<s>[INST] I'm going to build a gaming computer for the first time, and I need some advice.

Firstly, I want to know what the various form factors of a computer case are, and how they compare in terms of upgradability, size, and additional features.

It's my first build, so I also need some primer on case types in case I don't know a specific term or two.

The most common form factors are:

* Mini-ITX
* Micro-ATX
* ATX
* Extended-ATX
* E-ATX 

Let me explain those abbreviations and what they represent in terms of motherboard compatibility:

* Mini-ITX: 170mm x 170mm (6.7" x 6.7"): 'I.T.X.' stands for "information technology eXtended", but it's used here to describe the extremely small mini-ITX boards.
* Micro-ATX: 244mm x 244mm (9.6" x 9.6"): This is the slightly larger, more versatile micro-ATX board.
* ATX: 305mm x 244mm (12" x 9.6"): The most commonly used full-size ATX board.
* Extended-ATX: Up to 305mm x 330mm (12" x 13"): Refers to large motherboards often used in servers.
* E-ATX often is used interchangeably with the term "extended-ATX".

In an E-ATX (Extended-ATX) or XL-ATX case, components and drive bay placement often are different compared to ATX cases, although some E-ATX cases use an otherwise standard layout. I've specified "[or larger]" because I've found that all motherboard sizes can also fit into a case with a larger motherboard compatibility.

You mentioned your first build requires expert knowledge, but know this – the hardware must be *physically* compatible. What this means is the case you choose will dictate your choices for motherboards, GPU, and cooling systems, all of which also have their own miniaturization and space reduction in recent years.

You are essentially right, but you showed that you're not aware of some things when you requested for a general primer on case types in addition to general case types. Let me address that first before recommending cases.

To better discuss your needs, please consider the following questions:

1. What are your current space constraints in terms of width, height, and depth?[/INST]