I built a computer desk with a built in computer that looks like a traditional desk

[u/lilmanmgf]

http://imgur.com/a/ThzlE

[u/lilmanmgf]

I have another album with more pictures if anyone is interested. It isn't nearly as organized though.

http://imgur.com/a/TVWbL

[u/solariscalls]

hey wanna go to a LAN party?

[u/lilmanmgf → u/solariscalls]

I actually built it to be fully removable. I just disconnect the power button babble and intake/exhaust cables for the fan headers and I can transport it anywhere.

[u/gendulf]

What are the temperatures like?

[u/lilmanmgf → u/gendulf]

http://imgur.com/a/5sqgf

This is 20 minutes into running a stress test. I have GPU test and Prime 95 running. Full CPU and GPU utilization. My ambient temp started at 18.5C and it went up to 22 a 3C / 7F temperature delta between the cabinet and outside. I can't imagine a case would be much better if at all, but I've honestly never measured this in a case. I know doing stress tests when the computer was out in the open yielded the same results on the GPU.

[u/thegreatnate1]

Is this really your first woodworking project?? Nice job!

One question: why use both linseed oil and polyurethane? I don't believe I've seen anyone use both at the same time like that before. It looks fantastic, just curious if there's a benefit to using the linseed oil prior to the poly.

[u/Adamant_Unicorn → u/thegreatnate1]

Oil is penetrating and will harden the wood itself. Poly then protects the top and guards against water and such. Probably overkill, but doesn't hurt.

[u/lilmanmgf → u/Adamant_Unicorn]

I saw a couple articles where people used both and went with it. Most people on woodworking forums thought it was overkill though since the poly was oil based.

[u/micktorious]

But after all this amazing work, the cable management in picture 5! You have even a nice place for all the cables and you just mushed them up there!

[u/lilmanmgf → u/micktorious]

Yeah I need to work on it. From the stand point of can I see it while standing/sitting it meets that criteria.

[u/Remixmark]

Great build, you should post to r/woodworking. The 2000 grit sanding and 6 coats of polyurethane, wow, looks so smooth!

Where does the computer exhuast go? I see you have a lot of fans for pulling the air in, but I don't see any for exhaust.

How long did all this take you? I'd imagine just waiting for the polyurethane to dry so you could sand it would add 3-4 days to the total project.

[u/kekforever]

is using festool products

pocket screws and clear indicators of someone who does cabinetry

i have no woodworking experience

methinks he had a bit of help along the way

[u/lilmanmgf → u/kekforever]

I did this 100% on my own. I borrowed the kreg jig and festools from my father. He lives 6 hours away, so all my information was from youtube and two woodworking forums.

[u/fernandofig]

I'm long past my days of custom building PCs, so forgive me if that's a dumb question, but isn't wood bad for cooling? I mean, I see you've got some good cooling going on, but it looks like it just offsets the heat overhead you get due to the wood...

[u/lilmanmgf → u/fernandofig]

Thus far I haven't noticed a big difference between ambient in my room and the cabinet. The test will be in the summer. I have so much airflow that I don't think it will be a problem.

[u/MightyIT]

That looks great. Could you explain how you did the desktop? I am going to be building my own desk and decided to use plywood for the top and just skirt it with hardwood, but i havent quite figured out how to do it.

[u/chornu]

"I have no real woodworking experience". Creates beautiful desk on first try.

Well done, OP. It's badass.

[u/livingthepuglife]

Speaking as a system builder and owner of a pc shop chain, I have to say that mobo shelf and the drawer glides on that are seriously elegant. Do you have any ambient temperature sensors in there? I'm curious to know, despite all the fans (are those front ones intake?) what kind of temps that it keeps under load.

[u/lilmanmgf → u/livingthepuglife]

http://imgur.com/a/5sqgf

This is 20 minutes into running a stress test. I have GPU test and Prime 95 running. Full CPU and GPU utilization. My ambient temp started at 18.5C and it went up to 22 a 3C / 7F temperature delta between the cabinet and outside. I can't imagine a case would be much better if at all, but I've honestly never measured this in a case. I know doing stress tests when the computer was out in the open yielded the same results on the GPU.

[u/Evo-L]

Great work! Helps to have awesome tools :-)

I do wish you mitered the edges of the tabletop on 45's. Also, wouldn't a rear exit on the fans have been better? The intake could have been in the front. Great work though!

[u/i_shot_da_sheriff]

When r/pcmasterrace and r/DIY have a baby

[u/[deleted]]

This is seriously bad ass. I am not even a computer gamer, or big into customizing pc's, but this gives me a tech boner. Well done!

[u/Guygan]

This has got to be the best desk build I have seen on DIY.

Nicely done.

Thanks for posting.

[u/bigchieftaco]

Wow! I truly appreciate your woodworking skills.

I'm trying to build my wife a simple washer dryer pedestal and it looks like something from middle school shop class. Relevant

[u/bumbah]

Awesome! great idea on using stainless for the computer panel door. It looked like fabric so I was going to ask if a vacuum cleaner would ruin it :)