Cable management key to system building

Do you know where your cables are?

Cable management is a crucial part of building your own computer, because safe electrical flow is critical. Worn, bent or broken cords pose a risk to for both the user and the machine.

In addition, cable management is key to cooling--as any cable clutter prevents air from flowing freely through the device. To assuage these concerns, there are a few things system builders can do to ensure cables are managed effectively.

  • Make sure the wires are efficiently routed to their destination. Consider ways to intelligently position the wire so that it can reach its destination, but do not hinder other cables and components. Wire routing is also important. If all of the wires can be routed along a similar path, the cords can be bundled together with a plastic tie. This prevents them from getting in the way of other components and allows air to move freely through the device.
  • Consider the computer's case. Some computer cases will come with built-in lanes for cables. This creates an easy environment for routing and allows users keep cords out of the way more easily. However, most computer cases will not include such provisions, and creativity will be necessary. Sometimes, cables can be sent underneath the motherboard. In most cases, there is a small gap between the metal sheet where the motherboard is attached and the side of the case. If the space is large enough, wires can be sent through that space to their intended destination. Running wires along the side of the case between the motherboard and disk drives allows the wires to remain close to their destination without getting in the way.
  • Address the challenges associated with any unused cables with the device. There are a few ways to deal with this. The simplest is to remove those wires entirely. Modular power supplies are designed to allow users to remove any unused cables, and place those cords that are in use optimally on the component. As a result, there will not be any unused cables in the case. If getting a modular supply does not fit your budget, the best way to deal with extra wires is to use a plastic tie to bundle them together, and route them to a part of the case that is completely out of the way. In many cases, simply bundling them in the space between the power supply and disk drives will work.

Managing cables well is also an important part of future-proofing your computer. Taking out components and installing new ones can be extremely difficult if cords are stretched in the way. Other issues that could rise are not being able to access certain cables because they have become tangled or damaged because they were not properly laid out.

While cable management may seem minor, it plays a critical part of getting the most out of your components and making it easier to work in the device at a later time.

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