Cable managment

[syphab12]

HI all

just want to ask if anyone has any good link to how to dothe best cable managment a vid tutorial would be cool as well cuss i needa step by step lol my first time doing it but want to do it perfectly

[peterb]

You will never do it perfectly first time! For me, flexible (corrugated) plastic conduit works well, and if you search hard enough, you can get it split down the centre line so you can add cables to the conduit at intermediate points. For fixed cable runs, square conduit is useful, and for bundles of cables going to a computer, tie-wrapping video, sound, yeyboard and mouse cables can help keep things managemeble, although changes can be a little harder to implement (means cutting the tie wraps)

[b0redom]

Dline FTW

[syphab12]

thanks peterb. would you have any links to purchase all i need in one go also do you know any youtube sites as i know you said cannot get it perfect first time i do want to do it to the best of y ability

thanks

[Saracen]

..... although changes can be a little harder to implement (means cutting the tie wraps)

The conventional plastic cable ties can be found in releasable versions, though their harder to find. Alternatively, velcro cable ties resolve that problem.

[syphab12]

sorry saracen i would like to ask a good place to purchase these on the net aslo if you could direct me to some sites as well please

[Saracen]

No idea I'm afraid. A friend's company uses them. When I see him I'll ask him, but I believe he's away at the moment.

I can tell you that the velcro ones come in several lengths, from about 6" to about 12", that I'm aware of and have used. There may be more.

[GheeTsar]

The velcro ones can be bought for cheap in Poundland too.

[ThatGuy5]

The conventional plastic cable ties can be found in releasable versions, though their harder to find. Alternatively, velcro cable ties resolve that problem.

I found this place that offers releasable cable ties, as well as velcro tie wraps. Fair prices you may find it useful.

[Tattysnuc]

Custom PC magazine did an article on this a while back, which I'll see if I can find for you. They had some useful tips, like doing the PSU LAST and running the cables BEHIND the motherboard by drilling through the motherboard tray. I found it quite useful, and it certainly improved my approach by giving me some ideas. The basic premise is simple though:

1. Run the cables out of sight.
2. Where cables cannot be hidden, bundle them together and make keep them in straight lines.

Youtube has several videos by several wannabee case designers which illustarte my point. Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1IyR...eature=related

Personally I use velcro to put cables in place, securinging them finally using cable ties. I then trim the cable ties off with a pair of wire cutters so that their are no loose ends.

I also found that the PTFE electrical tape often comes in the same colours as SATA cables, so you can tape together cable without it looking messy. Best approach is to look at people rigs and see how they've done it though as tidy is a subjective thing and with modern rigs, is completely subjective.

Some people take it to the N'th degree replacing cables from Power Supplies just so that they can get one colour throughout their PC which is a bit too much for my liking.... looks bl00dy effective though!

I'll have a dig through my old mags tonight....

[peterb]

I found this place that offers releasable cable ties, as well as velcro tie wraps. Fair prices you may find it useful.

Or not, given the cost of shipping to the UK would exceed the value of the goods - which can be bought at DiY shops like B&Q or in bulk from any number of UK retailers (for example RS)

[s_kinton]

I've used an Akasa cable tidy pack before to good effect. It comes with the spiral conduit, various hooks with sticky pads on and cable ties all in a handy bag.

Its available from CCL for £3.60 but PC World do sell it - expect to pay around £6 though!

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...0&tid=ak-tk-01

[peterb]

I've used an Akasa cable tidy pack before to good effect. It comes with the spiral conduit, various hooks with sticky pads on and cable ties all in a handy bag.

Its available from CCL for £3.60 but PC World do sell it - expect to pay around £6 though!

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...0&tid=ak-tk-01

Good find! A lot of these things can be found at places like RS - cable ties, spiral wrap, braiding and heat shrink, at quite low per unit costs. - The disadvantage is that the minimum order quantities can be quite high - not a problem if you are doing a lot of stuff, or if you can get together with someone else, but expensive if it is just you (but you'll probably have enough to do the next three builds!)

[s_kinton]

Good find! A lot of these things can be found at places like RS - cable ties, spiral wrap, braiding and heat shrink, at quite low per unit costs. - The disadvantage is that the minimum order quantities can be quite high - not a problem if you are doing a lot of stuff, or if you can get together with someone else, but expensive if it is just you (but you'll probably have enough to do the next three builds!)

For £3.60 its great, as you say its covered about 3 builds with plenty of cable ties left over.

[Tattysnuc]

Couldn't find the Custom PC Magazine. However, dod just come across this "work log" while surfing....

http://www.overclock.net/case-mod-wo...ml#post7272312

[vti_786]

man that guys pc in the above thread looks ace, wish i had the will to do something like that, lol.

anyway, i just use insulation tape to gather the wires and slot them where ever i can