Is it safe to run a computer without a case forever?

[hunkeelin]

If
- I won't spill anything coffee/water etc...
- no kids no pets
- i don't normally touch my mobo so i can static it.
- i put it on my wooden desk with a foam under it
- occasionally I will do cleaning. (actually u know what? ommit this. tell me what could damage my computer if i don't clean it other than getting dusty and ugly.)
- the rig i'm planning to do without case is on my sig.

Reason i want to run without case.
- I kind of move a lot and i can dissemble and assemble computer parts within 3 mins (yes i can do that in lightening speed). Case make it bulky and difficult to move.
- I want to see my monster while i'm running my rig S=
- easier to troubleshoot on what's going on.

BEFORE YOU REPLY.
Please scientifically state why it is a bad idea, and If possible how to solve it without getting a case. If that i snot possible please suggest me a case that is under 100usd. Is not because I'm cheaping out on my case it's simply im' throwing it away when i move.

I simply want to say. Assume i am careful, i won't bump i won't spill. Is there any other way for my mobo to get damaged without a case?

can a curious dust with static chrage miraculously land on my mobo and screw things up?

 

[Vic Vega]

I suppose it goes without saying, and don't take this as a slam - but computer enclosures were of course always intended to protect the expensive electronics they house. If you can somehow otherwise protect the computer from environmental issues, be they moisture/rain, electrical, pets or otherwise without an enclosure then yes, it should operate fine.

Don't take offense, but I never understood this. People buying high end components and either buying a POS case and PSU or no case at all. I don't know what the motivation is. Is it a cost thing? Put the $300 for a good case and PSU towards the CPU or video instead? If it dies in a few months, hardly seems like a good tradeoff.

 

[hunkeelin]

^
I just don't know which lesson i should be learning. "i should get a UPS" or "i shouldn't do a test bench". I do care about having a case because i like to let people "wow wtf" when they come to my apartment for visit is a e penis thing. However, if it is because me not having a case that cause this catastrophic my epenis can gtfo.

Or bascially i want to troubleshoot what's going on. Can a bug or water particle really case the death of my mobo?

 

[Vic Vega]

Six months seems like a while for a bench test? I think you've figured it out though. Expensive components should be protected so: 1.) Good UPS, 2.) Good enclosure, 3.) Good power supply, 4.) Thoughtful environment - so, not by a leaky and/or open window. Store in a cool, dry place - like wine.

Good luck.

 

[Smoblikat]

Well without a case you run the risk of physical damage and humidity affecting your parts more. While you will never know for sure, its a safe bet to say that your lack of cse was the cause. Just grab a cardboard box and save up for a cheap 60$ case.

EDIT - Why did you get a computer like THAT without a case?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Man... if I run my computer with the side panel off for five minutes, my cat's sticking her nose into something that spins really fast. Guaranteed.

Anyway, sometimes motherboards just die. It's hard to say. If I suspecting lightning damage had caused the failure, I'd replace the PSU along with the mobo as a matter of course.

 

[RossMAN]

If you're going to a buy UPS wait for a hot deal like this.

 

[hunkeelin]

^ to show to everybody i got the best when they visit me )=

 

[dave_the_nerd]

^ to show to everybody i got the best when they visit me )=

Two things.

1) OCZ SSD = not best.

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811148001

 

[dbcooper1]

^ to show to everybody i got the best when they visit me )=

Well, that's fine, and now you know the price of doing so.

 

[2is]

I suppose it goes without saying, and don't take this as a slam - but computer enclosures were of course always intended to protect the expensive electronics they house. If you can somehow otherwise protect the computer from environmental issues, be they moisture/rain, electrical, pets or otherwise without an enclosure then yes, it should operate fine.

Don't take offense, but I never understood this. People buying high end components and either buying a POS case and PSU or no case at all. I don't know what the motivation is. Is it a cost thing? Put the $300 for a good case and PSU towards the CPU or video instead? If it dies in a few months, hardly seems like a good tradeoff.

If it's raining IN your home, you have much bigger problems to worry about than running with our without a case. lol

 

[lakedude]

I've heard that in Google's early days they saved money by not using computer cases.

Also I think one purpose for a case is EM shielding, not sure that clear acrylic case would be good for that but it would show off the rig.

One of my friends had a top of the line Asus MB that went bad on him. He sent it back several times and eventually got a replacement which also went bad. Now this is a small sample size but I think them fancy boards are trouble prone, could be wrong.

My ASRock/Asus 3 hole MB burned up trying to run 3x video cards as well. I mean burned now, it caught on fire!

These boards were in proper cases BTW.

Got a regular $60 Asus board that has been fine but them fancy ones, well I just don't trust em.

 

[hunkeelin]

I edit my post plaese give me som replies

 

[Denithor]

No kids/no pets is actually the critical part of your post.

With neither of those potential disasters, you should actually be fine running naked.

Three comments I would make:
-Video card may not be braced correctly without a case to screw it solidly into.
-Static will be your worst potential enemy (see what I did there? ). Make certain you are grounded before touching any part of the system (not an issue when parts are in a case as the whole thing is grounded).
-What power button are you going to push?

 

[Ajay]

Also I think one purpose for a case is EM shielding, not sure that clear acrylic case would be good for that but it would show off the rig.

EMI protection (FCC & UL requirerments) and physical protection are the main reasons for consumer grade cases. Since your setup will be flat some physical damage problems will go away (like your CPU HS falling on top of your video cards). Since everything else you have will have very limited EMI output - I'say you are in the clear. Oh, most fan motors are not sealed, so blow out the dust periodically to increase fan longevity.

 

[Ajay]

Run a ground wire from one of your PSU's mounting screw holes to one of the atx screw holes on your mobos. Always leave your PSU plugged in but shut off when fiddling with the board. Your motherboard is now always grounded.

I've repaired/upgraded hundreds of computer this way (PSU plugged in but turned off) and not damaged a single one. I don't walk around rubbing balloons around my hair and all the comp. labs I've worked in have had linoleum tiles. Basic E&M. You'll be fine.

 

[Edgemeal]

I'd imagine your HDDs (and possibly CD/DVD drives) will run much warmer when under heavy usage if not mounted in a case (metal bay) and/or there is no air flow going over them, that heat can't be good for long term usage and will probably shorten their life.

$0.02

 

[MustangSVT]

i find it interesting that you need to move in 3 minutes and would rather have parts all laying about, it'll be quicker and safer to have a case if you move like a ninja on fire.

 

[AtenRa]

I dont have pets, i dont have kids (until Wednesday) and my Core i7 920@4GHz setup is working on my desk for almost 3 years in an open table with no problems.

I clean the dust every time i believe it is time (usually every 6 months) but nobody touch it except me.

If you have pets or kids dont use an open table for prolong time.
Dust will gather even in a closed case (except those that have filters in the fans) and humidity will be the same with or without a case.

Just try not to spill any liquids on it.

 

[aigomorla]

Well even tho im not a mod in this area, i need to make a Mod announcement.

Cross Posting... which means posting the same topic in two different sections is against Anandtech's Terms of Service.
You have Cross Posted this same question in my section, Cases and Cooling.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2265143

Please select a section you would wish to keep this post in, otherwise i will pull it from cases and cooling, and merg it here.

Cases and Cooling Moderator Aigomorla

 

[rickon66]

Non cased computer will run just fine under the conditions you have stated. It is grounded through the power supply if your house wiring is in spec, if humidity is an issue-it would get into a case anyway. The open design does not trap heat like some cases do, but I would suggest a fan to blow over the mobo. I usually don't put the sides on my cases and have no issues with heat, my oldest computer is about 7 years old and still going strong.

 

[lakedude]

I suspect that if one can mount parts in a secure way that having no case will be cooler than putting parts in a case.

My logic comes from experience with the Sniper Storm. The side panel has a huge fan and it is made of mesh, yet the system runs cooler without the side panel in place.

Natural air flow is better than forced air in this one example.

If you refuse to use a case all parts should be on standoffs or on edge for better airflow.

In spite if the fact that a case traps heat, I think it is silly to run without a case...

 

[KingFatty]

A case can provide a sort of "wind tunnel" effect where air is intentionally directed to flow in a specific way to keep your components cooler. Without that wind-tunnel effect, such as without a case at all or a poorly-designed case, you could potentially get higher temperatures than if you had used the case with nice airflow.

So, it's not always true that "no case" will be cooler than a case. Although running with no case might be cooler than a poorly designed case, or a case with such a cluttered nest of wires that it disturbs the flow of air, you can stand to get cooler temperatures by using a case.

Think of the situation with video card coolers that have fans with a shroud. The shroud can actually help temperatures get cooler, because they affect the airflow from the fans. If you take off the shroud (and leave the fans as-is), then you can get worse temperatures because the air doesn't flow as intended.

 

[CHADBOGA]

I've got into the habit over the last few years of leaving both sides off my tower case.

I love being able to look at my internal components.

 

[BD231]

As long as you don't have it in direct sunlight you're good, just be aware your computer is far more susceptible to damage if not enclosed in a case. A senseless risk in the long run.