I built my computer into my desk.

[icculus]

Yay,
I just finished the first stages of building this computer into my desk. I cut a few holes in the drawer for cables/fans and mounted the board, drives, and power supply. I'll be cutting some holes for my CD drives tonight (They need to be perfect so they fit snug) I'm finding using a Jigsaw is an art form! =) .. Anyway, I'll take some more pictures soon but here is one

www.chrisplatt.com/desk_comp.jpg

 

[Spook]

Does that link work?

 

[Tripleshot]

Your link doesn't work.We would love to see your handywork.Please fix.

 

[icculus]

Whoops, I fixed the link, it works now.

When this thing is done the comp will be completely contained within the desk. I have some ideas for mounting low profile connectors on top of the desk (parallel/serial/usb/scsi/keyboard/mouse/monitor/sound/network/modem etc.)

I took the picture with my intel usb camera so the quality isnt lord or anything. I'm going to take some real shots with my digital camera when its all done.

Oh and it runs 8C cooler than it used to. I now have two 120MM 131CFM fans circulating air over the alpha 6035 =)

 

[Tripleshot]

Thats a neat idea.When it is operational,I'ld like to see it again.

Case manufactures must deal with things such as RF sheilding and such to be in some sort of compliance with some kinda rule from the FCC or whatever....I am curious if you experience any anomolies with this kind of arangement.

Nice work.

 

[Jonny]

Hehe, thats hallarious. Neat idea.

 

[thorin]

Good work, do let us know when it's done please.

Thorin

 

[icculus]

Yeah I've considered some of these things.. In reality, I dont think there is too much for me to be concerned with. I've heard of people making tables and other things into computer housings with little or no problems. This system is operational now, its running with network/modem and video all working I just have not hooked up sound and scsi. I can deal without cd stuff until I cut my new holes (need a sharper bit for precision on the jigsaw to cut the cdrom holes).

Interference to consider would be radio equipment. Typically, only transmitting close to the case will cause any problems. I'm a licensed HAM radio technician and I've only encountered issues coming FROM the computer rather than given to the computer. The computer emits tons of RF but only at a very short range. There are things you can do to prevent your computer from interfering with your radios. However, the radio only picks up rf if the antenna is within a few feet of the computer.

I also operate on frequencies such as ~144MHz (2 meters) and ~440Mhz (the only frequencies I operate on near native computer frequencies) on ham radio which at 50 watts (100 Mw for that matter) will completely squash any nearby interference of such low power.

If you consider that FM radio stations (88 - 106Mhz) are putting out sometimes well over 10Kw and could be next to your house, I dont think there is much to worry about as far as the computer stability is concerned. However, I'm no expert.

 

[AdamK47]

How are you going to bring that to a LAN party?

 

[Electric Amish]

That is a very cool idea. I'd think about doing it if I didn't carry my computer to my friends house every weekend.

Give us more pics.

amish

 

[icculus]

Not much of a lan party scene around here

In fact, when I told my friends about this project they all laughed (as you can imagine, they are not thinking along the lines of most of us who post on hardware tech web boards). I'll be moving in a few months but the desk will come with me. The only person I would play lan games with is just going to move in with me anyway (yay) .. So mobility is not an issue here.

I'll be posting more pictures when I'm done should finish up on friday before I go out for the night or maybe even tonight if my cables came in)

If anyone has any links to places I can buy metal (or any other material) plates like the ones you get with cases, please let me know because I'd like to get some decent panels to mount flush with my desktop fed from below. I'm going to try and use the atx one I have currently in my abandoned case.

Thanks for any input

 

[thebestMAX]

Hey,

Did this myself about 5-6 years ago. Was a 386 as I recall and worked great. Best cooling ever, maybe a cure for Athlon systems. A little problem with RF but you can line the drawer if thats where you put it or the outside area where it lives with plain old tin foil and ground it. Also made a "brick" with 2 hard drives so if I wanted to use windows then (shudder), I just changed power and cable connectors and off I went. Thought DOS would live forever but even I had to bit the bullet and go to Win just for Apps.

Rock on

 

[|TOAST|]

I can barely keep my case cover on since I always seem to be upgrading or something... This is a spectacular idea with quick access to all hardware to see if it has failed.

 

[icculus]

Yeah, heating is clearly a major issue with athlon based machines. Its a hot chip and requires better than your typical "amd approved" cooling - especially if you want to exceed spec.

Putting this thing in a desk is nice for cooling because it spaces everything out and basically creates a wind tunnel running over the cpu when the desk is closed. Not only that but everything is that much easier to get at.

More images coming.

 

[evolotion]

Sweet idea!
You have probably allready thought of this but seeing as it is a desk you may spill a drink on it so it would be advisable not to mount anything pokeing up through the desk..
Though I doubt you are as clumsy as me

 

[peemo]

I don't care if it's too hot or difficult to upgrade. It's just plain cool! Congratulations on your ingenuity.

 

[icculus]

Thanks for all the positive input from everyone, nice to see such a board.

As far as spilling anything is concerned, there will be no harm done to the guts of the computer. If anything spills, it may be possible a cable *could* be damaged but considering I will have the plugs mounted somehow in the rear of the desktop I should have no problems. I'm also not a big spiller =)

I could always opt for the membrane keyboard from plycon (neat)

Oh and, if anything, it makes it easier to upgrade as I drilled holes and fitted screw holes for atx form factor boards. Everything is much more spread apart and easy to get into with tools.

 

[Thor_Sevan]

Ohhh... this is really TOO NICE !! I am doing this with my next computer for sure !!!!

 

[Maverick2002]

NO MORE LAN pARTY lololollolololololololololoolol

well that is sooooooooooo cool
mebbe ill do that when i have $$$$ to burn

keep us posted :0

 

[eyor]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!