Running with no case cover

[gibsinep]

Are their any disadvantagesto running a computer without its case cover on. I know more dust will get in but what else.

Thanks

[Jimstep]

A case that is all closed up should have good air flow that will channel cooler air across the components that generate heat. If the cover is removed, then the airflow diminishes. In cases that don't have good airflow, taking the cover off will help.

My case has five case fans plus the p/s fan. That makes, three fans in front pushing cool air into the case and three fans in the rear exhausting the heat.

The two rear fans are positioned next to the h/s fan combo so the heat from the cpu is immediately exhausted.

Hope this helps.

[gibsinep]

Well a little help. Biggst problem is their is just a srip of venilated area in the back. I have some fans comin in the mail. So it lloks like i have some case moding to too

[scottsaxman]

I know that the top of the computer makes a great place to pile stuff! Without the cover, though, it'd be more of a problem. Also, if you have pets or kids, they'd be tempted to stick an appendage into the fans or pull some wires.

I know some people that don't even use a case, in a controlled environment.

[MrBlandAverage]

Dust getting in can be a serious problem. I used to keep my case off until one day, I smelled something funny. Took me a while to figure out, but it was dust on my GPU burning! I'd been playing Black & White 12 hours straight. :D
Dust may also have caused my hard drive to fail... but I've been hearing bad things about those Deskstars anyway.
I keep my case closed now.

[G Ray88]

Without the case cover on and all the slots closed in back for proper air flow. It's just a matter of time before something will go wrong. Not counting all the different things that can fall inside.

:eek:

[noisedude]

with all the risks it seems pointless to leave the cover off, but does anyone actually bother to screw it on (obviously ignoring tool-free ones)? also, pileing stuff on top is okay until you remember you wanted to change that ide cable to the other drive or you plugged the floppy drive in the wrong way round again .
having said that i am hopeless about remembering to put the case back on, especially on my slower machines that would explode before running hot.

[BigBlue66]

Computers are designed to be cooled by convection. Can't do that without the case on.

As already mentioned, unless you have a house fan sitting beside your computer blowing air across the components, (which is a great thing to do for heat troubleshooting problems) there is basically no air flow and components heat up rather quickly.

No, I never use the screws. I'm always tinkering, so I want fast access. :)

Cheers,

BB 66