A computer case, or chassis, refers to the covering found over the main components of a computer. Cases are often made of steel, aluminum or plastic. Cases come in various sizes and forms, including the popular ATX form. Other form factors include may have designs of towers, flatbed or horizontal desktops and slim desktops that integrate the monitor into the housing. Tower cases are most popular for consumers, while the desktop cases (nicknamed pizza boxes) are preferred in the business environment. Some companies such as Apple and Shuttle Inc. are also designing small form factor cases, like the Mac Mini Computer which has all of its components contained within one small case, about the size of a CD-ROM drive.

Types Of Cases
Cases usually come with enough room for a power supply unit, several expansion slots and bays, wires for power, and I/O ports that are connected to a motherboard. Motherboards are put at the bottom or side of the case, with its I/O ports being exposed on the back side of the case. Cases have expansion bays for devices like hard drives, floppy drives and CD or DVD-ROMS. In addition to a power button and reset button, some cases also come with status monitoring equipment to monitor the computer's temperature and speed.

Some new designs for cases offer clear side panels so that users can look into the computer's casing while its operating, as well “screwless” cases in which the case is held together by other means than screws. Both of these unique designs are ideal for a user who consistently opens the computer up for maintenance.

Computer Case -- Cheap
Where can you find cheap computer cases? You have three paths – new computer cases that you can buy online, used cases that you can buy from online stores or auction sites or wholesale computer cases. Some popular websites include DiscountPC.net, which sells for both used and new computer parts and ComputerGeeks.com, that offers standard cases for $9.99 and specialty transparent cases for $46.99. Directron.com offers all kinds of computer cases by category. You can shop for cases by type of material, color or special features. If you are looking for wholesale products, cases and other computer parts, then try wholesalecentral.com for a list of wholesale companies all across the U.S.

Now you can build your computer in style and for cheap!