Is an open case bad?

[Rahb]

I got into an argument with my friend yesterday about wheiter or not it was bad to leave a case open or off depending on the case. I said this because dust gets in, danger of drinks split. He said these weren't good reasons anyone else have more?

 

[MarkM10431]

IMHO, the dust/drink issue is minor compared to the possiblity of a rugrat sticking his/her hands into the fans or grabbing a board and yanking. on the flip side though, the case temp will be way down

 

[Mem]

Some people leave their cases open,the only real bad points are dust,noise etc but it can help with cooling so it`s all down to the enviroment it`s in and if they are always upgrading parts so prefer to keep case open.

Really it`s all down to the individual person with his PC case, there is no right or wrong IMHO,both ways have good and bad points.

 

[majewski9]

Yes, an open case is bad! I used to leave mine open for constant repairs, but now I got the bugs out of system and I keep the case closed.

There are several reasons to keep your case closed! Number 1 a case is meant to protect the fragile motherboard from outside dangers. Static schock, water, and any other object that could destroy your motherboard. The case also provides airflow to your PC. Leaving a panel open will only hurt your airflow! An open case is a terrible idea.

Your friend is totally wrong! You can operate just fine with an open cawe, but I wouldn't recommend it!

 

[bigbootydaddy]

hurts airflow is right!!

your intake will fill up the case...if the case is open, well, you are cooling the air outside the case, aka pointless. if you keep it closed, you keep the "windtunnel" effect.

booty

 

[flippinfleck]

I keep my case closed, but leave the screws out for in case I need to get in there.

 

[NivekC4]

<< I keep my case closed, but leave the screws out for in case I need to get in there >>



I do the same...and since I have a SX830...it has a simple sliding door that can be easily taken off.

I'd keep it closed.

 

[whitelight]

an open case is bad because your airflow is no longer channeled and your case might actually get hotter. if the case is closed, there's only a narrow stream where the air will flow and will cool the components better. i don't know if i explained it clearly, but i think you might get the idea.

 

[Mem]

I`ve to disagree on airflow,my own case with it opened does reduce my temps,I`ve one 92mm and 60mm fan in there and they do a decent enough job with the case closed but opened my case &amp; CPU is cooler ,there are lots of factors involed like room temperature ,case temp,fans etc so it all depends on all these factors,having your case open can reduce temps but it does depend on the above factors.

I should say I keep my case closed,but when I`ve always tried it opened it is always cooler.

 

[datallah]

Your case *could* be cooler when it is open, but only if you dont have a good airflow layout.

Ideally, you should have a defined path that you want air to pass through your case in. (usually in the bottom front, over HDDs, and out the upper rear above/near CPU). If you do this, you will have better performance with the case closed.