This is a very easy step. Basically, you are just taking the cover off your new case. If you have a standard case, you take a screwdriver and remove the four or six screws located around the edge on the back of your case. Hang on to these screws and put them in a place where they will not be scattered and can be easily found later in this procedure. Once they are removed, the entire case cover comes off in one piece. With this design, the front of the case (also known as the bezel) does not move. Only the top and sides come off as a single cover.
Some cases (such as the one being used in making this tutorial) use thumb screws rather than standard screws. It works the same way, obviously, except that you do not need to use a screwdriver to loosen and remove them. Simply twist them loose using your fingers.
Still other cases come apart differently. Some manufacturers have developed cases using a “screwless” design. These cases are designed such that you can remove the cover simply by un-latching the parts from the chassis. With this design, you usually take hold of the bottom of the front bezel of the case and give it a nice solid yank. The front then pulls off. It is my experience that this usually requires a few tries and some muscle. These cases are usually pretty durable so you really don’t have to worry about hurting them. The sides then lift and slide off as does the top. Your case, in essence, comes apart in four pieces. Other cases come apart in a similar way, but after you take the front off, the top and sides come off together.
Each case is a little different in how it comes apart. There are almost as many designs as there are companies that make them. You may find some where you don’t even have to remove the front, and rather you just slide the sides off. With others, you can remove the whole motherboard mounting plate and card rack combo from the case by sliding it out the back. This is convenient for making quick changes to the system, although you still have to disconnect the various cables to get it out all the way. Whatever case style you have, remember to look it all over before you attempt to gain entry. You don’t want to force it and break anything – take your time.
Now that this is done, you are ready to move on.
Don't Miss Out on PCMech Premium
PCMech Premium is where we pull out all the stops to bring you the power user techniques to save time, make more money and get all the benefits of the technology around you.
it may be easy to others to understand if it has pics ……
If you can’t even take the cover off then I would hold off before you start getting into deep and start building!!
LOL. An entire page dedicated to removing the cover. You forgot to mention Lefty-Tighty-Righty-Loosey logic for screw action (no pun here).
jfgao,
The saying goes “Lefty loosey, righty tighty.” I guess they really should have included that in the article, after all. Who knew?!
Hmm, that expression always got on my nerves. It only works if you use the same frame of reference as the person saying it. In reality, to be completely unambiguous, the term is clockwise or counterclockwise. Can you really turn a screw to the “right” or to the “left?” If you think about it for a second, you’ll realize it makes no sense at all. The top of the screw, which I assume is what people are refering to, will move right, but the bottom of the screw moves left.
Of course, clockwise and counterclockwise also break down when two people are on opposit sides of the object in question. But, since it almost never happens that you are above the screw telling someone below to turn it clockwise, the terms fit for most earthly applications. “Righty tighty” sounds just as silly as it is useless for instructing someone how to turn a screw.
“Clock to Lock” is an easy way to remember.
Hey, I was at Fry’s yesterday looking at all kinds of boxes. It’s nice to know I should try to get the cover off before I buy, especially since I am not a muscle man. Who knew?
Its righty tighty,lefty loosey.
i have a dell precision 340 minitower case. does this case allow me to swap out the motherboard to beef up its guts. are there any suggestions on a good motherboard that fits.
Its possible it will work as long as tha stanoffs line up with the holes on your new motherboard.They may not all line up so just remove the ones that dont.Its not necessary to have them all.You could probably make it with 4 or 5.You may get lucky however.Just make sure they dont ground on the board.If the stand off doesnt line up remove it so it doesnt short on the board.It will burn up the board.Just double check it several times to make sure it doesnt touch the board if the screw wont line up.
Pictures could make it realize easier.
You people complaining about lack of pictures have to realize that every case is so different in construction as to make a single set of pictures useless, if not worse–misinforming. Better you should Google for a review of your specific case, or the reverse, buy your case on the basis of online reviews that include pictures.
I just find it hard to believe that people even considering building their own pc are even for a second thinking about the difficulty of taking off the cover of the case. And “jfgao,” you have to admit it’s pretty funny you got the saying wrong while trying to correct others on the ease of opening a pc case. I almost died laughing. (No offense meant)
It should also be noted here that it’s usually a good idea to read the manuals of your computer parts, because they provide you with up-to-date information about your specific part as well as a (usually comprehensive) guide on assembling it.
A whole page of “how to tame the cover off of your new PC”
blimey!