Closed or without side panel case? Which is best?

[scmartins]

I've had my previous computer running for the past 3 years 24/7 without the side panel installed.

Now that I've build another machine I'm wondering if it's best to have the case closed so that the air flows better or if it's the same or even better to not installed the side panel improving the amount of air that gets in the case.

Anyone have done any comparison or read any article about this?

Thanks,
Steven

 

[zagood]

If you have good airflow through the case with the panel closed, you'll notice the following in most cases...

1) Hardware with HSFs (cpu, vga) run cooler with the side off.
2) Hardware with no fans (chipset, ram, pci cards) run cooler with the side on.
3) Hard drives are about the same.

If your case doesn't have good airflow, side off is always the way to go. It's louder, more dust accumulates, and just looks kinda junkyard, but you'll never overheat.

-z

 

[spinejam]

Is it best to have all case fans blowing out (including a side panel fan)?

 

[cpacini]

best solution? Buy a case with good airflow and set it up properly. If you have to take your side panel off to control thermals then you have serious problems with your setup

As for fan setup, you want to have airflow through the case. You should have roughly the same number blowing in as out.

 

[Balt]

I've found that leaving the side panel off on my system actually makes it considerably quieter. I think when the panel is on it heats up a bit and the fans rev up so much it creates a lot more noise.

I think all of the wiring impedes airflow too much when the side panel is on in my case.