Before moving to Side Panel for PC, we must acknowledge that PC building is a wonderful and beneficial process that requires extreme consciousness and careful use of techniques required to make a PC efficient for the required process whether it is gaming or personal work. The building of a PC requires perfect placement of each component to get the desired performance.
Mostly we used to get more focused on the main PC parts like CPU, GPU, and motherboard as we consider their importance for the efficient working of a PC. We mostly come across an issue that despite all the best parts used for building a PC, the performance is still not up to the mark or as expected. The main reason behind that is we mostly neglect some parts of the PC, whose quality is linked with the proper functioning of other PC parts like CPU, GPU, and motherboard. One of the most ignored components of a PC is its Side Panel.
Side Panel is mostly considered as a protective cover or a sheet but it is much more than that. It plays a crucial role in your PC’s overall performance and look. In this blog post, we are going to have an in-depth view of the importance of selecting the best suitable side panel for your PC and we will take a black panel PC build as an example to understand the importance of the side panel for the computer and its effect on different PC component’s performance. We will have an in-depth view of the material, design, airflow optimization, and maintenance. Let’s start with a general breakdown of our content below:
Table of Contents
Understanding Side Panels
What Are Side Panels?
Before getting into the details of the Side Panel, we must know what Side Panel is. The Side Panel is an outer layer of computer cases, serves as their covering and provides safety for the inner components, and also acts as a shell to enclose them.
Side Panels are considered an integral identity of the computer cases and crucial for both cooling and the overall beauty or style of a computer. Mostly, the Side panel choice depends on your need and will efficiently hold your all components along with the proper efficient airflow management.
Types of Side Panels
Side Panels are usually available in a variety of materials and designs and have their own merits and demerits. Let’s discuss the main types of side panels that are most commonly used.
- Solid Panels
- Tempered Glass Panels
- Acrylic Panels
- Mesh Panels
Solid Panels:
Solid Panels are mainly considered an integral option when choosing the side panel for a PC. The composition of Solid Side Panels is unique as they are composed of metal and plastic. Their durability provides good protection for the internal components, ensuring inner and outer safety. The price for solid panels is usually low compared to the other panels in the market and they are mostly preferred due to their good quality and sound installation, making these panels an excellent choice for quieter operations. Some PC builds are more focused on RGD lighting or intricate cable management and low visibility of Solid Panels, may not make them a good fit for such builds.
Tempered Glass Panels:
The aesthetic look of tempered glass panels has gained great popularity in this modern market as they are more well-designed. The limitations of visibility in Solid Panels have just resulted in a higher demand for tempered glass panels for the builds that are more focused on visibility. Tempered glass panels usually provide a clear and colorful internal view of components including any RGB lighting, custom cooling options, and a best management system for cables.
The anti-scratch policy of tempered glass panels makes them more durable but similarly, these qualities come with a higher price comparatively. Also, tempered glass panels are usually heavier making them bulky. A sturdy frame is necessary for a tempered glass panel, as it will help prevent any type of bending or breakage with time.
Acrylic Panels:
Weight limitations in the tempered glass were overtaken by the acrylic panels, as these are comparatively lighter in weight and cheaper than the tempered glass. Variations in colors along with the shaded and etched options enable a clear visibility of the internal components of the PC. Unlikely, the tempered glass acrylic panels are more subjected to scratching. Ample effort is required to ensure careful handling of the panels. The cleaning methods also need to be well managed to keep these panels safe and sound.
Mesh Panels:
Mesh panels are mainly designed in a way that they have good airflow, cooling, and good performance. These qualities make them the best fit or ideal for high-performance builds. Mostly, panels get heated during extreme or heavy usage but the proper ventilation system of mesh panels helps in maintaining the optimal temperatures, keeping the components calm and cool even during heavy usage. Mostly, they have some spores for ventilation that may expose the internal components to dust particles. To avoid this dust, it is recommended to have dust filters incorporated to ensure cleanliness.
How Side Panels Affect Your Build
Side Panel choice mainly depends upon the nature of the usage and can significantly affect a PC build. Like, tempered glass can be the best option for a PC build where the visual appeal of a gaming rig is prioritized while using a solid panel at a workstation can reduce the chance of noise at the workplace. Side panels are directly linked to your PC and they will have an impact on the cooling setup that is necessary for the maintenance of optimal and balanced performance during extremely heavy demanding tasks.
Aesthetic Considerations
Color and aesthetics are very crucial in PC building, especially for those who are more interested in showcasing their setups. The side panels usually serve as a first look for their PC and first impression is of great importance. The first impression containing an aesthetic look can give a good impression to everyone interested in the PC look.
Color Coordination
The versatile base color is mostly white and black, but it is important to keep in view your other components. A matte black side panel may result in a clash with polish hardware or RGB lightning. So, for a balanced look that is properly linked with other components like graphics cards, coolers, and motherboards, it is essential to keep it is essential to keep the color combination in mind. Please consider how your matte, glossy, or textured finish can affect the overall design.
Lighting
For a build that is more focused on RGB lighting, a tempered glass panel is the ideal choice to go with. As we know, lighting mainly displays beautiful impact creating an outstanding visual experience and this gets more adorable by using tempered glass. Some panels also have built-in lighting or customizable features that may also increase the beauty of the build.
Let’s talk about the important tips for lighting setup and optimization:
- Lighting Techniques: RGB fans or LED strips are the best choice that keep your panel illuminated. These fans or strips must be used along the edges of the panel to have a beautiful output. You can also test various color combinations for lighting to achieve a specific and unique ambiance. Merging the lighting of each component can help you to create an outstanding look for your build.
- Layering Effects: Lighting is also enhanced by using a layering technique. This layering effect is usually created in 3 ways namely Ambient, Task, and Accent lighting. LED Strips are placed behind the components or by the side of each edge of your case. This will help you to create a beautiful effect that highlights your inner components and their working.
Design Features
Uniqueness always attracts. So, you have to find the panels that offer unique designs containing custom cuts or Imprinted patterns to add an amazing touch to your build. Few manufacturers of panels are available in the market offering customization options that allow to creation of an exclusive look. The important features to consider are:
- Laser Cut Patterns: These patterns can help in getting a Tenuous design according to your personality or lifestyle. Custom designs like Typography and Lettering, Textural Patterns, Floral and Botanical Designs, and Geometric Patterns are always a good add-on to your setup.
- Thematic Elements: If you are working with a specific theme like science fiction or vintage style, you can incorporate elements in your design that fit into your theme.
Performance Considerations
While discussing the importance of style and design, we should not forget the importance of the performance of a PC, which is directly influenced by the side panel’s design. When we talk about airflow and cooling, the style must not affect these two properties necessary for the good performance of each component of a PC.
Airflow
A good ventilation system ensures proper airflow and this airflow is necessary for keeping the components inside a panel, cool and calm. This is also crucial during extreme gaming sessions. So, several factors must be kept in mind before deciding for your PC’s side pannel. Let’s discuss them below:
- Mesh vs. Solid: During extreme usage conditions, if your PC runs hot, then you must go with Mesh panels rather than solid panels because Mesh panels allow a good airflow comparatively, resulting in trapping heat efficiently and cooling the system.
- Fan Placement: The fan must be placed appropriately to have a good ventilation source. By default, panels have only one fan placement option but you must consider the panels that allow further accommodation of fans if necessary. A practical and good choice is to place a larger size fan as it is less noisy and can effectively increase the airflow, keeping the PC cool enough to work properly.
- Positive vs. Negative Air Pressure: A balance between the exhaust fan and intake number is essential to keep the side panel safe and sound. A positive pressure setup is one in which the intake is more than the exhaust resulting in keeping the dust out. While a negative setup is one in which the exhaust is relatively more than the intake. Such a setup is suitable for good cooling but requires continuous cleaning. The layout must be kept in mind to optimize this balance.
Noise Levels
Mostly noise is a concern at workstations and the side panel’s choice or selection can influence the noise level directly. Solid panels are a good choice to adopt when it comes to better sound reduction than other panels like glass or mesh panels. Discussing the few important strategies for noise minimization here:
- Acoustic Dampening: Some panels have a pre-built sound reduction form that helps in reducing the noise levels to a great extent. These are useful in lowering the sound of those panels that have components with greater noise inside.
- Fan Selection: The voice is also due to the fan placed at the side panel. So, to reduce the noise you have to choose a fan that has minimum or no noise. So, different fans with speed controllers are available that allow quieter operation during normal tasks.
Compatibility
Compatibility is the art of measuring the suitability of each component with other components. So, in a build, you have to choose a side panel keeping in mind the other PC components. So, they may resonate well with the setup.
Case Dimensions
Most cases have standard sizes but it is helpful if you choose to measure the size of a case according to your build. Choosing a side panel that will properly accommodate all the components well is crucial and must be kept in mind before selecting the panel. If you are going for a panel replacement, you must measure your present side panel dimensions to have an accurate and well-fitted replacement.
Expansion Slots
Many PCs have multiple GPUs or expansion cards, so it is necessary for a side panel to provide an effective root to these components. Some panels offer extremely well-optimized designs that provide easy access to these components without removing the entire side. This is extremely beneficial for maintenance and upgrades.
Tool-Less Designs
Mostly when it comes to removing a side a panel for few upgrades, the tools are used for removing the side panels. Different side panels are now available in the market that are easily removable without the necessity of using any tool to remove them. These are useful in builds that require regular upgrades and maintenance.
Installation Tips
After choosing the side panel according to your requirements and workload. The next important step is to ensure that the side panel is properly installed and fits well in the case.
Tools Needed
Mostly side panels are installed by using basic tools like screwdrivers that help in righting up the screw or thumb screws while a quick check is important to know if your side panel requires any specific tool for installation. Many panels in the modern market are available that allow tool-less installation and minimize the use of tools for installing the side panels.
Cable Management
Cable Management directly influences the airflow. So, in a side panel installation process, special care is required to keep the cables route away from the airflow route. This can be ensured by using cable straps to bind the cables well and keeping them away from the airflow route, showing the better performance of PCs during extensive gaming or workload environments.
A few more tips are discussed here to ensure the proper management of cables.
- Hiding Cables: While managing the cables, the back side of the panel may be a good fit to ensure proper management. Many panels have different cutouts that allow the proper cable placement to keep the cables away from sight and avoid interaction with other components.
- Labeling Cables: Labeling the cables can save time and effort when it comes to future upgrades. This also results in making the troubleshooting easier and more effective.
Popular Black Panel PC Build Examples
To make our audience understand the fact that how side panels can affect a specific build let’s discuss some famous configurations of a black panel PC to make you understand the point of discussion well and easily.
Gaming Builds
RGB components visibility in a gaming setup is often visible in tempered glass side panels. Multiple case fan additions can also result in keeping the system cool but providing an aesthetic and colorful appearance.
- Component Showcase: Combine RGB RAM, a good GPU, and LED-lit cooling solutions to create a unique and catchy display. The tempered glass must be placed in a position that enhances the overall visual look of the PC and makes it extremely colorful with a great shiny appearance.
- Airflow Solutions: Mesh panels and the addition of more cooling fans can be used to ensure the proper airflow from the PC. This will ensure the cooling of components during heavy gaming sessions.
You can also check our blog post about building a Gaming PC.
Workstation Builds
A solid panel is mainly recommended in a workstation PC build as it will keep the noise low. Further, proper handling of the cable can enhance the airflow and cooling process assuring a much cleaner look.
- Performance Focus: High-quality fans are necessary to keep the system cool but make sure that these fans are noise-free. Solid panels provide a professional look for the PCs in the workstation allowing the users to work with concentration without any disturbance and noise.
- Organized Layout: A well-managed and organized layout will ensure the efficiency of the PC and also look professional in a workstation. Vertical GPU mounts and cable management are important to keep things well organized and according to the standards of the workstation.
Custom Builds
Customization has taken a great place in today’s world. For custom-built PCs, DIY acrylic panels are a great fit. These panels allow a variety of customization options to get everything according to the needs and requirements of a user.
- Unique Designs: Cutouts can help in maintaining a proper airflow. Other custom designs like vinyl graphics can also be used. An acrylic panel customized according to the user’s requirements reflects the style, creativity, and mindset of a user, making it a truly self-built model.
- Community Resources: A few minutes of discussion with community resources online can help you get beneficial ideas and help in customizing the Side Panel according to your requirements. Different platforms like PCPartPicker and social media groups are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals.
Maintenance and Care
After installation, every user wants their side panels to be in their original or new position for a longer time and this is only possible with proper maintenance and care. A few important tips to ensure the longevity of side panels are:
Cleaning
A daily cleaning process of the glass and acrylic panels helps you to avoid dust and fingerprints. Suitable cleaners and microfiber cloth can help you to reduce the scratches. For acrylic panels, use a specialized acrylic cleaner to keep them safe, clean, and away from damage.
- Dust Removal: Use an air blower with high pressure to remove the dust accumulated around the fans and filters. This will help you to have optimal airflow and cooling proficiency.
Inspection
A regular inspection is necessary to keep in view the things that need to be replaced or repaired. Inspect all the screws and seals of your side panels regularly to ensure the proper functioning and dust-free performance.
- Routine Checks: Make it your habit to have a deep inspection after a few months to ensure that all the parts are functioning properly.
Conclusion
The best side panel depends upon the specific requirement a user holds for each work. The best side panel is not only limited to a beautiful aesthetic look or appearance but it also ensures proper cable management, fitting, and airflow management for the proper functioning of the PC. The choice of side panel will directly influence the performance of your customized PC, so it’s always crucial to have a clever choice of side panel making it according to your needs and requirements. Investing time in selecting the right side panels will pay you in a way that the PC will work proficiently for a longer period.
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