EM interference from mobo & components?

[MaxDepth]

I'm looking at making a few atypical computing devices for myself and some friends. Way back in the day of PCs (90's), I was told to always enclose the motherboard and components in a metal enclosure. This was to prevent electromagnetic interference from radiating to the TV/monitor or other electronics.

With higher frequencies of CPU and GPUs, is this still an issue? The materials I plan on using for enclosures are cardboard (felt wrapped) and wood. I know I'll still need fans and paths for airflow, so that is covered, so to speak. So do I need to line the these atypical enclosures with aluminum?


Thanks.

 

[e-drood]

max, there are two related issues when using non-metallic pc cases, in the past & still today

first, ac supply / mains current - ground / earth paths/continuity---whether n.america 110vac 60hz or much of rest of world 220vac 50hz there must be continuous conductive path from wall outlet / power point "to" pc power supply "to" motherboard stand-offs & all hdd/sdd & optical drives or you may experience random pc power supply drop-out and "hash"/buzzing

second, rf (radio frequency) emi continues to be a continuing concern --- if non-metallic case/housing consider using heavy guage aluminum foil from commercial aircon/hvac/refrigeration supplier to line inside (bottom,sides/top everything) and use small guage cu conductor to tie to ground/earth you have already created - as above --- I would "connect" all the al foil panels using double fold-over joints

be certain that NO foil can short mb or graphics card(s) & take care with fan(s) air flow

you earlier touched on "new" issue - gpu's now significant emi radiator

lastly I would install split circular ferrites on power cables (1 end only)and usb 3 cables - sata3 is another matter - keep short

 

[MaxDepth]

Thank you! I was thinking of commercial foil to line the area around, but not touching the motherboard for something like a "soft" case. But I see I need to tie it to the motherboard as well. Maybe I can scavenge a mobo plate from an old case. (Too bad I already sold my old server tower case that had a removable plate.)

I will have to find a way though to ensure that opening and closing will not cause the foil to break contact with the plate ans still have air flow, too.


By the way, I hope you were not affected by the typhoon.

 

[e-drood]

I'm in HK & Neset is about 465km south of HK Island - our balcony faces due south & south china sea so each incoming storm, plants are moved into a room we use for plants & projects - pc's & other light assembly work - my wife also claims this room for her water colour landscapes

tomorrow will see fairly heavy rains

whether you use a titanium series sound card or xonar, many users experience hissing/buzzing/ muddied audio --- there are various work arounds, once ground continuity is established - there are dedicated forums for audio card modding

in HK many residential buildings have split 3-phase risers tapped off to provide 218vac 50hz balanced until one of the floor flats decides to install larger main circuit breaker before meter - better audio gear always reacts to resulting out-of-phase from unbalanced loading... you are lucky not to have this problem