Cables Management

[whubbard]

Recently I have seen many posts about cables and their management. I was wondering if anybody had the time to post about ways to manage cables, hopefully in depth. Maybe we can make some sort of cable management guide?

[EzyStvy]

In side the pc or outside the pc or all of the above?

[whubbard]

Lets try and do everything, but I think that the inside is the most important.

To start off, I know using wire ties are meant to be helpful...but what do you do after you've tied the wires together? Also what wires do you tie together, because you cant put them all into one tie!

[Cricket]

Look at the pictures of case interiors in this thread for ideas on cable management.

Cricket

[Foosa]

how to guide

Cable sleeving is a BIG FREAKING PAIN. I worked on sleeving my psu for about 2 hours and gave up in frustration. But This stuff looks like it could be something to look into.

[thefultonhow]

I've never felt the need to sleeve cables. I generally try to route cables as much out of sight as possible, and theat generally takes care of the problem. One hint is to take off the other side of your case if at all possible and run the cables back there. Most cases have room between the motherboard tray and the drive cage -- I try to push cables through that gap, route them around in back of the cage, and then have them come out lower down to connect up to other stuff.

On my old Wave Master, I actually took off the front in order to route cables behind the bezel. Luckily, that's not necessary for most cases. Creative ribbon cable folding and ziptying things like SATA cables can also help keep the cables out of the way.

[Stuey]

If you have a window, sleeving is the nicest method, but Foosa's suggestion seems pretty good. If you don't have a window, split loom or spiral wraps are sufficient.

Cable management is pretty personal due to the differences between systems. I like to gather up my wires and shove them as out of the way as possible. Rework the power distribution wires so that they don't stretch too much, and so the wires can be routed aloung the edges/corners of the case if possible.

If you can post a pic of your case, we might be able to suggest more details.

[whubbard]

Thanks Foosa...that link is PERFECT!

[chuck4456]

Anything can happen when you move stuff around - you never know. It's good to have the harnesses neat and organized, regardless. It's like when you take your car in for a full tune - pick it up - get home - one day look under the hood and the "mechanic" has left your spark plug wires laying against the exhaust manifold and they're cooked. Ya know?

[Foosa]

No problem on the link.
Post some pictures when you get done. If I ever get done I will have some of mine up. But after round 1 with sleeving and me getting my butt whopped, it may be awhile.

[whubbard]

Well...I don't quite have the parts yet, I am taking all the time in the world and doing tons of research on pretty much every part! When I do get it all done I will post some pictures!

EDIT: When I say parts, I dont mean parts for the cables, I mean the actual computer !