Does it need to be on the floor?

Rhyswh

Rhyswh

Rhyswh

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I'm currently building my first PC and when I move into my new house in June/July I want to build a new desk.

My plan is to have the case above the ground (about 100mm) on some chrome poles. The reason for this would be to stop any heat/hot air bilding up underneath. My only concern is the grounding of the case. Does it matter if it's resting on some metal poles?

I hope this makes sense, I'l try and upload an image to explain the set-up better when I get a chance.
 
I doubt it makes any difference really. I've had my case on the floor and it currently sits on my desk and I've not noticed any difference what so ever.
 
You will be fine but you might want something to damped the vibrations. I have 4 little rubber feet under mine (2 at each side)

I have a similar setup to what your going for because i had to take out the shelf when i got a new case (650d) and wouldn't fit unless i took out the glass shelf so now the pc rests on 2 metal bars.
It can be a pain to get off and back on sometimes just make sure you hold it well when your doing it.

Ive drew a quick mock of how i currently have mine. Hope it helps for you but if you want the TL:DR you will be fine :P

scaled.php
 
100%scottish said:
makes no difference at all mate you might get a very slight temperature increase due to heat rising but nothing that will effect performance.
Click to expand...

This is the opposite of what I'm trying to achieve which is worrying! :(

almostgfx said:
You will be fine but you might want something to damped the vibrations.
Click to expand...

I was thinking maybe a little rubber strip where it contacts the case.
 
My case was on the floor and it was a dust magnet (yes I do hoover occasionally!), I've managed to raise it with a small table and it has improved things a little. If I could I would have it much higher (on a desk or whatever).
 
I meant, is it ok if it's metal to metal contact with the case or does it need to be on the ground/desk/anything non-metal!!

This is my unfinished idea! (I figured it out)
studiodesk.png

explodedview.png
 
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Well from an electrical point of view, the Mobo has grounding screws that fit it to the mobo tray inside your case.

These are the screws that fit into the mobo with copper showing on on the inside edge of the holes on the board.

If you've got a load of Kettle leads resting on the metal of the desk and leads plugged into a sound card, you might create an reciver and hear so odd radio transmissions at odd frequencys or just induce a mains humm on your audio. ( Had this issue a few tears ago with 4x transformers and speaker leads and my turntables )

I'd refrain from the metal of the case touching bare metal of your desk, its recommended by EU regulations to isolate each piece of electrical equipment.

If your in a 19" rack you'd bond all equipment to a common earth.
 
So I will need to ground the case to a proper earth like a radiator or something?

This will be annoying! What about using plastic poles instead of metal ones?
 
Your pc will be earthed through the power cable anyway.
Unless there is something pretty majorly wrong you won't have an issue and it won't even be needed but it must be there. As for the desk, again there won't be a problem and even in the miniscule chance anything live does contact the desk,
A: it should trip the RCD
B: it will take the path of least resistance and that would be straight down to earth through the desk legs

In all, you have nothing what so ever to worry about. If you get paranoid you could always run a earth wire from your heating pipes, provided they are fully earthed of course, to a metal part on your desk.
However, as said before, I would definatey do something to dampen vibrations. I've even seen a pc fully suspended from the under side of a desk with bungees!
 
As mentioned above u can put it anywhere and on any surface as it's grounded through the psu and wall socket.
 
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