Can I just have a hard drive laying around in my PC

Yes you can, as long as it stays still it would be fine. However, kick or bump the case whilst it’s running and it might not like it. It’s be no different than an external usb hdd if you think about it.

what I would do is cut a bit of rubber from something like a mouse mat and sit the drive on that, then a couple bits of duct tape either side to hold it in place. Try not to cover the label on the top with tape, just the sides. The label normally hides little air channels which allow the drive to breath inside. Pressing on the label too hard could affect the vents


bish bash bosh, jobs a goddun!
 
Fractal Design do fan to HDD mounts if it helps? Then you can run your HDD anywhere. But check with your manufacturer of HDD in their FAQ to see if it can be used upside down or vertically without affecting warranty. I know Seagate are fine with it.

As long as your drive can't move, it *should* be okay, if that's what you're getting at.
 
It's not advised, but it is possible.
If you're only doing it to copy some data off and then remove it, then it will be ok.
If you're thinking longer term, then just don't expect it to last too long.
If you have a spare 5.25" bay, you can get brackets to downsize and fit a 3.5" drive, likewise for 3.5" > 2.5"
If you have no room in your case, you can get external caddies and plug it in a USB port.
 
Yes, just remeber it's loose in these if you decide to move the machine,

If its a ssd just screw it in any hole available even if it's just one screw.. If it's a hdd just check how hot it gets if you sit it on the bottom of the case
 
as mentioned in your duplicate thread.. its not necessary to have an hdd cage for your hard drive, but you are prone to disconnections if you bump or knock the PC (if using mechanical drives)..
 
Nobody's going to stop you, but it's a terrible idea.

Hard drives vibrate, so it might move around or contact something it shouldn't.
It is also a significant hazard if you move the PC, as it's an insecure brick ready to smash into another component (probably the GPU or CPU cooler).

You could also try a 5 inch to 3.5 inch adapter if you have a spare optical drive bay.
 
Had a HDD sat in the bottom of my Define for 5 odd years after removing the HDD cages(helped with air intake), i've added one of the cages back since making changes and am still using that drive today. That said, i did stick mine down with some sticky back velcro strip so it wouldn't move about and i could tilt/tip/move the case and not have to worry about the drive swinging into things or taking a nasty knock, whilst remaining removal. If you don't mind the noise, a mobile rack / hotswap bay (or adapter as suggested above) is an option (i personally find 3.5 drives too noticeable(noise wise) in the optical bays).
 
Velcro sticky pads are good. They not only stick, they allow it to be removed in future, and importantly offer about the best sound absorption you can get for under £1!! If the underside of the drive is not suitable for a sticky pad then mount the drive mount adapter or something similar and velcro that to the floor. If the PC doesn't move then you could just place the fluffy velcro on the floor and rest the drive on that.
 
pp111 said:
Velcro sticky pads are good. They not only stick, they allow it to be removed in future, and importantly offer about the best sound absorption you can get for under £1!! If the underside of the drive is not suitable for a sticky pad then mount the drive mount adapter or something similar and velcro that to the floor. If the PC doesn't move then you could just place the fluffy velcro on the floor and rest the drive on that.
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Use that stuff in my main pc for SSD's, awesome stuff. Would you trust a mechanical hdd to not move around a lot still though? If not screwed up?
 
slim01 said:
Use that stuff in my main pc for SSD's, awesome stuff. Would you trust a mechanical hdd to not move around a lot still though? If not screwed up?
Click to expand...

I have mounted drives without screws sat on Velcro fluffy part before, but then I never move my PC's.
 
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