why bother with all the cooling fans, air flow, when running with the case cover off is even cooler?

[Lifer]

with the case cover off and just the PSU and CPU fan, my system and CPU temps are easily 2-5 celsius lower than with cooling solutions.

why bother? is it the dust accumulation? aesthetics?

 

[Corporate Thug]

looks better with panels on and no EMI emission

 

[Sid59]

good cases have better airflow with the side panel on.

what case do you have?

 

[Lifer]

a generic old crappy ATX case.

looking for a new one, not sure what to get.

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: shady06
looks better with panels on and no EMI emission

is EMI emission harmful to electronics or humans? 😕

 

[ToxicWaste]

I don't think those big plastic windows in the sides of cases do much emi blocking, or am I wrong?

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: ToxicWaste
I don't think those big plastic windows in the sides of cases do much emi blocking, or am I wrong?

no plastic windows don't do much for emi blocking


crappy atx cases aren't crappy for air flow. good cases that are well thought out and planned have excellent air flow with the side panel on.

 

[Goatsan]

Originally posted by: ToxicWaste
I don't think those big plastic windows in the sides of cases do much emi blocking, or am I wrong?

he said he had a crappy case, good chance there isn't a window in it. and yes, having good airflow through the system is better than having the side off (unless you put a box fan infront of it). And it is easier to get rod of the dust on air intake filters than all over the case.

 

[KF]

You're right: a case does nothing good for the computer. In rare situations, the enclosed side will duct air past the CPU and thereby make the air cooler which the CPU fan draws in. Normally the inside air is much hotter than outside, so the non-ducted air is cooler than with the side on. You can create even better airflow with the side off by directing a fan at the CPU HSF at 45 degree angle to carry off the hot air. Otherwise the hot air recirculates back into the CPU HSF.