a couple questions for a rookie

[Eternal0ne]

edit: messed up title should be: a couple questions from a rookie

after following you guys for a while it looks like i caught the bug and want to do some modding

right now i am planning to do a mod so i can cut down on the amount of space used by my 3 comps.

question 1: Is it bad to mount a motherboard facing downwards?

question 2: Is it bad to mount a hdd on its back?

question 3: Regarding heat dissipation, is it better an open case concept or a sealed one regulated by 1 sucking fan and 1 blowing fan?

thanks alot!

[chaksq]

The first one should not be an issue, I have seen motherboards mounted at all sorts of angles. The second one shouldn't be an issue either. I have heard of some high RPM drives havig a slightly shorter life expectancy when mounted vertical although I don't know how true this is and it has been done a lot. I have had several computers where the drive is mounted upside down from the factory (circuit board on top).

[Nick_Black]

I'm just one opinion, I could be wrong but here are my answers:

Awnswer 0.5: I alway's found modding takes up MORE room...

Answer 1:It's not nesasaraly BAD, but there are alot of things to worry about, like the heat bieng in a more confind space (from the CPU) also, there are alot of things sticking out (like the heatsink) that you have to make room for. but if you get past all the problems, I don't see why not.

Answer 2: I've heard that this couses problems for some people becouse again, heat. heat rises, and if the HDD is upside down the heat gets trapped underneath. but I've done it before without any problems. so again, get rid of the heat and you should be fine.

Answer 3: that's up to you, depends on how you design your case and what your running ect. seald case is better for noise, but the rule I go by: the more vents, the less heat.

hope this helps :D

[Eternal0ne]

thanks for all the quick answers

"answer 0.5: I alway's found modding takes up MORE room..."

that's the beauty of this mod hehe

my computer desk has a designated space for a computer box which is used about 70% used by my tsunami case, i measured and the motherboard tray just fits in there so i am trying to come up with a concept where each computer would stack on top of each other so i can at least have 3 of them in there
I also have a KVM switch to switch comps, i've already stripped one case base and so far so good