Should you put anime figures in your PC case?
I've asked several people who put their figures in their PC case. To be honest, I was expecting horror stories where the figures would bend, bend, and melt from the heat. On the contrary, everyone who responded confirmed to me that they had placed their figures in PC cases for months, even years, without them suffering the slightest damage.
Will my figurine melt into my PC case?
It's unlikely. Unless your PC is severely damaged, temperatures will not approach the melting point of PVC plastic. However, if your PC is hot enough, your figures may bend, tilt, or warp over time.
Can placing anime figures in my PC case cause a fire?
It's unlikely. Although PVC itself does not catch fire easily, the addition of plasticizer in the figurine manufacturing process makes PVC flammable.
You can place the figures on top of the GPU or behind the radiator.
The melting point of PVC and average temperature in a PC case
PVC has a melting point of 100°C (212°F). To put things into perspective, under normal load conditions a CPU operates at a temperature of 40°C (104°F) up to 65°C (149°F) for higher loads. GPUs can get even hotter. Under normal load, a GPU operates at a temperature of 65°C (149°F) and up to 85°C (185°F) for heavier computing or modern gaming. However, PVC already begins to soften before it even reaches the melting point temperature. PVC figures already contain a plasticizer that makes them more pliable than regular, untreated PVC. In fact, PVC figures require less heat to become bendable.
Remember that you can use a hair dryer or even hot water to fix the figures' tilting issues. A hairdryer operating at a temperature between 49°C and 60°C (120°F and 140°F) is already capable of bending the figures. If the air temperature inside your PC case is close to this temperature, you should definitely not put figurines in your PC. Some PC utilities can help measure CPU and GPU temperatures, but not air temperature. You will need to find a thermometer and place it in your PC case for several minutes in order to get an accurate measurement of the air temperature inside your PC.
If the air temperature in your PC case exceeds 40°C (104°F), I advise you to think twice before placing your figures in the case. This temperature is already too high, even for tropical countries. If the air temperature in your PC case is around 32°C (90°F), you're in no danger. This is about room temperature where I am.
Precautions to Take Before Placing Your Figure Inside a PC Case
If you've decided to place a figurine in your PC case, I recommend taking a few precautions.
Take just a quick photo to post on social media
Although some people claim that their figures are not damaged when placed in a PC case, I advise you to reconsider your decision. Anime figures don't like heat. You might consider putting the figure inside your case for a minute then taking a quick photo if you just want to show off your figure and your platform on social media. And then we'll have more people asking if you can do it safely.
Make sure your PC has a very good cooling system
CPU case cooling
I'm talking about having a spacious case with good airflow and liquid cooling. If you intend to place the figure above the GPU, I've heard that some people recommend having a backplate to reduce the contact temperature. But don't take my word for it. My GPU backplate is always very hot.
You need to know the air temperature in your installation. Not the temperature of specific components in your PC. Put a thermometer inside and play a modern game for several minutes, then check the temperature. If the temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F), you risk destroying your figurines. Upgrade your cooling system or forgo placing your figures in your case.
Don't play resource-intensive games or do intensive computing.
Resource intensive games will heat up your rig and the heat may damage your miniatures if the temperature is too high.
Choose a figurine that has no parts that could bend
As I mentioned before, the heat inside the PC case can cause figures to bend and warp. So choose a figurine that is unlikely to twist or deform.
Choose a figure that stands firmly or sits or lies down.
If a figure stands firmly and has no parts that could bend, it's a good choice. If the figurine is lying or sitting, it's even better. Furyu's noodle cap figures come to mind. Since they are made to cover instant noodles while they cook, I assume they are meant to withstand some heat. But probably not for hours.
Choose an inexpensive figurine that you don't worry about damaging. Think of a Pop figurine or a pop up parade figurine.
I wouldn't put a $200 figure in my PC case. I couldn't bear to destroy a figure of this price. On the other hand, a figure worth $10 or less is acceptable.
sakura miku taito
Taito's Sakura Miku figure - a cheap option to place in a PC case.
Acrylic is a material that resists heat better than PVC. The melting point of acrylic is 160°C (320°F). These small, inexpensive acrylic figures could therefore be placed in a PC case. And I'm sure those RGB lights would reflect well on those acrylic plates.
Nendoroids are also a good choice. They are cute and not very expensive, around $45 each.
Would dust also be a problem?
At first I thought dust would be a big problem if you display the figures in a PC case. But that doesn't seem to be the case. At least, according to the people I've talked to who have done it. Collectors who place figures in their PC cases claim that they are no more dusty than those displayed in the open air.
Either way, it's up to you whether you want to put expensive miniatures in your PC case. Do what makes you happy, but know that you are responsible for your actions. Figure melted and deformed or not, you are responsible. So, before you decide to place your miniatures in your PC case, think twice.
