Moving: best way to pack my system?

[aekkusu]

I apologise in advance if this question is not appropriate for this subforum.

Since I'm moving in a few weeks, I was wondering what would be the best way to pack my PC (ATX mid-tower 47x40cm) for this long trip (~2000km). I'll be shipping my PC to the new address, so I'm likely going to pack the PC in it's entirety (without disassembling the motherboard and components), wrapped in clothes to absorb any shocks, in a cardboard box, or the like. Is this safe with the manhandling and judder it might go through, or would I be better off taking off all the components, place them in their original boxes (which I still have) and place them inside the case first?

I would want to avoid doing the latter, as I'd have to take the CPU off the heatsink, and that would require me to apply a new thermal paste, which I'd likely not be able to afford in the following months, and also I'm using the thermal solution that was provided with the CPU (Intel), which from what I know, is the best you can actually get (aside from tossing a pretty penny).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/pointers.

 

[Herc08]

I would wrapped as much bubble wrap as you can, and get a box that is only slightly bigger than the case itself. If possible, if you have the box that came with the case, you can put it in there as well with the foam protectors.

 

[aekkusu]

Thanks Herc08. Would adding clothes over the bubble wrap be okay? I wanted to pack those too.
Also forgot to mention that I'll be adding the monitor (LCD-LED, in it's own original box) to the package too.

 

[Herc08]

Definitely bubble wrap the monitor. Clothes should be fine. The tighter the space, the less movement. Kinda like a U-haul truck. You want to make everything as tight possible to prevent shaking. Hopefully your shippers will be careful. I would get some "FRAGILE" tape and mark it on those boxes. Hopefully they pay attention

 

[mjslakeridge]

Does your computer have a HDD(s)? If so, I would take it out and carry it with you. If someone steals your package or it gets lost in shipping, at least you will have your programs/data. Plus the HDD is probably the most fragile part of a computer build. Even if you have SSD(s) I would carry that with you as packages do get lost/stolen.

If an option, buy insurance from whomever is shipping the package.

 

[aekkusu]

@Herc08: Thanks again!

@mjslakeridge: Good one! I did intend to remove the HDDs and carry them with me in my personal luggage, for the exact same concerns about data loss/snooping you mentioned.
Unfortunately I'm not sure the shipper I intended to use offers insurance, as it's just a "shuttle" service that offers shipping to certain locations

 

[mjslakeridge]

Regarding insurance, check with your homeowners/renters insurance agent to see if they would cover any damage or loss to household items being shipped. (years ago, I "lost" 6 boxes being shipped from El Paso to Houston, Texas. They never did show up. I am pretty sure someone from the shipping company stole the boxes since 2 of them were pretty expensive audio speakers in their original boxes).

 

[J_E_D_70]

Is it a low profile or stock cpu cooler? If so it can stay. If it's a tower cooler I'd remove it. Thermal paste is cheap compared to damaged cpu or mobo.

Would also remove the gpu if its a big double slot card.

 

[aekkusu]

@mjslakeridge: Unfortunately in this case, I'm not renting a new place, I'm moving in with somebody else. I'm not sure if their renter would provide that, and also I'm not from the US, so I'm not sure if such a thing even exists.
That's quite lame that they do that sort of a thing. I'm also worried about theft, makes me reluctant to stick "fragile" labels on the package.

@J_E_D_70: Stock cooler. I agree that thermal paste is much cheaper than the alternative, but I'll also need this PC up and running ASAP after I move, as I have some important projects I need to finalise on this machine.
Luckly, I haven't got a discrete GPU in this build, never actually required one in all the games I encountered (I mainly play indie or simulation/strategy games).

 

[mjslakeridge]

I don't thing the fragile labels on the package do much good. It really depends on how professional the employees of the shipping company are as to whether they respect the packages they are handling.

In the worst case scenario if your computer doesn't show up or is broken when it arrives, at least you will have your HDDs with you and hopefully you will be able to borrow a computer at your new destination to finish up the projects you are working on.

Good luck with your move!

 

[aekkusu]

Thanks! Will pick the solution now, but if anyone has additional pointers, feel free to leave them here!