Case too heavy to move, advice?

[meltycat]

Hi all!

I have a full-tower steel case that I've spent a lot of time modding. It's watercooled, with a 4x120 radiator mounted on top. The problem is that the case is too heavy for me to physically move now. I live with my fiance who usually helps me move it, but due to graduate school I'm going to be moving across the country in the fall without him. I don't have any friends or family in the area, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do when it comes time to move my case/upgrade/flush out my system.

So far, I'm thinking I could try one of the following options:

1. Buy a LAN strap, and see if that makes it easier for me to move the case around. I can't really get a good grip on the case now, so maybe this would make it easy enough for me to carry around? I'd also be kind of afraid of having the strap break on me or not fit a full-tower case properly.
2. Buy a aluminum case, and move everything into it. I'm kind of leaning in this direction, but has anyone done this? I'm not sure how much it would help... my current case is 32 lbs, and an aluminum case would be about 15 lbs less if I got another full tower. I don't know if this would help with me being able to initially pick it up. I guess I could go with a mid-tower, but I'd have to change my radiator mounting.
3. Just keep my current case. I could try mounting wheels to it (has anyone done this?), and when it's time to flush it out or upgrade, hope that I've made a techy friend by then who'd be up for helping me lug it around

Here is a picture of my case with radiator/etc mounted:
http://imgur.com/r1Ff8

Here is a link to my case on NewEgg with specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811200034

I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thank you

 

[dualsmp]

I'd partially disassemble the PC by removing the power supply, hard drives and maybe remove the radiator depending on how heavy and drain any water out.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I'd partially disassemble the PC by removing the power supply, hard drives and maybe remove the radiator depending on how heavy and drain any water out.

The water is going to be where a lot of the weight is. Also, just personally, I wouldn't care to move a water cooled system with water in it.

 

[meltycat]

I'd partially disassemble the PC by removing the power supply, hard drives and maybe remove the radiator depending on how heavy and drain any water out.

Removing the PSU's a good idea, but I can't remove the radiator without draining all the water, and I can't drain all of the water if the PC is by my desk

That's the main problem... if I can't move the case when it has liquid in it, I can't move it to/from my work area when I want to drain it/fill it/replace parts. I guess I could try draining it where it is, if I got a big tupperware container or something like that. It could be potentially messy though, so I'd have to be really careful. I didn't think about trying that before, thanks for the idea

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Removing the PSU's a good idea, but I can't remove the radiator without draining all the water, and I can't drain all of the water if the PC is by my desk

That's the main problem... if I can't move the case when it has liquid in it, I can't move it to/from my work area when I want to drain it/fill it/replace parts. I guess I could try draining it where it is, if I got a big tupperware container or something like that. It could be potentially messy though, so I'd have to be really careful. I didn't think about trying that before, thanks for the idea

The fill tube you have in back of the PC should allow a lot of the water to drain out without much effort. Just get like a 5 gallon bucket or something like that.

 

[BoomerD]

Waidaminit...are you a 12 year old girl or severely handicapped?

Otherwise, WHY can't you physically move your PC? Unless the cooling system holds 10 gallons of water, it shouldn't be THAT difficult to move. Awkward, perhaps, since many cases just aren't made for carrying...but...

When all else fails...let technology be your friend:

http://www.harborfreight.com/movers-dolly-93888.html

 

[CurseTheSky]

Waidaminit...are you a 12 year old girl or severely handicapped?

Otherwise, WHY can't you physically move your PC? Unless the cooling system holds 10 gallons of water, it shouldn't be THAT difficult to move. Awkward, perhaps, since many cases just aren't made for carrying...but...

When all else fails...let technology be your friend:

http://www.harborfreight.com/movers-dolly-93888.html

The awkward size combined with the weight from a steel case and liquid cooling system can be pretty difficult. I'm a guy, 5'9, ~170 lbs, and decently muscular, but I had trouble moving my old Thermaltake Kandalf LCS when that thing was full. All totalled, it was over 80 lbs.

 

[BoomerD]

The awkward size combined with the weight from a steel case and liquid cooling system can be pretty difficult. I'm a guy, 5'9, ~170 lbs, and decently muscular, but I had trouble moving my old Thermaltake Kandalf LCS when that thing was full. All totalled, it was over 80 lbs.

Damn...the specs show the Kandalf weighs 48 lbs! I thought my HAF 932 was heavy at 30 lbs...

As I said earlier...a dolly would be your friend with such a heavy case. That one is only $10 at Harbor Frieght.

 

[WoodButcher]

The boys are both right, bulk and weight combined are your problem, You can mount wheels fairly easy, Lian Li makes a nice set that will help. You still need to be able to grasp the case for lifting, handles would be great but with the rad on top that limits mounting. With both side panels off can you lift the case from the top? Here you'll find an assortment of handles but I'm sure you could find something workable at the local hardware for less.
Your biggest issue would be maintenence and this you'll want to do without moving the case from room to room. Adding a t-line or drain to your loop would make life easy. I drain my loops into a foot bath container, works great. While my case is on casters and can roll to the bathroom easily I'm not inclined to lift this into the tub.

 

[meltycat]

Otherwise, WHY can't you physically move your PC? Unless the cooling system holds 10 gallons of water, it shouldn't be THAT difficult to move.
When all else fails...let technology be your friend:

http://www.harborfreight.com/movers-dolly-93888.html

I'm a scrawny twig of a woman, and don't want to hurt myself with the case. The wheels are a nice idea though, thank you to everyone who suggested them!

I drain my loops into a foot bath container, works great.

That is a great idea and sounds like the perfect size container for the liquid. I have a T line, so I can give that a try. I tried to pick my case up with both side panels off, but still had a hard time with it. I also took off all of the 5.25" and 3.5" drive bay coverings. I wonder if it'd be any easier with a LAN strap? Nice case by the way, I don't blame you for not trying to lug it into the tub!

 

[zagood]

Casters are a great idea, but obviously you've got to move your case to drill and install them.

May want to consider something like the antec lanboard, it's a platform with casters that uses straps (with a carrying handle) to secure to your case.

 

[aigomorla]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=23528

Heres one pimp'd for our industry tho instead of that mover's one.

Personally i use a Mountain Mods, which is twice the size of your case with 4x the rad capacity.
Its on rollers, so i roll it where i need it moved to.

 

[Continuity28]

A couple of these might be adequate.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I used to have some large cases, and personally, the biggest case that I would ever want to lug around would be an Antec 300. Anything bigger, fuggedaboutit.

(Nota Bene: I do own a Chieftec Dragon case too, but it is missing the sides, which takes off some weight.)

 

[djnsmith7]

Hit the gym, maybe...just giving you a hard time. Drain the water & ask a friend to help. I can't see how this would be this big a deal. I move my cases every time I do an upgrade & they aren't exactly small. I'll carry them from one room to the next without any issues, fully equipped.

 

[Zap]

but I can't remove the radiator without draining all the water, and I can't drain all of the water if the PC is by my desk

You can by using a bucket. I was able to drain my wife's 2x120mm setup (with GPU and CPU blocks) without any spillage. Everything went into... erm... a large stainless steel mixing bowl. :sneaky:

I used to do that at work, using a plastic cup to catch the excess liquid out of a Koolance Exos^2.

For going to grad school, I'd recommend re-doing your system to be a better fit for living alone and/or new environment. Maybe go small form factor - micro ATX or mini ITX, and air cooled.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Removing the PSU's a good idea, but I can't remove the radiator without draining all the water, and I can't drain all of the water if the PC is by my desk

That's the main problem... if I can't move the case when it has liquid in it, I can't move it to/from my work area when I want to drain it/fill it/replace parts. I guess I could try draining it where it is, if I got a big tupperware container or something like that. It could be potentially messy though, so I'd have to be really careful. I didn't think about trying that before, thanks for the idea

You could drink the water to drain it...

I suggest a different (and lighter) case, dunno how much the rad weighs but it looks intense. Maybe downgrade that and get a case where it can be mounted.

 

[wwswimming]

and if that doesn't work ...

 

[Martimus]

I have to agree with everyone else in draining the water first.

 

[aigomorla]

if everything is sealed and has clamps why does she need to drain the system if she is personally handling it?

Just put the computer on a DOLLY or rollers and move it to where u need it moved.

 

[smackababy]

I love the people talking down to OP about not being able to carry a PC around. My rigs weighs over 80lbs. That is nothing little. Not to mention it is large enough it is awkward to carry.

Also, draining the water won't reduce the weight a significant amount. Water weighs 8lbs a gallon, and I'd wager there is less than a gallon in the system.

 

[videogames101]

The gym? =D

But seriously, LAN straps rock.

 

[MagickMan]

Pay a big guy $10 to move it from your vehicle?

 

[killster1]

if you are going across country i would disassemble it anyway.. transporting stuff fully assembled is rarely a good idea. drain it take few heavy parts out and use a dolly and straps.. i have 2 or 3 diff lan straps that came with motherboards back in the day DFI gave them out with mobo's. Thnx for giggles funny thread

 

[djnsmith7]

I love the people talking down to OP about not being able to carry a PC around. My rigs weighs over 80lbs. That is nothing little. Not to mention it is large enough it is awkward to carry.

Also, draining the water won't reduce the weight a significant amount. Water weighs 8lbs a gallon, and I'd wager there is less than a gallon in the system.

I don't think we're talking down to him. I think we're just surprised he can't carry a computer case. It's just one of those things. I mean, he can't ask a friend to pick up the other end & carry it? As I mentioned, I carry 2 Stackers around, fully loaded, no problem. He doesn't have a jumbo case. Silly thread.