Case modding is the artistic modification of a computer chassis (often just referred to as the case), often also involving peripheral components. Many people, particulary hardware enthusiasts use case mods to illustate a computers power. The terminology "mod" is short for "modification."
History
When personal computers hit the mainstream, most of them came in a case in the color of beige. This functional design was often called a beige box Although this served the purpose of containing the components of a personal computer, as time wore on, many users found their computers to be "tacky" or "dull" due to the lack of originality in the case design. So to solve this, some users began to modify their existing chassis or build their own. Later, Case Modification became mainsteam when the Apple iMac was released, which went against the beige box design around at the time. Since then many computer manufacturers began selling cases that lack the dull beige base color. Case Modification has also opened up a new market for 3rd party computer cases to continue the break from the average case. Beige cases are now becoming harder to find since users enjoy the larger variety of colors and styles of current OEM cases.
Modifications
Popular modifications include coloured cases, case windows to peek inside (usually made out of plexiglass), coloured lights that illumainate the case and make it glow (these are usually cold cathode lights, neon lights or LEDs (any light that does not emit heat is good - we want to avoid adding extra heat to the case where possible)), fans with lights, non-standard motherboard colours (most motherboards are dark green), LCD status panels, pictures on the glass, plus case stickers. The more dedicated modders turn their case into a work of art or create their own case with a special material or appereance. Watercooling is also a kind of Case Modding.
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