Tower Orientation

[Artbuc195252]

Ok to lay tower on side so optical drive opens horizontally facing up? I know in the old days when harddrives used stepper motors, tower orientation was critical. I believe modern drives can operate in any position but would feel better getting advice from experts. Thanks.

[erico]

You can do that if you like.

I would lay it on its right hand side and place small blocks of rubberized material or plastic in all for corner in order to allow airflow through the vents in the case.

If you do not support the case above the surface it is lying on, you will block the airflow to the interior of the desktop PC. That would not be a great plan.

[Artbuc195252]

Thanks. I did the set-up for my SIL and that is where the unit is now. IIRC, if I put the right side down (right as you are looking at the front), the optical drive will open downward. I will lay it on the left side and create a space for airflow as you suggest although I do not recall seeing air vents on the side. In any event, the main point is that the internal hardware will not be compromised, right?

[erico · Accepted solution]

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@Artbuc195252 wrote:

Thanks. I did the set-up for my SIL and that is where the unit is now. IIRC, if I put the right side down (right as you are looking at the front), the optical drive will open downward. I will lay it on the left side and create a space for airflow as you suggest although I do not recall seeing air vents on the side. In any event, the main point is that the internal hardware will not be compromised, right?

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Yes. That is the main point.

I suggested the right hand side because that is usually the side that the motherboard is mounted on.The internal hardware will not be compromised.

Everything is tywrapped or otherwise secured by screws or clamps.