Computer Case: Off or on?

My comp pulls alot of juice off my power supply.

3 GHz Pentium IV
4 GB RAM
X800 GTO 256 MB

So as you can imagine it heats up really fast. So anytime I play a 3D game I hear the loud fans whirring. So is it better to have my computer case off or on?

When I do take the case off the fans return to their normal state almost immediately. But I heard that taking the case off stops the airflow over components that don't have their own fans.

Can someone tell me if it's better to have the case on or off? Or if it is even safe?

Removing the case certainly changes the direction of airflow, but at the same time it isn't going to do any damage. Believe it or not some of these high end parts still end up in "normal-user" computers and they're lucky to have two case fans.

If you start getting random BSODs and restarts, then you should get worried.

yea, i would keep an eye on it both ways and see which way it is cooler (with a app)

-Thetieger

I see. Well a Canadian winter is coming so I think I'll leave the case off for now.

yeah, I feel the cold already and Im in New York