Hardware & Technical Plastic outer case on computer serve any useful purpose?

DukeIronHand

D
Have a "top o' the line" (as of two years ago) Dell XPS that I use for gaming and it still runs everything very well with minor hardware upgrades (video card/PSU/RAM) over time.

Recent issue is powering up the computer. Sometimes it takes several minutes with multiple pushes on the power button to get it to boot. Took it apart tonight and played with the power switch a bit and am almost certain this is the issue. Fired right up once (but it sometimes does anyway) when I played with the wires. Easy fix (two wire pressure switch) if so, but I ran out of time before I could confirm.

Anyway I have all the exterior plastic off the metal mid-tower case and wondered, caring nothing for looks, and liking all the easy access to the hardware and probably superior cooling.
This may be a dumb question (and Google-Fu didn't help) but:

Does all the exterior plastic do anything useful beside make the computer "look pretty?" I am considering just leaving it off. And if anyone is thinking "dust" I cover my computer when not in use.
Thanks.
 
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JetsonRING

JetsonRING
Besides making it prettier and easier to lift, it keeps you from being electrocuted in case you accidentally touch any of the high-voltage parts. It will also deflect, somewhat any liquid that gets spilled or splattered in the computers direction. It also keeps your cat from getting electrocuted when he walks across it.
 

JetsonRING

JetsonRING
Too bad it's a Dell. I had a Series One XPS desktop PC several years ago and it seemed like everything about it was proprietary, proprietary motherboard, proprietary case, even the cooling fans could not be bought from anyone but Dell.
It's what finally got me off Dell, frankly and on to building "white-box" PCs. Now I build my own: standard Asus MOBO, standard RAM, nVidia GTX 1080 GPU, standard Cooler Master Storm Trooper full-tower case. Much happier. Dell technical support sucks anyway, totally not worth paying extra for.
BTW for my money, the Cooler Master Storm Trooper full-tower case is the best bang for my bucks, available from Wal-Mart, just under $150 USD (no power supply). o7
 
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DukeIronHand

D
Thanks all.
I have had nothing but good luck with Dells for a whole lot of years starting way back when they were a cute and tenacious start-up company taking on the big boys.

In regards to proprietary parts this is sometimes true but, perhaps oddly, this is not an issue now because Dells are everywhere as are parts for them and companies that make parts.

But with that said I do plan to build my next computer if, for no other reason, then "bang for the buck."
 
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Shadowdancer

Shadowdancer
PiggyPiggyPig said:
There are open air wetbench platforms available
Click to expand...
Yeah, those and case windows are kinda stupid for anything that's supposed to be a more permanent installation though. The metal parts of a case do serve a purpose in that they shield the inside and outside from electromagnetic interference coming the other way and are supposed to be a full enclosure with holes on a millimetre scale at most, and I very much doubt that even a case with a rather small window would pass an EMI test to any standard.
 

Zak Gordon

Zak Gordon
Dust maybe? The more 'open' your PC, the more dust it will attract. In general a PC case is designed to protect the internal parts (and you from the electrics!).

The upside is probably better cooling, but that might depend on a number of other things like fan placement etc.
 

YinYin

YinYin
Depending on the exact type of cover it can help filter dust during operation.
Active fans suck up way more dust than you'd have it collect just standing around turned off.
It can also help channel the ventilation properly and reduce noise.

Next to the other obvious protection purposes (protecting it from the environment and vice versa).
 

Morbad

Morbad
Nothing in a PC that's a high voltage hazard, except inside the power supply itself (which normally has it's own case), and other than analog audio components, nothing that would be particularly prone to any EMI either.

The case is mostly there to hold and protect components from physical damage. Secondarily, they facilitate air flow (an enclosed system with proper active ventilation will run notably cooler than a caseless setup in the same environment) and can keep dust out with filtered intakes.
 

RidingTheFlow

RidingTheFlow
Morbad said:
Nothing in a PC that's a high voltage hazard, except inside the power supply itself (which normally has it's own case), and other than analog audio components, nothing that would be particularly prone to any EMI either.
Click to expand...
Not to mention that the case would be earthed, and, if your house electrics anywhere on modern standards, it will instantly trip RCD before any dangerous voltage can appear on metal.
P.S. Also there are plenty of full-metal cases ;) Large metal case actually acts as one huge heatsink as metal conducts heat way better than plastic.
 

ethelred

ethelred
Just to echo other points - a case helps with airflow, so your PC will generally run cooler with it on, rather than off.

I’ve got kids and animals too so from a safety perspective it’s best to keep it on.
 

DukeIronHand

D
PiggyPiggyPig said:
There are open air wetbench platforms available for PC builders and enthusiasts who often like to swap out components or simply want something different to stuffy old cases. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1x6NMD8ZSM
Click to expand...

Oh, I like the "wet bench" concept.
Goofing inside the base pulling wires, etc, is such a pain in the rear with my big paws.
And my latest vid card (GTX 970) barely fit in the mid-tower. Which is why I ain't tried another upgrade for fear a newer one would be even bigger.
 
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