Do You Really Need A PC Case?

Are computer cases even really necessary?

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[KALA.]

I love how every clip of a dirty PC component is just an LTT Employee’s PC 🤣

[clevelandbrown]

I actually just swallowed my computer when i built it, its a really affordable option and now my computer is so much more portable.

[BleuSquid]

I rocked a case-less PC for several years in the early 2000's. I'd gotten my hands on my first multi-core system: a dual processor Pentium II Slot 1 system. It was a beast. None of my cases fit, and I'd already spent my last penny on acquiring some RDRAM for it. I kept it on an elevated shelf in a corner where it couldn't get bumped, and used a screwdriver for the power switch.

*sigh* Those were the days

[fierce]

Love how all the computer dust is just a shot across the bow at David

[daffodil]

Regarding static, I met a guy who had a motherboard mounted to his wall and was running a humidifier to prevent static buildup

[jeehoonoh]

3:39 I love that they're still using this clip to this day LOL. It must never die.

[richmahogany]

i ran into an unexpected issue having my pc case-less the past year or so. i noticed when i went to clear the dust off that it was all stuck to it and compressed air wouldn't work. there was a griminess to it and I actually had to use cleaning solution on all the fan blades and everything, it sucked. My only conclusion is that im in a relatively small distance to my kitchen and i cook with oil all the time without running a vent. Perhaps the aerosolized oil in the air was gathering on my PC components.

[CaptainXLAB]

I built my first PC in 2012 and didn't have enough budget to get a case... After which, caseless builds became a choice. All my future builds (personally 2 more so far) have never been in a case, and the only problem I've had is dealing with dust. That said though, I have a separate personal room for these builds, it looks insane, no pets or kids are allowed into this room and no one enters the room if I'm not here.

I'll never put any of my personal future builds in a case either, since
• less cost, (no case, no case fans, no fan controllers etc)
• far better cooling,
• no restrictions to expandability,
• ease of access to any physical hardware,
• super easy to troubleshoot if I have a hardware problem,
• complete direct access to both front and rear IO, and
• no GPU sag (the PCIe power cables pull the GPU back and it is a sturdy hacky DIY test bench = no wobbles),

I prefer these benefits over those of building inside a case.
All 3 of these builds (2012 build, 2017 build, 2021 build) all work perfectly to this day, and the old ones have gone through a lot.

The oldest build still working properly, is enough for me to recommend trying a caseless build without too much worries to anyone who has a room to spare, can make sure no one physically messes with it, is careful with food/drinks/etc around the build and can clean it once every few months.

Also, static is a thing to be careful with (a zap from my shoulder into the hanging PCIe 8pin from the GPU in the winters with those warm clothes that easily get static) so before touching the build or going close to it, best to touch your foot on the ground once (to ground any static).


I have had my 2012 and 2017 builds' motherboards RMA'ed before because of a faulty power supply problem, but the reasons why I had to RMA weren't related to the build being caseless. Some manufacturers can complain about "bent pins" when trying to RMA though... [ASUS isn't one of them :) ]

[VincentFischer]

"Leaving your parts out in the open" is a felony in my country

[SashimiSteak]

I feel like recent topics features on Techquickie had been very relevant and down to earth. I'm really enjoying many of these quick refreshment courses.

[Duds]

I feel the "static" issue is a bit overexaggerated here. LTT did the video with ElectroBoom and the static gun, or IDK maybe its just been too dumbed down for my taste.

[Mr.Morden]

I had a system with 6 mechanical hard drives that got super hot. I cut some cardboard and screwed a couple 120mm fans into it. Then mounted them next to the drives using high technology state of the art packing tape. It was surprisingly easy and secure too, plus the drives were astoundingly much more cool under load.

[barrythompson]

I run my $1200 setup out of a 2ft x 4ft cardboard container. The only other thing i need is a screw driver to bridge the power switch

[kuhrd]

Another very important thing that a case does for you, assuming you don't get a useless glass panel one, is to act like a faraday cage to contain and reduce the EMI being emited from you components to the outside of the case along with reducing the chances of external EMI sources effecting your computer while it is running for months without a reboot.

[lk]

Yup was doing this since early 90s, most of the time it was just shoe box. Those days I mount it on the wall, easier to clean it up. Never had a problem with dust once since I use car wheel pumps usually, USB those days, works great!

[BlueberryJamPie]

The worst sound I've ever heard was someone remove their GPU and it sounded like sand being crushed. The entire PCI-E for both the GPU and mobo was just all bent.
They had case-less but the GPU was being held by the PCI-E slot and their faith. "It just stopped working, " they told me.

[MidWitPride]

One missed point is that if your GPU is vertical, the exhaust air will blow upwards and create this bubble that blows dust away.
Also the dust being really easy to clean if you don't have a case.
In my opinion going caseless is 100% fine as long as you don't have cats or toddlers around.

[paparoysworkshop]

The problem is it's getting harder and harder to find cases with 4 or more bays. I have to do my case shopping at the local electronics disposal site.

[Destroyer]

What if you made a cardboard stand that holds your components upside down. Kind of like an upside down open test bench. No more dust!

[FerralVideo]

I'm pretty used to needing to clean my computer routinely as I hail from the era before dust filters.
I've gotten so many computers and components that were completely impacted and made me ask "How are you still working?". Helps that these same components also predate the furnaces that we call components today.
Ran a computer caseless before we had test benches as a demo and blew the motherboard. Still not sure what killed it.