Computer tower placement question?

[Link19]

Should you have your computer tower placed on a wooden board if it's on the floor to avoid risk of static electricity that could damage the computer? Or does it not matter what it's on top of as long as the tower case is completely closed? I had my older computer placed on a wooden board underneath my desk, but when I built a new one, the case I got was taller and it wouldn't fit underneath being on the wooden board. So I put it on top of a piece of card board. Is your computer safe from static on top of a piece of card board with a plush carpet floor underneath the card board?

Advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Jeff7181]

It's a good idea to keep it on something hard... never set it on carpet. Also, keep it at least 6-12 inchs off the floor to keep it from becoming a $1,000 dust buster.

 

[Baronz]

My computers have been sitting on carpet for years...they haven't got zapped by static yet. Of course if you have a 5" thick shag carpet it may be a different story.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: Baronz
My computers have been sitting on carpet for years...they haven't got zapped by static yet. Of course if you have a 5" thick shag carpet it may be a different story.

Yeah, I've had many on the carpet for years including one without the cover on for a year and a half. Absolutely no problems were experienced with any of them.

 

[MasterFlash]

Well, unless you're dragging the case back and forth across a plush carpet all the time, I don't think it matters. Any static electricity is going to have to get through the case first to do any damage. Don't worry about it.

 

[amorse2183]

Originally posted by: Baronz
My computers have been sitting on carpet for years...they haven't got zapped by static yet. Of course if you have a 5" thick shag carpet it may be a different story.

well, i have that 1970's shag carpet and i havent had any problems with my computer being on the carpet

 

[corkyg]

Mine has rested comfortably on wool carpeting now for over 15 years - never a problem. In fact - it makes it quieter. But about every 6 months or so, I do preventive maintenance and clean it all up - remove all dust, etc. Some of the better towers have wheels and that makes it nice for rolling out from under the desk. The good news is that noise from fans, etc., just sort of disappears when it is under the desk. The room cooling fan drowns it all out anyway in the summer.

 

[bdyche]

mine sits on the floor due to lack of space... not a whole lot of room on the desks here in the barracks...

took up about 60% of my desk real estate with my monitor... :frown:

 

[jjyiz28]

Originally posted by: Link19
Should you have your computer tower placed on a wooden board if it's on the floor to avoid risk of static electricity that could damage the computer? Or does it not matter what it's on top of as long as the tower case is completely closed? I had my older computer placed on a wooden board underneath my desk, but when I built a new one, the case I got was taller and it wouldn't fit underneath being on the wooden board. So I put it on top of a piece of card board. Is your computer safe from static on top of a piece of card board with a plush carpet floor underneath the card board?

Advice greatly appreciated.

i think its safe practice to have a wooden board underneath, but if that is not possible, i wouldn't worry TOO much.

 

[wetcat007]

I've never had a problem with it, although most of my computer cases have plastic feet underneath them, which isnt conductive..