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Case/Desk in one Design


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Well i've been inspired by ultimatedesk and his project so im decided to combine my need for a new desk with my want for a new desk. At first i just want help with details then i will post a work-log in the work-log section when i get started.

 

So to begin with:

 

1.I intend to build this mainly out of wood as i dont want to work with aluminum and cant afford carbon fiber. So do i want to make a metal plate for the mobo or so long as i use standoffs should it be alright to have it on wood?

 

2.Is it better to have the mobo vertical or horizontal? My idea at this point is to have it horizontal, but am open to correction. The advantage of this is that i could 'stack' pc's in the case. Effectively building a case for my workstation, server and anything i build in the future.

 

3.Though i cant wc it right now would you agree it would be good to lay it out with room for wc equipment?

 

4. Is it possible to get extensions for sata and other cables so as to have my drives(cd/dvd/blu-ray), power buttons and fan controllers on my desktop? Or would that create lag?(in the sata i mean)

 

5. How many monitors should i reckon for in the design. I mean i will leave room for 3 but 3 of what size? I dont game, atleast not games that would use 3 screens.

 

6. Could i build a kvm switch in the desk so i could have control over what was coming from which machine? As in audio coming from 1 machine and everything from the others, or 2 monitors from one and 1 from the other?

 

Thats enough to begin with.

Thanks for your help guys. Merry Christmas(next week :unsure:)

 

EDIT:The KVM switch would only need to switch the monitors and keyboard/mouse.

Edited by SpeedCrazy

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Rather than excessively edit the above:

 

note for 4. For the bottom pc in the stack it could be almost 3 feet, depending on my final design. Will that lag too much?

 

note for 6.The KVM switch would only need to switch the monitors and keyboard/mouse.

 

7.Could i put a switch in the case so i only need one Ethernet cable to the desk?

 

8. Do you think i could find some good sounding compact speakers to build into the desk? (Able to fit in 3 drive bay sized enclosure)

 

9. As i will be routing all cables up through the desk, is there any point in an in/out shield?

 

Thanks

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1. You don't need a metal plate for a motherboard tray. Heck you could screw it right to a wood backing if you wanted - but wouldn't recommend that due to heat and possible fire hazard. If it were me I'd get extra tall stand offs and install them into the wood tray and mount your motherboard to those.

 

2. It doesn't matter how you mount the motherboard horizontally or vertically. Mount if for convenience and optimum air flow in the desk that you're designing. Personally I like the horizontal idea that opens up some opportunities for stacking multiple systems in the same box, but I guess you could do that vertically too.

 

3. Since you're designing/building yourself, I'd leave plenty of room for anything you think you "might" want to add in the future. Much better to have too much extra space than not enough.

 

4. Sata cables up to 3 feet long are easy to find and shouldn't cause any problems with lag or data transfer. As far as power buttons, front panel connectors and fan controllers, all of those would be easy enough to DIY with some wire from Radio Shack or the hardware store, some soldering skills and shrink tubing.

 

5. I'd build for up to three monitors, but this is another one of those that it's better to have to much extra space than not enough (IMHO)

 

6. No reason you couldn't build a spot for a KVM switch in the cabinet, a router, modem or even A/V receiver for that matter. Anything you want to modularize and keep hidden.

 

7. Beyond my area of expertise.

 

8. Try Crutchfields for speakers

 

9. I/O shields do help with the grounding of some of the rear input/output connections (like the NIC and such). But since you're not going to use a metal case I think the I/O shield becomes a moot point. As an extra precaution however, you might consider drilling a hole in the I/O shield, connecting a grounding wire and running it to one of the screws on the power supply (like the screws that hold the fan guard in place).

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Thanks wev.

 

9. I/O shields do help with the grounding of some of the rear input/output connections (like the NIC and such). But since you're not going to use a metal case I think the I/O shield becomes a moot point. As an extra precaution however, you might consider drilling a hole in the I/O shield, connecting a grounding wire and running it to one of the screws on the power supply (like the screws that hold the fan guard in place).

I could but i wanted to have a solid back, save fans and psu, and route all wires from the in/out panel and pci to the top of the desk.

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How big a rad(or combination of rads) should i plan for? It would have too cool a i7 930 @3.8 and GTX460 to begin with but i would like to be able to upgrade a couple times and not have to reinvest in a new rad.

Also, how big a reservoir is optimal. (i don't have a clue about wcing)

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For a single cpu/gpu loop a 120mmx3 would be sufficient. But you might consider two separate loops, one for gpus and one for cpu. In that case you could go with two 120mmx2 rads.

 

Several manufacturers are also producing 140mm rads now, and they offer an opportunity to keep good airflow with lower rpm 140mm fans = less noise :)

 

Reservoir size isn't important. In fact a reservoir isn't even required, but adding one can help you bleed the system easier and reduce maintenance headaches (like number of times you have to add coolant or draining and cleaning the system). I personally always use a reservoir, but many other w/c experts will go with just a t-line.

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So does 2 140mmx2 rads sound good for future-proof(as much as it can be) water cooling setup? Note that i am not purchasing just designating space for all these wcing parts. So with that in mind should i go Res, cpu, nb, rad then pump, gpu, gpu, rad, res. Or do you mean 2 toatly independent loops? So Res, cpu, nb, pump then rad then res. And Res Gpu, gpu, pump rad. Could i run both loops out of 1 reservoir or would i need 2?

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If you get a strong pump with plenty of head pressure (like a D5 or Swiftech MCP655) you could run a single pump, single reservoir and twin radiators. Really depends on the final thermal load of all the components you'll be water cooling.

 

Twin 140mmx2 would be pretty sweet. To start with you could do a single loop for your cpu/gpu and then when you add another gpu in the future, break the loops apart and create two independent loops. One for the cpu and one for the gpus.

 

Frankly, I'd forego the gpu water cooling and concentrate on the cpu. If you pick the right video card(s) heat won't be an issue with the oem cooler.

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I would definitely use at least a metal motherboard tray, to avoid short circuiting/fire/etc. Having a case is a pretty important part of keeping your computer grounded.

Edited by Locutus

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Thanks i'll keep that in mind.

 

Frankly, I'd forego the gpu water cooling and concentrate on the cpu. If you pick the right video card(s) heat won't be an issue with the oem cooler.

That is what i hoped. Especially as cards seem to be getting more and more heat efficient. Also if CPU's go the same way(they dont seem to be) i may eventually not need the wcing at all.

Which is more energy efficient? High end air or low to middle air?

 

EDIT: The more i look the more i think i would be better off just getting a better air cooler if my current one is not enough. About the only thing going for the wc right now in my mind is that its lower profile.

Edited by SpeedCrazy

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