Physical Placement of CPU

[Ruslync]

I have very little space in which to place my computer for the next month. I
will be using it daily. I had heard a long time ago that it was bad for the
CPU to lay it on it's side, permanently, so to speak. Is this still true?

 

[PD43]

I have very little space in which to place my computer for the next month. I
will be using it daily. I had heard a long time ago that it was bad for the
CPU to lay it on it's side, permanently, so to speak. Is this still true?

FIRST... the "CPU" isn't the thing laying on its side. It's a chip
inside that thing.

SECOND... the position of the "thing" has no bearing on its operation.

 

[Paul Pedersen]

FIRST... the "CPU" isn't the thing laying on its side. It's a chip
inside that thing.

SECOND... the position of the "thing" has no bearing on its operation.

Speaking of bearings, it's conceivable that operation on the side could have
an adverse effect on the hard disk. I think that was the case several years
ago, but perhaps not any more. Look for info on the manufacturer's web site.

 

[PD43]

an adverse effect on the hard disk.

I sincerely doubt that. IF it was ever true, it was probably YEARS
ago.

Case in point: the new Dell slimline desktop comes with pads on the
case so that you can set it up either vertically or horizontally.

 

[Tony Meloche]

Speaking of bearings, it's conceivable that operation on the side could have
an adverse effect on the hard disk. I think that was the case several years
ago, but perhaps not any more. Look for info on the manufacturer's web site.

On my wife's new Dell computer (Inspiron 530S) the case is designed to
be used either upright or on it's side, as you choose. She prefers it on
it's side, as the CD tray loads "flat" in that position - upright, it
would load "sideways".

Tony

 

[V Green]

Speaking of bearings, it's conceivable that operation on the side could have
an adverse effect on the hard disk. I think that was the case several years
ago, but perhaps not any more. Look for info on the manufacturer's web site.

Very true. If you run a HD upside down, it will fail very
much faster. The bearings are not set up to "hold" the platters
up against gravity.

On its side, or with platters facing up, is the way it needs to be.

 

[V Green]

I sincerely doubt that. IF it was ever true, it was probably YEARS
ago.

Case in point: the new Dell slimline desktop comes with pads on the
case so that you can set it up either vertically or horizontally.

But I will bet that in horizontal mode, there's only one side
of the case that has pads, not both. The reason for that is that
you never want to run a HD with its platters facing down. The
bearings are not designed to hold the platters "up" against the
force of gravity. It will fail, if not immediately, then very much
sooner than if you hadn't done this.

 

[PD43]

But I will bet that in horizontal mode, there's only one side
of the case that has pads, not both. The reason for that is that
you never want to run a HD with its platters facing down.

OR... because it would be hard to load a CD/DVD.

DUH!

 

[Bill James]

It probably makes little difference if upright or on its side as far as components are concerned. The "desktop profile" systems were pretty common years back, and were often placed on the desk with the monitor on top of them, but typically came with a stand so the could be mounted on edge. Placing a tower type system on it's side is similar. Makes it a little awkward to load a CD, but not terribly so.

Watch out for overheating problems. Systems are designed to have a specific airflow and the airflow will be different with the system on it's side. Also, if you are going to be working in cramped quarters that might compound the problem, leave enough empty space around the box, especially at air intake and fan exhaust points. Stacking anything on top (the normal side) of the tower should be avoided also. If your system doesn't have built-in temperature monitoring, you can search on Google for the freeware application "motherboard monitor" and set it up to monitor and alert on high temps.

 

[V Green]

OR... because it would be hard to load a CD/DVD.

DUH!

That too.

BTW: for what it's worth, you are right on the orientation thing.
Both Maxtor/Seagate and WD now say in their install directions
that you can mount any of their current drives upside down. This
was NOT the case in the past. I still have IBM and Fujitsu drives
that yell at you in all caps in the install
directions that you will destroy the drive if you do this. The technology
of platter bearings must have improved.

So the safe thing would be to just make sure it's on end or facing
up, in order to accomodate a situation where you have an older drive
or one that you're not sure about.

 

[GHalleck]

Very true. If you run a HD upside down, it will fail very
much faster. The bearings are not set up to "hold" the platters
up against gravity.

On its side, or with platters facing up, is the way it needs to be.

Taken a hard drive apart lately? Checked out the type of bearings that
are being used? They are no longer the old-fashioned ball-race type but
roller bearings. They are not weight-bearing along the longitudinal
axis of the shaft. Gravity plays a very insignificant role.

 

[V Green]

Taken a hard drive apart lately? Checked out the type of bearings that
are being used? They are no longer the old-fashioned ball-race type but
roller bearings. They are not weight-bearing along the longitudinal
axis of the shaft. Gravity plays a very insignificant role.

Yeah, found that out. See my other post. Taking apart
HD's to check up on bearing technology is not something
I do every day...

 

[GMAN]

Speaking of bearings, it's conceivable that operation on the side could have
an adverse effect on the hard disk. I think that was the case several years
ago, but perhaps not any more. Look for info on the manufacturer's web site.

They can be mounted any which way you like. An old case of mine had one place where you mounted one upside down.

 

[Lord Turkey Cough]

I have very little space in which to place my computer for the next month.
I
will be using it daily. I had heard a long time ago that it was bad for
the
CPU to lay it on it's side, permanently, so to speak. Is this still true?

You seem to be confusing a CPU with the base unit of a computer.
Is this the case, or is it just in the USA that a CPU is believed to
be the base unit of a computer, in the same way the Austraila, for
example, is believe do be South Korea, which incidently is a country,
not a job in Florida.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I have very little space in which to place my computer for the next month.
I
will be using it daily. I had heard a long time ago that it was bad for
the
CPU to lay it on it's side, permanently, so to speak. Is this still true?

The only ways this is really an issue are if this blocks the case vents so
that it overheats, or if it interferes with using the CD drive.

If the vents will be blocked by laying the case on its side, try lifting it
slightly - put the case on blocks so that air can flow.

HTH
-pk

 

[Lem]

You seem to be confusing a CPU with the base unit of a computer.
Is this the case, or is it just in the USA that a CPU is believed to
be the base unit of a computer, in the same way the Austraila, for
example, is believe do be South Korea, which incidently is a country,
not a job in Florida.

If you're going to attempt sarcastic pedantry, you would do better to
check your spelling and grammar before clicking the "send" button.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Lord Turkey Cough]

If you're going to attempt sarcastic pedantry, you would do better to
check your spelling and grammar before clicking the "send" button.

I find human spell checkers do a better job than computerised ones,
and often just as fast.

 

[Unknown]

You did no research!

I find human spell checkers do a better job than computerised ones,
and often just as fast.