Running PC without cover

Hello guys, I wanted to know if there are any problem running pc with no cover.
I had to install second hardrive to pc which was not designed for it.
As a result 2 drives are running warm: 47C and 40C.

 

As far as damaging your system, no it's not dangerous. However, external factors, such as children or pets could pose a problem.

 

I have one running without the side panel for years..

 

that is like saying a warm HELLO to dust to the most fragile parts of your machine. And like everybody else, it is just dangerous.

 

botalarm!
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Back to the topic: I second everything said. Although, nothing has ever actually fallen (or otherwise cause damage) into a PC that had one side open, but that's just for me. I'll bet you there's a ton of people who can tell you unfortunate stories about this. Best bet is to punch a few holes in the side and attach a couple of FANs to keep the air moving...

 

you'll be fine running it without a cover as long as you don't damage any essential components e.g. mosfet voltage regulators, pwm's, core chokes, caps, controllers etc.
you can run it in a pizza box or even let it float in mineral oil in your bath. lol

 

Personally, I think it is messy running a pc with sides missing - it smacks of desperation and as others have suggested there is a "safety" issue - this could result in tradgety OR a failed PC if some part gets dislodged.

A further issue is that bugs/spiders can get in and mess up the fan-operation.......Also, from a pure tech viewpoint - the case was designed to be run complete, removing a side will upset the airflow and "could" make things worse (although many will disagree)....and the screening effect of the case will be affected.
Er, you wouldn't run your car with the doors off would you?

PS
I'm not convinced your HDDs are running all that hot. They do tend to be more than warm in my limited experience. Better to blow air onto the drives (removinig the heat directly), rather than make the case "cooler" in the hope this will help the HDDs. An internal fan may be enough to drop the HDDs a few degrees. That removes any Risk Effects in one go. Fans are cheap enough maybe $2. from a computer fair.
Finally,
the issue no-one has touched: - is your PC able to handle the additional load?
You may need to address PSU-heat also.
Good luck.

The idea of running it in oil is a joke, I hope
...it could seriously affect components and what a mess on the floor when it leaks!
++HDDs "breathe", so oil bath would wreck them . . . .

 

i actually read somewhere a few days ago that running a PC with a open case can make the the internal temp of the PC warmer then it would with a closed case, im guessing it is because it changes the airflow or something as henry222 said

 

well he said it last year but yeah haha.

 

Mine definitely runs hotter with the side off.

 

been doing it for years

 

I saw this old thread and would like to piggy back off of it.
I have on older P4, 3.8G that I am repurposing for a sort of streaming media device/HTPC.
[Running Ubuntu, with XBMC in it].

I took the old tower, and removed all of the Gateway2000 plastic to leave a steel case carcass.
I turned the case on it's side, and have put it in the bottom closed shelf of the wooden entertainment center.
(it has about 4 inches top clearance (on its side actually), and about 10-12 inches on the sides, and the back-- the front(power button) is flush with a door front.
I have cut a slot in the side towards the back about 4" x 6" for a sort of "exhaust port."

I intend to run this without a cover, and to put a furnace filter (slightly larger than the carcass) on top to help keep dust out, but allow air exchange.

What think ye in the gallery?

 

running the pc with the case off will effect the designed airflow and will not circulate or cool the interior, as a result of lack of airflow heat won't be able to escape and will build up, your cpu will run warmer than normal.

Make sure the case is securely fassened and get the case fans running and see the difference!