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Expansion
Slots, Cards, and Bays: Choosing the right computer
case
An
expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board
that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer
motherboard to add additional functionality to a computer
system.
One
edge of the expansion card holds the contacts that fit
exactly into the slot. They establish the electrical
contact between the electronics (mostly integrated circuits)
on the card and on the motherboard.
Connectors
mounted on the bracket allow the connection of external
devices to the card. Depending on the form factor of
the motherboard and computer case, around one to seven
expansion cards can be added to a computer system.
There
are also other factors involved in expansion card capacity.
For example, some expansion cards need two slots like
some NVidia GeForce FX graphics cards and there is often
a space left to aid cooling on some high end cards.
Expansion
Bays and Upgrading your Computer
Expansion
bays are an important factor to consider when modding
your PC and upgrading the case to something more verstile
as well as aethetically pleasing (or shocking!)
You
need to choose your computer case to allow for plenty
of upgrade room and expansion. Even though your are
probably 100% happy with the size and performance of
your computer today, you will surely want to plug in
the latest toys and drives when they become available.
Therefore
you should look for a computer case that has more bays
than you need for expansion. After you floppy, internal
hard drive, cd rw, and dvd-ROM you should leave some
room for at least one expansion such as an extra hard
drive to backup your main or another burner so you can
make cd to cd copies without swapping out.
Computer
Modding
Popular
modifications include coloured cases, case windows to
peek inside (usually made out of plexiglass), coloured
lights that illumainate the case and make it glow (these
are usually cold cathode lights, neon lights or LEDs
(any light that does not emit heat is good - we want
to avoid adding extra heat to the case where possible)),
fans with lights, non-standard motherboard colours (most
motherboards are dark green), LCD status panels, pictures
on the glass, plus case stickers.
The
more dedicated modders turn their case into a work of
art or create their own case with a special material
or appereance. Watercooling is also a kind of Case Modding.
ATX
Computer Cases
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