Some tips on cable mangement

M

mobusta1

2[H]4U
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So my sig rig is the first rig i've ever built by myself as you can see from the pic posted below I need to do some really hefty cable mangement. I haven't done it before so i'm looking for some tips (where should I cut holes and what wires should I put through it). Also any other general advice is welcomed. Thanks.

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1. Switch to modular PSU
2. Switch optical drive to SATA
3. Zip ties
4. Cable sleeve
 
If you want to cut holes, people usually cut one next to all the psu wires at the bottom, then cut a hole at the very top (CPU power), one at the 24-pin connector, and one at the video cards. (I would try to get a pic, but my hosting site isn't working.)

Be careful though, check and make sure the side panel on the 900 isn't right next to the mobo back plane or close enough that your wires won't fit. Also make sure that your cables are long enough before you cut the holes.
 
silent hero said:
It doesn't look like you memory is running dual channel unless that is intentional.
Click to expand...

Do you want general cable management (OEM grade) or extreme cable management? Extreme cable management will require you to disassemble your rig and drill holes in the case to route wires. Also, it takes many hours of work.

Here's an example, using my rig. This is the original build with OEM grade cable management, like you might find in a Dell.

P5Q%20Build%202.JPG


Here's what I would call extreme cable management. I drilled holes to route the PSU cables behind the MB, fabricated the large grommet, routed all the USB, case audio, power, etc to loop from behine the MB. I shortened and sleeved the CPU fan wires. I flipped the SATA drive 180 degrees to hide its cables. This process requires cable stays, zip ties, sleeving, drilling, grommets etc. This took me 5 hours to complete, but I think its actually a lot of fun.

P5Q%20Build%204a.jpg


P5Q%20Build%205.jpg
 
Oh man, there's lots you can do to improve.

1) Route unused wires into the 5.25 drive bays, and use zipties to stick them there.
2) Get a round cable for that CD drive. There's nowhere in your case to hide that cable.
3) Move your harddrives to the bottom 5.25 bays, and turn them around 180 degrees. Route SATA cables under both drives.
4) Replace that fan's molex connector with a 3pin connector and connect it straight to your board.
5) Route the 24pin ATX cable either under your motherboard tray, or through the 5.25 drive bays.
6) I can't even see a P4 cable in the screenshot. If you have one, route it under your board or near the IO panel shield, and under the graphics card.
7) Tie up some of the cable used for your CPU fan.

That should make it look a LOT cleaner without an drilling, or switching to a modular PSU.

edit: msabo, damn, that's incredibly clean, respect to you.
 
tmclaugh said:
Your fun is my frustration...:cool:
Click to expand...

I'm sick that way. :D You can do a nice OEM type cable management in prolly an hour, no drilling.

1) Take all the unused cables and wrap a temporary twist tie around them and set them aside
2) Locate paths and hiding places for the cables - I like a bare MB when I do that
3) Connect main power, bunch it in a loop to get the length optimal. Twist tie it to hold it.
4) Use the main power line as a virual raceway for your other cables to follow until they split off to the device. (Notice that on my first photo)
5) Hide the unused cables in an open space, such as that lower HDD bay on your rig
6) Its iterative, as you clean it up you'll notice better ways to route a cable. Simply reroute it. That's why I start with twist ties and finish with zip ties
 
msabo said:
Do you want general cable management (OEM grade) or extreme cable management? Extreme cable management will require you to disassemble your rig and drill holes in the case to route wires. Also, it takes many hours of work.

Here's an example, using my rig. This is the original build with OEM grade cable management, like you might find in a Dell.

P5Q%20Build%202.JPG


Here's what I would call extreme cable management. I drilled holes to route the PSU cables behind the MB, fabricated the large grommet, routed all the USB, case audio, power, etc to loop from behine the MB. I shortened and sleeved the CPU fan wires. I flipped the SATA drive 180 degrees to hide its cables. This process requires cable stays, zip ties, sleeving, drilling, grommets etc. This took me 5 hours to complete, but I think its actually a lot of fun.

P5Q%20Build%204a.jpg


P5Q%20Build%205.jpg
Click to expand...


Jesus Christ. Where do you live? I will hire you to come make my case look like that!
 
I'd never be that extreme because if I had to troubleshoot the components I'd have to undo it. :p
 
I agree with the modular PSU, you can get a nice mushkin for about $160 after MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812006
Also on the antec 900 put a hole near the PSU to route your cables through it. I agree about switching your optical drive to a Sata since its cleaner and less cumbersome than some big ribbon cable. Buy some zip ties for your cables. My current PSU is the ABS Tagan 700 watt modular, much cleaner than a non modular and it comes in a nice shrink wrap. Also for your rear fan get an extension for the cable and run it down tower's rear left corner. Or if you get a fan controller run the wires along the ceiling. Drill a small hole near your graphics card so you can put the power cables into the slots with a clean look. also drill a hole near the 24pin, same goes for the cpu power. And if your going to stick with your current powersupply zip tie the remaining cables and tie them down to the bottom of the cpu or hide them in your lowest Hard drive bay.
 
A window will show off your spare cables very visibly, even more so when you go higher in the wattages where more cables are included. Hardware changes come with advice and a modular PSU is usually a good solution to cable management problems.
 
lowteckh said:
A window will show off your spare cables very visibly, even more so when you go higher in the wattages where more cables are included. Hardware changes come with advice and a modular PSU is usually a good solution to cable management problems.
Click to expand...

Not always, I have a window and I don't have a modular PSU. The trick it finding a place to hide your unused cables. You can typically find an open drive bay which also works well. Best to route them behind the MB panel if possible. The problem is that requires drilling the case. Honestly, a module PSU addresses only a small portion of cable management problems.
 
Twist some of the cables if you don't have any sleeving, that's what computer technicians at Voodoo do. ha.
 
I can't recommend a modular PSU enough, honestly. Since I've switched to a modular, I won't switch back.
 
I have one modular PSU... its connected to the back of my notebook.

If all desktop PSUs were modular and they had a standard interface (so you could buy any brand of wire) and there wasn't a price premium, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll pass.
 
sleeving is your friend.. and never neglect the space BEHIND your motherboard.
 
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