a LAN PC primarily – make sure that the lightest possible weight case

is selected in order to ensure that the case is not a strain to move around.

Expandability:

When the system is upgraded in future; will there be sufficient space for additional components

such as hard drives etc?

*Check that the selected case has some measure of drive bay expandability.

Airflow:

What type of cooling does the case offer for internal components?

*Ensure that additional fan brackets are available , that the build style offers increased ventilation

and that the case offers expandable drive bays.

Extra's:

Additional features like built in cable management systems and screw less installation support

enhance the ease of use in installing and configuring both the original system and any future

upgrades that may be made.

Tip**

When selecting a case it is adviseable to take the original size of the

motherboard ( Form Factor ) and to select one size larger case ( Micro ATX motherboard and ATX Case )

This prevents major heat generating components, such as graphics cards from being too close to

the bottom of the case where ventilation and airflow are at their lowest.

Tip**

In South Africa's dry and arid climate, dust is one of the leading factors in component failure, to

prevent this, case manufacturers such as Thermaltake and Coolermaster have introduced steel

meshed front panels with removable dust filters.These cases provide the maximum ventilation while safeguarding components by filtering harmful

dust that enters the system.