Transporting my computer

[martouf]

Hello,

I am moving from California to Germany and I would like to bring my desktop computer with me.

I was wondering if any of you can recommend the best way to get my computer to my new destination without damaging it.

Should I just ship it whole via a company like FedEx? Should I remove and wrap the components (HDDs, GPU, etc) separately?
I'm up to hearing all of your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks,

Mike

[Bloodyvalley]

I think removing your GPU would be a wise idea. The rest should be fine, but don't quote me on this.

[Jade]

Take GPU/s out, take mechanical drives out, and if you use a large cpu cooler, that too. Write 'glass' on it instead of fragile.

[Statik]

Just fill er with packing peanuts!

Probably best to take out GPU and mechanical drives, as well as something like a large air cooler.

[Altecice]

take GPU and CPU block off. lay it on its back (motherboard facing up)

[Guest DollarPC]

take out Gpu, HardDrives, Ssd and CPU cooler and send them seperetly because their worth more..

You might say Ssd and harddrives are not important but they do contain lots of information.

I would take a box fill it with packing penuts foam cardboard and whatever else i could find and send it via fedex/usps.

[martouf]

Thanks guys!

So it seems everyone is in agreement that shipping via FedEx/UPS/USPS would be fine, but I should ship important parts separately?

 

Also, a lot of you guys have very stranges profile pictures

[dantayy]

Lol just treat it like they're gonna throw it around, and take out what you think is necessary 

[fringie]

You might want to put some form of packing foam inside and outside of the case for some extra protection after you have removed the previously mentioned components. + Yeah, I'd mail the parts in another lot.

 

I know shipping cases can be quite expensive so it might (depends on costs + how much it costs to ship ofc) be worth while ditching the case, sending your parts over then re-purchasing the case. Also, get your packages insured and get some of those be careful label things to stick on it (that said half the time they get ignored -.-, I've personally experienced it once in front of my face and I'm sure my packages have experienced it many times judging by how damaged the packaging is).

[ThePointblank]

Depending on how big your computer is, if the entire case can fit in a piece of luggage, you can just have an extra bag for your flight and stuff your computer in a piece of luggage to be checked in as special handling. Just take extra precautions and detach anything heavy inside your computer, like your video card and CPU cooler. I've done it before, and my computer came out fine.

[armycombatvet7]

I brought mine to Korea. I just made sure I pulled the GPU out before my wife sent it to me when I got here and got an address.

[LudoTheGreat]

I've shipped a lot of PCs all across the United states for past employers. Make sure you follow the shipping recommendations for UPS and or FedEx. 2" of cushioning on all sides of the item is recommended. Double boxing with said amount of cushion is also recommended for fragile items. There should be no rattles or anything lose in the box that can move around during shipping. If you use foam packing peanuts over fill the box a small amount as they compress during shipping. UPS basically says if you can stand on it without damaging it, then they will guarantee it will get there safe.

[WinNut]

Take the GPU and mechanical drives out, and if you have a tall cooler take that out too. Bending is very possible.

[Kyuubixchidori]

well, ask yourself if you are comfortable with doing a 4 foot static drop. if you feel like its safe from that, youd be fine packing. I wouldnt say you have to send stuff separably, but take out the cpu cooler, hard drive, and graphics card. remember that the box will be thrown around, and because of its size may be dropped. 

[martouf]

Thanks for all the great answers.

I feel more confident about what to do to ship my computer.