How to tidy up cables?? + how to duct??

Hi,
I've seen alot of people saying you should tidy up your case cables, and it lowers pc temps, but whats the best way of doing this? My case is quite large (coolermaster Praetorian) and my PSU (Tagen TG480-U01 480W) has loads of extra cables I don't use, but I can't find any place to hide them that isn't in the way of airflow. I have a blowhole but the cables from the PSU come out right below it which dosn't help airflow. Maybe some examples of how other people have tidied up their cables would help?

Also, how would I duct air from outside my pc to my CPU? Would I need a side panel with a hole in it? I'd like to try it as my CPU temps are 55C idel and 65 load (Its a 3ghz prescott).

 

I'll address the second topic first as it is fresher in my mind.

Ducting is an exact science. If you don't do it right (it takes a LOT of experimentation.)It won't work right.

Go to www.overclockers.com for some good info on ducting and cooling.


For the wire management, tucking wires between drives and routing all that you can behind the motherboard panel usually does the trick.

Without a visual on what you have going where I can't really help you. It truly is something unique to each case. experiment with where your cable CAN go and try and hide/squeeze/shimmy everything out of site. Or if looks doesn't matter. Just get it unform/flush, so that it doesn't interfere with the airflow in your case.

Post up pics and I'll try and help ya more.

 

I have a suggestion that made my son cringe at the time I was routing his cables in his new computer. We baught him a Tsaunmi Dream case by Thermaltake, I also go him a Thermaltake PSU with the cables already sleeved. Once I got the PSU in the case (mock up) I looked for possible ways to hide the cables. Since there was little room and LOTS of cables I took off the other panel and saw that there was atleast a 1/4 inch gap between the panel and the motherboard. My idea? I came out about 2 to 3" from the back of the PSU (from were the wires are coming out of the PSU) and took a medicine bottle cap and a sharpie marker and placed a circle on the aluminum panel, took the PSU out and drilled a hole. Once the hole was drilled I took a dremel tool a sanded the edges smooth. I ran ALL the wiring through the hole and used zip ties and electical tape to force the wiring to lay flat then replaced the panel. I then was able to run the wires through an opening at the bottom of the case BEHIND the rack that holds the drives. They are ALL perfectly hidden and out of the way. The ones that are not inuse were zip tied and placed in back of the panel, if I ever need them I will just take the panel off. It took alot of planning and studying the design of the case. I did the same thing with my computer that I use for audio and video editing and it dropped my temps by 30 degrees...I believe this was also due to the fact I had replaced my heatsinks as well but there is no doubt that if you get those wires totally out of the way you will have a much cooler running system. Plan it out and if it looks like it calls for a hole dont be scared, take your time....plan. I will post a few pics on monday to give you a visual to help you out. I do not have the motherboard in right now but what you need to see is how to make this wiring disappear. Be looking for some pics at the beginning of the week. I believe this will help you figure out what you need to do.

 

i will also be looking for the pics on monday as that sounds like a good plan i will have to try it

 

Thanks, That sounds interesting. I'll look forawrd to seeing the pictures!

 

Sorry for the delay...my batteries died on my camera. I also didnt realize that I was signed in under my sons USER ID when I posted....my apologies!
For the time being I though I would post a few pics of my A/V editing system. This was done pretty much the same way but without the hole I just lucked up!. All the cables are pretty much ran through the back behind the motherboard and up to the front. When they reached the 5 1/2 inch drive bays I used that black plastic wire covering from Home Depot that cost about $2 and stored the excess cables below the DVD. I went the extra mile to conceel these guys by buying a small piece of sheet metal and self tapping screws I then measured the distance across ( 5 1/4" there about and my height to the top of the DVD) and the height and added about a 1/4 " to the sides so I could make a small bend and have something to screw into. This totally concelled the rest of my wires in this little compartment I made!.....pretty much anyway! I definitely feel it turned out CLEAN! Give me alittle more time for the batteries to charge and I will get the pics of my sons computer up as promised......I just realized I am still signed in under my sons ID. My next post will be as FXMAN sorry for the confussion!

 

As promised....I hope this gives you guys some ideas. I spent several hours studying the case trying to figure out the best possible way to hide the wires. I actually did this on both computers...planning is everything, so I do a mock up before I finally put in the MOBO and look at every hole and crease, I even use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the back of the Mobo and the back panel. On my Thermaltake Shark case I remember actually having to take tin snips and notching areas for the cables to lay....whos going to see it anyway? then using zip ties and electrical tape I secured some behind the panel that I knew would never be used others were stored in my snazy compartment and all I used for that was a screw gun, drill bit, sheet metal, sheet metal self taping screws and tin snips. Tin snips are very important when it came to making the compartment and are good to have incase you have to notch in the back. You dont need an expensive pair, $5 should get you a generic pair. Let me know if you have any questions or if you can take some good photos of you computer, even of the back side ( with the cover off of corse ) maybe we can collabarate!

 

This is one other pic of my A/V editing machine that is al better close-up. I would also suggest rounded cables for your drives if you have IDE. My son's computer is SATA which is even better. On his I have even figured a way to turn the drive around so no cables will show in the front. Also I remember on my A/V editing machine I made a little tool out of a 4" piece of coat hanger to feed wires through areas.
Just trying to give you ideas from my experiences.

 

Another for better view

 

As you can see there is alot of open space and no cables! This is the same plan I have for my sons computer so that it stays nice and cool. I also baught the biggest heatsink (all copper) that Thermaltake had for his mobo the same goes for mine. His case ( Thermaltake Tsunami) has 2 120 mm fans, the same as the Shark which I have. It deffinitely keeps the air flowing especially with no cables to interfere. I thought I ( myself ) would need more but after looking at my temps I do not believe it is necessary. My thought is Good case with good ventilation, good heatsinks and don't forget the paste and last but not least get rid of those wires the best that you can! = COOOOOOL atleast this has worked for me. I hope the pictures have helped!

 

i did just like you did and i am seeing lower temmps thanks for the info i am going to add another fan to get lower temps

 

I am glad that it worked for you. did you have problems cutting the hole?
I worked

 

did not have to cut a hole because the cables seem to fit inbetween the side door ( that you never open lol) and the plate that holds the mobo so it worked for the best for me i will post a pic if you would like

 

Yeah! I'd like to see what ya did! Last night I worked on a panel to fit in the 5.25" bay to hide those pesky wires that may be used later...like the one you saw on my computer. I will post a pic of that in a couple of days.

 

my computer is a mess
now i have the antec sonata so it is different then what you have
here is a picture any ideas?
http://img234.echo.cx/img234/1572/mysystem6kw.jpg

 

lspmaster, for one thing u could just stuff the cables in the empty HD slots and over and under ur CD drives...u seem to have lots of space for clearing up that mess

 

The ATA cables that are sold at CompUSA did wonders for creating space in my tower. Those typical flat, gray cables were just plain cumbersome.

 

I totally agree!, as you can see, I have the round IDE's in my A/V editing machine. They look alot nicer, create more airflow and not all that expensive. For those of you that don't have them, they are pretty flexible as well and definitely worth the $!