How many don't use a PC case?

Twist86

Twist86

Active Member
So simple question how many of you DON'T use a PC case for your builds?

Buddy of mine plans to do this with his new I7 system...he would rather spend a extra $150 on his GPU vs buying a full-tower case.

I like the idea but I would have to worry about the lack of protection (aka hit your drink over and it flies over to the board for example)


So id love to hear your thoughts on it.
 
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Not to mention you need proper airflow, which is achieved in a case with intake and exhaust fans, if you just have it sitting on a board on your desk the passive-cooled parts may overheat.
 
Well true...but if you got a 12x12 mini-box fan you could blow directly on the board and perhaps achieve better cooling maybe?
 
A case is really needed to help with proper air flow, as mentioned. But you don't have to spend a fortune on one. $40 will get a pretty decent case.
 
It just looks horrible IMO. You don't need to spend $150 on a case anyways, there are plenty of decent ones for under $50. It also makes it MUCH easier to move around, less dust would get in the parts, it would take up less space, and it would be safer if he has pets or little kids around.
 
If he really wants to lay his PC out on the desk, at least get him an Antec Skeleton, but then again it's $100+ case.

But yeah, having a computer without a case will cause problems on multiple levels.
 
Not using a case is just dumb. It makes the computer more vulnerable to any type of liquid, dust etc. Plus it renders it immobile...
 
diduknowthat said:
Not using a case is just dumb. It makes the computer more vulnerable to any type of liquid, dust etc. Plus it renders it immobile...
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+1.....if he realy does not want a case,then tell him to put it inside a strong cardboard box..and put some fans on it,At least that way its kind of protected...and would at least get some airflow.

I know it sound stupid...but imo its even more stupid having it open,Like a mistake waiting to happen.
 
Another reason against it: the exposed computer parts will spray Radio Frequency energy throughout the house, possibly causing interference on radios or TVs, maybe even interfering with wireless routers. A computer case is an electrical shield.
 
OvenMaster said:
Another reason against it: the exposed computer parts will spray Radio Frequency energy throughout the house, possibly causing interference on radios or TVs, maybe even interfering with wireless routers. A computer case is an electrical shield.
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Why don't laptops with their mostly plastic casings do that then? :P

Or cases with plastic fronts or plexiglass side panels, a case doesnt make a complete metal shell

That being said I've never tried running caseless beyond a few minutes to test components so I cant really backup said arguements

On topic though, just the protection/mobility is enough reason to use a case, even if it's a cheap/old ATX case with holes for fans crudely cut all over the place, it'll work but wont look pretty (But would probably look better than caseless)
 
He could probably get an old PC and gut it and use the case from that, look on a scrapyard even if it has no sides at least it's grounding everything out properly and less venerable.
 
I imagine it wouldnt be too difficult to make one out of wood. Might need to take some precautions to prevent the wood from catching fire in case of extreme heat. Cases keep out insects that could get into the high heat areas and then melt and cause problems. Like others have said $50 will get you a good enough case with a little bit of searching. Since they hardly move around and dont have any moving parts you'd be crazy not to seriously consider an inexpensive one. Not to mention the wow factor of expensive cases probably wears off after a shory while.
 
Nah with water cooling he will have to get a full-tower they never go under $100 so he is looking at $150 either way.
 
Ive done it with testing rigs before, but i highly recommend against it for longterm use especially if you get alot of visitors or have pets. Just takes someone touching the wrong thing with a static charge to kill your memory, mobo, or cpu.
 
OvenMaster said:
Another reason against it: the exposed computer parts will spray Radio Frequency energy throughout the house, possibly causing interference on radios or TVs, maybe even interfering with wireless routers. A computer case is an electrical shield.
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And if you leave a computer on without a case for more then 30 minutes, it will start to overheat and ruin the flux capacitor.
 
[-0MEGA-];1309915 said:
And if you leave a computer on without a case for more then 30 minutes, it will start to overheat and ruin the flux capacitor.
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Wait a minute computers don't have flux capacitors :P
 
Springy182 said:
Why don't laptops with their mostly plastic casings do that then? :P

Or cases with plastic fronts or plexiglass side panels, a case doesnt make a complete metal shell

That being said I've never tried running caseless beyond a few minutes to test components so I cant really backup said arguements
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That's the thing: I have run PCs without cases or side panels, and they have caused interference to radio and TV every time. Put the case or panel back on, the interference goes away. It's a loud buzz that changes with CPU load on AM radio, a bit of hash on FM, and it's been wide, slow-moving bands moving upwards on TV, usually on channel 3. I can't pick it up now that TV is now digitally broadcast... it's apparently immune to interference, and on UHF channels. Even the PC I'm running now still causes some interference on radio, but it's way worse when the side panel is removed.
 
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