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New build in hawaii, help with rust problems?

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  • Computers
  • Systems
  • New Build
Last response: in Systems
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September 12, 2014 3:42:05 PM

Im going to build a brand new gaming computer (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/H4bCCJ), but I live in hawaii so im afraid that the system may not live for that long because of rust problems. What do you guys think I can do to save my system from rusting?

More about : build hawaii rust problems

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September 12, 2014 4:19:41 PM

To rust your system would need to be exposed to moisture (ya humidity and Hawaii go hand in hand) that does not dry or evaporate. So while running it will not be much of an issue as long as you have good air flow for the case as the system generates enough heat plus the air flow to stay dry. You may want to max the number of case fans you can fit. If it is shut down for periods of more than a few hours you may have an issue over time. One possibility is to buy packets of "sil-lica gel'. These are the packets that come in all sorts of things (vitamin bottles, new electronic devices, etc.). You can then place them in the bottom of the case or tape them to the inside of a side panel. If you use tape get some non stick "painters" or artist white tape that leaves no residue. You will have to change them out periodically and no telling how often as I have never seen one with a moisture gauge. A very cheap solution is to spread uncooked rice in a layer on the bottom of the case. It too will absorb moisture. If it absorbs enough and the system gets hot enough you will have cooked rice as a side product (joke). Rice would work but not advised as it is a pain to clean out if put in loose. If you fill something like a cotton baby sock with rice it will work. The gel is the best of the two. Just did a quick search and look at this (http://www.cheaperthandirt.net/product/6-1925717?utm_so...) perfect even indicates when to swap out.
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September 12, 2014 4:36:05 PM

wow, awesome answer :D  thanks a lot. joke make me laugh XD. I'll make sure to get the silica gels, but do you know how many i should place in the system? or just as many as possible
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September 12, 2014 4:42:10 PM

What do the other 1+ million people in Hawaii do with their home and business PC's ?
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September 12, 2014 4:46:04 PM

USAFRet said:
What do the other 1+ million people in Hawaii do with their home and business PC's ?


they dont do anything really. they just leave them how they are and kinda let them rust i guess.
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September 12, 2014 4:54:55 PM

Have you seen any instances of actual rust or moisture corrosion?
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September 13, 2014 3:57:30 PM

To be clear, for this to work you need to some way cover the case when not in use. If you leave it in its normal state the silica will absorb moisture as if open to the air. The drying effect will be maximized only if when turned off the case is covered to reduce or eliminate being open to the air. The very best solution is to keep the system running as much as possible. Our main home system runs for about 18-19 hrs./day. If this is critical to you and the system is in a closed or somewhat closed room (0fiice with a door?) you could also get a room dehumidifier and run it. Costs like a small AC and you either get one with a condensate pump or empty the water collection bin 1-2 times a day. The ultimate solution would be to build a system in an oil bath. No Joke look at this (http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php). You might also consider that there is very little that rusts inside a PC. If you are very gentle and careful when tightening screws (so as not to scratch the screw heads or slots as they are nickle or chrome coated) and do not scratch the case paint you will probably not see rust as an issue. All contacts for things like memory, gpu, cpu, etc. are also coated. If you want some peace of mind then put one of those silica gel inside but make sure it fits before ordering. It will dehumidify some.
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September 14, 2014 1:46:16 AM

the oil bath looks kinda sketchy haha, but im in a room with a portable ac, and the rest of the room is closed to any air so it should be pretty ok. im thinking of buying a 50 pack of the silica gels and putting about 5 inside the case. sometimes im gone for weeks at a time so the system will not be running for a while. how would you go about covering the case when not in use? just put a towel or blanket around the system so it covers the fans or actually tape cardboard or some other material to all the holes in the case so no air gets in or out?
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