Transporting PC, should I remove GPU?

haz_pro · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:38

Hey all,

I will be transporting my PC for the first time in a couple of days, and I think I remember reading previously that the GPU should be removed when moving a PC.

Is this correct, do people do this?

Thanks.

Idleman · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:43

If it`s one of the more recent Gpu`s, yes i would. Also if you have a large cooler, i would remove that also.

olivier renault · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:53

Yeah, CPU cooler, and GPU. Cooler maybe a bit fiddly.

drakioned · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:24

What's the reasoning for this?

RJC · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:26

drakioned said:
What's the reasoning for this?

The weight of the card (s) can come dislodge during transit along with cpu coolers, especially the heaving coolers which use the std retention mechanism on AMD setups.

tamzzy · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:53

some heatsink+fans can weigh around 1.3kg...that weight on a piece of pcb in transit = potential for disaster methinks ;p

joey1211 · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:55

Are you doing the transporting or a third party? I take my ATI 5770 on two 30 mile trips each week, never had a problem. Not that I'm recommending such practice.

jamesfreddie · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:08

You are better off buying large bubble anti static bubble wrap and filling the machine completly in that.

If its packed all the way around each component there is no chance of damage.

Fire_fly · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:11

My old computer used to go between home and uni twice a year for 3.5 years and it never had any problems. But it was always there in the back of my mind about opening up the box and pulling out little pieces of motherboard / graphic card. My new computer with it new large cooler however will be taken apart before going home.

haz_pro · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:16

joey1211 said:
Are you doing the transporting or a third party? I take my ATI 5770 on two 30 mile trips each week, never had a problem. Not that I'm recommending such practice.

It will be me transporting it, I will be very careful but seems it may still be a good idea to remove the GPU atleast.

jamesfreddie said:
You are better off buying large bubble anti static bubble wrap and filling the machine completly in that.

If its packed all the way around each component there is no chance of damage.

Hmm, I am packing the PC away tomorrow, so won't have time to get any of this unfortunately. Good idea though!

Cheers for replies, I will remove GPU and cpu fan. Presumably I am okay leaving the top of the CPU bare?

bignev72 · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:16

If you're transporting it then it will be fine.

Just move the passenger seat forward in your car. Put the PC behind it, put a blanket over it to stop scratches and then push the chair back to hold it firmly against the back seat.

I have been doing this for years whilst I was at uni and now when I go to LAN sessions. Always been fine but then i am careful.

I wouldn't remove components. What a faff having to re-build your PC Every time!

PistolPete · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:25

Just lay it motherboard side down - I used to move a PC twice a month for 2 years this way with a very heavy cooler on it and I never had any issues.

AshD93 · 6 Jun 2012 at 21:18

PistolPete said:
Just lay it motherboard side down - I used to move a PC twice a month for 2 years this way with a very heavy cooler on it and I never had any issues.

+1.

MatsyLR · 6 Jun 2012 at 21:22

It will be fine...just lay it down on its side and make sure it doesn't move.

Cult_X · 6 Jun 2012 at 21:34

mines was fine 6850 asus oc edition (tbh surprisingly heavy) and tranquillo. Plus my car has coilovers and is extremely hard and bouncy. i watched my case and my laptop bouncy 6 inch into the air at one point it has a nice dent now though

Resident · 7 Jun 2012 at 10:07

AshD93 said:
+1.

+2

drakioned · 7 Jun 2012 at 10:17

RJC said:
The weight of the card (s) can come dislodge during transit along with cpu coolers, especially the heaving coolers which use the std retention mechanism on AMD setups.

tamzzy said:
some heatsink+fans can weigh around 1.3kg...that weight on a piece of pcb in transit = potential for disaster methinks ;p

How does OcUK manage to deliver pre-builts to their customers then...? I understand that Dell or HP might not have this problem because they might not use any heavy parts, but you can configure OcUK machines with giant cards...

tamzzy · 7 Jun 2012 at 12:16

drakioned said:
How does OcUK manage to deliver pre-builts to their customers then...? I understand that Dell or HP might not have this problem because they might not use any heavy parts, but you can configure OcUK machines with giant cards...

that is a good point...im actually interested to know lol

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 7 Jun 2012 at 12:18

drakioned said:
How does OcUK manage to deliver pre-builts to their customers then...? I understand that Dell or HP might not have this problem because they might not use any heavy parts, but you can configure OcUK machines with giant cards...

Indeed.

I'm always transferring my PC around in backs of cars and walking it half a mile or so just being carried.

Not once had a problem.

Thats with two heavy ass GTX580's

sillyservant · 7 Jun 2012 at 12:27

drakioned said:
How does OcUK manage to deliver pre-builts to their customers then...? I understand that Dell or HP might not have this problem because they might not use any heavy parts, but you can configure OcUK machines with giant cards...

Unfortunately my new Titan 8700i pulse with gtx670 windforce arrived yesterday and the prolimatech megahalems cooler (which is really big and heavy) had broken free of its mountings in transit. So there isnt really a foolproof way to transport stuff i guess. Oh well, its being collected today and should be fixed and back to me pretty soon