Your Computer's Case (continued...

)
Case Styles
Basically, there are two different styles of system cases today. The
Desktop and the Tower.

The desktop case sits flat on the top of your desk with the monitor
situated on top. This was the style of IBM's original PC, XT and AT
models. These early desktops were fairly large and bulky, taking up a
lot of real estate on the desk. The obvious trend was for manufacturers
to make them smaller and more compact. Unfortunately, as you make
the case smaller, things inside get a little crowded. Access to the
different components becomes much more cramped, cooling is a lot
less efficient, and there's less room for expansion. Desktops usually
have two or three external drive bays and 1 or 2 internal bays.

The slimline case is even smaller. It's shorter,

narrower, and looks a lot less bulky on your desk.
This is about the only appeal these machines may
have. Slimline computers are very proprietary, not well cooled at all,
and have about zero room for expansion. Slimlines usually have one or
two external bays and one internal.

The tower case sits on end, taking up less square area

space and offering a better variety of sizes than a desktop.
It allows for a lot more choice as to location, depending of
course on the particular size. It can sit on the desk beside
the monitor, on a separate shelf, or on the floor beside the
desk. On the negative side, it should be mentioned that
cases on the floor may be more prone to kicks and bumps
and in some locations, the cords may have to be extended.
Tower cases have much better air flow, better accessability to internal
components, and (except for the micros and ultra low end models)
allow for more upgrade and expansion capability.

Full Tower
-largest, up to 36" high
-sits on floor
-larger power supplies, 350 watts or more
-may have 2 X 3.5" and 4 or more 5.25" external bays
-may have 4 or more internal drive bays
-very roomy inside. Better cooling
-most expensive

Mid Tower
-power supply - 200 - 300 watts
-quite popular size
-approx 17-20 inches in height
-2 X 3.5" and 3 X 5.25"external drive bays
System Case - Review
1. If you have a PC case that can be opened without the use of tools, then it is probably a
________ .

screwless case
screwed case
SnapLok case
SnapTite case

2. The areas in your computer's case where you would install drives are called internal
and external ______ .
compartments
trays
bays
bezels

3. A/An ___________ format motherboard has power supplied to it

even when the computer is off.

ATX
Baby AT
NLX
XT
System Case - Review
4. Your computer's case doesn't just store the motherboard and CPU. It also has a lot to
do with the _______________. (choose all that apply.)
expandability of your system.
accessibility of different parts and devices.
protection of your system.
lifetime of your computer system.

5. The different expansion bays in your computer's case are normally

__________ and ________ inches in size.

3.25, 5.5
5 1/2, 3 1/4
3.5, 5.25
6, 4

6. IBM's original PC and XT computers sat flat on your desktop with the monitor on top.
This is an example of the early _______ style of case.
tower
slimline
tabletop
desktop