Moving a Desktop PC ... tips?

[Amias]

So I'll be moving my old rig from old home to new home, about 15 minute drive on moderately bumpy roads. Screens are going back into their original boxes, no concern there. Keyboard & Mouse getting throw in a box. 

 

But the main desktop PC. I have a large bulky 1080 GTX, an integrated AIO water-cooler bolted to the inside of the front of the case. All SSD/Nvme. Powersupply and cables are all tucked away and snug. I've got the desktop case original box, with packing, I'm planning on putting the whole thing back into. Then I'd likely just wrap the box in a duvet and stick it in my childs car seat (he can sit next to it, he'll be fine, it's only a 15 minute drive). 

 

My main concern is that GPU flopping around in the PCI socket. However anything else I need to be wary about? Tips and tricks for moving? If my GPU gets damaged, not good ... I'd rather send my kids to private education than you know ... have to buy a new one ...

 

 

[WhitetailAni]

Take out the GPU from the PC and stick it on your lap or on a seat or something. You do NOT want it flopping around in there as if it comes loose at least your motherboard will be dead, if not more.

[Lurick]

If you can't get the GPU out/don't have anywhere to put it and need to leave it in the PC then lay the PC down so the GPU is facing up as that will greatly reduce the ability for bumps to move it compared to when the tower is standing and the GPU is horizontal

[Dedayog]

11 minutes ago, Amias said:

So I'll be moving my old rig from old home to new home, about 15 minute drive on moderately bumpy roads. Screens are going back into their original boxes, no concern there. Keyboard & Mouse getting throw in a box. 

 

But the main desktop PC. I have a large bulky 1080 GTX, an integrated AIO water-cooler bolted to the inside of the front of the case. All SSD/Nvme. Powersupply and cables are all tucked away and snug. I've got the desktop case original box, with packing, I'm planning on putting the whole thing back into. Then I'd likely just wrap the box in a duvet and stick it in my childs car seat (he can sit next to it, he'll be fine, it's only a 15 minute drive). 

 

My main concern is that GPU flopping around in the PCI socket. However anything else I need to be wary about? Tips and tricks for moving? If my GPU gets damaged, not good ... I'd rather send my kids to private education than you know ... have to buy a new one ...

 

 

Just lay the case on it's side so the GPU is vertical, all you need to do. It's 15 minutes. Instantaneous as comparted to what FedEx and UPS have put your GPU and other parts through over their travels.

 

Really, I wouldn't even put the monitors in their boxes.  I put mine on the back seat, seatbelt them in.  

 

PC's aren't fragile.

 

 

[BondiBlue]

I'd recommend pulling the GPU out for the ride. Everything else should be fine, but a heavy GPU can do major damage to a PCIe slot. If you can't remove it then lay the computer down sideways so the GPU is facing up. 

2 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

PC's aren't fragile.

You're comparing loose GPUs being shipped to a GPU installed in a PCIe slot being moved on bumpy roads. Computers themselves may not be too fragile, but PCIe slots most certainly are, especially with heavy cards installed. 

[Dedayog]

5 minutes ago, BondiBlue said:

I'd recommend pulling the GPU out for the ride. Everything else should be fine, but a heavy GPU can do major damage to a PCIe slot. If you can't remove it then lay the computer down sideways so the GPU is facing up. 

You're comparing loose GPUs being shipped to a GPU installed in a PCIe slot being moved on bumpy roads. Computers themselves may not be too fragile, but PCIe slots most certainly are, especially with heavy cards installed. 

Come on, realize that when a GPU is placed vertical in the slot, and screwed into the back of the case as per proper installation guidelines, it's fine.  I did say lay the PC on its side, yes.

Are you calculating the g-forces on the card from his track run to his new house /s.  I am assuming he's going to drive like a responsible driver and not bash shit around his car.

 

Everything is going to be fine.  I will wager that loose GPU's suffer much more abuse, g-forces and stress than any driving the guy above will do.  Even comparing the GPU and PCIe slot aspects.

 

Again, PC's are not fragile.  People have it in their heads that if they don't put a GPU in a static bag within 3 seconds of removing it from the board it'll explode.  bah!

[BondiBlue]

1 minute ago, Dedayog said:

Everything is going to be fine.  I will wager that loose GPU's suffer much more abuse, g-forces and stress than any driving the guy above will do.  Even comparing the GPU and PCIe slot aspects.

I'm not saying the GPU itself is fragile - it's not. I'm saying that a heavy card installed in a PCIe slot can damage the slot itself. Sure, the card is screwed into the back of the case, but the other end of the card is still free to move around. 

 

I'm not saying OP has to treat all their components like they're extremely fragile, but they're expensive parts, so why not take a small amount of time to make sure they won't be damaged? 

[Amias]

Thanks for the tips everyone. 

 

Going to pop the case sides and see how well I seated the GPU, it's been 4 years!

 

I'll likely sit it on its side as recommended, was planning that already. But might consider popping it out and wrapping in an anti-static bag separately.

[Montana One-Six]

Just put your PC on the side so that the GPU is vertical. Place it somewhere in the car so that it doesn't move (strap down or seat belt) and you should be good to go.

 

Did exactly that every time I moved so far and never had any problems and I drove for 2-3 hours on my last move.

[LogicalDrm]

The way my tower will be moving wednesday. Put it in the car. Jam it between two heavy boxes. Drive.

 

Though I don't have working GPU to worry about. But I also haven't removed GPU ever. And I've been on LAN traveling with trains with this PC. You really would need to actually drop or slam it to cause anything serious. Just bumpy roads where case moved with the car, no problem. But if it would move more than car (or rather continues movement when car chages direction), thats where the worry is.