Buying a Case Drive Bays, Form Factor and More

1. What is a case form factor?
2. What are case drive bays?
3. What does ATX form factor mean?
4. What should I look for when buying a computer case?
5. What is the most common form factor?
6. How do I know what form factor my case is?
7. What are 2.5 bays used for?
8. Where are drive bays located?
9. Does SSD fit in floppy bay?
10. How can you tell if a case is ATX?
11. What happens if you don't use a desktop case?

What is a case form factor?

What are case drive bays?

A drive bay is a standard-sized area for adding hardware to a computer. Most drive bays are fixed to the inside of a case, but some can be removed. Over the years since the introduction of the IBM PC, it and its compatibles have had many form factors of drive bays.

What does ATX form factor mean?

Stands for "Advanced Technology eXtended." ATX is a motherboard specification that defines the board's physical dimensions, connector placement, I/O ports, and supported power supplies. There are several distinct differences between ATX and the AT form factor it superseded. ...

What should I look for when buying a computer case?

Size matters for PC cases

Before anything else, decide what size case you need. There are three major case sizes: Full tower, mid-tower, and mini-ITX. Full-tower and mid-tower cases both fit standard ATX motherboards—by far the most common motherboard size out there. Both can also fit smaller micro-ATX motherboards.

What is the most common form factor?

The most common form factor is ATX, which evolved to mini-ATX, nano-ATX, pico-ATX, and further. A different type of form factor, and smaller than the ATX is the ITX, which is significantly smaller than the micro-ATX.

How do I know what form factor my case is?

Search the Motherboard Model Online

Most articles, reviews and data sheets will tell you the form factor for that specific motherboard model. For example, if your motherboard is an ASUS B150-PRO, then it's an ATX form factor. If it's an ASUS B150M-A, then it's a micro-ATX motherboard.

What are 2.5 bays used for?

2.5-inch bays are mostly used for laptop hard drives and SSDs. Even smaller devices can be used with 1.8-inch bays.

Where are drive bays located?

In a desktop, drive bays are available in 3.5-inch and 5.25-inches. Pictured is the front of a desktop computer with an empty 3.5" and 5.25" drive bay. Before installing a new drive (e.g., CD-ROM drive), remove the front drive bay cover from the front bezel to provide access to the drive.

Does SSD fit in floppy bay?

User Info: Darkemaste. I can confirm regular 3.5" HDDs can fit perfectly (and rather snugly) in old floppy drive bays, I've done this myself several times in the past actually. SSD's are much smaller/thinner than them though and you would normally need a bracket to store 1/2 on a regular 3.5" drive bay.

How can you tell if a case is ATX?

An ATX case has a ~2" x ~6" slot above the 7th expansion slot. > > The hole is "above" all the card slots (as the case sets like a tower).

What happens if you don't use a desktop case?

Your gpu will be ok because it clips in, but other stuff could come loose. Best if you can direct a small fan at it. It'll be fine, blow off any dust accumulated before putting into case. ... Plus, all your fans (case, CPU, GPU) will be exposed so anything could damage them.