[ The PC Guide | Systems and
Components Reference Guide | System Case | Parts
of the System Case ]
Faceplates and Expansion Slot Inserts
Plastic faceplates (sometimes called bezels) are provided for drive bays that
are not in use. Some cases come with these pre-installed while others do not. Make sure
all open bays are covered, to improve air flow and cooling, and keep foreign materials out
of the computer.
|
Tower case with three 5.25" bezels and two
3.5" bezels in place.
At rear, seven expansion slots have their inserts installed. |
Image © PC Power & Cooling, Inc.
Image used with permission. |
A good case should also come with metal expansion slot inserts to cover the space used
by slots that don't have cards in them. Watch out for the newer (usually cheaper) cases
that just use stamped metal to cover these slots. Once you punch one out you can't put it
back in. If you change a card's slot, you will need the kind of inserts that screw in
place to cover the hole you left. Some of the cases with stamped metal slot covers also
come with real ones you can screw in place later if you need them, but some don't! Leaving
expansion slots open adversely affects air flow in the case, and thus cooling, and also
increases the chances of system contamination.
|
A standard case slot insert. |
 Next: Keylock
Keys
Home - Search
- Topics - Up
| 
