Is it okay to keep your PC on the ground?

This is an interesting question regarding the ideal position to place a Fixed PC or Desktop PC, which despite its name is definitely not made to be on a desk (in English desktop means desk). It may therefore be natural to think of keeping the PC resting on the floor, on the ground, beside the desk or in any case hidden under a table or behind a piece of furniture. The problem you need to think about is to prevent the PC from overheating inside it due to poor ventilation and dust.
Let's talk, therefore, how to position the PC in a correct way, even on the ground if necessary.
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Modern fixed PCs, called desktop PCs, can have different shapes, usually upright like a tower, which can be large or smaller depending on the type of case chosen. The large ones are called Mid Tower or Case ATX while the smaller ones are Mini Tower or Micro-ATX (mATX or uATX) . ATX stands for Advanced Technology eXtended and is the shape standard for case, motherboard and power supply.
Both ATX and Micro-ATX PCs have a shape that is not completely flat on the bottom, with feet that keep it slightly raised from the surface on which they rest. At the top on the sides the case always has air openings with internal fans (which can be one or even 4 and more) which expel the heated air from the PC hardware components and let cold air in from outside. For this reason they can also be placed on the ground, provided there is no carpet.
Speaking above all of the ATX PCs, the big ones, positioning the desktop computer on a carpet or carpet, in fact, can block the air flow at the bottom or in any case, even on a PC without openings on the bottom, it can accumulate heat and dust.
Keeping your PC on the ground on a smooth floor is fine, although dust will definitely be a problem in the long run as the fans will draw in more dust than there would be if the PC was kept on a desk or desk. table. When holding the computer on the ground, it is important to clean it often by dusting the openings and perhaps even with the use of a can of compressed air.
It must be taken into account that dust, when it accumulates inside the computer, prevents the cooling of the PC which can therefore risk damage.
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In conclusion, to answer the question of the title, putting the PC on the floor is fine if the air intakes are all free and there are really no other problems except perhaps the size under the desk and the risk of accidentally kicking it while moving legs. In any case, with the computer on the ground, the risk of falls is avoided and even if it overturns due to a collision, it should not risk breaking.
Of course, every place can have its critical issues and, for example in places where there is a risk of flooding, it would certainly be advisable not to keep the computer on the ground, as well as in a house where pets or small children run.
Before placing the PC on the floor, therefore, make sure that the air flows are free and if we can not avoid putting it on a carpet or even to keep it raised off the ground, you can buy supports that facilitate the movement of the desktop. While any PC port may be fine, there are several types to choose from on Amazon, some with wheels, others that are used to attach the computer to the desk with screws.
All these considerations are important with PCs that are quite powerful, those for gaming or used intensively and that generate a lot of heat. If we have a low-power desktop PC that does not generate much heat, especially if we have a MicroATX PC, ventilation is generally not a big problem and it is possible to adapt them easily in a corner of the desk.
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