If you have ever installed a new heatsink onto your processor, or a motherboard into a case you will know that there are a great many loose wires that have to be tied down or routed out of the way, however, sometimes that just isn't practical.
So I am happy to present my top tip for a tidy case = cable curling!
STUFF YOU WILL NEED
For this you will need = A pencil, some cables to tidy, and a pair of hands, those are always good
My pencil of choice is a yellow pages sponsored black plastic one, made from recycled vending machine cups, because I like the environment
but anything of the same approximate size/shape will do.
I have here a stock A64
HSF, it's not an ugly bit of kit, but look at those wires. They are unsightly and will impede airflow in your case if you leave them unchecked. Some people will tell you to cover the cables with braid / heatshrink to keep them tidy, but for a CPU cooler that can just add more size to the cables that are cluttering up your motherboard.
STEP ONE
Pick up the pencil and hold it close to the fan or to the case end of a front panel cable if you are curling that sort of cable. Untangle all of the cables so that they do not cross over each other at all between the connector and the fan/case. Begin to tightly wind all of the cables around the pencil being sure to be neat, you should find that they will bend into the shape of the pencil quite easily.
STEP TWO
Work your way along the cable until all of its length is tightly wound about the pencil. Take a deep breath and let go of the cable, it will unravel slightly, but should hold the curled shape now. Slide the pencil out of the coils and put it back on your desk.
STEP THREE
Sit back and enjoy your tidier cables and improved airflow. Don't forget to put the
HSF back onto your processor before you turn it on though!