How do you keep the wires in your case out of the way?

[McPhreak]

Even though my computer is in a large Antec 1040 case, I still find it fairly cluttered with wires. I just purchased rounded cables for the drives and such, but I think the biggest problems are all the power wires. I can barely keep the ones connected to the fan from flying into the fans themselves. I just also purchased cable ties in the hopes of bundling some of the wires (although most of them already came prebundled), but I would really like to know of a good way to attach the cables to case and have them run along the sides of the case, rather than smack through it. Anyone know of an efficient, easy to attach and detach (i.e. not permanent), way of doing this? I was considering using velcro with the cables, but is there a better way? Thanks.

 

[FenrisUlf]

I use a hot glue gun to tack my wires down. The glue sticks pretty well (depending on the surface), but can still be peeled off. Plus, the glue guns and glue are pretty inexpensive. Just my $.02

 

[virtuamike]

I plan on doing custom length power cables for my PC. Bought some expandable sleeving and heat shrink, now I just need to pick up some molex pins and connectors and some tools. Hopefully I'll get it done this weekend, I'll post some pics if I get it done.

 

[geek167]

My cables are all over the place in my Full Tower cases and no matter what the always seem to be out of the way. Magic I guess. Never had problems with cables.

 

[chizow]

Pretty easy to keep em tidy, just get a roll or two of electrical tape

Just tape em all up so they are essentially 1 wire. Then connect all your periphs, and coil any extra length you don't need, then tape it. Then tape them to the HD casing rack or to the side of the case. 100% safe, and a nice clean case. All my IDEs and PSU cables are out of the way and pulled to the side and taped to the HD mount....clean airflow right through my case. As for buying rounded cables, you coulda done the same yourself with a razor blade or exacto knife and some electrical tape.

Chiz

 

[McPhreak]

<< As for buying rounded cables, you coulda done the same yourself with a razor blade or exacto knife and some electrical tape. >>



The last time I handled an exacto knife, I spent 6 and a half hours in the emergency waiting room bleeding to death. Trust me, I am better off buying rounded cables... They were on sale at one of the online stores anway for like $5 or $8. Definitely worth the labor involved.

 

[boyRacer]

<< They were on sale at one of the online stores anway for like $5 or $8. Definitely worth the labor involved. >>



LOL...watch out though...some people say those rounded cables have a tendency to corrupt data especially when dealing with large files... although some people have never had problems with them.

 

[chizow]

<<

<< As for buying rounded cables, you coulda done the same yourself with a razor blade or exacto knife and some electrical tape. >>



The last time I handled an exacto knife, I spent 6 and a half hours in the emergency waiting room bleeding to death. Trust me, I am better off buying rounded cables... They were on sale at one of the online stores anway for like $5 or $8. Definitely worth the labor involved. >>



Hehe Ok, given your past history with sharp objects, buying them mighta been a better idea. As for time involved, it took me 30 minutes while watching SportsCenter, you don't have to separate *EVERY* wire hehe just every 4th or 5th (2-3 for the floppy) wire, and you don't have to cut them all the way down. Just make a 1'' slit, then pull em up and pull em down....like splittin Twizzlers, but different. Plus, it was fun

Just another part of the Neverending Hobby known as my PC.

Chiz

 

[Dundain]

One of the biggest tricks I learned when making a clean wiring for the computer is to run the power wires UNDER the motherboard Its kinda hard to do with some of the powersupplies though cause they give you such tiny wires, but if yours are long enough just slide them under the motherboard and out a side to the stuff you need to connect it to. And if you need to take them up top to CDROM drives or hte like just tape them to the roof or something like that. And yes, rounded ATA cables will help with the clean look alittle but you still gotta place em smart Try and get them out of the way too if ya can! If you want to see extremely good cable layouts look at PCs by like Falcon Northwest or Alienware and then try and copy what htey do. Theirs are incredible clean, and if I remember correctly they DONT use rounded cables

 

[Jhhnn]

I like the different sizes of plastic quick-clamps from radio shack. The sticky-back adhesive is aggressive, so only put 'em where you want 'em.... Wire, cable, hardware & tools- wire management- cable clamps & mounts.

 

[St1mpy]

I've had good luck with split loom and spiral loom (both avail at Radio Shack)

 

[Echo42]

ive always been a fan of the wire harness thingies that have sticky on one side and a little hole on the other. Those + zip ties and you=teh winnar! If you buy factory rounded cables their is a MUCH smaller chance of data corruption. Also, if you use the ata66/100 cables they bend origami style really well, so you can just run em flat against the case and what not....

 

[McPhreak]

Hmm..wow. Thanks everyone for excellent advice. If anyone else has anything to add, please do so. I'm always looking for ideas.

 

[Neuroanatomist]

I've used both machine-made and hand-made rounded cables and prefer the hand-made approach..

Machine-made rounded cables are rated ATA66/100 and as long as you get an 18in or 24in you should not have data corruption problems. 36in is beyond the IDE cable specification. $10-$15 for a cable is a little high though for just an IDE cable..

Hand-made rounded cables are easier to make with ATA-33 cables, but it can be done with ATA100s (just harder to split the wires). One good thing about the hand-made method is that 1) the cost is cheaper than machine-made (hard to beat at $0.25 per foot) and 2) you can choose the specific split-loom tubing you are going to use.

ROUNDED CABLES

A good source for split-loom tubing is automotive parts supply places. I bought "Split Polyethylene loom, Blue, 3/8" I.D., 50-Foot Length" split loom @ jcwhitney.com $12.49 and have had enough for several PC projects. (even used it to tidy up the wiring harnesses in my car's engine and trunk, imagine that..)

For the powersupply Molex wires, you can get the smaller 1/4" also available at jcwhitney. (colors are red, blue, yellow or black). The ATX powersupply connector should take 1/2" tubing.

CABLE CLAMP
The rounded cable approach paired with this adjustable cable clamp (10 pieces) $2.66 @ cyberguys.com works really well with rounded cables. (need to search for part#161 0715

cyberguys also has alot of other self-adhesive cable organizers
part #161 0730 $3.20
part #161 0714 $3.16
part# 113 0810 $1.99

 

[Mitzi]

Sprial loom here! Does the job as good as electrical tape but doesn't leave sticky gunk all over the cables when you remove it again in the future.

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I use zip ties and tucking wires in where feasable, also rounded cables on FDD, 2 HD's, and two CDR's.

 

[GoldenTiger]

I rounded mine just by folding them twice into a W shape (fold in half, then each half in half) and used electrical tape/cable ties in a few spots on the wires to hold them that way. I didn't have to use an exacto-knife that way, so it was quick and no-risk . I use electrical tape to tape the extra power cables to the roof of my case and the inside of one of my spare drive cages, as well as the sides of the case. I'll post up pics in a few days; my case is VERY neat and very good-looking aesthetically ! I'm going to add split loom soon (already use it on the external cables outside my computer) for the inside of my computer, which is REALLY great stuff .

 

[GoldenTiger]

<<

<< They were on sale at one of the online stores anway for like $5 or $8. Definitely worth the labor involved. >>



LOL...watch out though...some people say those rounded cables have a tendency to corrupt data especially when dealing with large files... although some people have never had problems with them. >>




That only occurs with 36", out-of-spec IDE cables. 24-inch cut-rounded or below are fine in tests, and very little error occurs even with the out-of-spec cables.

 

[klein297]

I just use the plastic coated wire that holds barbies and other toys in their packaging. My daughter makes sure every piece gets into my junk box. I just cut them to size and use the nearest empty screw hole to route the wires.
Works great , cheap too as long as you dont buy the toys just to get the wire.

 

[McPhreak]

<< I just use the plastic coated wire that holds barbies and other toys in their packaging. My daughter makes sure every piece gets into my junk box. I just cut them to size and use the nearest empty screw hole to route the wires.
Works great , cheap too as long as you dont buy the toys just to get the wire. >>



Yeah, sorry. I'm a little short on Barbie dolls right now, so this sort of thing doesn't really work for me.