
Generally speaking, mid-tower is the most common case size.
Mid-tower cases are designed to fit standard full-size ATX motherboards. Though full-tower cases can also house Mini-ITX motherboards, there’s no clear advantage to structuring a build in that way. You'll most likely want a full-tower case if you want to use an Extended-ATX motherboard (although select mid-tower cases do fit Extended-ATX motherboards) or if you want to put in an extensive cooling system or additional storage. They usually measure around 22-24 inches tall, 18-20 inches long, and more than 8 inches wide. Full-tower cases are designed to fit both Extended-ATX motherboards and standard full-size ATX motherboards. Lastly, you’ll need scissors, and potentially a pair of wire cutters, for cutting zip ties and unpacking components. You can also use Velcro straps-some cases even have them integrated. If you don't want to buy zip ties, you can tidy things up with twist ties (you'll likely have a surplus from your components' packaging). While these aren’t a must, tying your cables together will make the inside of your PC look neater. (Though this isn't a very common occurrence, it’s better to be safe, and anti-static straps are cheap.) This isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s useful in helping ensure you don't accidentally damage sensitive components with electrostatic discharge. An additional light source such as a flashlight, headlamp, smartphone, or desk lamp can prove useful.
Tip: A movable light source will help you illuminate the nooks and crannies of your case. You don't want to have to worry about blocking your only light source when you bend over the chassis. Build in a well-lit area with multiple light sources.
Tip: For assorted screws, we recommend magnetic hardware trays, or really anything with multiple small compartments, such as an empty egg carton or tackle box.
Without proper organization, these items can easily get mixed up. You'll need a way to keep assorted screws, zip ties, cables, manuals, etc. Most components come with additional parts some optional, some required for installation in your build.