View Full Version : Cables Behind MB?
Carbon
12-23-2008, 11:24 AM
Some MB trays have holes on the back, which I assume are for cable management (picture (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/LianLi/PC-V1010/images/mbtrayremove.jpg)). What bothers me a little is that you have to run your cables behind the MB in order to get them through these holes. Are you guys doing that? Is that safe? It just makes me feel a little bit nervous.
SoulsCollective
12-23-2008, 12:10 PM
Been doing this on builds for years now, never had any issues at all. The sheathing on the cables is so thick, and the chance of anything on the backside of the motherboard snagging hard enough and for long enough on a cable such that it could pierce this sheathing is so miniscule, that it's essentially a non-issue.
cabbspapp
12-23-2008, 12:22 PM
I've done it before too, no problems. Just make sure the insulation on the wire isn't damaged and you'll be fine.
Asian PingPong
12-23-2008, 01:54 PM
Yeah its safe, I've done it successfully with sata cables, front io cables, and I've even mounted LEDs behind motherboards. But keep in mind any contact between the wires and case will short out the psu, and any contact between two conduction points on the motherboard will short out the motherboard.
As everybody has said, perfectly safe to do. Just be careful not to snag any cabling when placing the mobo in.
inCore
12-23-2008, 02:57 PM
One thing about the LEDs, don't shove them behind the motherboard when the PC is running because you're impatient. Only an idiot would do that. I mean, who'd be stupid enough to risk frying their RAM and then doing so. What a silly idea.
*runs away*
Carbon
12-23-2008, 06:13 PM
Thanks, guys. I ask because, foolishly enough, I already cut a hole for my 24 pin connector. When I was planning out my cable management I thought it would be better to cut a new hole for it than to run it behind the MB. The rest of them should be small enough to keep me resting easy.
Measure twice cut once, I guess. My bad.
Canadmos
12-23-2008, 06:54 PM
The holes you use for cable management shouldn't be under the motherboard, if that is what you are asking. They should be just to the side, so that any cables can just come off of the mother board and slip behind the motherboard tray. In the picture that you originally linked to, some of those holes look like they may just be for venting behind the CPU area or so that you don't have to remove the motherboard to install or remove a heatsink.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3112369367_b5edd92472_o.jpg
You can see in this picture how the wires wrap back behind the motherboard tray.
Check out this persons post for some great ideas;
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=3518287&postcount=4420
Carbon
12-23-2008, 07:14 PM
That is what I'm asking. It looks to me like the holes for some cable management are behind the MB, though. I haven't done that for the power to my MB, I've cut two holes which are quite nice. I'm just wondering about the rest, like USB and audio cables, if those can slip under the MB and go through those holes in the tray.
Serpentarius
12-23-2008, 07:15 PM
as long as no one pulls the cable every often and then ... the cable is pretty much secured ..
unless someone decides to change style (mod) every 6 months .. then twisting cables is not an option
it is better to utilize those additional screw holes in the mobo with zipties securing the cables .. lesser movements on the cables prolong their life