honestly i typed for 3 months on a keyboard without a case (same issue the case i wanted in the right color was in back order) and it works, as for key caps it really depends on what brand you take, most chinese kits will either come as a full 100% kit or will be declined by keyboard size, SP in the other hand will separate alpha and mods and you pretty much always need both for any common size. it will really depend on what size and layout board you chose to go with, if you need us to verify that your parts should work together you can post your list here and we will give our advice on it, well at least i will, maybe not right away but in the 24 hours likely.