Cable management, etc

[imported_intrepid]

Okay, well I just got the last components of my computer today and I put it together, no problems. But alas, the inside is messy as hell. I just wanted to ask if it's okay grounding/static electricity wise to use masking tape to tape some of the cables to parts of the case to keep them out of the way. Or, if you guys have any better ways to do it, I would like to know.

Also, I only had six of those copper motherboard mounts (the ones you screw into the case and then you put a screw into the mount). However, my motherboard has eight mounting holes. Is it safe to neglect the other two as long as the thing doesn't tip over?

 

[Adn4n]

As long as not much pressure is applies, then yes it is. But just to be on the safe side, i'd put something under them.

 

[pirred908]

You can use any type of tape for the wires except electrical tape becuase I think its conductive.

I usually put all the standoffs in my case where the motherboard will lay, but I only insert a few screws. The only point of the standoffs is to keep the pressure even and to make sure no electricity goes where it isn't supposed to go.

 

[Gza]

What I did for my Kingwin 424 case was I tried as best as possible to keep most cables BEHIND the mobo tray (if you have adequate space there), and let them come out only when necessary.

 

[0roo0roo]

electrical tape is the only tape u should use in a case. it is not conductive and has some fire resistence.

zipties are better though, less messy. no glue residue, and u can really cinch up things tight

frys/home depot has em. the yellow flourescent ones i got light up a little under flourescent light if ur into that. got em at frys.

 

[farmercal]

Don't use tape inside you box to hold the cables! The heat will eventually turn the glue to goo and the tape will come loose in time. As 0roo0roo said zip/cable ties work best and won't come loose until you want them to come loose. As far as the standoffs are conserned, you do not have to use all the holes in the motherboard to mount it. I have left 2 or 3 bare before, just make sure you have the 4 sides and 2 middle sections with a mount under them.

 

[klah]

Hide the wires behind the motherboard tray

http://members.cox.net/dallasdon/hide%20wires.jpg

 

[SexyLady]

If you dont want to hide them at the back this is another way, get some Corrugated split sleeve tubing from an automotive shop, they use this also in car sterio installations and pipe the PSU cables, you can get it to match in with your main board pending on what color cable ties you use afterwards, umm i have pics of what it can look like in my signature *Pics of AMD and Intel machine* you can get various sizes of this tubing so you can tidy just about anything.

 

[Mday]

you shoudlnt use ANY tape in your case. Any tape you put in will dry out. Any tape that doesnt dry out in the case is something you dont want in your case i the first place (foil tape used in duct installation)

 

[RadioHead84]

Originally posted by: klah
Hide the wires behind the motherboard tray

http://members.cox.net/dallasdon/hide%20wires.jpg

whoa thast pretty cool. I have a lot of wires tho..do you think this will work with most cases..and isnt he using tape on the back which most people here say you shouldnt?

 

[joeisabigdork]

You know what? Putting all the crap behind the motherboard isn't a BAD IDEA at all. I actually took a look at my case and imagined all those wires hidden...wow what a nice view it would be haha. What I'm 'wondering' about is how he managed to keep them all 'staying in place'?

 

[klah]

http://www.3m.com/US/home_leis...roducts/cordmgmt.jhtml

I think he used something like these.

 

[Melectricus]

Strongly agree you should'nt use tape. Masking tape will dry out and become useless, electrical tape will gunk up because of heat and be useless. Go to a dollar store and pick up nylon tie wraps, zip them to whatever out of the way and be done with it. As for standoffs - it's ok not to use them all - read above, but remember where you didn't use them. I change out memory, pci cards etc frequently and the pressure of insertion is where HAVE to pay attention.

PS, nice train and lace on the photo, even labeled....tear of awe...

 

[EULA]

I've never had any "gunking" or "gooing" with electrical tape. It's always easy to pull off, with no residue. However, one of the best idea's I've seen is taking plastic tubing, cutting it down the middle, and sleeving all the cables...

 

[0roo0roo]

i dunno, if u leave it long enough it will gunk. i'm pretty sure even my 3m tape gunked before

 

[SexyLady]

Originally posted by: EULA
I've never had any "gunking" or "gooing" with electrical tape. It's always easy to pull off, with no residue. However, one of the best idea's I've seen is taking plastic tubing, cutting it down the middle, and sleeving all the cables...

The tubing split is what i suggested before, you can actually buy it split and in various sizes, pictures shown in the link of my signature, it does make it tidy and help with air flow, you can then get colored cable ties to match

 

[Grimmett]

Putting the chords behind the motherboard tray is what I do as well. Less messy and dropped my temps down a tad. I would highly suggest that just make sure that you can get the side panel back on your case.