What Is an ATX Computer Case?

Computer cases are not merely boxes sitting on the floor or on a desk. As a matter of fact, these boxes are a crucial part of a computer system, housing all its important components. Most computer systems are ready to use, which means all the components are already pre-installed inside the case. However, some users prefer to build the system from scratch, customizing every component there is. One of the most popular customizable computer cases today is the ATX (Advanced Technology eXtension) computer cases. ATX cases support ATX motherboards and follow the ATX computer tower specifications. The ATX standard was developed by Intel in 1995 and defines the dimensions for the motherboard, computer cases, and computer power supplies.

There are usually three things to consider when choosing an ATX case – size, cooling, and design. ATX cases have rooms for 5.25″, 3.5″, and 2.5″ drive bays for optical drives, HDDs, and SSDs, respectively, the number of which depends on the size of the case. There are also slots for graphic cards, case fans, and expansion cards. Choosing the type of ATX case would greatly depend on the number of components to be installed and whether expansion is a possibility in the future. The size of the casing, therefore, plays a vital role in the customization of its components. Logically speaking, bigger cases can hold bigger motherboards, have a better airflow, and can house more components, internally and externally.

Aesthetics also matter to most PC builders, especially for those who build for personal use. Consequently, manufacturers come up with a plethora of case designs that suit the taste and style of different types of users. It also comes in different colors to give the box some flair. Average consumers are normally content with simple and basic designs, but gamers and creative PC enthusiasts are usually willing to invest extra bucks for over-the-top cases. Some of these cases are equipped with LED lighting, see-through side panels, transparent covers, and case fans with LED lighting designs that are highly favored by avid gamers.

One advantage of ATX cases is the backward compatibility of small ATX motherboards with large ATX cases. There are a variety of ATX cases available, from super/ultra towers to mini-towers.

Tower Sizes

To this day, ATX is still the most common motherboard design, and to a great extent, the size of an ATX case depends on the form factor of the motherboard to be installed since it is the largest internal component. There are four different sizes of ATX cases that cater to the differing demands and needs of users.

Super/Ultra Tower

It is the biggest ATX case measuring 27″ tall or more and can house the largest ATX motherboard, the XL-ATX, but it also supports the smaller ATX motherboard variants. Among the ATX cases, this behemoth enclosure has the greatest advantage of expandability and interchangeability. Its bigger size also means more space to install a cutting-edge cooling system to keep the heat dissipated despite the number of components installed and long hours of use. This type of case falls on the expensive side. It is normally reserved for server builders, overclockers, and hardcore gamers who require multiple drive bays, multiple video cards, multiple I/O slots in a single, powerful, and expandable enclosure.

Full Tower

Aside from the size, there is not much difference between an ultra tower and a full tower. Although slightly smaller than the ultra tower, the full tower is still big enough to handle multiple drive bays with still more rooms for up to four graphics cards, multiple I/O slots, and expansion slots. It supports different sizes of motherboards, from mini-ITX to E-ATX. Like the ultra tower, there is more than enough space for an adequate cooling system in a full tower allowing users to install larger cooling fans and heatsinks. This type of ATX tower also doesn’t come cheap and is normally sought-after by server builders, gamers, overclockers, or creative professionals who work intensively on graphics and require extreme PC performance.

Mid-Tower

Measuring 17″ to 21″ tall, the mid-tower is the standard tower size supporting the standard ATX motherboard and its smaller siblings. Mid-tower ATX cases strike a good balance between size, price, usability, and expandability. It can support up to three GPUs, has multiple slots for 5.25″, 3.5″, and 2.5″ drives, and can have as many as eight expansion slots. Furthermore, it still has sufficient space for additional case fans and heatsinks. This type of casing suits those on a budget but doesn’t want to compromise the space for airflow and the number of components that can be installed, making it a popular choice among gamers, PC enthusiasts, and average consumers alike.

Mini Tower

Mini Tower is the smallest and the cheapest among the ATX cases, with a 14″ – 16″ height. It is designed for micro-ATX (mATX) motherboards but is also compatible with mini-ITX types. Unlike the bigger towers, mini-towers can hold a maximum of only two graphic cards and have fewer slots for storage drives. The airflow is limited but still acceptable since there are fewer components inside as compared to the other towers. Its small size also gives it an advantage of portability and placement flexibility; it can be stowed almost anywhere and can fit even in small spaces. Despite its size, builders can come up with a complete system with this case, equipped with all the basic functionalities of a computer. This is suitable for users on a budget and who don’t have a lot of demands from a PC.

ATX cases come in all shapes and sizes, offering different features and expandability and interchangeability options. Bigger cases can fit in more components and can provide better airflow and ventilation. Smaller cases can house fewer components but are more portable and can save more space. Aside from size, the design is another consideration to most, if not all, users. Since ATX cases co-exist with ATX motherboards, different types of ATX cases will continue to emerge as long as ATX motherboards remain the prevalent design.