OK to mount hard disks upside down?

[Bodine]

I can't imagine it's a problem to mount HDDs upside down, but I just want to make sure there are no stupid unofrseen issues that will create problems down the road. I have cooling issues with my case, and the only way I can keep the drives cool is with one upside down so it's "sharing" a HDD cooler with it's mate.

Problem/not a problem?

 

[Ruptga]

No personal experience, but from what I've read around here it makes absolutely no difference which way you mount it, even if it's at some weird angle.

 

[Steve]

No problem. 3.5" desktop drives can be set on their top, bottom, sides, or ends - as long as they're straight. 2.5" laptop drives, by design and necessity, can run at any angle.

 

[Bodine]

Ok excellent. Thanks.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: sm8000
No problem. 3.5" desktop drives can be set on their top, bottom, sides, or ends - as long as they're straight. 2.5" laptop drives, by design and necessity, can run at any angle.

QFT

The one issue with flipping HDDs is now the PCB is exposed to an easy short, like a screw falling on it or some such.

 

[computer]

I used to think this, I've even seen HD's mounted sideways in some older name-brand PC's. But with the new WD740ADFD, it actually says in the installation guide in the (retail) box do not "stand your WD drive on its edge".

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: sm8000
No problem. 3.5" desktop drives can be set on their top, bottom, sides, or ends - as long as they're straight. 2.5" laptop drives, by design and necessity, can run at any angle.

Modern 3.5" drives can be mounted at an angle with no ill effects.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: computer
I used to think this, I've even seen HD's mounted sideways in some older name-brand PC's. But with the new WD740ADFD, it actually says in the installation guide in the (retail) box do not "stand your WD drive on its edge".

I've seen an old eMachine (OEM brand) that had its hard drive mounted vertically, parallel to the front of the case. It was really odd.

 

[willtriv]

most oem's with custom cases for matx board mount the drives very weird. Just look @ shuttle. I can't say turning an hdd while in motion is good, and I can't imagine the effects that gravity would have on the arm if it was sides would be great either, but upside down is likely fine. I ran an crappy fireball 3 for 3 years upside down.

 

[Jiggz]

There is only one disadvantage in the upside down position, dust and moisture collection on the pcb side.

 

[ForumMaster]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
There is only one disadvantage in the upside down position, dust and moisture collection on the pcb side.

pretty much. the problem with running drives on the side is that the fluid in the motor bearing collects at the bottom. but running it upside down shoudln't be a problem. although you are exposing the PCB to dust as jiggz said.

 

[corkyg]

No problems. Note that many Dell desktops have the drives mounted vertically with the connectors up.