PC Hardware A Beginner’s Guide

Y

our PC’s system case is probably high on the list of components you think about

theleast.However,inspiteofthefactthatthesystemcasehasonlyoneortwocom-

ponents that are active, namely the power supply and the front panel, the PC’s case

plays a major role in the PC’s operation.

The system case consists of six major components, as shown in Figure 15-1:

 Power supply

 Cover

 Chassis

 Front panel

 Switches

 Drive bays

Each of these components of the system case and their respective components are de-

tailed in the sections that follow.

Another aspect of the system case that is discussed in this chapter is the form factor of

the system case. Theform factorof the case is its shape, the way its components fit to-

gether, and most of all, its size. Typically, the form factor of a PC includes its case, power

(^340) PC Hardware: A Beginner’s Guide
Figure 15-1. The major components of the system case. Photo courtesy of PC Power and Cooling, Inc.
Power supply
Chassis
Cover
Switches
Drive bays
Front panel