PC without a case (a.k.a test bench)

[Electrolyzed]

I always have the fan in my room on. Keeps my room nice and cool, around 60F / 15C.

So I was wondering, would it be a bad idea to use a test bench to keep my components cool?

I will keep the test bench far from me, so there will be no way I can accidentally kick/smack the components, no way my seezes/coughs will reach the components, no way I will spill food/drinks on the components, none of that nonsense.

Only thing I would be worried about is dust, but I am willing to dust it every other day or so if it would help keep my components cooler.

 

[tiny voices]

In my experience, test benches run hotter than cases due to lack of air movement.

A test bench is NOT a long term case. The parts will get VERY dusty and suffer VERY fast.

Just get a normal case.

 

[Outlander_04]

When you dust it you will have to use compressed air . Using a brush will cause static electriciy and kill RAM or the graphics card .


A few years back at the beginning of the financial troubles poster asked about doing much the same because he had lost his job and couldnt afford a case for the components he had just received .
His solution was a plastic washing basket. Everything was cable tied in place , and the basket was hung on the wall high above the cat and most of the dust . He didnt come back and complain .
But possibly that was because his pc stopped working .

 

[6R1M01R3]

There are testbenches and testbenches~

Case: DIYPC Alpha-DB6 ATX Test Bench Case ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Alpha-GT3 ATX Test Bench Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-T60B ATX Test Bench Case ($79.98 @ Newegg)

From a simple plate to a more complex, shelf-like design.

 

[Outlander_04]

There are testbenches and testbenches~

Case: DIYPC Alpha-DB6 ATX Test Bench Case ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Alpha-GT3 ATX Test Bench Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-T60B ATX Test Bench Case ($79.98 @ Newegg)

From a simple plate to a more complex, shelf-like design.

wouldnt you just buy a case if you had $50 ?


The first of those you could make in a few minutes from plywood scraps . Standoffs could be drilled and then epoxied in place .

 

[6R1M01R3]

There are testbenches and testbenches~

Case: DIYPC Alpha-DB6 ATX Test Bench Case ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Case: DIYPC Alpha-GT3 ATX Test Bench Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Lian-Li PC-T60B ATX Test Bench Case ($79.98 @ Newegg)

From a simple plate to a more complex, shelf-like design.

wouldnt you just buy a case if you had $50 ?


The first of those you could make in a few minutes from plywood scraps . Standoffs could be drilled and then epoxied in place .

If OP wants to have a naked PC, I guess it's his call. I think the second from the list is ok.

 

[Electrolyzed]

test benches run hotter than cases

The answer I was looking for, thanks.

 

[Outlander_04]

test benches run hotter than cases

The answer I was looking for, thanks.

He is right , of course , but a test bench of open case can get the exact same result by aiming a desk top fan at it