Hey guys, I'm flying from LA to Chicago on Wednesday (moving in for my first year in college), and I plan on taking a desktop computer with me, carry-on.
The thing is, I have no idea what kind of troubles I may face at the airport. I am allowed to carry-on desktops, right? Will TSA agents give me crap throughout security? Will anyone protest that it's too big, too heavy, etc? Should I watch out for any computer parts that are easily susceptible to damage? I'm basically trying to anticipate any problems that may occur before they happen.
Knowing that I was bringing this pc to college, I bought one of the smallest cases I could find that still fit a full-sized graphics card. As so you can see in the images in below, it fits in my backpack, and that's how I plan to carry it (with some clothing for padding, of course).
So please, give me any advice you can. Thank you in advance!
P.S. I'm actually not sure if this should be in tech support, blog, or general (?).
Graphics cards and large aftermarket CPU coolers are the most susceptible to damage during transit, a bumpy ride can dislodge the pci-e slot or otherwise cause damage to the board. You may want to remove the graphics card and pack it in a static bag / foam and box it up to put in a separate bag to be safe.
I actually agree with this. I thought about carrying on my computer and everyone said you should remove the graphics cards as well as the aftermarket cup.
A Silverstone Sugo (uh, one of the SG models that looks like that lol, I can't tell which it is from that picture) can't even fit the kind of larger coolers that would be a problem for transit. I guess it's mostly about the graphics card. Just take that out and wrap it yourself, unless maybe the case has some super-secure expansion card retention brackets I don't know about.
If you're handling the bag yourself and don't get the bag taken away for curbside check-in, I think it should be okay if you're careful. I still wouldn't be too comfortable doing that, but I wouldn't expect a disaster.
The case is a Silverstone SG07, and the cooler is a Asetek 570LC.
I will take my graphics card out and carry it separately. I honestly don't think the Asetek will have a problem, so I plan to to keep that inside. Can someone tell me what an "aftermarket cup" is?
Now I'm just hoping I won't have any problems with TSA...
On September 12 2011 06:47 Endymion wrote: i've gotten taken aside for having a keyboard with me boarding a plane, good luck explaining a tower..
Oh dear. My family combined, we're going to have a desktop, a keyboard, two laptops, and an iPad. :\ Being taken aside aside (lol), it is legal and everything, right?
"aftermarket cup" is a typo for aftermarket cpu coolers, like you have above.
You should be fine as a carry on (even with everything just inside the case, provided this:
It is within the carryon size limits (height most certainly) of 22x14x9. You actually make it through security Weight probably doesnt matter. I've gotten away with 2x 20-25lb carryons.
(well, after further reading) Since it is a backpack size, you should be fine, even with everything sitting in the case. I bet my car ride to school is worse than walking through an airport in a backpack, and putting it in the overhead compartment.
Just security will be awkward. You will need to take it out of the backpack (like laptops), so just do that ahead of time to save you trouble. I've taken decently sized desktop speakers through just fine, I just took them out ahead of time.
Laptops are fine, ipads are fine, etc... Desktop will be odd because it isn't an everday occurrance that someone brings a desktop with them. You may be asked to plug it in and power it on and stuff.
On September 12 2011 06:46 Karliath wrote: Can someone tell me what an "aftermarket cup" is?
aftermarket cpu cooler? That's just any third party cpu cooler, i.e. not the one that comes with the processor. Yours watercooling setup would be one but it's not what everyones worries about. Most people are worried its something like this:
The cold plate (cpu mounted component) won't be a problem but the radiator might depending on how well its mounted. Also probably a good idea to drain the coolant before transport.
On September 12 2011 06:47 Endymion wrote: i've gotten taken aside for having a keyboard with me boarding a plane, good luck explaining a tower..
Oh dear. My family combined, we're going to have a desktop, a keyboard, two laptops, and an iPad. :\ Being taken aside aside (lol), it is legal and everything, right?
you shouldn't have an issue as long as you can fit them in your overhead compartment. if they cant understand the concept of taking flimsy electronics on board the plane to prevent damage from being thrown around when being loaded then you probably don't want to fly with that particular business anyway.
I would arrive early in case security wants to take you aside for questioning or extra checks. Otherwise, if its within carry on size/weight limits, I don't think its a problem.
The cold plate (cpu mounted component) won't be a problem but the radiator might depending on how well its mounted. Also probably a good idea to drain the coolant before transport.
His cooler is like the corsair ones, meant to be sealed, closed-loop, and to never be opened and messed with. Mine works fine, it survives car trips and the walk up 5 flights of stairs. (Antec 1200 case)
Well, Ive gone from Boston to Raleigh and they pulled me aside to check my luggage because i had my TE stick inside, and I told them it was an arcade stick for a video game ,they proceeded to take off all the rubber stops and unscrew it to look inside.
Don't think carry-on Tower will happen, but good luck if you try!
On September 12 2011 06:47 Endymion wrote: i've gotten taken aside for having a keyboard with me boarding a plane, good luck explaining a tower..
Oh dear. My family combined, we're going to have a desktop, a keyboard, two laptops, and an iPad. :\ Being taken aside aside (lol), it is legal and everything, right?
you shouldn't have an issue as long as you can fit them in your overhead compartment. if they cant understand the concept of taking flimsy electronics on board the plane to prevent damage from being thrown around when being loaded then you probably don't want to fly with that particular business anyway.
its not the airline business though, its security. If it looks like a normal backpack, they won't even know its 30-40 pounds. I have never seen someone get pulled aside from their line to weigh a carry-on.
In theory (for united) you get 44 pounds worth of luggage per person. You can exceed that by a long shot anyway, especially if you check in online.
Yeah, the desktop fits in a pretty regular-sized backpack, so my only worry was that TSA might not allow desktops, just in general. I wouldn't mind being pulled aside for some extra checks and tests. I'm only moving once, after all.
On September 12 2011 06:46 Karliath wrote: Can someone tell me what an "aftermarket cup" is?
aftermarket cpu cooler? That's just any third party cpu cooler, i.e. not the one that comes with the processor. Yours watercooling setup would be one but it's not what everyones worries about. Most people are worried its something like this:
The cold plate (cpu mounted component) won't be a problem but the radiator might depending on how well its mounted. Also probably a good idea to drain the coolant before transport.
That thing weights much more than the normal version of that... although the temps would be like -5 less degrees... you'd probably want to remove that if you're on plane just as you'd remove the gpu from it...
On September 12 2011 06:46 Karliath wrote: Can someone tell me what an "aftermarket cup" is?
aftermarket cpu cooler? That's just any third party cpu cooler, i.e. not the one that comes with the processor. Yours watercooling setup would be one but it's not what everyones worries about. Most people are worried its something like this:
The cold plate (cpu mounted component) won't be a problem but the radiator might depending on how well its mounted. Also probably a good idea to drain the coolant before transport.
That thing weights much more than the normal version of that... although the temps would be like -5 less degrees... you'd probably want to remove that if you're on plane just as you'd remove the gpu from it...
I don't have the same type of cooler as the photo you quoted, mine isn't heavy at all. I don't believe that the radiator will be a problem if I am handling the computer myself.
On September 12 2011 07:05 Mysticesper wrote: Well, i posted a link to the prohibited items list.
The ONLY thing i could see happening is the liquid cooler being > than 100 milliliters. That would pretty much screw you over right there.
if someone is checking luggage through, you may need to actually put that in the checked bags.
Shit. I guess this has me worried. Will they even know it's a liquid cooler? -_-
On September 12 2011 06:46 Karliath wrote: Can someone tell me what an "aftermarket cup" is?
aftermarket cpu cooler? That's just any third party cpu cooler, i.e. not the one that comes with the processor. Yours watercooling setup would be one but it's not what everyones worries about. Most people are worried its something like this:
The cold plate (cpu mounted component) won't be a problem but the radiator might depending on how well its mounted. Also probably a good idea to drain the coolant before transport.
That thing weights much more than the normal version of that... although the temps would be like -5 less degrees... you'd probably want to remove that if you're on plane just as you'd remove the gpu from it...
I don't have the same type of cooler as the photo you quoted, mine isn't heavy at all. I don't believe that the radiator will be a problem if I am handling the computer myself.
On September 12 2011 07:05 Mysticesper wrote: Well, i posted a link to the prohibited items list.
The ONLY thing i could see happening is the liquid cooler being > than 100 milliliters. That would pretty much screw you over right there.
if someone is checking luggage through, you may need to actually put that in the checked bags.
Shit. I guess this has me worried. Will they even know it's a liquid cooler? -_-
liquids will show up as a different color i think. If you have a large thing of toothpaste, for example, even if its almost empty, they may ask you to throw it out. AFAIK, the scanners work based off density, so liquids will have their own category. The big thing is whether or not they can determine volume from the scanner. With, what i would assume is a colored loop, it wouldn't be too difficult to assume.
One example is that chocolate and cheese can create funny red-flags in scanners because of this (similar to plastic explosives). It isn't illegal, but it sure raises red flags in the scanner.
I know one day i forgot to take my little bag of liquids out, but it was busy at denver, and they were just ramming bags through, and I wasn't even asked to take it out. Then here in bozeman, because its a tiny airport, they do visual screenings of some stuff (liquid bag) as you take it out, and I had to throw out something because it was too big and I forgot about it, and in Denver, they don't care unless its probably super blatant.
If nothing else, call your airport and find out. They may mention the 100ml liquid limit, and if that may be the cause of concern, then you may have to box it up and check it (hopefully other stuff is being checked, sandwich it with your clothes if that is the case). Heck, even ship it to your dorm. 2-day delivery for my parents to ship some stuff here was like 25 dollars. Shipped wednesday, arrived friday morning.
And then put your stock cpu cooler back on just in case you need to power the machine on.
& remember its 9/11 time, so stuff is stricter for no real reason other than the date.
If it helps, I know I've had to pack one of those large HP touchsmart PCs into a carryon for my boss. I haven't heard anything about it not working, so larger electronics are still doable.
Of course.. theres my dad...
He takes spectrometers through carry ons (uses lasers) & vials of chemicals (cyanide, etc) without question. The thing is, they still follow the 100ml liquid thing, so it probably doesn't raise any red flags.
I would personally be worried about them tearing it apart or calling it a "bomb". They might want to take it apart and in the process, and i can see them breaking something. Just hope you get some knowledgeable guys at security !
If your there with your family and look like a student (better yet a nerd) your not likely to run into problems. Then again TSA agents are sometimes really by the book this time of year.
Consider UPS. It'll probably cost you $50 to ship to your dorm and, if you tell your parents its necessary they may cover it for you and save you all a potential headache. Plus it gives you a good reason to get to know the cute girl who works your mailroom.
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