how to clean up the cables?

band1t

Junior Member
Feb 29, 2004
7
0
0
Hi guys,

I need to clean up all the cables. I saw couple pics and so amazed by them. Wonder if I could get some advices from the experts.

Also, I would like to see some pics, that might help as well. Thank you
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
use the search function here and at SilentPCReview, by author: RalfHutter. You'll find a good bit if you skim through them (yes, I did try it just now).
My only other tip is to use brand new 80--wire ATA cables. They bend and fold much easier and neater than used ones.
 

dml54

Member
Sep 25, 2003
139
0
0
I used a bunch of expandable cable sleeving and wire ties to clean up my case. Got some round IDE and Floppy cables. Not only does it look better, I noticed a temperature drop of 3 to 4C as the air can flow better now
 

SneakyStuff

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2004
4,294
0
76
Those plastic ties that you lock by putting one end through the other. You bundle a group of cables, and then cut off the excess plastic, it's clean, cheap, and can be effective for taming a lot of cords, I've done it, and my system is absolutely free flowing inside. Too bad it's a dell :(
 

psiu

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2003
1,629
1
0
Yep zip ties (or, as they might be labeled at the store, cable ties), will work wonders. Useful for both bundling up the wires a little, and then attaching them to various points (so they won't flop all over inside).

Rounded cables, for the hard drives, optical, and floppy drives also.

After that, for some of the little cables, like for the fans that power off the motherboard, wrap the cord around a screwdriver, pen or pencil, hold it tight for a couple of seconds, and then let go. It'll be nice and twisty like a phone cord.

Try hiding some of the excess power supply plugs and cabling behind the motherboard panel, or up in an unused 5.25" drive bay.

For some of the small header cables and whatnot, I found spiral wrap works really well (now I just have to find more around town somewhere). Otherwise, possibly try some cable loom.

For power supply cable tricks, you can use larger diameter spiral wrap or cable loom, or get some cable sleeving and heatshrink. Frozencpu.com has a wide selection, good rating on resellerrankings also (never used them personally, YET--hopefully soon enough :)).

Unfortunately I don't have a digital :camera: to take pictures with...
 

bootoo

Senior member
Apr 13, 2002
671
0
0
Remember too, you can get wire split loom at any auto supply store. Cheap, easy to throw over your wires, looks good, easy to cut, I can't say enough nice things. Get a couple of different diameters so you can go as thin as possible over various wiring combos and looks good.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
zip ties are great... for all the cables that aren't tubed and can't be hidden away (PSU and fan cables), I wrap them in electrical tape, just to make them look neater.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
frys and home depot have some good zipties. frys had small bags of small ones i liked and the yellow flourescent ones seem to be uv reactive, and home depot had big bags of longer multicolor ones i use for larger things.