PC Shipping

[Jeburger]

Hi everyone,

I recently built a new pc in a micro atx case (Corsair Crystal Series 280x) and my mom strongly wants to let Fedex take care of the packaging and shipping of it as I'm about to go across the country for college. The issue is that I have a gut feeling that if I do this my computer is going to arrive terribly broken. Any thoughts or experience regarding something like this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[akio123008]

12 minutes ago, Jeburger said:

let Fedex take care of the packaging and shipping

What you do is, you take care of the packaging, they take care of the shipping.

 

Put it in an oversized box leaving about 10cm (4 inches if you will) of free space on all sides of the computer. Stuff this space full of foam or something similar. Then the computer will be protected from pretty much any impact except maybe a 10m+ drop.

 

Edit: if you want to be extra secure, open the side panel and also stuff the interior of the computer full of foam to stop internal components moving.

[tkitch]

find the right size for your box:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS/ref=asc_df_B01BU5VXVS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167124288646&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5868583203611667073&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001934&hvtargid=pla-306992091347&psc=1

 

[dizmo]

If you package it properly yourself, nothing will happen to it. Shipping companies aren't that bad at their job, otherwise no one would ever ship anything.

You don't package it properly? Then yeah, something will happen. You have to understand that they're going to be moving quickly, your package will be tossed, and chances are it'll be placed in an orientation other than what you deem as "right way up." Your best bet is to ship the computer in the box it came in, with the proper materials keeping the cooler and GPU in place. If you don't have the proper materials, take the GPU and cooler out, shipping them separately.

 

6 minutes ago, akio123008 said:

What you do is, you take care of the packaging, they take care of the shipping.

 

Put it in an oversized box leaving about 10cm (4 inches if you will) of free space on all sides of the computer. Stuff this space full of foam or something similar. Then the computer will be protected from pretty much any impact except maybe a 10m+ drop.

 

Edit: if you want to be extra secure, open the side panel and also stuff the interior of the computer full of foam to stop internal components moving.

Depends on the kind of foam. You ideally would have something with give. If you don't have softer foam, clothes are probably the next best bet.

[GeorgeMKane]

Don't forget to put foam inside the actual computer. https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS

 

This is an option that websites like CyberPowerPC have, and I think one NZXT uses automatically.

[HanZie82]

11 minutes ago, tkitch said:

find the right size for your box:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS/ref=asc_df_B01BU5VXVS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167124288646&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5868583203611667073&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001934&hvtargid=pla-306992091347&psc=1

 

 

5 minutes ago, GeorgeMKane said:

Don't forget to put foam inside the actual computer. https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS

 

This is an option that websites like CyberPowerPC have, and I think one NZXT uses automatically.

ROFL, results in exactly the same product.
Hell its the same link, just withouth the tracking info.
Must be good stuff then.

[tkitch]

(I used a google search for "expanding foam mailer" and it was an amazon sponsored result lol!)

[Middcore]

Remove the GPU, and possibly the CPU cooler as well if it's a big heavy one, and package them up separately. If this cannot be done, or even if it has been done, put some of the expanding foam already mentioned inside the case.

 

Put the PC back in the box the case originally came in with the original foam packing inserts. Ideally you would then place this box inside a larger box with the gap around it filled up with cushioning material. If you don't still have the original case box, then do as @akio123008describes, but make sure that the cushioning material you use all around the PC is stuffed in tight - you want to minimize the amount the PC can jostle around inside the box.

 

Here's a video that may be helpful: 

 

[HanZie82]

If you have good sticky tape dont be cheap on that either.

 

And DO NOT use to thin carboard for the box. obviously.

Specially take care of the corners, those are usually the first to go.