Case within an enclosure. How to supply with fresh air?

[HeroOfPellinor]

I needed a second desk and was purposefully looking for one with a full enclosure for the computer as that's the best technique to completely quiet anything. This enclosure has 1" clearance all around my SLK3700-BQE, so it will perfectly accomodate a thin layer of melamine all around.

The back of the enclosure is thick cardboard-type material so I'll be able to cut a hole for the 120mm exhaust and PSU exhaust easily. But the front is completely closed off with a door. So I'm wondering where to cut a hole to provide cool air for the 120mm intake fan in the front. My best option, as far as I can tell, is to cut a vent in the bottom of the enclosure which sits a few inches off the ground and is open in the back. I could also cut a vent in the side furthest from me and baffle it. Or I could do both to create some convection.

Do you think, in any case, that I'll need to run a duct to the intake fan? Would convection be enough or should I mount an 80mm fan or two into the wall of the enclosure to bring in the cool air?

 

[Tiamat]

Thats a tough heat situation. Since you are a totally disallowing natural convection, you are going to have to increase your forced convection means of cooling in order to make up for it. A good amount of heat is going to be trapped inside of that enclosure. If you could replace the front door with a "wire-mesh within wood framing" type door, your cooling may improve. You'd probably need 2x 120mm Evercool @ 12V for a good enough forced convection. Other than this, I dont have any other "good" advice. Perhaps someone else on the board has some experience with this situation...