Temp diff with side panel off?

[DarkMajiq]

I'm curious to see whether there's any difference in temperature when running with the side panel of a case off? Not with extra fans, just taking the side panel off?

 

[Viperoni]

Depends on your currect setup, but usually there is a 2-7c difference.

 

[toph99]

there can be. in a well designed case, the air has a certain path to flow and it may be cooler to leave the case closed. in some cheap ones, having the side off will cool better

 

[goophie]

actually i think it's pretty hard to design a case where the inside is cooler than the outside.

Everytime i open my case, the temps drop by about 10 F

but then it's louder too

 

[Bogwan]

I have been leaving my cover off because there tends to be a 25 degree diference with it off. Yes, it is much louder. Last week my friend came over and told me I was crazy for leaving my pc cover off because the radiation emitted is extremely high and could cause cancer. The next thing he did to prove his point was he used a radiation meter to demonstrate his point. He was right like usual. The amount of radiation coming from my open computer, microwave, and cell phone were so high that it went beyond the limits of the meter. My friend owns a research company that is developing anti-radiation technology for cell phones so he was speaking as a true expert in the field.

 

[Jugernot]

My case is around 5F cooler with the sides and top on compared to having them off. I have 8 fans in my system, 6 of which are for exhaust.

 

[JustStarting]

BOGWAN- Do not worry about the "radiation" coming from your computer. I am a nuclear worker and rest assured your getting more cosmic radiation standing outside on a clear day than you ever will from your computer. If your temps are better and you dont mind the noise leave the side cover off. But in 50 years when you die from cancer dont blame it on the computer.