Cable Management. Does It Really Matter???


I'm pretty darn particular about managing the rats nest of cables both inside and OUTSIDE my computers. Zip ties are a puter user's best friend.
Zip ties are awful. Velcro ties are the way to do it.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i5-8279u32GB DDR4 2666MhzIntel Iris Plus 655
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.
  • At a glance

    Windows 10 ProRyzen 9 5900x64GB DDR4-3600EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.
Buy modular PSU then you can reduce the number of cables in the case.
Yeah, I've been using fully modular power supplies for about 20 years.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i5-8279u32GB DDR4 2666MhzIntel Iris Plus 655
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.
  • At a glance

    Windows 10 ProRyzen 9 5900x64GB DDR4-3600EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.
Sometimes it does. The PC featured in this thumbnail boasts about 30 drives plus external drives. It's a bit like a mini-server. Ambient temperature does matter and the sooner hot air escapes from the case the sooner it can be replaced with cooler air. Every little bit helps. I would imagine with water cooling this is negligible. Good organization of cabling will make working on a system much easier. In my case (no pun intended) I number each cable and make sure that open areas stay as open as possible to allow air to circulate freely though the case. Admittedly, not everyone builds a PC with a massive amount of hard drives so spotting where each cable goes isn't usually a problem. My advice is to use what works for you.
I need you to prove to me that backend cable management has anything to do with frontend air flow. That encluds AIO as well as Air. It is at the backend. Where as airflow is at the frontend. No correlation
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2Intel 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600KF, 3686 MHzCORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin PC ...GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4060, 3x Fans, 8GB GDDR6 OC
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build By Lance1
    CPU
    Intel 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600KF, 3686 MHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX LGA 1700 Intel Z790 ATX
    Memory
    CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 6400 (PC5 51200) Dual-Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4060, 3x Fans, 8GB GDDR6 OC
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" 60Hz 4ms Curved PLS LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue NVME M.2 1T Boot Drive
    WD Blue SSD 1T
    WD Blue NVME M.2 2T
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 850 GT, 80 Plus Gold 850W, Fully Modular,
    Case
    Fractal Design Pop XL Air RGB Black TG ATX High-Airflow Clear Tempered Glass Window Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax black, Dual Tower CPU Cooler with Dual NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fans (Black)
    Keyboard
    Devistator 3
    Mouse
    Inphic PM6 Pro
    Internet Speed
    Telus Fiber Optic: Download 332.7 Mbps / Upload 331.5 Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi (64bit)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • At a glance

    Window 11 ProIntel(R) Core(TM) i3-2310M CPU @ 2.10GHz4 GB DDR3Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000
    Operating System
    Window 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Inspiron N7110
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2310M CPU @ 2.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0YH79Y
    Memory
    4 GB DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3 Inch Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic: Download 332.7 Mbps / Upload 331.5 Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi 64 bit
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    YA! This the old backup. In case things go south. It'll give me access to everything I need.
I need you to prove to me that backend cable management has anything to do with frontend air flow. That encluds AIO as well as Air. It is at the backend. Where as airflow is at the frontend. No correlation
How about you prove to us that a rats nest inside your case does not impede airflow? Seems fair. Airflow should be through the case with a slight positive pressure to keep out the dust. In other words, a bit more intake than exhaust CFM. I guess I am just put off by someone arguing for a mess. It makes no sense.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H2Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
EVGA home brew
CPU
Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v
Motherboard
EVGA X99 FTW K
Memory
32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
Sound Card
Asus Centurion true 7.1 headset. (5 speakers in each earpeice)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG C4 55"
Screen Resolution
4K 144hz
Hard Drives
Various models of SSDs ~10TB No HDDs installed.
PSU
be quiet! BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum
Case
Corsair 780T modified to dual 200mm intake fans
Cooling
Corsair H110i
Keyboard
Corsair K95 Platinum
Mouse
Corsair M65 RGB Elite
Internet Speed
50Mbs

Cable Management. Does It Really Matter???​


yes
best of luck Steve ..
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeRyzen 7 5825u64GB DDR4 3200Ryzen 7 5825u
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 24" AiO
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HP AiO
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD Blue SN580 M2 SSD Partitioned.
    2x 1TB USB HDD External Backup/Storage.
    PSU
    90W external power brick
    Case
    24" All in One
    Cooling
    Default Air Cooling
    Keyboard
    HP WiFi UK extended
    Mouse
    HP WiFi 3 Button
    Internet Speed
    1GB full fibre
    Browser
    Edge & Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security/Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
  • At a glance

    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTSi5 7200u16GB DDR4Intel
    Operating System
    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 13" Latitude 2017
    CPU
    i5 7200u
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13" Dell Laptop
    Hard Drives
    250GB Crucial 2.5" SSD
    Mouse
    Generic WiFi 3 button
    Internet Speed
    WiFi only
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ClamAV TK
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
Yeah I need to "clean" this up :p

20260827_054324.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 24H2 IOT LTSC / Win11 Pro 25H2AMD Ryzen 7 8700G / Ryzen 7 8700G / Ryzen 8600GF5-6000J3636F16GX2-FX5 32GB / Lexar Ares RGB ...internal
OS
Win11 24H2 IOT LTSC / Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Gigabyte x2 / Asus = Home builds
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 8700G / Ryzen 7 8700G / Ryzen 8600G
Motherboard
Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX V2 / ASUS TUF GAMING B650-PLUS / B650 GAMING X AX V2
Memory
F5-6000J3636F16GX2-FX5 32GB / Lexar Ares RGB LD5BU016G-R6000GDLA 32GB / Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB DDR5-5600
Graphics Card(s)
internal
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
BenQ 27 L EW2780
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Many M.2's (WD)
PSU
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 550W
Case
Chieftec HC-10B-OP
Cooling
Gelid Solutions Tranquillo 5, many Noctua's 12x12
Keyboard
Microsoft
Mouse
Cherry
Internet Speed
500 mbs
Browser
Vivaldi
Antivirus
Eset
Other Info
PC builder / repair / Trouble-shooter etc.
Simply: YES it does matter.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168 / Linux Mint 22.3Ryzen 7 2700U Pro32GBiGPU Vega 10
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168 / Linux Mint 22.3
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    125W(Dock)/65W(Travel Adapter)
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    1/1Gbit
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled
  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9267(RP)i7-7700k @4.8GHz32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9267(RP)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    1/1Gbit
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
  • Asus U46SV (laptop), i5-2410M, 8GB RAM, 500GB SSD, 750GB HDD, Windows 10. (used as a local Minecraft server and data dump)
I make sure no cable on way of using my PC the cable management not needed for me.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1

Latest Support Threads

Back
Top Bottom