Leaving 1 side off the case

[Kabob]

I was just wondering if there was any reason why I should not leave 1 side off my case. I would think this would allow for more cooler air to reach the components, and I can't think of a reason why this would be bad (other than more dust possibly...)

Any reasons??

 

[Mrvile]

There's also a slight risk of EMI but I don't think that should be a problem.

 

[Xatrix]

Ive been doing this on my old athlon 1200 for years now. ...

 

[kamranziadar]

I did that, and it helped alot specially when you have small case.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
There's also a slight risk of EMI but I don't think that should be a problem.

What is EMI??

 

[Xatrix]

Electromagnetic interference I think.

 

[Kabob]

what causes EMI?? Other electronic components outside of the case??

 

[Xatrix]

Dunno do a google on it

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

if you have sufficient fannage it shouldn't help, but just be careful not to spill anything in it

 

[Navid]

Leaving the case open will lower the temperature on components that have a fan on them like the CPU.

However, it may increase the temperature of the components that do not have a fan on them like the hard drive.

The components with no fan rely on an air flow through the case for cooling. If you leave the case open, there will be no air flow. At least, there will be no controlled air flow.
Your hard drive or your chipset (if without a fan) or your MOSFET voltage regulators may end up in a dead spot (no air movement at all).

 

[Mrvile]

You only have to risk EMI if you live/work near a radio tower with no other buildings/trees around. Basically if you are in direct range of a radio tower you'll get some EMI which makes your comp run real "laggy." You really don't have to worry about it though since you only have 1 panel off and you probably don't live in an EMI situation.

 

[kamranziadar]

i have my case open since i bought it. It is almost 6 months nothing happened.

 

[Ethex]

The only problem I've ever had Leaving the side off is dust. Without controlled air flow dust is more likely to land where ever it wants. Blow it out every 6 months to a year and you should be fine

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: Navid
Leaving the case open will lower the temperature on components that have a fan on them like the CPU.

However, it may increase the temperature of the components that do not have a fan on them like the hard drive.

The components with no fan rely on an air flow through the case for cooling. If you leave the case open, there will be no air flow. At least, there will be no controlled air flow.
Your hard drive or your chipset (if without a fan) or your MOSFET voltage regulators may end up in a dead spot (no air movement at all).

Yep, there are a lot of components that need the case airflow to stay cool: http://www.bigbruin.com/reviews/thermalimages/

 

[RockyIII]

Make sure you keep it out of way and no kids area.

 

[Mrvile]

And don't spill anything into it

 

[drpootums]

ya, no problem, the only problem i would see is dust, but that's wat they invented canned air for right?

 

[tweeve2002]

My CPU and temps go up when i remove the side of the case. But that is because i have an CPU air duct that draw in cool air from out side the case directly onto the CPU.

 

[CraigRT]

nothing wrong with leaving a panel off, just make sure nothing foreign ends up in there

 

[gururu]

mines been open for years. it barely accummulates dust. a little louder, but a lot nicer looking, if you like seeing the inside.

 

[bim27142]

Originally posted by: Xatrix
Electromagnetic interference I think.

yes, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)...

 

[bim27142]

Originally posted by: kabob983
I was just wondering if there was any reason why I should not leave 1 side off my case. I would think this would allow for more cooler air to reach the components, and I can't think of a reason why this would be bad (other than more dust possibly...)

Any reasons??

i do open one side of my case when my prescott heats up during intensive apps... it helps lower down the systems' ambient temp and also the CPU's temp... just don't like doing it more often because dust accumulates much faster...

airflow? i guess it only works for a well designed case...but for a cheapy made in china case like the one im currently using, airflow wouldn't be much of a concern to me...

 

[WA261]

Cuases no problems at all. Just be sure you clean it often....much more dust will build up.

 

[lenjack]

Dust, noise, and sometimes, runs hotter.