is it bad for u to leave ur computer case cover off?

[touchmyichi]

I did it to drop some temp, but could I get bad radiation from this? I have my computer about a foot and a half away from me though, what do you think?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Radiation as far as hurting you won't be an issue, but there's a slight chance that other electronic devices placed near it could be affected. Overall it's nothing to worry about, however the accumulation of dust will get pretty heavy.

 

[touchmyichi]

alright thanks man, i have a crapload of canned air so no big deal.

 

[MrMiyagi]

Did it work to drop the temp? I've seen a lot of people on these forums say it actually hinders airflow through your case...without that your case fans don't server much of a point(?)

 

[Nebor]

I took mine off and it lowered my temp about 4 degrees C. But then, I don't think my case fans work well.

 

[boran]

it generally more dpends on the amount of small children or animals near the PC, if both of them are absolutely zero, it wouldnt be any problem, besides the aforemented RF interference possibility.

 

[Lord Evermore]

The proper airflow design of the case is of course destroyed by having the case open, but if you're not getting good airflow in the first place, then opening the case helps. If you started out with good airflow, then opening the case could be a hindrance since much of the air stops being forced over the places it needs to be.

 

[GnomeCop]

leaving the side panels off your computer would be bad if you have some really high rpm finger chopping fans running in it and a stupid cat around the house

 

[filmmaker]

Originally posted by: Nebor
I took mine off and it lowered my temp about 4 degrees C. But then, I don't think my case fans work well.

Maybe it's time to replace them?

My dad had his case opened for a long time and it was very difficult to get all of the dust out of it.

 

[gf4200isdabest]

This is a terrible idea. I did this for a while and dust got everywhere. I ended up needing to clean the entire inside and unplug my RAM because it lost contact and my computer wouldn't post. Computers come standard with cases for a reason. Use them.

 

[Macro2]

Haviing the case off is a sign of a true computer mechanic.

 

[GnomeCop]

wow, being a true computer mechanic is a lot easier than I thought.

 

[lameaway]

Well, i'm running one of my computers with the case off so i can have an 80mm fan blowing directly on this (*^$(@ PCI tnt2 card that keeps #&*#$ overheating because my AGP card is on @*(&$ RMA. Sorry, just thought you all should know that

 

[Nebor]

I'm getting a whole new case... I love the Antec server type case....
Antec Case @ Newegg

It comes w/ a better power supply, which I might need.... and it's just cool. Plus I can put up to 5 80mm fans in it, which I plan on doing.

 

[Rotax]

Just lay your components out accross your desk and let it run like that! I've alwas thought the "computer hung on the wall" would be the coolest thing! Wouldn't be all that hard to do really.. Just take some time to rig something up. Could even enclose it somewhat w/ some acrilic (sp?) plastic/glass. Would look real trick.

 

[magomago]

I had an old 550 Mhz processor k6-2 with a VIA MVP3 Chipset on a Lucksystar Mobo in some AT Case and I didn't have the side on for atleast two years. On top of that because I was freaked over cooling I had one of those boxfans in its place instead so I always had a huge gush of hair blowing into it. That said the only fan I had was the fans that was attached to my heatsink for the processor - and that was a heatsink I decided to reuse from my 233mhz k6 [and i would always wonder when i started to encode why my pc would immediately restart seems things got way too hot]

But now I use my side fan and top fan and front fan and I leave the case on and there is much less dust. Actually most dust is from the inside of the caseanywas (I think MechBgon was the one that told me that).

But if your case temps drop 4C with it off that isn't necessarily a good thing

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: lameaway
Well, i'm running one of my computers with the case off so i can have an 80mm fan blowing directly on this (*^$(@ PCI tnt2 card that keeps #&*#$ overheating because my AGP card is on @*(&$ RMA. Sorry, just thought you all should know that

You want a cookie?

- M4H

 

[gibbsman]

"Funny, I use a Mac and I have sex all the time. And it is with a woman! I must be the exception to the rule. " - mpitts

BAHAHAHA! That's too funny! Has nothing to do with this thread, but it's funny! I'm headed down to buy a MAC right now....

 

[Lord Evermore]

gf4200isdabest: Computers come standard with a case because...you need something to hold the parts, and mass consumers don't want to have them laying about the desk.

Your memory can't "lose contact" by having dust build up inside the case. Dust can't force its way between the connectors on the module and the slot. Dust also builds up just using fans, including the standard fans that come in OEM cases or low speed fans you might add yourself.

Hmm, I just had an idea. How about removing a case panel, and replacing it with just a wide-mesh screen with a plain cheap air conditioner filter glued or wired to it? Not anything like the 3 layer HEPA filters, just the 29 cent thin stuff that's like rough thin cotton ball. It'd help keep down the dust, and not inhibit the airflow too much.

That's it! The best case mod ever. The hick-case! Use chicken wire for the mesh.