Is there a way to build a 'Durable' PC?

[Guest]

For say travelling? Would it all be about the case? How would you keep components from bending in harsh condition?

Just wandering, what would you do?

[Tmt97]

Very durable case, and military grade components. I'd also go with solid state drives since shaking around the case, and/or dropping it with hard drives could break them.

[Guest Kloaked]

Mini-ITX or Micro ATX is the way to go since they are less prone to falling over and potentially causing damage.

 

I recommend Fractal's Node line of cases for something like that, or even the Bitfenix Prodigy line (they have a Mini-ITX and Micro ATX version) since they have handles which are perfect for traveling.

[The Official Czex]

Mini-ITX or Micro ATX is the way to go since they are less prone to falling over and potentially causing damage.

 

I recommend Fractal's Node line of cases for something like that, or even the Bitfenix Prodigy line (they have a Mini-ITX and Micro ATX version) since they have handles which are perfect for traveling.

 

Prodigy line for the win.

[Gale]

Besides what people mentioned, a low profile or water CPU cooler is preferred in case the PC gets shaken while being transported.

[Andrew Storlie]

Get a ncase m1 and the backpack that is made for it.

[Tmt97]

Besides what people mentioned, a low profile or water CPU cooler is preferred in case the PC gets shaken while being transported.

Oh really? Why would you say that? Personally if I'm gonna be shoving it around while traveling I'd rather not have to worry about my computer springing a leak. Besides, how will watercooling be better if shaken than air cooling? The only reason i can imagine you might say that is because the shaking might mess up the fans, but you will need fans on the radiators anyway. Just seems like it adds more things that can go wrong, and still brings all the same vulnerability as air cooling would have.

[Tmt97]

You might also want to go a bit above and beyond with the power supply in this build too. I don't know much about the durability of power supplies, but I can't imagine that shaking is good for their longterm health.

[Epiclol86]

Oh really? Why would you say that? Personally if I'm gonna be shoving it around while traveling I'd rather not have to worry about my computer springing a leak. Besides, how will watercooling be better if shaken than air cooling? The only reason i can imagine you might say that is because the shaking might mess up the fans, but you will need fans on the radiators anyway. Just seems like it adds more things that can go wrong, and still brings all the same vulnerability as air cooling would have.

I think that he is talking about the fact that big air coolers like the 212 evo are quite heavy and protrude from the mobo quite a lot, providing extra lever to apply eventual force on the motherboard, if the pc is shaken. Liquid is better in this instance since the block is usually quite small not very heavy, and does not protrude from the mobo. Besides all in one watercooling is quite good and reliable these days.

[Shepanator]

This is what I'd generally do:

• MicroATX build
• Solid state storage only
• Have GPU bracket (so GPU is not hanging from PCIe slot)
• No water cooling, air cooling only
• Durable case

If it was a pc to be used in a dust heavy environment like in a woodworking shop then I'd seal all the cracks with putty (on the inside of the case to preserve aesthetics, a heavy duty pc can still look good   ) and then filter all intakes and even exhausts to make sure no dust can sneak in even when the pc is off. Maybe an uninterruptable power supply if you're going to be running from a generator or other spotty power source.

[CommandMan7]

The Lian-Li TU200 is the toughest travel case you can get, completely made of riveted aluminum with a built in carrying handle. Make sure you get a lightweight low profile CPU air cooler, and you can get one of silverstone's high end fanless PSU's. Also you'll need to use SSD's and GPU brackets. Also be aware of the GPU's build quality, some cheaper plastic cooling shrouds could possibly break. I would also recommend using a centrifugal blower type card, as they are most likely tougher (just a educated guess). 

[LogicalDrm]

Very durable case, and military grade components. I'd also go with solid state drives since shaking around the case, and/or dropping it with hard drives could break them.

Military grade is most of the time just advertising trick. Worksation/industrial grade stuff would be those to look for.

[Tmt97]

Military grade is most of the time just advertising trick. Worksation/industrial grade stuff would be those to look for.

Good to know. I thought it meant it was legit bought by the military. Not sure about workstation/server grade stuff though. I know those components are made to a higher standard than desktop components but I question whether or not that higher standard has anything to do with durability during travel. I mean yea they are made more durable in the sense that they can be run 24/7 without wearing out as fast, but that's not the kind of strain were talking about putting the components under. Why would a manufacturer of server components need to be producing stuff that can handle being bumped around in the back of a van any better than a desktop component would? I mean, its not like server hardware is going to get beaten up more than desktop counterparts would. In fact, most servers are treated with much more care than a desktop would be.

 

Hard drives are the obvious the exception to this, as I know the enterprise drives are made to handle more vibrations from large file servers(or in this case bumping around in the back of a van).

[LogicalDrm]

- -

We had thread about military thing while back. Military grade thing on mobos means that they use same capasitors that are used on military electronics. Not that whole mobo is made to be durable in harsh conditions.

Industrial and workstation hardware are good for durable things since those are made to have only things that really do matter. And those parts are made from best materials. Which can be seen in pricing.

[Admiral Naismith]

Solid construction.

 

Stick to mITX or mATX at the largest. ATX faces warping issues.

Do NOT use HDDs, only SSDs.

Avoid putting GPUs in the motherboard slot as usual. This puts a lot of pressure on the slot, the motherboard, and GPU. Use a cable from the slot to a GPU mounted securely somewhere else. This allows for the GPU and motherboard to shake and move without putting stress on each other.

Avoid using liquid coolers and large air coolers for your CPU. Loops and AIOs simply can't take the stress unless you overbuild the sh*t out of it. Large air coolers will put stress on your board UNLESS you properly secure it. I'd avoid this however and go for a low-profile cooler.

This is largely personal preference, but I'd get a modular PSU. If for some reason a cable has a lot of stress, it'll just snap out of the socket. All you'd have to do is put it back in place.

 

When it comes down to actually 'cooling' your system, that depends on how you want it to work. Do you want to open a brief case and your keyboard, monitor, etc. are ready for you? Do you just want it to be a heavy duty case with a system inside? Etc..

 

The best thing I can say is make sure you are building FOR stress. You will never make a chassis strong enough and light enough that won't warp, shake, etc.. Build it in a fashion that allows for everything to shake, move, etc. independently.

[AstroBenny]

In any case, the GPU should always be removed, especially if it's a dual slot card.

[Gikero]

Also, make sure the components are visually inspected upon arrival, before the system is powered on.

[TheRandomness]

In any case, the GPU should always be removed, especially if it's a dual slot card.

I may have tested the ruggedness of the PCIe mounting system... By flipping my case on its side and shaking the hell out of it Card was and still is fine

[SolarNova]

No optical drive

SSD only

GPU bracket*** or PCI-E riser extension***

AIO CPU water cooler or low profile small air cooler.

Strong metal ITX/ m-ATX case

 

***

Ether buy a good quality sturdy GPU bracket, fabricate one urself, or try get a case which has a built in system for adding extra support for the GPU.

 

***

if you go the PCI-e extension cable route, then u'll need to mount the GPU somewhere else within the case, best bet is to buy a case with this design in mind.

[Guest]

No optical drive

SSD only

GPU bracket*** or PCI-E riser extension***

AIO CPU water cooler or low profile small air cooler.

Strong metal ITX/ m-ATX case

 

***

Ether buy a good quality sturdy GPU bracket, fabricate one urself, or try get a case which has a built in system for adding extra support for the GPU.

 

***

if you go the PCI-e extension cable route, then u'll need to mount the GPU somewhere else within the case, best bet is to buy a case with this design in mind.

nice, but why low profile cooler?

the weight? metal case then? lol

[SolarNova]

Lower profile cooler so the motherboard doesn't have the stress of a large tower cooler hanging of it.

 

The weight of the case doesn't affect the components inside, it being metal and of solid construction is for protection, but yes it would make it heavy.

[Khenjie23]

Mini-ITX or Micro ATX is the way to go since they are less prone to falling over and potentially causing damage.

 

I recommend Fractal's Node line of cases for something like that, or even the Bitfenix Prodigy line (they have a Mini-ITX and Micro ATX version) since they have handles which are perfect for traveling.

Yes I agree