why do people think....

[andydrew39219]

that having the side panel off of their computer case will help it cool? (no offense to anyone that does that :grin:) but...Why? i have a friend and his case is fairly old it has 1CPU fan 1Northbridge fan and the fan on his graphics card he started having overheating problems and he was one of those people that left the side panel off of their case and when he put the side panel on (which i must add) has 1 80MM fan it stopped overheating! again (which i have said this in another post i have alot of computer friends) and they all went against what i said and when they tried it their computers stopped overheating too well only one other computer was tested because and ive said this in another post before too my friend accidently caught his computer on fire if ya want the story just ask =] its quite funny but yeah that kinda thing frustrates me

[darkorb]

well if they dont have any intake fans, then no fresh air is getting in. when they take the side off, they are exposing all the components to more fresh air

if they do have intake and good airflow, taking the side off can actually be worse for performance

i think..

[Schwarz]

Well sometimes it depends on how you build your case.
I mean if you manage to have a very good airflow then yes your case would be better of closes.
But in other cases having the case open let's more heat out and more fresh air in.

[slugbug]

One of my nephews friends leaves the side cover off and puts a floor fan next to it.

[Schwarz]

I used to do that too slug.
I would just point a BIG fan to my computer to keep it cool.
I even think this is back when I had that MSI board I was talking about...
Man that board was a POS...

[tomato]

Why do you think people do it? Having the side panel off allows the hot air to escape faster and be replaced with cooler air, keeping overall temperatures down. Having the side panel on in a poor airflow case will ultimately result in higher temperatures compared to having the side panel off. Of course, doing so exposes your components to other things such as dust, but that's the owner's choice.

[Schwarz]

Or spiders making web inside your PC...
It did happen to me before...

[Xero (1)ne]

It all depends on your case. My case performs hotter with the pannel off. Some people with less fans, mabey say a dell design, will benefit from having the side pannel off. ;-)

[PP Mguire]

Like was said it all depends on your airflow. I have 2 80s in the back and a 120 in the front. Leaving mine off actualy helps because my case has poor airflow due to the way i place my drives. If i put an 80mm on the side id be fine but i dont like cables to be in the way.

[andydrew39219]

yeah....i got 2 80 in the back pulling air in and two 80s on the side pulling air out and i have Never once overheated or got close to it and at Lan partys ill game more than 12 hours straight sometimes taking short brakes too of course

[Xero (1)ne]

I got four 80's in the front, two in the back, two on the side blowing in. And if you count the PSU it's a 120 in the back also. My case freaking blasts out the air. :icon_tiphat:

I also have every other opening for air taped up. All the air is focused out the back, and it's not getting back in unless it goes around to the front somehow.

[Frag Maniac]

why do people think that having the side panel off of their computer case will help it cool?Simple, because the people that think that have poorly thought out configurations, cases with bad air flow due to case size or design, an inproper amount and/or positioning of fans used, or a combination of those factors.

It also of course depends on what kind of gear you use and how much of it you cram into a case. Modern graphics cards that have hot running GPUs with passive cooling systems running in SLI or even HSF that blow back into the case rather than out the back can contribute to ambient heat buildup.

Building a system that ventilates well involves common sense, not rocket science.

[PP Mguire]

Well i have 2 HDs vertical in the cage and 1 120mm blowing in, a passive heatsink with an 80mm blowing on it (ziptied to heatsink) which my video card is massively OCed (685/1.54), right now took the X2 back out to make my 6k mark and its OCed to 2.61ghz with the Silent Tower and the stock 90mm fan on it and 2 80s blowing out the back and the sidepanel off. Ive been to many LANs this way and never had a problem overheating.

[Bio-Hazard]

4 x 120mm intake fans plus 3 x 120mm exhaust fans, add to that the top of my case is basicly full mesh all equals no heat traps in my case. Case inside temp is basicly the same as my room temp, everything runs nice and cool and quiet. ...............;)

If I pull the side panel off, the MoBo, chipset and ram run warmer due to the fact that the cool air escapes before it can make it's cooling rounds.

[Raptorfury]

when people are having temp issues first thing to do is remove the side panal and clean the case out , remove cpu hsf blow into it with a can of air , make sure the blades of the fan are clean , remove cpu . remove video card ( if applicable ) clean with a can of air (also using a 1 inch soft paint brush makes cleaning really easy ) blow the mb down and inside case ( again the paint brush works wonders and is really cheap ). blow into the psu until most dust as been removed ( removing the psu really helps out but DO NOT tear it apart ) put it together and see how temps are if still high next step is to remove side panal check temps if lil to no change place a house fan to blow into case . if temp drops then bad air flow in case , if no change in temps then cpu fan isnt working properly or vga fan not working properly replace Heat sink(s) and fans if temp drops good , if still no change then Psu is more then likly the culprit ... as you can see removing the side panal is a trouble shooting guide for temp issues ( as others stated ) also it makes easier access to certain components easier especially when tring to narrow down a temp issue . if your case is cooler with the panal on vs it off then your airflow inside the case are Balanced and these steps should not be performed .

[PP Mguire]

For dust removal, i use my vacum cleaner and the bristle end of it. Works in like 5 minutes and i usualy have everything off.

[Schwarz]

I've always been scared of setting of a static charge on my PC with a vacuum.

[PP Mguire]

You get over it about the billionth time it never happens lol.

[Bio-Hazard]

It happens with a vac, I'll laugh my butt off when it does, it's plain and simple not a good idea to run a powered vac by a computer, running or not. Compressed air is the best and safest method, no reason to pull any parts out of the system, unless you're total grub and let it go to complete crap in a handbasket. Filtered air from a compressor is about the best and can handle ant dust problem.

Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job. http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm (http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm)

http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4compcare.html (http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4compcare.html)


Quote:
While you've got the case open, you'll undoubtedly notice dust in other places--quite possibly a lot of it. We've seen computer interiors absolutely caked from top to bottom.

If yours is, you might be tempted to stick a vacuum-cleaner hose inside and suck out the dust. Don't. Vacuums create static electricity, which is deadly to sensitive electronic components.

On that same note, don't be tempted to reverse the flow of your vacuum and blow the dust out of the computer. The dust inside a household vacuum can be harmful to your health, and you'll be spreading it all over your PC. Also, you risk blowing out sizable particles, which could physically damage internal components, especially if you're using a workshop vacuum. The beauty of compressed air is that it's clean andWhile you've got the case open, you'll undoubtedly notice dust in other places--quite possibly a lot of it. We've seen computer interiors absolutely caked from top to bottom.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-6.html (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-6.html)

[tyle6]

even compressed air(not filtered) can give you a static charge!!! small particles in the air bouncing up the tube can get staticy!! anyways i have seen a few systems where keeping the side off the case was the only way to run, a couple HP cases i know are like this... small mATX design and when you add a couple HDDs DVD-roms a video card wireless card soundcard and firewire. theres really no room for the air to move. keeping the side off was the only solution.
anyways. since this has become the "how many fans do you have and what are they doing thread"

i only run one 14cm intake upfront, a 120mm dumping outback and a 120m suckin the hot air off my SLI. oh yea and if PSU fans count another 120mm exhausting. i have never over heated!!! now both the 120mm can throw a whopping 78cfm out the stock 14cm intake is only a 38cfm fan so my airflow is not where i would like it!!!
im going to get a nice 102cfm 14cm intake soon, have to order it from the U.K. :frown:

[Bio-Hazard]

Duh, that's why I said filtered air in my post above..........;)

[Schwarz]

It was just my 2cent though PP.
I guess if nothing ever happened to you then its all good but I wouldn't use a vacuum myself.

[the_dope_chaud]

I always thought about hooking up a shop vac to suck out the hot air out of my rig, but I know it aint a good idea.
BTW-3x 120s and 2x 92s in my rig, again, QUIET

[PP Mguire]

I believe the whole vacume thing is people just being paranoid or stupid when using one. I for the 6 years of hxc working on PCs have never had a problem nor has anybody else thats been doing it because of me. It also works effectively making your stuff look new becasue it takes even the smallest of dust particals off the PCB. I also can clean fans and make them look new outa the package as well.

[tyle6]

nothing like a static/lint free cloth and a Q-tip!!!

[tomato]

Wow, PP you are a braver soul than myself... I hope that your computer is not sitting in a carpeted room... Anyone can claim the know-how, but a little thing called chance cannot be controlled. If it happens, it happens and I am not willing to take that chance.

[PP Mguire]

My whole house is carpeted besdies my kitchen, and i do it on my floor, ON my computer chair with no shoes on.

[Schwarz]

I didn't say you couldn't do it.
But there's still a risk.
But besides that there even risk as soon as you open your computer case...

[Frag Maniac]

Personally I think the static thing is overblown and have even been told this by lots of techs that build and repair PCs for a living. Many that live in fear of it for instance don't even realize if they merely touch their case before handling parts it acts as a static discharge.

I've used a long vacuum hose on a canister vac with a horse hair brush attachment numerous times and had no problems whatsoever. I have also recently bought a 90 PSI compressor with 3 gal tank, coiled hose, and trigger nozzle with plastic cone tip to make the job even easier.

Now what I do is lay the vac hose with round brush attachment on it at the bottom of the open case whilst aiming the compressor nozzle at the parts from about 6"-10" away. I've actually had worse results from the recommended "canned air".

Canned air usually leaves a CO2 residue that is frigidly cold. If you're not careful to let the parts cool down considerably before using it and wait a long time before turning the system back on after cleaning you can actually do physical damage just from drastic and sudden temp changes. Then there's the worry of lingering CO2 residue.

There is such a thing as common sense too. Static is more prevalent on low pressure weather days, it practically hovers in the air. The day you pick to do your cleaning in itself can make a big difference. Running an air purifier with built in ionizer can avoid the air being mixed with positively and negatively charged air molecules, as they circulate the air after negatively charging it.

The other common sense rules of thumb are obvious to most, like avoiding lots of walking on carpet before cleaning, especially with footwear that contains plastic. I wasn't going to jump in here until I heard the comment about air compressors having a static problem but enough is enough. If you use common sense you have about as much chance of frying a part with static as you do being struck by lightning.

[tyle6]

OK. seems you have no proper know how what so ever so you might aswell leave anyways. grounding yourself to the case is a proper practice before handleing the more sensitive components dude. go grab some a+ and come on back.

[Raptorfury]

all is needed for proper case grounding is bare skin touching the case side . poof you grounded . some components nowadays are a lil more resilent to yesteryear parts . can of air is a lil more convient and easier to handle and get into tight places ( the extension helps out ) and for 5 - 10 dollars a month is well worth the investment . i am not exactly ruthless but i am not exactly omg if i let a lil shock my component it will die . be careful and be smart . my current case isnt a metal case so now what ? its made of wood and conducts eletricity like plastic if there is any its so low its non measureable or nill . also a can of air has a lil better pin point blast area vs a vaccuum .

[Frag Maniac]

OK. seems you have no proper know how what so ever so you might aswell leave anyways. grounding yourself to the case is a proper practice before handleing the more sensitive components dude. go grab some a+ and come on back.That was not only spelled and structured atrociously, it was quite inaccurate and silly. As well I don't think you are one that should be telling people to leave when you can't even say what you have to say properly.

You obviously don't understand that you don't need to wear the little gay wrist wire to discharge static safely before handling parts. Merely touching the unpainted case metal with your bare hand as echoed above or wearing nitrile gloves as I often do is plenty adequate without being laughably "tied to your work".:lol:

I can just see you getting that long distance call for the part you mistakenly RMAed when you're toddler tether keeps you from answering it in time or worse yet knock over your case forgetting it's there, doing far more damage than that you imagined in the first place (The cat brushed up against my case, OMG static cling, RMAAAAA!). :wink:

Oh, and learn how to use a keyboard for Christ sake.

[tyle6]

in no way was there any mention of a wrist lanyard anywhere. and if your worried about spelling and punctuation why are you reading a forum? and how the hell do you "mistakenly" rma an item? either its broke and you started a ticket or not.

[PP Mguire]

Dude serious just be quiet. He has got you in every point and now your just trying to personaly attack. All you have to do (and any real techie knows this) that you have to just touch the side of bare case to ground yourself and discharge any static that may possibly be on you. Also, he even went into detail about the particles in air being charged which i didnt either. I failed to mention i dont do that when the air is typicaly really "dry". I grab the humidifier becasue usualy during dry seasons such as winter there is a more staticy environment. In the winter even before i turn on my pc i touch the side of my case to make sure i dont zap my mouse and fry it (which ive done before). In the winter IF i have to clean my case or anybody elses im always always touching the side of my case. It seems that ive noticed more people zap their computers in freak occurances than me vacuming to clean. Seriously, ive never fried ANYTHING from using a vacume yet so many people are paranoid. 6 years of hxc PC usage and not a zap or fried part from static. Call me lucky? Nah, thats to long to be lucky. And, he also went into greater detail about how canned air leaves the C02 residue. Which is also really true, thats like putting your computer in a fridge. You dont do that becasue of condensation right? So why put condensation from canned air on your computer parts?

I say, quit arguing like little school girls and every man for himself. You can use your compressors and canned air which costs lots of money, and ill use moms vacume which works better and is free cause she paid for it :)

[Frag Maniac]

in no way was there any mention of a wrist lanyard...

And just what did you expect us to think when you said this... ...grounding yourself to the case is a proper practice before handleing the more sensitive components......in response to my post where in the first paragraph I said this...Many that live in fear of it (static) for instance don't even realize if they merely touch their case before handling parts it acts as a static discharge.

Surely after implying I don't know what I'm talking about and should leave you wouldn't be intending to reiterate what I'd already said now would you? You're obviously backpedaling now trying to deny you meant the little wrist wire method and are too embarrassed to admit it.

Either that or you actually don't know a simple term such as discharge, which I think everyone here grasped easily. In fact even if you lacked knowledge of it's meaning the way I structured my post was an obvious indication I was arguing worries about static are over exaggerated. The more you argue this point the more silly you sound.:lol:

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

LOL, it's laughable that you take it upon yourself to defend my stance then end your points like this PP...I say, quit arguing like little school girls and every man for himself. You can use your compressors and canned air which costs lots of money, and ill use moms vacume which works better and is free cause she paid for it.By your own words you are the one still living under mommy and daddy's wings and enjoying their having bought things you get to use. If that doesn't just sound like a "little school girl". :lol:

Also, don't assume I bought my compressor soley for cleaning my PC, a ridiculous suggestion to say in the least. A compressor has many many functions from inflating tires, air drying bike/car parts after a solvent bath, and even air brushing. Considering the little I paid for it I get more value out of it than many things I own.:wink:

[PP Mguire]

And i have to say, whats wrong with living with your parents? If i had my own house id have my own vacume but i dont. And they didnt buy that for me, my mom bought it for her. I only use it. Anything i own i pay for myself, which in fact right now is ironicaly also my parents house. I find it funny that i defend you in many posts and then you try to insult me with a comback like that. What are you just trying to enlarge your e-penis like the other guy? Well its not working to say the least.

[Xero (1)ne]

I've used a vacuum inside my case while my computer was on...:ahhhhh:

[PP Mguire]

AHAHA wow ok ive never done THAT!! Thats really asking for trouble there lawl.

[Frag Maniac]

And i have to say, whats wrong with living with your parents? If i had my own house id have my own vacume but i dont. And they didnt buy that for me, my mom bought it for her. I only use it. Anything i own i pay for myself, which in fact right now is ironicaly also my parents house. I find it funny that i defend you in many posts and then you try to insult me with a comback like that. What are you just trying to enlarge your e-penis like the other guy? Well its not working to say the least.It's not that you live with them it's how you take for granted what you're getting that others are not or didn't when they were young when you make comments like "little school girls" comparing your chat with theirs.

I was out of the house at 18 and supporting myself and never bragged to others on what privileges I enjoyed while living at home, and I certainly wouldn't dish out trash talk like that while doing so if I had.

As far as your sick e-penis comment, if anyone here is laughably always trying to flex his ego in bizarre ways it's you with your talk of doing things daddy's way with your big amp and stereo talk which is often laced with obvious exaggerations.:lol:

[Xero (1)ne]

:offtopic:

[the_dope_chaud]

OK. seems you have no proper know how what so ever so you might aswell leave anyways. grounding yourself to the case is a proper practice before handleing the more sensitive components dude. go grab some a+ and come on back.
That's a pretty BOLD statement there, Tyle. Calm down, geez.

[Schwarz]

People please get back on topic and please no more tension on the forums.
Do it in PMs if you have things to say to each other.
I don't think people want to read people fighting when this is a hardware forum.

http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17339

[PP Mguire]

As far as your sick e-penis comment, if anyone here is laughably always trying to flex his ego in bizarre ways it's you with your talk of doing things daddy's way with your big amp and stereo talk which is often laced with obvious exaggerations.Theres no exaggerations to it. Its what i do, sounds like jealousy to me. And i dont brag about what i take for granted while im at home. I pay for everything that i own. And you cant exactly say your mommy didnt have a vacume cleaner, unless your house was dirty :rolleyes: Seriously, grow the **** up.

[Schwarz]

Theres no exaggerations to it. Its what i do, sounds like jealousy to me. And i dont brag about what i take for granted while im at home. I pay for everything that i own. And you cant exactly say your mommy didnt have a vacume cleaner, unless your house was dirty :rolleyes: Seriously, grow the **** up.

Comon guys calm down, take it to PM.
Its getting a little out of hands here...

[Frag Maniac]

Seriously, grow the **** up.Well my posts certainly don't need censoring. Nor will I let someone lord over me their membership seniority or siding with my opinions when they make taunts like "little school girls".

You are the one whom is single most involved in arguments around here, and it usually starts with your trash talking spoiled mouth. If anyone needs to grow up, leave home, and get a grip on reality and the real world where you actually support yourself it's you.:wink:

Enough said, if you continue this any further, you'll just make yourself all the more obvious as the one whom insists on stirring the pot and having the last gripe. I guess that would be fitting as you are the one that started the name calling here.

[PP Mguire]

AHAHHA spoiled mouth? dude, how many times have i said i PAY FOR MY OWN STUFF. And if i recall, ive said many times dead thread. But yet, your still here stirring things up. Why? BEcasue you know i will. Why? Because i knwo your wrong, becaue you dont know me. Dont judge a book by its cover. How am i spoiled? Cause i have a job and can afford things you cant? Maybe its casue im smart enough to stay with my parents to have a little cash for myself and to help a family business. I dont see how you expect me to just sit here and let you diss me and try and get away with making it seem like its my fault when obviously your the one stirring things up. I dont exactly see any types of these arguments before you showed up. Thank you, point closed.