Air in = Air out, why bother with cable management?

Baldbloke · 23 Oct 2021 at 13:14

My cable management is rather poor to say the least.

Lazy attention to reliable connections is definitely a no-no. That would be a step too far, even for me. I do realise bad connections can cause all manner of issues.
As long as the connectors are properly secure then I'm quite ok with that.

Yes, it's nice to have a neat and tidy pc. Personally, I'd be a wee bit embarrassed to show pics of my (lack of) cable management. Hey ho, I'll live with it.

But what about airflow? Well, I reckon as long as there are no cable looms immediately blocking air flow over major components then It'll be fine. Air in = air out. It's not as though there is a build up, log jam, of air inside the case. Airflow Eddy? nah, doubt it.

What do you think?

koolpc · 23 Oct 2021 at 13:17

It aids airflow to have tidy cable management. Its easier for maintenance too. And it looks pleasing if you have a window..

Baldbloke · 23 Oct 2021 at 13:33

koolpc said:
It aids airflow to have tidy cable management. Its easier for maintenance too. And it looks pleasing if you have a window..

But is it really easier for maintenance? Undoing cable ties, replacing parts then redoing cable ties. Loose lying cable seems easier to me.
Don't get me wrong. I admire those who maintain a tidy pc. Yes, it does look pleasing. Very much so. I'm jealous of those who proudly show pics of their Pc with well managed cabling. (Almost feel guilty when I think of my lack of attention to cable management

As long as major components have airflow then how much difference does it make?

V F · 23 Oct 2021 at 16:01

Baldbloke said:
But is it really easier for maintenance? Undoing cable ties, replacing parts then redoing cable ties. Loose lying cable seems easier to me.
Don't get me wrong. I admire those who maintain a tidy pc. Yes, it does look pleasing. Very much so. I'm jealous of those who proudly show pics of their Pc with well managed cabling. (Almost feel guilty when I think of my lack of attention to cable management
As long as major components have airflow then how much difference does it make?

It is very easy if you use velcro cable ties.

stratblue · 23 Oct 2021 at 20:49

Mines like a bird's nest, feels like I have to sit on the lid while I put the screws in.

Minstadave · 23 Oct 2021 at 20:51

I'm sure it's been tested and cable management makes very little difference to temps.

Mr Mcgoo · 23 Oct 2021 at 21:34

stratblue said:
Mines like a bird's nest, feels like I have to sit on the lid while I put the screws in.

rather same for me. while really clean tidy through the window it's a right birds nest behind the mobo

Baldbloke · 23 Oct 2021 at 22:41

stratblue said:
Mines like a bird's nest, feels like I have to sit on the lid while I put the screws in.

Oh, you mucky tart!

V F · 23 Oct 2021 at 22:50

Minstadave said:
I'm sure it's been tested and cable management makes very little difference to temps.

Today yeah but it may have made a slight difference back in the single core days.

The_Arbiter · 24 Oct 2021 at 09:13

Agreed, i keep mine organised but i'm a bit OCD generally. Even if i had no window i'd do it nicely. But it definitely takes longer, takes longer for maintenance, and makes zero airflow difference. PSU shrouds are what i think are bizarre, why hide your drives and power unit?

chroniclard · 24 Oct 2021 at 09:56

All about looking nicer in the window, with the advent of more space behind motherboard it's become a lot easier. Mines a touch messy behind but can't be seen.

V F · 24 Oct 2021 at 15:16

chroniclard said:
All about looking nicer in the window, with the advent of more space behind motherboard it's become a lot easier. Mines a touch messy behind but can't be seen.

Remember the days when there were no spaces behind the motherboard trays. Lots and lots of ghostly white molex connectors everywhere. ATX power connectors and 4 pin coming across the left hand side of the motherboard. As well as IDE cables everywhere.

https://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/669/thermaltake-xaser-iii

Fun times, NOT. :cry:

https://www.somacon.com/p420.php

chroniclard · 24 Oct 2021 at 16:05

V F said:
Remember the days when there were no spaces behind the motherboard trays. Lots and lots of ghostly white molex connectors everywhere. ATX power connectors and 4 pin coming across the left hand side of the motherboard. As well as IDE cables everywhere.

https://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/669/thermaltake-xaser-iii

Fun times, NOT. https://www.somacon.com/p420.php

Yeah used to be a right mess/difficult. Though crucially it never actually mattered, less window cases and RGB

rolleyes

then.

Loxa · 25 Oct 2021 at 11:56

Baldbloke said:
My cable management is rather poor to say the least.

Lazy attention to reliable connections is definitely a no-no. That would be a step too far, even for me. I do realise bad connections can cause all manner of issues.
As long as the connectors are properly secure then I'm quite ok with that.

Yes, it's nice to have a neat and tidy pc. Personally, I'd be a wee bit embarrassed to show pics of my (lack of) cable management. Hey ho, I'll live with it.

But what about airflow? Well, I reckon as long as there are no cable looms immediately blocking air flow over major components then It'll be fine. Air in = air out. It's not as though there is a build up, log jam, of air inside the case. Airflow Eddy? nah, doubt it.

What do you think?

Cable management for airflow is not to much of a thing now days as cases and fans have come a long way over the years, I would say its defianatly more of an aethetic thing but as someone already stated it does make trouble shooting easier.

Baldbloke said:
Oh, you mucky tart!

Lol.

Major774 · 25 Oct 2021 at 12:30

I switched to a full M.2 set up, the reduction in cables is so awesome.

ttaskmaster · 25 Oct 2021 at 14:48

It isn't cable hiding, it's cable management - If you've done the management properly, swapping parts out is actually made easier.

GlyphRot · 26 Oct 2021 at 23:19

I feel like an under-represented part of the "airflow" discussion leaves out dust. Even with filters it's getting in and the more stuff "in the way", the more deposits you get (in my experience anyway). A little extra time in cable tidying saves a bit of cleaning time every 6 months.

Baldbloke · 27 Oct 2021 at 10:59

GlyphRot said:
I feel like an under-represented part of the "airflow" discussion leaves out dust. Even with filters it's getting in and the more stuff "in the way", the more deposits you get (in my experience anyway). A little extra time in cable tidying saves a bit of cleaning time every 6 months.

Very good point, GlyphRot.

Thekwango · 27 Oct 2021 at 11:04

you can't post a thread like this and not show us this mess of a pc

d_brennen · 27 Oct 2021 at 11:12

Pro tip, hide it all between the motherboard tray and side panel. As long as you can get the thumb screws in, it's good