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I've maxed out my computers 2 PCI-E slots right now, so my next step will be building a whole new rig with a couple of 5870s. I want to cut down the costs as much as I can (Parts are relatively expensive in the UK) so I'm thinking of going for a caseless setup, with just the motherboard and relevant components on top of a surface.

Is anyone doing this at the moment? I've seen the guy on YouTube go caseless and he doesn't seem to have any extra cooling. The UK's quite cold at the moment, and it doesn't get nearly as hot over here as it does in other countries during the summer (Which will hit fully in a couple of months).

I can't say that I advise running $600-1000 of equipment caseless. You're already spending so much, you can afford a $50-100 case...

in case i have 5-10 C mare than in caseless one
otherwise you have to use expensive fans like this http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835706028

That's what I was thinking about. My 5870 is at 61 degrees in my case with 100% fan. I'd like to see that a little bit lower so I can run my fans quieter.

I can't run my current rig in a case because there is zero space between the video cards - if I screwed them into the case, they wouldn't move. And I want them to move so I can spread them apart slightly with a piece of plastic - it makes all the difference.

My next rig will have a motherboard that allows for space between the cards.

bitcoindaddy how did you remove GPU from case? Do you have any cable connected to GPU on motherboard and connected to GPU card outside the case?

Way easier, cheaper, and efficient to run caseless. I put 2 small round felt adhesives  (~$3 for 50 @ Walmart) over the MoBo->Case holes then rested the MoBos on bobbins aligned with the adhesive circles. Have 4 mining rigs done up like this. Easiest installation ever. MoBo has power/reset buttons right on it, so no need to find something metal every time I want to reboot.

Very easy to take/push air from/to outside the building this way. Keeps my video cards under 60*C even on hot days.

Kluge can u give us some photos?

I dont see how a case with make the mobo's enviroment cooler.. But it is obviously more secure..

I run mine caseless..

As my video cards are very close together, I get better cooling (25 degree drop) by using a case with 2 holes cut so the fans can blow air straight on to the cards than going caseless. Lots of people are using a variety of caseless setups, though.

I'm not using a case at all. The motherboard is sitting on a rubber mat (rubber floor mat from Home Depot). So not only can I slightly spread the video cards apart for better cooling, the heat tends to go straight up and away, instead of up and into the cards above it as it would be with a case.

That's insane. My single 5870 is at 60 in my case.

in case
i have 2x5870(not reference coller) and 5970 (fererence cooler). temp close to 91 C !!!
at default clock and 23-25 C enviroment temp

without case 4x5870@950mhz at various GPU 66-79 C

If you're worried about having parts just laying around loose why not get just a motherboard tray instead of a whole case.