Do You Really Need A PC Case?

PC cases offerbetter coolingand help innoise reduction. It even prolongs your components’ lifespan and helps prevent them fromdust buildupandstatic electricity.

So,you absolutely need a PC case!But this doesn’t mean you may’t start your computer without one.

If you’re frequently into hardware testing, connecting the components correctly andjump-starting the motherboardshouldcomplete the POST.

Now, let’s delve deeper into my thoughts below.

Times When PC Case Isn’t Essential

you may certainly save a few bucks by not opting for a PC case and instead expand your budget for a CPU or GPU. Or rather go economic by selecting a cheaper PC case instead.

I even performed a small experiment with one setup without a PC case for about a week. Negating slight overheating issues here and there, the PC worked without any issues. The only problem was that I had to clean it regularly and along was the risk of accidental liquid spill.

Here are a handful of scenarios where PC cases aren’t quite necessary:

Before Assembling a Rig

If you have opted for acustom PC build, it’s essential to ensure none of the components are defective. There are cases ofDOA (Dead on Arrival), which you should rule out.

It’s even more practical to test out the components outside the PC case first. Imagine fitting every part, butthere’s no display?

To tackle this, our team always ensures each of the new buildsgets to BIOSbefore housing everything.

Frequent Hardware Testing

This case holds forenthusiasts and content creatorslike me.

At TechNewsToday, we are focused on providing well-tested content for our readers. Since we are involved inrigorous verification for every single guide, we have to set up multiple systems every day!

If we opt for individual PC cases, this adds to our cost and every build takes a certain time for sure. Instead, we utilize aTest Bench, which has significantly helped reduce our cost and time.

I’m not saying that you need to purchase a similar product – you may place your motherboard on acardboard/wooden box or even on your desk.

Just ensure there are noVRM MOSFETsunderneath and thesurface isn’t metal.

Otherwise, themotherboard may overheatas theMOSFET temperaturegoes high due to poor heat dissipation. The worst-case scenario isshort-circuit!

My Tip:Always place the components inside anti-static bags and packaging boxes when not in use.

Why I Recommend Using A PC Case

Other than the aforementioned reasons, you absolutely need a PC case. Even though it’s possible to start your computer outside, this isonly recommended for a short period.

With proper care andregular cleaning, you might be able to extend its use case. But along comes the risk of physical damage due toliquid spillsandaccidental touch.

So,even a budget PC case is going to be worth itif you’re looking tofuture-proof your components. Here are the main reasons for that:

Better Cooling and Airflow

In an open build, the CPU cooler dissipates heat directly into the surroundings. Since the intake fans are missing, no cool air is supplied, and the airflow is greatly affected.

With a PC case, intake fans bring in fresh air, while exhaust fans throw out the hot and stagnant air from heated components. Sincethere’s proper airflow, it leads tobetter cooling.

Do note that the greater thenumber of case fans, the higher will be thetotal CFM. Meaning more air moves in and out.

It’s also essential to maintainneutral air pressureinside the PC case. I like to balance the intake and exhaust fans and recommend the same.

Note:Negative and positive pressure have their own pros and cons. While the former is better for reducing the temperature inside the chassis, the latter prevents excessive dust buildup.

Noise Reduction

A few PC components generate whooshing sounds (especially thefans,hard drives,graphics cards, andPSUs). If you’re not going to use a PC case, they might betoo loud for your ears.

Modern PC cases come withsound-deadening foamsthat eliminate resonant frequencies/vibrations coming from the spinning components.

The sound bounces around inside the chassis before reaching you. That’s the reason you have aquieter experiencewhen using any standard PC case.

If you prefer complete silence, it’s better to go for casings that supportsound-dampening features. These are usually expensive, though.

Avoid Dust Buildup

The internal components accumulate dust more quickly when there’s no PC case. This scenario worsens if you’re a pet owner, as more hair can get stuck between theconnectors,ports, andslots.

On the other hand, side panels and dust filtersact as a barrieragainst dust bunnies, debris, and pet fur.

If you have appropriatelyinstalled the case fansensuring proper airflowand maintaining positive air pressure, dust buildup is heavily reduced.

It’s not that your computer won’t be dusty at all. Various factors come into play, like yourPC’s locationand theroom’s condition. So, you should stillclean your PC from time to time.

Prevention From Accidents

Since your components remain exposed, the major con of not using a PC case isaccidental liquid spills. A drop of water in any part shallpermanently damage your computer.

Not to forget about human and pet intervention. Even touching a working motherboard maydischarge static electricity, eventuallydamaging it.

While this is a rare scenario and can be prevented bygrounding yourself properly,it’s still a risk factor.

A common issue is with heavy components, like graphics cards. If not secured properly, this may lead tofrequent crashingandPCB warping. With poorly manufactured boards, the PCIe slot can even break.

you may avoid these issues simply by opting for a PC case. It willhandle the weight of heavy components, prevent accidental touches, pet intervention, and even static electricity.

Higher Durability and Longevity of PC Components

Every PC component has an estimated lifespan and can generally last5 to 7 years on average. However, the hardware parts can die quicklydue to several environmental factors.

With no PC case, the chance ofcorrosion increasesslightly, especially the motherboard’s electrical contacts. This is especially the caseif your room is too humid.

Issues likeshort-circuiting,ESD, andphysical damages(mentioned in the earlier heading) can all impact the components’ lifespan.

Itisn’t worth riskingany of your valuable hardware just because you don’t desire a PC case. That’s the reason I have been emphasizing to get at leasta low-end/cheap casingthroughout this article.

Aesthetics and Easy Cable Management

PC builds outside the chassis can be aesthetically pleasing for userswho like to show off their high-end components. That doesn’t mean getting a PC case ruins it unless you have gone for a traditional one.

A PC case actuallybeautifies your setup. You canadd RGB lightingand customize it.

TheNZXT H510 Eliteis excellent for my upcoming all-white gaming PC build. I’m planning to go for theROG Maximus Z690 FormulaandCORSAIR RM-850XPSU.

I also have theVENGEANCE RGB PRO 16GBRAM andNZXT Kraken 280 RGBAIO in my mind. If everything goes well, we’ll bring its ASMR PC build video soon.

Even if you take the risk and build your PC without a case, thecable clutter can mess up the aesthetics. That’s certainly not the case if you properly fit all the components inside the chassis.

PSU shroud and routing holes in the PC case, along with the use of zip ties and rubber grommets, can extensivelyhelp in cable management.

Also, don’t forget tomanage the cables outside the case(peripherals, monitor, ethernet, etc.), ensuring your workspace remains tidy.

Alternatives: Open-Air and DIY PC Case

If you’re seriously into the mining business or even enthusiastic aboutmulti-GPU builds, a standard PC case wouldn’t be fruitful. The main issue is improper spacing.

Instead, you should go fordedicated mining frames or shelves. This is because open-air builds are better in terms ofheat dissipation.

Note:Make sure you’vechosen the right motherboardand CPU for crypto mining as well.

For custom loops, it’s always recommended togo for open-air builds. These don’t just add aesthetics but even offervast airflowandfantastic cooling management measures.

Even at our office, we haveset up an enthusiastic water-cooled buildfor gaming and editing. TheAntec Torqueopen-air case is housed withX570 AQUAandRTX 2080 TI:

Heard of a DIY PC case? Yes, that’s also possible if you havebasic design and woodworking skills.

Similar to what my favorite YouTuber,Linus, and his teamhave done inone of their challenge videos, you too canuse cardboardto create a DIY PC case.

Or go for a wall-mounted build instead.

PC Build With or Without a Case: Pros and Cons

My answer is pretty simple.Always go for a PC case,as it protects your valuable components in the long run and isusually the cheapest among all the parts.

Even with no PC case, you might need anexternal power button, which adds up to the cost anyway. While it’s possible to jump-start the motherboard (by shorting thepower headers), doing this every time is quite hectic.

Still, having double thoughts? My summarized points below should make it easier whether you should go for a PC case or not.

No PC Case

Conclusion

By now, I’m sure you have already decided whether to use your system with or without a case.

If you don’t want a PC case, it’s okay, but in case you want to keep one, ensure you choose a case that offers good features at a reasonable price.