Moving House - Tips for the Tower

oaksmokedbacon

oaksmokedbacon

oaksmokedbacon

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Afternoon all,

I am shortly going to be moving and was looking for some advice although I am probably being slightly over anxious about it.

The PC will be going in the car (no way would I let it go in the removal van!) so generally it will be pretty safe.

Given the value of the components, specifically the GFX card and the CPU would it be advisable to remove both the Card and the CPu heatsink for moving day?

I seem to remember in the past things were pretty robust, but the heatsinks and GFX cards are now so much bigger...
 
If you've got a large CPU heatsink lay the tower on its side so the heatsink is pointing upwards, motherboard flat parallel to the floor; that's pretty much it.
 
The most I ever do when moving my PC tower in the car is place it on its side so the weight of the CPU cooler and the Graphics card is pointing straight down onto the motherboard rather than hanging. It all depends on what sort of case you have but I imagine that's safer if you're worried about the weight in an undulating car journey.

I do cover monitors in a towel as well though, just to make sure nothing scratches them(and the case if it has a finish that is easily scratched).
 
I'd want to remove the graphic card and CPU heatsink, even if taking it in your own car.

Lay the case on a pillow so the motherboard is horizontal, to help absorb any bumps which may damage the harddrive. As for the monitor, a pillow either side of that and wrapped in a quilt should be enough.
 
I have taken my pc about every 6 weeks for the last 5 years to lan parties, it has a big chunky noctua heat sink and a 7990 and I haven't had a problem once. I did get loose ram once but that's just a reseat.. I'd just suggest lay it down so there can't really be any issues whilst moving.
 
I take my rig to a mates for gaming regularly, no ill effects and I remove nothing.

I Just lie it on its side,components facing up and use luggage straps (Which my BMW conveniently has) to stop it moving.

Tbh, your more likely to damage something by removing it rather than transporting it complete.
 
I wouldn't bother removing anything, seems a bit OTT. Just stick the case on the passenger side floor and move the seat closer to the case, if you are still concerned then put a pillow either side.
 
Depending on how careful you are you should be fine just securing it in the car.

I moved my Corsair 800D case with watercooling loop inside in my car and no issues. I did half-drain the loop but still.

That said ive also never run any leak tests on my watercooling installations, im either incredibly talented at making loops secure or im extremely lucky (likely the latter!).

I think they suggest removing graphics cards when moving PC's however. CPU should be fine as its a solid object attached to the mobo. GFX card however can 'flop' a bit if you hit potholes or whatever. The PCI slots aren't amazing anchors for the GFX cards I find and they don't need much convincing to start moving/bending.

Play it safe and take the card out, just make sure you take into account the proper methods for anti-static when removing said card and so on.

Of course I also never bother with that either but just because its not fried my machine yet doesn't mean it wont. Don't take the risk!
 
Scrunched up / twisted newspaper in the case will do fine. Just enough to steady things inside. But I've never bothered - I just cushion the PC like mysticsniper.
 
mysticsniper said:
I wouldn't bother removing anything, seems a bit OTT. Just stick the case on the passenger side floor and move the seat closer to the case, if you are still concerned then put a pillow either side.
Click to expand...

This. Has not failed me yet. I have transported some very expensive rigs before now. One of them all the way from Wales to London.
 
I would have thought that if you've mounted your cooler properly (and you get very bad temperatures if it wasn't) a few bumps in a car isn't going to make it go anywhere.

I'd be tempted to remove the GPU- PCIE slots were not designed to accommodate the weight of modern GPUS so you don't want the g forces of the car making the GPU bounce up and down on the PCIE slot (Which is what would happen if the case was on its back).
 
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