Buying Guides                                                   

Choosing the right PC case is just as important as selecting your components. Your case determines compatibility, cooling performance, airflow, fan support, and the overall style of your build. One of the biggest factors to consider is 

, which directly relates to the size of the motherboard it can support.

Below is a clear breakdown of the four most common PC case sizes and how to choose the best one for your setup.

PC case sizing is primarily based on motherboard compatibility. The four main sizes—

A larger case (like E-ATX) can fit smaller motherboards such as ITX, but a small ITX case cannot fit larger boards like ATX or E-ATX.

 and offer the most interior space for expansion, cooling, and advanced airflow setups.

E-ATX cases are ideal for users who want:

 option, offering a great mix of space, cooling potential, and ease of building.

They support all standard ATX motherboards—from entry-level H-series to top-tier Z-series boards.

, which features a durable structure and a magnetic front panel for easy access and maintenance. It’s a practical, budget-friendly choice for most gamers and DIY builders.

Micro-ATX (M-ATX) cases are slightly smaller while still offering plenty of features for mainstream users. M-ATX motherboards have fewer PCIe slots and M.2 slots, but still support most gaming and productivity builds.

 M-ATX case delivers impressive cooling despite its compact footprint—supporting a 

 at the top and multiple fan configurations.

M-ATX cases are ideal for users who want:

They are excellent for bedrooms, small desks, or office environments.

 option, designed strictly for ITX motherboards. They are popular among gamers and enthusiasts who prioritize portability or a minimalist desk setup.

Because of their small volume, ITX cases often have surprisingly efficient heat dissipation—but they do impose certain limitations:

 ITX case is a standout example with its stylish air-purifier-inspired design and bottom LED light strip. It combines aesthetics, portability, and smart airflow management.

When selecting a PC case, always consider:

Understanding the differences between E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, and ITX cases will help you choose a chassis that fits your hardware, cooling requirements, and workspace—ensuring your build performs well and looks great.

Choosing the right PC case is just as important as selecting your components. Your case determines compatibility, cooling performance, airflow, fan support, and the overall style of your build. One of the biggest factors to consider is case size, which directly relates to the size of the motherboard it can support.

Below is a clear breakdown of the four most common PC case sizes and how to choose the best one for your setup.



Understanding PC Case Sizes

PC case sizing is primarily based on motherboard compatibility. The four main sizes—E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, and ITX—range from largest to smallest.
A larger case (like E-ATX) can fit smaller motherboards such as ITX, but a small ITX case cannot fit larger boards like ATX or E-ATX.



E-ATX Cases

E-ATX cases are built for high-end, flagship systems and offer the most interior space for expansion, cooling, and advanced airflow setups.

A great example is the DLX4000, a premium E-ATX case that supports:





Up to 8 x 120mm fans



A 360mm AIO radiator at the top



Modular rear panels for flexible motherboard compatibility

E-ATX cases are ideal for users who want:





Maximum expansion room



Multi-fan or custom water-cooling setups



Superior airflow and thermal performance



A powerful workstation or full-tower gaming system



ATX Cases

ATX cases are the most common and most balanced option, offering a great mix of space, cooling potential, and ease of building.

They support all standard ATX motherboards—from entry-level H-series to top-tier Z-series boards.

A strong example is the DRX70, which features a durable structure and a magnetic front panel for easy access and maintenance. It’s a practical, budget-friendly choice for most gamers and DIY builders.

ATX cases are perfect if you want:





A well-rounded build with solid airflow



Multiple fan and storage options



A case size that fits comfortably on or under most desks



M-ATX Cases

Micro-ATX (M-ATX) cases are slightly smaller while still offering plenty of features for mainstream users. M-ATX motherboards have fewer PCIe slots and M.2 slots, but still support most gaming and productivity builds.

For example, the MOTI Mirror Island M-ATX case delivers impressive cooling despite its compact footprint—supporting a 360mm radiator at the top and multiple fan configurations.

M-ATX cases are ideal for users who want:





A smaller footprint without major compromises



Good airflow and cooling flexibility



A cleaner, more space-efficient setup

They are excellent for bedrooms, small desks, or office environments.



ITX Cases

ITX cases are the smallest and most compact option, designed strictly for ITX motherboards. They are popular among gamers and enthusiasts who prioritize portability or a minimalist desk setup.

Because of their small volume, ITX cases often have surprisingly efficient heat dissipation—but they do impose certain limitations:





Typically limited to SFX or SFX-L power supplies



Fewer fan and radiator mounting points



Tighter cable-management space

The DLH21 ITX case is a standout example with its stylish air-purifier-inspired design and bottom LED light strip. It combines aesthetics, portability, and smart airflow management.

ITX cases are best for users who want:





A compact or portable PC



A stylish small-form-factor build



Efficient airflow in a small chassis



Choosing the Right Case for Your Needs

When selecting a PC case, always consider:





Motherboard compatibility



Cooling and fan support



GPU and CPU cooler clearance



Expansion options (storage, PCIe cards)



Desk space and preferred size



Personal aesthetic preferences

Understanding the differences between E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, and ITX cases will help you choose a chassis that fits your hardware, cooling requirements, and workspace—ensuring your build performs well and looks great.

How to Choose the Right PC Case for Your Build

When building or buying a PC, you’ll notice various ports on the case's I/O panel. While they might look similar at first glance, the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is significant. Whether you are transferring huge video files or just connecting a mouse, knowing which port to use matters.

Here is the ultimate breakdown of how to tell them apart and why it affects your performance.

. It is best suited for low-bandwidth peripherals like mice, keyboards, and printers.

 than USB 2.0, making it essential for external hard drives and thumb drives where speed counts.

. This makes it easy to spot the high-speed ports instantly.

Note: USB 3.0 also features more internal pins (9 pins vs. 4 pins).

t operates on a "Half-Duplex" system. Data can only flow in one direction at a time (sending OR receiving).

It utilizes a "Full-Duplex" system with dual data paths. This allows it to send and receive data simultaneously, drastically improving efficiency.

The good news is that the Type-A connector (the standard rectangular shape) is physically compatible between generations.

While USB 2.0 is still perfectly fine for your mouse and keyboard, USB 3.0 is a must-have for data transfer. When choosing a computer case, always check the I/O panel to ensure you have enough blue USB 3.0 ports to handle your external storage needs.





When building or buying a PC, you’ll notice various ports on the case's I/O panel. While they might look similar at first glance, the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is significant. Whether you are transferring huge video files or just connecting a mouse, knowing which port to use matters.

Here is the ultimate breakdown of how to tell them apart and why it affects your performance.



The Speed Difference

USB 2.0

Max speed of 480 Mbps (60 MB/s). It is best suited for low-bandwidth peripherals like mice, keyboards, and printers.



USB 3.0

Max speed of 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). This is roughly 10 times faster than USB 2.0, making it essential for external hard drives and thumb drives where speed counts.







Visual Identification (The Color Test)

USB 2.0

Typically Black or White.



USB 3.0

Standardized as Blue. This makes it easy to spot the high-speed ports instantly.

Note: USB 3.0 also features more internal pins (9 pins vs. 4 pins).







How Data Travels (Duplex Capabilities)

USB 2.0 (One-Way Traffic)

It operates on a "Half-Duplex" system. Data can only flow in one direction at a time (sending OR receiving).



USB 3.0 (Two-Way Traffic)

It utilizes a "Full-Duplex" system with dual data paths. This allows it to send and receive data simultaneously, drastically improving efficiency.







Compatibility

The good news is that the Type-A connector (the standard rectangular shape) is physically compatible between generations.





You can plug a USB 3.0 drive into a USB 2.0 port (and vice versa).



However, the speed will always default to the slowest standard involved. Plugging a fast drive into a slow port means you are stuck at USB 2.0 speeds.







Conclusion 

While USB 2.0 is still perfectly fine for your mouse and keyboard, USB 3.0 is a must-have for data transfer. When choosing a computer case, always check the I/O panel to ensure you have enough blue USB 3.0 ports to handle your external storage needs.

They might look similar on your PC case, but plugging into the wrong USB port can cost you 10x the speed.

USB 2.0 vs. USB 3.0: Understanding Your PC Case Ports

Acegeek offers high-quality computer cases, cooling solutions, power supplies, and peripherals. Explore our website for top-notch products &amp; accessories.

Blog

Currently Browsing：Case