Puting my computer case on a carpet.

[kyrax12]

So I put my computer case on a carpet area. Was just wondering if that is harmful or anything.

I have the rosewill challenger case and there is a dust filter underneath the case in the PSU slot.

 

[MongGrel]

Um don't do that.

Especially if the PSU pulling the bottom.

Nuff Said.

 

[kyrax12]

Um don't do that.

Especially if the PSU pulling the bottom.

Nuff Said.

I was thinking of putting a board underneath. Though, I need a find a right size board.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I was thinking of putting a board underneath. Though, I need a find a right size board.

Consider spending $20 on a package of four items on this web-page:

http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/casterwheels.html

It may be that the "enthusiast demographics" of the forums have changed since the last decade, but a lot of us have no misgivings for using various tools in DIY projects to "make things better." This is not a criticism of those who don't, but consider this.

When you buy a product like a computer case, the manufacturer cannot anticipate every single situation of the buyer or groups of buyers. You chose the case because you "like it," but the case was not made only for you.

Some cases, like my CoolerMaster Stacker midtower, come equipped with (little) braked caster wheels, but many ( or most) cases don't.

After my Stacker, I opted to spend less on a case that I like for various reasons despite the fact that some people think it's "butt-ugly:" the HAF 922. I observed a simple fact about it common to most cases without wheels: it has little round rubber (or plastic) feet, attached to the case bottom with 6-32 machine screws.

Most communities, towns -- cities -- have a "metal supply store" somewhere. You can obtain 2"x0.25"x12" aluminum bars, pre-cut to that size (but aluminum is easy to cut anyway with your standard hacksaw and ubiquitous "metal-cutting" blade). You can get a drill-tap kit for 6-32 screws at Sears for $5.

After cutting the bars to the precise case-width, you drill two holes in each one (carefully, precisely) so you can attach each one to the front and rear pairs of holes used for the rubber feet, using slightly longer 6-32 machine screws. After that, tap four threaded holes at each end of each bar, for the 6-32 screws you will use to attach the square mounting plates of double-caster wheels.

You now have a case with (recommended) 2" to 2.5" dia. double caster wheels, and you have not done anything to "mod(ify)" your brand-new case. Put the rubber feet that came with it in a plastic bag, store them in your parts-locker, and call it a day.

You won't have any ventilation problems now, with your computer sitting in a carpeted area.

 

[tracerit]

If you have an IKEA nearby, they sell individual shelves. They're prety cheap, there's one for $1.99 that's the exact size of my Fractal Define R4.

 

[MongGrel]

If you have an IKEA nearby, they sell individual shelves. They're prety cheap, there's one for $1.99 that's the exact size of my Fractal Define R4.

+1

 

[BonzaiDuck]

+1

Less effort is also good, if you can find some product that fills your bill and floats your boat . . .

 

[Charlie98]

I was thinking of putting a board underneath. Though, I need a find a right size board.

That's what I did... I took a piece of particle board, got 2 strips of 1x2 cut to length and screwed them into the board... instant computer stand. The 1x2's allow the computer to be up in the air a bit and have no problems drawing air (my old case had a bottom fan along with the PSU.) I can also give the underside of the case a snort with compressed air to blow the lint and other crap out without having to pull the case out (biggest problem is the paper shredder located right next to it that makes fine paper 'dust' when it does it's thing.)

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'd go with the IKEA shelf for $2, or alternatively, a home depot $2-3 ceramic tile would be great also. They are pre-cut in a bunch of standard sizes. Get something rectangular that will fit your case on it, and put your case on top of the tile on top of the carpet.

Your PSU will thank you, and if you need to move the case, you can just drag the ceramic tile.

 

[Mantrid-Drone]

I've always been concerned about putting things like PC but also games consoles on carpets so I've always used relatively cheap shelving boards bought from DIY stores.

When I built my first desktop I went even further as the location I wanted to use it also backed onto floor length curtains. So I built a simple L shaped 'bracket' out of two sections of shelving screwed together using a supporting block of 2"X4" pre-planed timber. This held the case away from the upright backing shelf far enough not just to ensure plenty of room for the hot air to escape but also so the cabling and any other rear sockets/devices could be used more easily.

With my current built I have been thinking about building a slightly more advanced version of this shelving 'bracket' to raise the rather short case feet to get better air flow underneath.

Also I'm considering adding some wooden battens as deflectors to ensure that as much of the the hot air from the PSU exhaust is directed up as possible rather than down and sucked under the case and in by the bottom intake fan.

Just like that ceramic tile idea ^ a smooth wooden shelving base on the floor under heavy electrical items, with or without castor wheels, is also a really useful solution for moving such items more easily.

 

[spat55]

If you have something below the case to stop dust then it will be fine, that is the main issue with having the case situated on the floor.

 

[fluffmonster]

Yes, get it off the carpet. Even 10 inches up off the carpet is a big reduction in the amount of dust. I simply built a sturdy wood box as a short stand for the case, almost the exact same footprint as the case itself.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Well, unless your computer bursts into flame, the only damage to your carpet occurs from the weight, which will flatten the "nap" or "pile."

For the matter of dust, you do regular duty with a good vacuum and steam cleaner, no less than the attention you devote to keeping your computer case interior clean.

The advantage of having air-intake from the case bottom: coldest air should be on the floor, and a fan facing a carpet makes a lot less noise.

 

[waxbytes]

Go to Walmart or any Home supply store and buy a shelving board of the right size and lay it on the carpet and then stand your PC on that.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Go to Walmart or any Home supply store and buy a shelving board of the right size and lay it on the carpet and then stand your PC on that.

Sure. A lot of these suggestions are reasonable. I just like my 2.5" double-caster idea better. But that's about $20 for the set from Lawless Hardware (or similar) with shipping, and $5 for the screw-tap kit from Sears. The aluminum bars should cost a few dollars. By that time, you're talking about ~$30 to which you add an hour or two of your time.

And the forum demographic has changed over the last five/six years. Some folks don't know a Phillips screwdriver from a Torx.

 

[MongGrel]

Got me, I've put laminate flooring in the whole house myself years ago and got rid of any carpet.

At least get it off the floor.

 

[Essence_of_War]

By that time, you're talking about ~$30 to which you add an hour or two of your time.

And the forum demographic has changed over the last five/six years. Some folks don't know a Phillips screwdriver from a Torx.

vs. $2 for the piece of shelving or ceramic tile?

If the DIY feet addition gets you $30 and an hour or two of real pleasure, more power to you, but I'm very happy with my ceramic tile AND I can tell a phillips from a torx

 

[BonzaiDuck]

vs. $2 for the piece of shelving or ceramic tile?

If the DIY feet addition gets you $30 and an hour or two of real pleasure, more power to you, but I'm very happy with my ceramic tile AND I can tell a phillips from a torx

Yes. Perhaps my remark about tools could be taken the wrong way. This is really about some individual's utility functions and indifference curves for one solution over another, or the use of time and trouble and as much to say an inclination to engage in metal-work and use tools. You might have the experience for using those particular tools, but not the inclination to do so. Or you didn't have the experience and therefore even less of the inclination.

Take for instance my choice of computer cases. The HAF 922 has variously been described as either ugly or a cooling wonder. Sometime in the last 24 hours, looking for ideas about mounting different manufactures of 200mm fans to the HAF's fan vents of that size, I came across someone's "extreme case-mod makeover" for the HAF. Their desire was to remove the 200mm front-panel fan and make a new all-aluminum front-panel for the case, reflecting certain aspects of its original design, but replacing the fan with two 120mm fans garnished with very ornate aluminum fixtures. The forum thread of this case mod progressed in great length from one detail to another, exposing a very sophisticated understanding of metal-work and methods.

But I had to ask myself why the modder chose to remove part of the case's primary cooling advantage. It turned the HAF into a beautiful creation, but reduced the airflow through the front panel to such a degree that making up that airflow with the new design would either be impossible for the chosen 120mm fans, or require them to run at a very noisy speed if they were even capable of doing so.

My double-braked-caster formula could probably take an hour's time, and the cost would be less if you had, for instance, the case-modder's likely tool of a 6-32 screw-tap kit, some spare aluminum bars purchased in quantity during an earlier case-mod project, and leaving the wheels which would likely set you back $20 with the shipping.

If you seek additional utility for rolling the case around a room or apartment while also lifting it off the floor, or you like the "finished appearance enhancement" in addition to these other benefits and you wanted the "elevation" of a case-bottom for airflow to a bottom fan, then you would execute your choices according to those preferences.