When building a PC, it is crucial to ensure that all components fit together. Before you start building, you should therefore take the following measurements.
Firstly, you should make sure that the motherboard fits into the PC case. Motherboards are available in different sizes such as ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. PC cases are dimensioned accordingly.
A full-tower case can accommodate an ATX mainboard, while a Mini-ITX case is only suitable for Mini-ITX motherboards. Check the specifications of your case to ensure that the motherboard is compatible.
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The length, width, and height of the graphics card are also important factors. Modern graphics cards are often equipped with massive cooling solutions that take up a lot of space.
In small cases or when mounting a CPU radiator in the front, the length of the graphics card can be a problem. Therefore, check the specifications of your case and those of the graphics card carefully.
The width of the graphics card is also important, especially with vertical GPU mounts in small cases. Check the available PCI slots and also make sure that there is enough space for air circulation.
The height of the CPU cooler and RAM module is also a critical aspect. Modern air coolers are often large and can be too high for certain cases.
Make sure that the cooler fits into the housing and that the side panel can be closed. The height of RAM modules can also be problematic, especially if they are equipped with elaborate heatsinks.
Check the maximum distance between the CPU cooler and RAM slot as well as the height of the RAM to make sure everything fits.
Drive bays are another point to consider. There are two main sizes for internal storage media: 2.5 inch for SSDs and slim HDDs, and 3.5 inch for traditional hard drives.
Modern cases often no longer have front drive bays, but it’s important to check that there is enough space for your desired drives.
The size of the case fans is also important. Most fans are universal, but vary in size. Make sure the fans you buy fit in the spaces provided. If your graphics card is longer and restricts the space for front fans, you can install them later.
You should pay attention to the form factor and cable lengths of the power supply unit. The most common form factors are ATX PS/2 and SFX for smaller cases. Check that your power supply has enough connections for your components and that the cable lengths are correct to route them through the intended management system in the case.
If you prefer liquid cooling (all-in-one), you should consider the size of the radiator. Your case should specify the maximum supported radiator size. At the same time, you should make sure that your GPU is not too long if you want to install the heat exchanger in the front.
With these measurements, you are well equipped to build a computer without running into space and compatibility issues.
