Tips on transporting matx pc on a plane?

[poorsod]

So im planning to move out in a couple of weeks and i have a 27inch monitor with a matx pc that i'm bringing with me. My old build was a matx case as well and i transported it safely over the plane as well but that was with a ryzen stock cooler. So now i'm using a 240mm aio id cooling zoomflow 240x. Do i need to take off the aio? I didnt take off the ryzen stock cooler back then. I'm planning to use the original pc box with everything in it except the gpu. I'm going to put the gpu back to its original box. I have no hdd as well so i think i should be okay. As for the monitor, i have no idea how do i transport the money. I brought back a 24inch monitor before but that was because it could fit in my luggage this 27 inch cant. Oh yeah i forgot to mention, these will be checked in luggage so no hand carry.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I am assuming youre shipping this pc.
Ive shipped many pc’s with both custom water cooling & aio’s installed. Either can be done safely, as long as you ship/pack it smart.

i always filled the inside of the pc with crumpled news paper, or certain types of plastic or foam that is not static producing. Cardboard also works. The point it to secure heavy things like video cards, as well as things that might shift with momentum.
A easy cheat, is to watch a few unboxing videos of prebuilt pc’s, then you can see what is done by them to ship safely

you basically want to fill all empty space, with shock absorbing material, & box it well

 

[joemama]

AIO coolers should be fine inside, just fill up all the empty space inside the case and pack it with enough foam so it can withstand several times of falling.

 

[Space Lynx]

So im planning to move out in a couple of weeks and i have a 27inch monitor with a matx pc that i'm bringing with me. My old build was a matx case as well and i transported it safely over the plane as well but that was with a ryzen stock cooler. So now i'm using a 240mm aio id cooling zoomflow 240x. Do i need to take off the aio? I didnt take off the ryzen stock cooler back then. I'm planning to use the original pc box with everything in it except the gpu. I'm going to put the gpu back to its original box. I have no hdd as well so i think i should be okay. As for the monitor, i have no idea how do i transport the money. I brought back a 24inch monitor before but that was because it could fit in my luggage this 27 inch cant. Oh yeah i forgot to mention, these will be checked in luggage so no hand carry.

if it were me, I would take out the cooler, gpu, any parts that can move, i'd even take out the ram. you can leave cpu in its arm socket with the lever down keeping it secure.

i'd then just wrap my clothes around the other pc parts, that way they don't take up to much luggage space with separate packaging material. i mean how hard it is it to buy a cheap screwdriver and put everything back once you are moved in safely wherever you going. i wouldn't risk it otherwise, also not sure but planes may not allow AIO coolers, unless its the undercarriage story, even then I am not sure... you may have to mail the AIO separately

i live on the side of better safe than sorry... so yeah i wouldn't risk leaving it all attached personally, especially if the plan gets bad turbulence or something.

 

[oobymach]

With no hdd and gpu in its own box it sounds safe to me, put I love Baggage Handlers stickers/tags on your cpu bag and prepare it to be dropped hard a few times (pad it with your clothes like someone mentioned). If you put the stickers on they're less likely to throw it hard as they rush to load everything.

Monitor is my only concern, do you have some extra plastic that can help shield the screen from an impact or a hard case it fits in? It's probably better to sell it and buy another where you're going because the screens are very sensitive to physical impact.

 

[Space Lynx]

With no hdd and gpu in its own box it sounds safe to me, put I love Baggage Handlers stickers/tags on your cpu bag and prepare it to be dropped hard a few times (pad it with your clothes like someone mentioned). If you put the stickers on they're less likely to throw it hard as they rush to load everything.

Monitor is my only concern, do you have some extra plastic that can help shield the screen from an impact or a hard case it fits in? It's probably better to sell it and buy another where you're going because the screens are very sensitive to physical impact.

if he has an undercarriage luggage he could wrap a bunch of clothes around it, if its right in the middle surrounded by nothing but clothes tightly it should be fine.

 

[tabascosauz]

You haven't provided any specs whatsoever. Kinda important when talking about taking desktops on air travel. What/how big is this mATX case - is it a 19L Cerberus or a 41L Define Mini? You say it'll be checked luggage, so reason to need to take AIO off then, since you're not dealing with carry-on fluids restrictions (and even then it's not as much of an issue nowadays). Frankly an AIO is preferable to a gigantic air cooler for transportation purposes.

But really, if you value your PC you'll need to treat it like a company would ship a prebuilt, and take the same precautions. Take heavy triple-slot GPUs out, or use those expanding InstaPak padding / "airbags" to ensure that all the empty space inside the case is filled. I'd package it like a prebuilt as well. Do all of the above precautions to protect the inside of the computer, then use the mATX case's original box with the original styrofoam packaging, fill it to make sure there's no empty space/wiggle room inside the cardboard box.

If this case is as big as I'm guessing it is, I really wouldn't just throw it in a suitcase and wrap it with clothes and towels. As a carry-on? Sure. As checked baggage? That's not going to make an ounce of difference in protection unless there's a 1-foot thick layer of towels in there.

At least on the SFF scene, having to check your PC in as checked luggage, without proper packaging, whether intentionally or unintentionally (when you don't plan ahead and it doesn't qualify as a carry-on) basically means to expect your PC to be damaged. There are things that baggage handlers do, that not even a properly kitted out Pelican case can save a computer from.

As for a monitor as large as a 27", I'd do the same - fully packaged into the original box and checked in as such. Smaller monitor you could conceivably throw into a bag - 27" is on the large side for that.

Communicate to the baggage/check-in agent what is in the box and the importance of handling it with care. If you throw either the PC or monitor into a suitcase, this will not be something they can help you with. Should be no issue with the proper markings, heads up to airline employees, and fragile stickers, as it'll be clearly identifiable as a monitor from the box, just as properly packaging the PC itself would allow employees and handlers to clearly recognize what's in the box.

So im planning to move out in a couple of weeks and i have a 27inch monitor with a matx pc that i'm bringing with me. My old build was a matx case as well and i transported it safely over the plane as well but that was with a ryzen stock cooler. So now i'm using a 240mm aio id cooling zoomflow 240x. Do i need to take off the aio? I didnt take off the ryzen stock cooler back then. I'm planning to use the original pc box with everything in it except the gpu. I'm going to put the gpu back to its original box. I have no hdd as well so i think i should be okay. As for the monitor, i have no idea how do i transport the money. I brought back a 24inch monitor before but that was because it could fit in my luggage this 27 inch cant. Oh yeah i forgot to mention, these will be checked in luggage so no hand carry.

 

[AsRock]

if it were me, I would take out the cooler, gpu, any parts that can move, i'd even take out the ram. you can leave cpu in its arm socket with the lever down keeping it secure.

i'd then just wrap my clothes around the other pc parts, that way they don't take up to much luggage space with separate packaging material. i mean how hard it is it to buy a cheap screwdriver and put everything back once you are moved in safely wherever you going. i wouldn't risk it otherwise, also not sure but planes may not allow AIO coolers, unless its the undercarriage story, even then I am not sure... you may have to mail the AIO separately

i live on the side of better safe than sorry... so yeah i wouldn't risk leaving it all attached personally, especially if the plan gets bad turbulence or something.

Well except for the cloths part, maybe if he got his hands on some anti static bags first.

 

[Space Lynx]

Well except for the cloths part, maybe if he got his hands on some anti static bags first.

Aye, this do be true. I didn't think of that, I still keep all of that stuff for all my cards so I think it just comes to naturally to me when they are in storage or whatever to do so.

 

[poorsod]

I am assuming youre shipping this pc.
Ive shipped many pc’s with both custom water cooling & aio’s installed. Either can be done safely, as long as you ship/pack it smart.

i always filled the inside of the pc with crumpled news paper, or certain types of plastic or foam that is not static producing. Cardboard also works. The point it to secure heavy things like video cards, as well as things that might shift with momentum.
A easy cheat, is to watch a few unboxing videos of prebuilt pc’s, then you can see what is done by them to ship safely

you basically want to fill all empty space, with shock absorbing material, & box it well

Thanks for this tip, i might use some newspaper then

AIO coolers should be fine inside, just fill up all the empty space inside the case and pack it with enough foam so it can withstand several times of falling.

if it were me, I would take out the cooler, gpu, any parts that can move, i'd even take out the ram. you can leave cpu in its arm socket with the lever down keeping it secure.

i'd then just wrap my clothes around the other pc parts, that way they don't take up to much luggage space with separate packaging material. i mean how hard it is it to buy a cheap screwdriver and put everything back once you are moved in safely wherever you going. i wouldn't risk it otherwise, also not sure but planes may not allow AIO coolers, unless its the undercarriage story, even then I am not sure... you may have to mail the AIO separately

i live on the side of better safe than sorry... so yeah i wouldn't risk leaving it all attached personally, especially if the plan gets bad turbulence or something.

With no hdd and gpu in its own box it sounds safe to me, put I love Baggage Handlers stickers/tags on your cpu bag and prepare it to be dropped hard a few times (pad it with your clothes like someone mentioned). If you put the stickers on they're less likely to throw it hard as they rush to load everything.

Monitor is my only concern, do you have some extra plastic that can help shield the screen from an impact or a hard case it fits in? It's probably better to sell it and buy another where you're going because the screens are very sensitive to physical impact.

if he has an undercarriage luggage he could wrap a bunch of clothes around it, if its right in the middle surrounded by nothing but clothes tightly it should be fine.

Im planning to put the pc in the case box with it's original foam. It's not the hard polystyrene foam, it's the other softer foam. I'm not sure how to describe it lol. Fill the empty spaces with anything i can find like bubble wraps and papers. Then finally, bubble wrap the whole box itself. Does that sound okay?

You haven't provided any specs whatsoever. Kinda important when talking about taking desktops on air travel. What/how big is this mATX case - is it a 19L Cerberus or a 41L Define Mini? You say it'll be checked luggage, so reason to need to take AIO off then, since you're not dealing with carry-on fluids restrictions (and even then it's not as much of an issue nowadays). Frankly an AIO is preferable to a gigantic air cooler for transportation purposes.

But really, if you value your PC you'll need to treat it like a company would ship a prebuilt, and take the same precautions. Take heavy triple-slot GPUs out, or use those expanding InstaPak padding / "airbags" to ensure that all the empty space inside the case is filled. I'd package it like a prebuilt as well. Do all of the above precautions to protect the inside of the computer, then use the mATX case's original box with the original styrofoam packaging, fill it to make sure there's no empty space/wiggle room inside the cardboard box.

If this case is as big as I'm guessing it is, I really wouldn't just throw it in a suitcase and wrap it with clothes and towels. As a carry-on? Sure. As checked baggage? That's not going to make an ounce of difference in protection unless there's a 1-foot thick layer of towels in there.

At least on the SFF scene, having to check your PC in as checked luggage, without proper packaging, whether intentionally or unintentionally (when you don't plan ahead and it doesn't qualify as a carry-on) basically means to expect your PC to be damaged. There are things that baggage handlers do, that not even a properly kitted out Pelican case can save a computer from.

As for a monitor as large as a 27", I'd do the same - fully packaged into the original box and checked in as such. Smaller monitor you could conceivably throw into a bag - 27" is on the large side for that.

Communicate to the baggage/check-in agent what is in the box and the importance of handling it with care. If you throw either the PC or monitor into a suitcase, this will not be something they can help you with. Should be no issue with the proper markings, heads up to airline employees, and fragile stickers, as it'll be clearly identifiable as a monitor from the box, just as properly packaging the PC itself would allow employees and handlers to clearly recognize what's in the box.

My bad. Here's my specs.
Tecware Forge M Stealth matx case
Corsair cx550m
Id cooling zoomflow 240x aio
Patriot viper 8gb 3200mhz ram
Asus tuf b550m mobo
ryzen 5 3600

https://shopee.com.my/-READY-STOCK--TECWARE-Forge-M-Micro-ATX-Case-i.277182448.5259025864?gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEiwAKQBCkuim5WK1zLaJ2oWQFCKtTm8Jt9_T9pOUhEWlkHUZjLzSpNnm1BkmqRoCdxIQAvD_BwE

This is the link for my case. I dont think i can just shove it into a luggage lol

 

[Space Lynx]

do what you want, I wouldn't risk it. there is still lots of moving around going on, i would at least remove the AIO cooler and gpu and wrap them up in anti static stuff and then surround them with clothes tightly...

 

[tabascosauz]

Im planning to put the pc in the case box with it's original foam. It's not the hard polystyrene foam, it's the other softer foam. I'm not sure how to describe it lol. Fill the empty spaces with anything i can find like bubble wraps and papers. Then finally, bubble wrap the whole box itself. Does that sound okay?

My bad. Here's my specs.
Tecware Forge M Stealth matx case
Corsair cx550m
Id cooling zoomflow 240x aio
Patriot viper 8gb 3200mhz ram
Asus tuf b550m mobo
ryzen 5 3600

https://shopee.com.my/-READY-STOCK--TECWARE-Forge-M-Micro-ATX-Case-i.277182448.5259025864?gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEiwAKQBCkuim5WK1zLaJ2oWQFCKtTm8Jt9_T9pOUhEWlkHUZjLzSpNnm1BkmqRoCdxIQAvD_BwE

This is the link for my case. I dont think i can just shove it into a luggage lol

Good call on shipping in the box, but use proper padding inside the computer. InstaPak like I mentioned, or those inflatable packaging air bags that come in a roll. Although I don't know if bubble wrapping the box is necessary or helpful (lol).

The case looks reasonably compact. Is it feasible to bring it as a carry-on using something like this (Amazon.com: CURMIO Desktop Computer Travel Bag, Carrying Case for Computer Tower PC Chassis, Keyboard, Cable and Mouse, Bag Only, Black: Computers & Accessories)? It's rare for airlines to have generous weight/dimensions limits for carry-ons, but they definitely exist (e.g. British Airways).

Are you flying domestically/regionally, or are you "moving out" overseas? If this is a long trip and you reckon you may have to make a return trip, it's probably a much better idea to consider a upgrade/sidegrade to a ITX motherboard and a smaller case that you can put in a backpack.

 

[poorsod]

Good call on shipping in the box, but use proper padding inside the computer. InstaPak like I mentioned, or those inflatable packaging air bags that come in a roll. Although I don't know if bubble wrapping the box is necessary or helpful (lol).

The case looks reasonably compact. Is it feasible to bring it as a carry-on using something like this (Amazon.com: CURMIO Desktop Computer Travel Bag, Carrying Case for Computer Tower PC Chassis, Keyboard, Cable and Mouse, Bag Only, Black: Computers & Accessories)? It's rare for airlines to have generous weight/dimensions limits for carry-ons, but they definitely exist (e.g. British Airways).

Are you flying domestically/regionally, or are you "moving out" overseas? If this is a long trip and you reckon you may have to make a return trip, it's probably a much better idea to consider a upgrade/sidegrade to a ITX motherboard and a smaller case that you can put in a backpack.

Wow that carry on looks interesting. I'll search for it on my local shopping sites. But instapak is quite expensive here so ill use some papers to substitute it. I'm just moving out to my university. It might be a while till i return here so i dont think ill sidegrade to an itx build because im very sensitive about thermals. As for the airlines, i have no idea since i'm in southeast asia. There is a limit to 7kg hand carry but they never checked it so i dont think im willing to risk it in case they happen to check on that day. Thanks for the help so far

 

[tabascosauz]

Wow that carry on looks interesting. I'll search for it on my local shopping sites. But instapak is quite expensive here so ill use some papers to substitute it. I'm just moving out to my university. It might be a while till i return here so i dont think ill sidegrade to an itx build because im very sensitive about thermals. As for the airlines, i have no idea since i'm in southeast asia. There is a limit to 7kg hand carry but they never checked it so i dont think im willing to risk it in case they happen to check on that day. Thanks for the help so far

Seems like you're thinking based on circa 2014 understanding of ITX case thermals...lol. A Cooler Master NR200 is a breezy ITX case that isn't too big and isn't very expensive either. You can probably get something cheap like this, which I have for my NCASE M1 and HT5, (Accu-Case F4 Par Bag (adj.com)) for carrying it. The major board vendors seem to still be making their B450 ITX boards, which are all more than suitable for a 3600, which in itself will easily run just fine on even the stock Wraith Stealth.

7kg is too restrictive, I'm thinking something more along the lines of BA's 23kg limit, of which you will probably need every ounce for a desktop. Are you just moving within Asia, or overseas?

 

[poorsod]

Seems like you're thinking based on circa 2014 understanding of ITX case thermals...lol. A Cooler Master NR200 is a breezy ITX case that isn't too big and isn't very expensive either. You can probably get something cheap like this, which I have for my NCASE M1 and HT5, (Accu-Case F4 Par Bag (adj.com)) for carrying it. The major board vendors seem to still be making their B450 ITX boards, which are all more than suitable for a 3600, which in itself will easily run just fine on even the stock Wraith Stealth.

7kg is too restrictive, I'm thinking something more along the lines of BA's 23kg limit, of which you will probably need every ounce for a desktop. Are you just moving within Asia, or overseas?

Im moving from east malaysia to west malaysia so basically same country but over the ocean. I think my best option here is to pack them well in their original box and check in as cargo on the plane

 

[INSTG8R]

When I moved to Norway I had my mid-tower as my carry on...hauling it around airports wasn’t ideal but I knew it was at least safe.

 

[poorsod]

When I moved to Norway I had my mid-tower as my carry on...hauling it around airports wasn’t ideal but I knew it was at least safe.

Sadly i don't think i can carry them as carry on. Rip

 

[INSTG8R]

Sadly i don't think i can carry them as carry on. Rip

Yeah this was almost 20 years ago now They opened it up, swabbed it etc and sent me on my way. But I mean laptops get through they just made me turn it on. At least my case fit in the overhead compartment yours would be a breeze.