OK so its bloody obvious. Take the fcuking card out and take it in hand luggage. Rest of the machine pack it properly and check it in.
+1
- expletives
Take the graphics card out of the slot and check it in together with the desktop PC. This avoids the risk of the connectors (both on the graphics card and the motherboard) from getting damaged. No need to worry about the CMOS battery.
If your PC has a spinning drive (HDD) then you might want to consider how to ship that one. At least make a full back-up, in case it gets damaged during the trip.
When I moved to HK, I took the HDDs - which formed a single multi-drive spanning FS - out of my PC in the UK, packed just the drives, and built a new PC to put them in when I got here...
Of course, I didn't have a graphics card I'd spent hundreds of pounds on, and which was probably worth half of what I paid
And here I am thinking there's no way I would put my pc in my check in luggage due to baggage handlers' infamous rough handling of bags. I've also had my check-in broken into before, but might be because I flew to a degenerate part of the world. Still, just consider where you are going.
PCs are shipped all around the US in UPS trucks that take corners on 2 wheels, get drop-kicked to the door, and manage to arrive in 100% working condition.
Don't think this is comparable. In this case the pc would be in a box which should clearly show it's fragile and UPS, FedEx, or whoever has some responsibility. With a pc inside luggage and airport baggage handlers, both of those are gone.
Look, it will PROBABLY arrive in fine condition with enough precautions. Just depends how valuable it is to you and how much risk you are willing to take. I mean, there's no harm taking it as carry on?