Should I go for an open air frame for mini itx system

[a.flynn]

So I've just ordered some initial parts for a mini-itx system and am thinking of using an open air frame or chassis to keep it all as cool as possible, but is this safe?  Are there any risks.  I know the alternative is a itx case but that would mean opening it up to get rid of dust and such which is what I'm trying to avoid.

[and04]

I've seen some of these in SE image results and some looked fairly impressive and would certainly keep cpu and such cool, but might not be very practical depending on your living situation.  If there are pets running around and insects flying in and out of windows, it's prob not a good idea.

[blag-it Admin]

Yes, with cpu, gfx-card fans, etc, things could certainly get messy due to flying bugs, spiders and such, although it depends on how high up you are.  Of course you could always have it behind a closed door or have water cooling instead of fans.



Admin

[a.flynn]

Thanks Admin and and04 for your help.  I'm on the top floor of a tower block and the main door to my flat is flush to the floor with almost no gap, plus I'll be using passive cooling for the cpu and the gfx card will also have passive cooling so hoping this will be safe enough.

[ATH019]

Your living conditions seem safe enough for an open frame so that's the main thing, however if you're going for passive cooling then you might have issues with resource-intensive tasks like gaming or 3d graphics work.  Your computer could be sitting on ice and still overheat.


Global Moderator

[a.flynn]

Yea, hadn't considered that so might go for fan-cooled cpu and gfx card instead.  Thanks for the pointer.

[and04]

Any ideas for what air frame you're going to get?  Or maybe you've got it already?  Would like to see some pics if you have...

[a.flynn]

Any ideas for what air frame you're going to get?  Or maybe you've got it already?  Would like to see some pics if you have...

Well I got this from a well known auction site at a shade over £36 which comes in kit form.

[blag-it Admin]

Interesting kit, bit like a minimalist test bench rig.  Should make maintenance very easy.



Admin

[cybernut]

Any ideas for what air frame you're going to get?  Or maybe you've got it already?  Would like to see some pics if you have...

Well I got this from a well known auction site at a shade over £36 which comes in kit form.

Someone I know uses a couple of these or very similar for a crypto mining rig.  Makes maintenance very easy.