Flying with Desktop PC - Tips and Tricks

[BAPEsta]

Hey guys! 

So some friends from the UK are looking in to going to DreamHack Winter next month and they are worried about flying with their Desktop PCs.
I'm not entirely sure if this thread fits in any Forum Section so I put it here in Off Topic. 

What I'm looking for is tips and tricks for flying with a Mid-tower Desktop PC, one of the cases is the Fractal Design Arc Midi R2.
My idea is to take out the Graphics Cards and the HDDs and pack them in the hand luggage, then fill the inside of the case with soft materials, clean clothes or bubble wrap maybe before putting it into a Hard Case travel bag.

Does any of you guys have experience of flying with your Desktop PC? 
 

[Saladin]

Hey guys! 

So some friends from the UK are looking in to going to DreamHack Winter next month and they are worried about flying with their Desktop PCs.

I'm not entirely sure if this thread fits in anywhere so I put it here in Off Topic. 

What I'm looking for is tips and tricks for flying with a Mid-tower Desktop PC, one of the cases is the Fractal Design Arc Midi R2.

My idea is to take out the Graphics Cards and the HDDs and pack them in the hand luggage, then fill the inside of the case with soft materials, clean clothes or bubble wrap maybe before putting it into a Hard Case travel bag.

Does any of you guys have experience of flying with your Desktop PC? 

 

Don't fly it, ship it. Here is a good general guide.

[Titanicium]

I don´t have much to help with here but you could probably have put this in the "General Discussion" thread It ain´t really that off-topic

[ofr057]

taking out the hard drives and graphics card is a good idea, since its a long flight i would look at making a box out of wood then lining it with about 3 inches of foam, the wood will reduce the chance to stuff stabbing it.

 

but truthfully i would be looking at either making a smaller computer to take or a laptop as its going to cost heaps for extra baggage

[ofr057]

I don´t have much to help with here but you could probably have put this in the "General Discussion" thread It ain´t really that off-topic

agreed general discussion you will most likly get a more educated suggestion

[renz62]

Origin PC's ship their custom made computers to their customers by air. I have seen some Origin PC unboxings and they put A WHOLE TON of I think bubble wrap and VERY THICK foams inside their chassis, with all the components still intact. They also ship the whole thing inside a wooden box to avoid any stabbings and bad handling.

[BAPEsta]

Proper shipping will unfortunately not be suitable since it's a 4 day event and the whole trip will be 6 days. I also think that would cost way too much. 

The actual time in the air will not be long since the flight from The UK to Sweden is about 1-2hrs. 

[Ookami]

If its an mITX then it will fit in the luggage. If its mATX, ATX or bigger then theres not much point. Of course in both cases (taking it with you or shipping) ALWAYS remove the graphic card (for safety also other PCI cards) and place it in their boxes. Other way is to take pc apart and take it without your case. Youll have to use ex. motherboard box as a ghetto testbench/stand.

 

I have mITX build in Prodigy and tested it to fit my travel luggage and it fit...

[BAPEsta]

If its an mITX then it will fit in the luggage. If its mATX, ATX or bigger then theres not much point. Of course in both cases (taking it with you or shipping) ALWAYS remove the graphic card (for safety also other PCI cards) and place it in their boxes. Other way is to take pc apart and take it without your case. Youll have to use ex. motherboard box as a ghetto testbench/stand.

 

I have mITX build in Prodigy and tested it to fit my travel luggage and it fit...

That's actually why I chose Prodigy, to be able to travel with it!

[Saladin]

If you do have a large air cooler, you might want to remove that ask well as any drives and PCI-e cards (graphics cards). Pack everything with high density (non-static) foam. Wrap the case really well. Just be prepared for the case to get dropped/mishandled/dinged up.

[Ookami]

Best solution if they REALLY NEED to take the PC with them for those few days is like i said take PC apart and go without a case. Put in all back (of course without the case that will stay home) and do something like this:

GHETTO TESTBENCH FTW!

[Saladin]

Best solution if they REALLY NEED to take the PC with them for those few days is like i said take PC apart and go without a case. Put in all back (of course without the case that will stay home) and do something like this:

GHETTO TESTBENCH FTW!

OCD Activate!!! No but seriously I'm getting a facial twitch.

[Ookami]

OCD Activate!!! No but seriously I'm getting a facial twitch.

That pic is PURE GHETTO!

 

Even fans are taped on!

[Saladin]

That pic is PURE GHETTO!

 

Even fans are taped on!

I just want to run at the thing with handful of zip ties.

[JAKEBAB]

If its an mITX then it will fit in the luggage. If its mATX, ATX or bigger then theres not much point. Of course in both cases (taking it with you or shipping) ALWAYS remove the graphic card (for safety also other PCI cards) and place it in their boxes. Other way is to take pc apart and take it without your case. Youll have to use ex. motherboard box as a ghetto testbench/stand.

 

I have mITX build in Prodigy and tested it to fit my travel luggage and it fit...

i have mATX and its smaller than the prodigy also theres an mATX prodigy so there like the same size why say theres no point for mATX when its the same size?

[Ookami]

i have mATX and its smaller than the prodigy also theres an mATX prodigy so there like the same size why say theres no point for mATX when its the same size?

But most peeps buy larger cases even for mITX or mATX.

[JAKEBAB]

But most peeps buy larger cases even for mITX or mATX.

true like the 350d which defeats the whole purpose of the these for factors

[Canoas]

1. buy a gaming laptop

2. take it with you

3. come back

4. return it within 15 days

 

Buy it from a big chain so there'll be no problems with getting your money back and make sure they do give you back cash instead of store credit before you purchase it. Also, buying it from a big chain won't be hurting small busisnesses.

[Terminashunator]

I made my current rig specifically so it could fit in a carryon bag. a good thing you can do is have the chassis, and pack your clothes inside the case as padding. Then, if possible, carry the computer as carryon. I used THIS case, however a ProdigyM or Corsair 350D would only be a little bigger. For drives, I suggest an SSD boot and a 2.5" storage. They can handle more abuse. Replace the stock PSU with a Silverstone 450w SFX one and you're set.

[qwertywarrior]

flying with a desktop pc ?

it is doable

just buy four GTX 480s and run furmark

hold on tight

[kingdorian]

Can't you take the whole pc in hand luggage? (Without case)