PC case off-is this ok?

[rtyp3]

Would it hurt anything to leave your computer case off... all the time? It gets very hot inside my computer, so I have left the case off recently. Could any damage result? (besides from outside forces like kicking, spill, etc)

[oxOGradiusOxo]

I thought you meant to have your computer "power" off.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Then I was like, sure, you can have your computer off! All the time if you want to.

I have detachable sides to my case, and even though I've painted and customized them, they are off. I get MUCH better air flow for my Celeron 366@578. I even have a huge 120mm fan mounted below the power supply, but I never put my foot near it. I can't say the same for my girlfriend when she comes over. Oh, it's so funny...

[jadison]

Hello,
No, it will not hurt your computer/components at all, I leave mine off all the time, for about 6 months so far, just make sure to give it a cleaning once in a great while.

-jd-

[runnin_guy]

I leave the sides of my case off in the summer because the system gets extremely hot. The only thing that I have noticed, is that dust has an easier time landing on the components inside the case. Just take a can of compressed air and blow the case out http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[akaBruno]

Dust is a big problem, because it acts as an insulator holding heat in. My solution was placing a furnace filter(trimmed to fit)over the open side of my case. The filters come in many sizes, so you should be able to find a close fit. Mine is exactly the right width. I just cut the top off and taped off the frayed edge to tuck neatly into the top edge of the case. I used the excess filter material to stuff in the open bays and slots. It works quite well, thank you.
Some people have used speaker cover material. But, the main thing, is to just use your ingenuity. Even a closed case needs to be cleaned occasionally.
Keep cool,

Bruno

[rtyp3]

OK, that helps. Thanks

[Ed_S]

Well, I just recently put my case cover on to quiet it down, but it's the first time in a few years (and several mainboards). Never a problem except dust.

Kinda weird having it on, how the heck am I gonna know if a fan dies??? Looks wrong, too. New looking cover, ratty old smoke-stained faceplate...

[akaBruno]

Oh, I forgot to mention... A good way to bring it down a few more C's, is to just place a regular old floor fan next to the filter. That'll move some cfm through there.

[Tom Pico]

I ran my old toaster-oven Cel 266@400 with the case off for about six months with no problem until a gecko pooped on my video card (an Asus 3800). Boy was I bummed! $229 down the drain. But if you don't have gecko's, no problemo.

Mmmmm, "gecko" "problemo" -- doesn't quite rhyme. Needs a little work. Tomorrow, maybe.

[oblivion]

If you can make some fan mods to your case,and use some proper filtering,the case will stay as cool as if you had the caseing on it......and you would have to deal with the dust factor.

[Dave2]

Some cases rust when you leave them open for too long.

[tonym]

I started a post on this topic a while ago.

At the time, I had recently witnessed a PC-like box being Bellcore flame tested. The gosh-darn thing went up like a Roman candle and if it weren't for the case, it would have caught other nearby support equipment on fire!

So, I always keep the case on my computers, as so should you! PARTICULARLY if you've added aftermarket upgrades and you're not sure of the UL compliance each add-in. And even if you have a complete set of UL componentry inside, that's no guaranty that non-UL stuff will come in contact with the exposed innards of the PC and combust.

Better to run a few degrees hotter (although if you've got proper ventillation, no problemo) than to burn your house down.


Just my $0.02 worth...


Tony

[This message has been edited by tonym (edited 05-19-2000).]

[pickel]

Computer case cover??? Haven't seen that since last fall. Love to watch the CPU fan turn...round and round she goes. Have the AC vent aimmed right in the internal workin's.
Kool... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

the pickel

[Ed_S]

Thanks for the reminder, Tony! I knew there was another reason I finally put the cover on!

Tony's "Burning Computers" topic (http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005230.html)

[awwall]

Mine has been off for over a year now, for no other reason than I'm to lazy to put it back on!