Good idea to close slots on rear of case?

[ShowdOWN]

currently i dont not have any of my pci slots not in use on my case close with the metal brackets. I was just wondering how some of you are doing it.
is it necessary if you dont have a card in the residing slot to put the bracket on? what about air flow? will it be better if its closed up or left open?

any ideas?

 

[lenjack]

They should be closed. Airflow will then be better. Also keeps dust out.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

some of mine are open..allows some air in (cool air is lower) ..but almost all the ones(comps I have built) that I can't keep an eye on..stay buttoned up..itsa ymmv ..

Originally posted by: lenjack
They should be closed. Airflow will then be better. Also keeps dust out.

what you running,how many fans, and what are your temps(case,cpu, room ambient)..?

 

[ShowdOWN]

my temps are running pretty decent right now.

according to motherboard monitor:

board 26c
cpu idle 40c, load 46c
and ambient temps are around 75F <-- too lazy to find the formula to convert to celcius

these temps are all with the slots open and the cpu at 185fsb.

 

[Insidious]

I filter the air in my cases, so the slots closed is a must.

But even with that aside, I hate "short-circuiting" my air flow paths, so I try to close all openings except for fans.

(ymmv)

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: ShowdOWN
my temps are running pretty decent right now.

according to motherboard monitor:

board 26c
cpu idle 40c, load 46c
and ambient temps are around 75F <-- too lazy to find the formula to convert to celcius

these temps are all with the slots open and the cpu at 185fsb.

case wide open here(no one here unless the neighbors call the police )..room ambient about 70F mobo- 29c, cpu-30c running a 15% load at the moment..only fans running..stock GC68,PNY GF4ti4200 128mb card, and the 80mm in the psu, XP1800+ @ 11x166=XP2200+

 

[ShowdOWN]

all i can say is WOW! it does decrease cpu temps.

i just closed all the slots and now i am idling at 39c and 42c at full load.
i have two displays and i was monitoring the temp while playing unreal the awakening.

thanks a bunch guys.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

just keep kids,cats,dogs, etc. out and ..canned air helps