My case

[CT2TXtech]

I always leave off a side panel of my computer. Is there an advantage/disadvantage to leaving it off at all times? Just wondering.

 

[beatle]

Dust, noise, possibly cooling performance drop (depending on your fan setup) and children/pets.

 

[jar5tyle]

You are spraying EMI all over!

 

[Corporate Thug]

prolly temps are a little cooler

 

[Aknosis]

actually, if you have fans in front and back of your case opening the side panel screws up the airflow.

 

[VRmaster69]

Originally posted by: Aknosis
actually, if you have fans in front and back of your case opening the side panel screws up the airflow.

That is true, if your cse it "fanned up" removing the side will disrupt the flow of air inside your case. But if you just have CPU, Video and PSU fans then removing the side will help cool down the insides.

 

[Camofrog]

How many fans do you have? what kind of case is it ? some cases do have vents in the sides anyway. do you have windows ? i would reccomend that you just put a fan on the side of your case. more air flow that way anyway.

 

[jdogg707]

Ya, you are also inviting anything into your case, a friend of mine did that once and a few bugs got into his computer case and gummed up the fan on his video card, causing it to overheat all the time....I would close the thing, it will also be a good deal quieter!

 

[Jdinh04]

it makes the computer cooler

but if you leave the side panel off stuff can get it in like bugs, pets, or maybe other misc. things inside your house. personally i wouldn't leave it off