Bring my desktop to another country

[Leychee]

Hi, I was wondering if it's possible to board the plane with a desktop, probably not as carry-on. If so, what do I need to know? Should I remove any parts and put them in my carry-on?

I have an iCUE 220T RGB case (https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Mid-Tower-ATX-Cases/iCUE-220T-RGB-Airflow-Tempered-Glass-Mid-Tower-Smart-Case/p/CC-9011174-WW)

 

Thank you.

[Skiiwee29]

I just shipped a PC cross country from Michigan to California. What I would recommend doing is getting yourself some instapak foam to place inside the PC itself to help protect the cooler and GPU and then box up the PC in the case's original boxing/packaging. This is how I shipped it without zero problem. The instapak I had was damaged so I actually used Cardboard to brace everything since its non conductive. 

[Leychee]

Not a bad idea. I don't think I'll be able to ship it, but I'll add some foam inside. If I use a suitcase can I do the same thing? Bubble wrap or some foam around it and inside?

[dizmo]

Make sure it's well packed, and there's something supporting the cooler and graphics card, or remove them completely. You can't just use any old foam, as they can create static. Same with bubble wrap.

 

Also in mind your media is susceptible to inspection, with or without a password in most countries. 

[Leychee]

2 hours ago, dizmo said:

Make sure it's well packed, and there's something supporting the cooler and graphics card, or remove them completely. You can't just use any old foam, as they can create static. Same with bubble wrap.

 

Also in mind your media is susceptible to inspection, with or without a password in most countries. 

Got it. Is cardboard OK for supporting the cooler and GPU?

[tikker]

If you can I would really try to remove the GPU and tower cooler and then transport it in pieces. Those will be the biggest points of stress when the case is thrown around. If not then secure it with Instapak and what not to make sure there is no leverage to exploit.

[Blue4130]

7 hours ago, Leley said:

Hi, I was wondering if it's possible to board the plane with a desktop, probably not as carry-on. If so, what do I need to know? Should I remove any parts and put them in my carry-on?

I have an iCUE 220T RGB case (https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Mid-Tower-ATX-Cases/iCUE-220T-RGB-Airflow-Tempered-Glass-Mid-Tower-Smart-Case/p/CC-9011174-WW)

 

Thank you.

Is this a permanent move or at least long term? If you just want to take your pc with you on holiday, don't bother. Use internet cafe or some other method to get online. 

[LogicalDrm]

As carry-on, there are restrictions on both weight and size, but otherwise its safer than as checked-in luggage. Luggage gets thrown around, by people and by conveyor belts. So disconnect anything from internal ports that might get wiggly. If the whole case is big, and expensive. And the move is permanent or over 6 months long, I would suggest paying for shipping it. Those packages are treated bit better as expectation is there to be something more valuable than just clothes.

[Leychee]

13 hours ago, LogicalDrm said:

As carry-on, there are restrictions on both weight and size, but otherwise its safer than as checked-in luggage. Luggage gets thrown around, by people and by conveyor belts. So disconnect anything from internal ports that might get wiggly. If the whole case is big, and expensive. And the move is permanent or over 6 months long, I would suggest paying for shipping it. Those packages are treated bit better as expectation is there to be something more valuable than just clothes.

I don't have the original box of the case, but I'll probably ship it then. Is it OK if I remove the GPU, CPU cooler and HDD and fill the case with clothes as protection? And since I have 2 tempered glass panels maybe wrap it around some bubble wrap. Should I just ask the post office for a box and fill the gaps with more clothes or something? And I'll carry the GPU, CPU cooler and HDD in my check-in luggage most probably, since they're quite big.

 

Edit: or can I keep everything inside and just stuff the case so nothing moves? (I have a NH-D15S cooler) 

[Arika]

11 minutes ago, Leley said:

Edit: or can I keep everything inside and just stuff the case so nothing moves? (I have a NH-D15S cooler) 

If you do, you want to make SURE nothing moves, that is a very heavy cooler and it's not uncommon for GPUs to get ripped out of the socket even if it is screwed into the case.

Honestly, don't risk it, take out the Cooler and GPU. HDD should be fine if it's mounted in a HDD cage with anti-vibration pads.

 

i also wouldn't recommend stuffing it with clothes since they can build up static

[Leychee]

3 minutes ago, Arika S said:

If you do, you want to make SURE nothing moves, that is a very heavy cooler and it's not uncommon for GPUs to get ripped out of the socket even if it is screwed into the case.

Honestly, don't risk it, take out the Cooler and GPU. HDD should be fine if it's mounted in a HDD cage with anti-vibration pads.

 

i also wouldn't recommend stuffing it with clothes since they can build up static

I'll remove them then. This is really stressing me out, I probably should have kept the box. I can just pick up a box big enough and fill it with some clothes, and inside the case probably something non static, any ideas? Instapak is good but a bit expensive where I'm from. 

[sub68]

I woiuld also be carful with the side panel IDK how I would pack it but...

[Leychee]

2 minutes ago, sub68 said:

I woiuld also be carful with the side panel IDK how I would pack it but...

That's not what concerns me, I'll just tape some cardboard and fill the box with bubble wrap and clothes, probably. 

[sub68]

2 minutes ago, Leley said:

That's not what concerns me, I'll just tape some cardboard and fill the box with bubble wrap and clothes, probably. 

ok, as for the desktop just put something like this https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS?th=1

inside of the case.

[Leychee]

55 minutes ago, sub68 said:

ok, as for the desktop just put something like this https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Packing-Shipping-Solution/dp/B01BU5VXVS?th=1

inside of the case.

As I said above, Instapak is quite expensive where I'm from. 

[sub68]

2 minutes ago, Leley said:

As I said above, Instapak is quite expensive where I'm from. 

I am sorry I didn't see that.

Then I guess remove cooler and GPU.

Somehow put that into a backpack I guess.

[Blue4130]

2 hours ago, Leley said:

As I said above, Instapak is quite expensive where I'm from. 

Do you absolutely need to take it? Is it a permanent move? 

[Kopaka]

If it's a permanent/long term move, an alternative would be to take the parts out of the case, packs those individually, sell the case and buy a new case at the destination. Shipping a big case could be really expensive and fitting it into luggage not that easy and might cause oversize fees.

[greenhorn]

As others have suggested, take the CPU cooler and the GPU cooler out. Also make sure to protect the case itself, especially if parts of it are made out of glass. Remove anything sticking out from the case (cables, Wifi antenna etc).
The box the case came in is only made for an empty case, your mileage may vary when using it with a full computer, especially when there are heavy components inside.

It is also not a bad idea to contact the airline, they can tell you exactly what kind of restrictions (size, weight) to expect for all types of luggage. If there is any way of getting the package labeled as "fragile", then do that.

[Leychee]

I will definitely take the CPU cooler and GPU out. The problem is that I still don't know whether I should ship it or just check-in. Stuffing the insides with clothes isn't good and Instapak is way too expensive, any other ideas? Where could I find a box big enough?

[MultiGamerClub]

4 minutes ago, Leley said:

I will definitely take the CPU cooler and GPU out. The problem is that I still don't know whether I should ship it or just check-in. Stuffing the insides with clothes isn't good and Instapak is way too expensive, any other ideas? Where could I find a box big enough?

Ask local stores if they have excess package boxes they dont need, atleast that worked for me.. Oh man stores have alot of excess boxes.

[Leychee]

1 hour ago, MultiGamerClub said:

Ask local stores if they have excess package boxes they dont need, atleast that worked for me.. Oh man stores have alot of excess boxes.

I could definitely try that. Though I don't have any local computer stores, I'll probably contact Corsair. If this doesn't work, any other solution?

[Blue4130]

2 hours ago, Leley said:

I could definitely try that. Though I don't have any local computer stores, I'll probably contact Corsair. If this doesn't work, any other solution?

It doesn't need to be a computer box. Any box will do. 

[Roswell]

They’re not going to let you bring the system or parts as carry-on. Sharp objects are a no-go. Don’t even bother trying because once they deny you it will be too late to get it in cargo.

[Blue4130]

2 hours ago, RichardRichieRich said:

Honestly, this is the first time I've seen a question like this. Call the airport helpdesk and check with them.

This question comes up multiple times per year. The threads are all the same. (pull gpu and cpu cooler, stuff case with packing) and people arguing that you can't take a pc on a plane in the cabin.