Does running a computer with the case open mess with the airflow/cooling? [closed]

Solution 1:

You are right, running the computer with the chassis side open wide is worse than having it closed (assuming the closed chassis has proper air flow).

Air flow is important, and if you just open the side of the case, the air stops flowing from front to back (the usual direction anyway), and instead lots of hot air just hangs over the components due to the lack of air actually moving.

Worry less about the CPU or anything with a fan on it, and more about the stuff that's passively cooled, as passive cooling depends on the air moving through the case, pulling the hot air away.

Perhaps think of it like this: Put a computer fan at the end of a 4 foot long, 3" tube and stick your hand near the other end. You can feel the air moving quite well, I'd bet.

Now take the same fan and just sit it on the table in a room. Stick you hand 4 feet away from it, you should notice that there's a lot less, or no, air pressure against your hand.

You may want to take a look a the answers/links in this SU question: Optimal Fan Placement and Direction for Air-Cooling a Computer

Solution 2:

In theory, so some have said.

In practice, i've had a P4 running for maybe almost 10 years+, side off the case. Not in a data centre with perforated flooring, just in a house.

What Mel mentions re a data centre with perforated flooring, vs not, that's interesting, and makes sense. Matches my experience with the P4.

With what techie mentions, well, that also makes sense but I haven't had a problem doing it.. You could test it somewhat. This isn't generally recommended because there's a risk of static damaging a component once in a blue moon(and perhaps if it's badly built), but a person could put their finger on the heatsink of something that is passively cooled and see how hot it is, and compare with side on(momentarily taking it off to check), and with side off for a long duration. No doubt lots of technical people leave the sides off their computers for quick access to the insides.