# Dangers of keeping tower computer on side? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2006, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890 "2006-01-20T20:48:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/1 "2006-01-20T20:48:26Z")
Generally, is it a bad thing in any way to keep a tower computer on its side? I can get specific on components if need be. Thanks for any info! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/2 "2006-01-20T21:05:29Z")
If it was preassembled in a specific configuration intended to be a tower rather than a strip mall, then chances are you’re risking some overheating issues if it’s on its side. Also, in that case, there’s a possibility of early wear on the hard drive and CD-rom drives by having them run on their sides rather than horizontally; plus, if you run the CD-rom on its side and it doesn’t have the little catches on the CD-tray to hold the CD in place while you’re opening and closing the drive, this increases wear & tear on your CD’s as they fall out of the machine and roll across your desk. Otherwise, the components with no moving parts should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/3 "2006-01-20T21:18:38Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Also, in that case, there’s a possibility of early wear on the hard drive and CD-rom drives by having them run on their sides rather than horizontally; plus, if you run the CD-rom on its side and it doesn’t have the little catches on the CD-tray to hold the CD in place while you’re opening and closing the drive, this increases wear & tear on your CD’s as they fall out of the machine and roll across your desk. This is not accurate. Hard drives and CD-ROM drives are designed to operate in any orientation, because some case designs require them to be mounted vertically even when the case is standing the way it’s supposed to. As for the overheating issue, I suppose that’s a possibility. But I don’t think it’s that likely unless we’re talking about a high-end machine here. Most computers sold for general-purpose computing use low-power components that don’t put out a lot of heat, and thus have fairly low cooling requirements. If you’re talking about a high-end workstation or gaming machine, you might have a problem. Otherwise, I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/4 "2006-01-20T21:25:51Z")
In the interest of completeness, I should note that I’m sure, somewhere out there there is a manufacturer making completely bottom-of-the-barrel, piece-of-crap CD-ROM and hard drives that can only operate horizontally. But by and large, they all work both ways. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/5 "2006-01-21T00:24:05Z")
Why would there be an overheating problem? Computers don’t have vents on the sides; air comes from the fan in the rear. Probably a little less air might come in because of the floor, but that’s unlikely to make enough of a different to cause a problem. In general, it should work fine on its side. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/6 "2006-01-21T00:33:03Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Why would there be an overheating problem? Computers don’t have vents on the sides; air comes from the fan in the rear. Probably a little less air might come in because of the floor, but that’s unlikely to make enough of a different to cause a problem. > > In general, it should work fine on its side. A tower’s cooling system might be designed to take advantage of the fact that heat rises. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/7 "2006-01-21T00:42:00Z")
I vote that it is fine to put it on its side with one exception: it looks really dumb. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/8 "2006-01-21T03:46:11Z")
Possibly **not** at all a good idea. From AMD’s official builders guide ([26003.pdf](http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/DevelopWithAMD/0,,30_2252_739_2983,00.html)): “• Standard horizontal cases are not recommended—_use vertical cases only_.” (They talk quite about about the do’s and don’ts of adequate cooling. This is the _first_ thing they list.) Obviously, not true for all makes and models of processors, but I would _not_ try this unless I know for sure that _all_ components can be safely oriented sideways. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/9 "2006-01-21T04:56:02Z")
We have a lot of two Gateway models that come with a foot so they can operate horizontally or vertically. ---
**Author:** ![Otanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Otanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanx)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/10 "2006-01-21T15:06:55Z")
I would say unless there is a fan on the side of the case (my tower has fans front, rear, top, and side) then it shouldn’t matter. Floppy drives do not like being mounted sideways. At least they used to have problems. I haven’t used a floppy drive in years. Remember that a tower case is not designed to hold weight when placed on its side. You might have problems if you plan on placing the monitor on top of the sideways tower. Especially if it is a large CRT. On my case putting light preasure on both sides of my case causes them to bow inwards. -Otanx ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/11 "2006-01-21T15:56:53Z")
If no airflow is blocked, and all cards are properly seated, there is no danger in having a pc on its side. There is absolutely no danger in having a cd or hard drive in any orientation. They are shipped that way from every oem in every possible configuration. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/12 "2006-01-21T16:34:48Z")
**zuma** , **Otanx** : Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/13 "2006-01-21T16:41:57Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > **zuma** , **Otanx** : > > Cite? What is there to cite? One references cases that may have trouble holding weight that way as well as largely obsolete floppy drives that may have trouble (true). The other says that PC’s are shipped sideways in a box and that Optical Drives and hard drives are built to be placed in multiple orientations. That is all true and self-evident. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/14 "2006-01-21T20:08:15Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > This is not accurate. Hard drives and CD-ROM drives are designed to operate in any orientation, because some case designs require them to be mounted vertically even when the case is standing the way it’s supposed to. I’ve read many spec sheets that say horizontal or vertical, but not any other orientation. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/15 "2006-01-21T23:52:29Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Possibly **not** at all a good idea. From AMD’s official builders guide ([26003.pdf](http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/DevelopWithAMD/0,,30_2252_739_2983,00.html)): > > “• Standard horizontal cases are not recommended—_use vertical cases only_.” Subtle thing here, though, is that they’re not talking about the orientation, they’re talking about the _case_. IIRC, the layout and dimensions of horizontal cases generally do not afford as effective cooling as vertical cases. I cannot think of any reason at all that it would be a _bad_ idea to to lay a vertical computer on its side. Just as long as all the components are installed correctly, and the place you’re laying it doesn’t lead to a lot of airflow obstruction or dust intake. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/16 "2006-01-21T23:55:12Z")
Afterthough… as mentioned before, don’t lie your vertical computer on its side and then go put a 60-pound monitor on it. They aren’t built for that. But it can operate just fine in a horizontal orientation. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/17 "2006-01-22T03:26:15Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > Subtle thing here, though, is that they’re not talking about the orientation, they’re talking about the _case_. IIRC, the layout and dimensions of horizontal cases generally do not afford as effective cooling as vertical cases. > > I cannot think of any reason at all that it would be a _bad_ idea to to lay a vertical computer on its side. Just as long as all the components are installed correctly, and the place you’re laying it doesn’t lead to a lot of airflow obstruction or dust intake. I don’t see the first point at all. The _entire_ disinction between towers and desktops centers on orientation. Other factors are quite secondary. As to the 2nd point, there are a _lot_ of airflow problems in a horizontal case. Take airflow on the back of the MB for example. Also, a big asset of a tower case is the “pocket” at the top where warm air can rise to and be sucked out with the PS fan. * * * Here’s one of my key axioms of tinkering with electronics: if you don’t know enough to understand what problems might ensue, _don’t do it._ Failure to anticipate problems is not an plus. I think the OP and several of the posters in this thread should heed this. ---
**Author:** ![NBYodo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9a28c/32.png) [@NBYodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NBYodo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/18 "2006-01-22T11:10:56Z")
Well, it is pretty difficult to get the CD in the drive when the drive is on it’s side. Especially without scratching the CD… NB. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/19 "2006-01-22T14:42:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I don’t see the first point at all. The _entire_ disinction between towers and desktops centers on orientation. Other factors are quite secondary. Not true. Horizontal cases are laid out and built to have weight placed upon them. They often have these internal cages and struts that make the ribbon routing more difficult and obstruct the installation of after-market cooling solutions, things that a vertical case wouldn’t have. They are also generally shorter on 2 dimensions which precludes the use of larger cooling fans. None of which would be a problem in taking a vertical case and simply lying it on its side. Note that in the guide you pointed out, they didn’t say “Never take a vertical case and lie it on its side”, they said “never select a horizontal case.” > [@](#): > > Here’s one of my key axioms of tinkering with electronics: if you don’t know enough to understand what problems might ensue, _don’t do it._ Failure to anticipate problems is not an plus. Valid as long as not taken to absurdity. Not even a chip designer knows everything about every potential problem with every component in the case; there is a point where you decide your information is good enough to take a reasonable risk. Here we’re talking about a very reasonable risk. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890/20 "2006-01-22T15:10:13Z")
I don’t understand the debate here. Heat rises. If a vertical case designed to account for this is placed on its side then you risk the heat rising into a ‘dead-air’ corner rather than being expelled. I’ve no idea if this is significant enough to cause problems. As for CD/DVD mounting. I know from experience that drives mounted vertically may experience problems with the disc slipping when inserted or ejected. This can cause the disc to either fall out, or jam. Both are annoying and not much good for the disc. Some CD/DVD drives simply don’t work well mounted vertically. And vertical cases look dumb laid horizontally, and take up way too much room. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dangers-of-keeping-tower-computer-on-side/340890.md?page=2)