Do you offer any discounts?

Yes, AvidWorks offers multiple discounts: Student Discount, Teacher Discount, Elder Discount (60+), Healthcare Worker Discount, and First Responder Discount. All discounts equal 15% off of labor charges. Discounts do not apply to businesses, cost of replacement parts, and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Do you offer referral discounts?

Yes, referrers receive 20% off of labor charges on next service and referrals receive 15% off of labor charges. Discounts do not apply to cost of replacement parts and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Do you offer a Service Guarantee?

Yes, all services are guaranteed for 30 days following the initial service date. Any parts that have been replaced and have been damaged due to abuse are not covered under this warranty.

Do you offer Emergency Services?

Yes, AvidWorks offers Emergency Drop-off and On-Site after hour services. These services incur a 50% increased hourly labor charge and are subject to availability. Emergency services are a 2 hour minimum charge with the exception of emergency remote support which is a 1 hour minimum charge.

Understanding Computer Cases: Form Factors and Features

The computer case, often called the chassis or tower, is more than just a box to hold components. It affects cooling performance, expandability, noise levels, and the overall aesthetics of your build. Choosing the right case is crucial for both functionality and satisfaction with your finished PC.

Case Form Factors

Case form factors determine size and compatibility with motherboards:

Full Tower

The largest cases, typically supporting E-ATX motherboards and offering maximum expansion. Full towers provide excellent cooling options, plenty of drive bays, and room for large graphics cards. Ideal for enthusiasts, workstations, and builds with many components.

Mid Tower

The most popular form factor, balancing size and expandability. Mid towers support ATX and micro-ATX motherboards, offer good cooling options, and fit under most desks. Suitable for most gaming and productivity builds.

Mini Tower

Compact cases for micro-ATX or mini-ITX motherboards. Limited expansion but perfect for space-constrained environments. Good for office PCs, home theater systems, and portable builds.

Small Form Factor (SFF)

Ultra-compact cases for mini-ITX builds. Some are cube-shaped while others are slim desktop designs. Very limited expansion and cooling options but enable tiny footprint builds.

Important Features to Consider

Cooling Support

Check fan mounting positions, radiator support for liquid cooling, and airflow design. Good cases have optimized airflow paths with front-to-back or bottom-to-top air movement. Consider how many fans you want to install and whether you plan to use liquid cooling.

Drive Bays

Determine how many storage drives you need. Modern cases focus on 2.5" SSD mounts and 3.5" HDD bays. Some cases offer tool-free drive mounting for easier installation. Consider whether you need optical drive bays (increasingly rare).

Expansion Slots

Ensure the case supports your graphics card length and any other expansion cards. Some cases have removable brackets to accommodate longer GPUs. Check the maximum GPU length specification.

Cable Management

Good cases include cable routing holes, tie-down points, and space behind the motherboard tray for cable management. This makes building easier and improves airflow and aesthetics.

Front Panel I/O

Check what ports are on the front panel: USB (Type-A and Type-C), audio jacks, and sometimes fan controllers or RGB lighting controls. Ensure these meet your connectivity needs.

Material Quality and Build

Case materials affect durability, weight, and acoustics:

Steel – Durable and affordable, but heavier
Aluminum – Lightweight and premium-feeling, but more expensive
Tempered glass – Aesthetically pleasing for showing off builds, but heavier and more fragile
Acrylic – Lightweight alternative to glass, but scratches more easily

Quality cases have sturdy construction, sharp edges deburred, and panels that fit properly. Cheap cases may have alignment issues, sharp edges, or poor build quality.

Airflow and Acoustics

Good airflow is essential for cooling, but can increase noise:

Airflow Design

Look for cases with mesh front panels for maximum airflow, or solid panels with sound dampening materials for quieter operation. Consider the balance between cooling performance and noise levels based on your priorities.

Sound Dampening

Some cases include sound-absorbing materials on panels to reduce noise. These are ideal for quiet builds but may slightly increase temperatures due to restricted airflow.

Fan Quality

Many cases include pre-installed fans. Check their quality and noise levels. You may want to replace stock fans with quieter or higher-performance models.

Choosing the Right Case

Select a case based on your specific needs:

Match motherboard form factor – Ensure compatibility
Consider component sizes – GPU length, CPU cooler height
Plan for expansion – Leave room for future upgrades
Prioritize your needs – Cooling, silence, or aesthetics
Set a budget – Cases range from budget to premium
Read reviews – Check build quality and user experiences

Need Help Choosing a Case?

AvidWorks helps customers in Kern County select the right case for their custom PC builds. We'll ensure compatibility with your components and help you find a case that meets your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different PC case form factors?

Common form factors include Full Tower (largest, most expansion), Mid Tower (balanced size, most popular), Mini Tower (compact), and ITX/Micro-ATX (smallest). Choose based on your space, component needs, and future upgrade plans.

How do I choose the right case for my build?

Consider your motherboard form factor, GPU length, cooling solution height, number of drives, and airflow needs. Ensure the case supports your components and provides adequate cooling for your planned configuration.

What features should I look for in a PC case?

Look for good airflow with multiple fan mounting points, cable management features, dust filters, front panel I/O ports, tempered glass side panels, tool-free drive bays, and build quality that matches your needs and budget.