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PC Desk Design Shots

M@tree2

CUD has me already.
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Hi All. I am in the process of designing my Desk PC, would like some feedback, positive or negative are welcome.
Any ideas for improvements are welcome.
Dimensions:

Actual desk frame:
1000x700x172 mm
Glass top: 500x950 mm
Back slat of wood on top, is 152x38x924

Legs:
Will be made of 38x50 mm pine
Main side squares will be built using fixed screws, cross members will be using furniture screws to ease transport.

This was all done in Fusion 360.

I will be turning this into a build log once I can get all the materials after lockdown.
Total cost for interest: Around R1600
Regards

Edit:
Have not added a design for fans on the GPU, but it's the normal way on the Mobo.
Switches I haven't figured out, thinking along the back?
Liquid fill port on the top right.
Using Pine rafters.
 
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Your GPU doesn't seem to have any cooling fans.

Is that round knob your power switch? If so, I wouldn't place it there, too easy to accidentally knock. Looks nice otherwise though.


What wood for the main structure?
 
Your GPU doesn't seem to have any cooling fans.

Is that round knob your power switch? If so, I wouldn't place it there, too easy to accidentally knock. Looks nice otherwise though.


What wood for the main structure?
I just didn't design fans on the GPU, but it's the normal way.
Switches I haven't figured out, thinking along the back?
Liquid fill port on the top right.
Using Pine rafters.

Thanks man!
 
Was just kidding about the fans.

I think along the back, or next to the power supply would make the most sense.
 
Was just kidding about the fans.

I think along the back, or next to the power supply would make the most sense.
Agreed, plus then need to add USB ports as well, I am lucky that I have a 3D printer for this job.
 
I just didn't design fans on the GPU, but it's the normal way.
Switches I haven't figured out, thinking along the back?
Liquid fill port on the top right.
Using Pine rafters.

Thanks man!
Why not add a small cut out into the side panel? Could be angled for easier access and it'll lower the risk of accidentally hitting it.
 
What is happening at the back of the case?

Just some idea's

- VESA monitor arm mount would be cool on the back. So you would need to make provision for the clamp
- I would add at least 2x Fans pushing hot air out the back. Pushing down out the case may not be the best for airflow.
- Why not utilize the side panel of the case for air intake rather than the bottom, that would give you more space on the bottom of the desk for the build, Pumps, radiators, PSU etc.
- a PLUS would be a vertically mounted GPU so that you could show off the top of the GPU. Side mounted GPUs in a desk look rather odd when all the other components are " flat" on the bottom of the desk. If you have the GPU connected using a riser you can move the GPU away from the mobo which spreads out your components a bit and makes the " decoration" of components more appealing.
- How will the MOBO be mounted to the timber structure?
Maybe mount power switch and USB headers ontop of the desk at the back? USB's stick out quite far and you dont want that on the front or sides

Looks cool so far

GLHF
 
Which way are the fans blowing? If its down out the table, don't forget to consider the constant blowing on your legs. IT might be more annoying that you think.
 
Howsit, nice looking drawing. My few comments would be:
  • Reconsider the thickness of the desk. For proper posture and being able to push your chair under the desk, a skinnier worktop could be better.
  • The width is very narrow if you plan on doing dual monitors/ desktop speakers in the future. A keyboard and mousepad might also block all the nice hardware on show if everything is squeezed into a smaller desk.
  • Can the 45-degree (reinforcement) joints be done in any other way? just for aesthetics
  • Possibly remove the cross members under the desk, you might wanna stick a carpet under the desk.
  • looks like there's a groove routed for the glass to sit flush in. Leave a relief to lift the glass once it's in there.
Otherwise, a very cool project and would be cool to see the build log.
 
@Cookie, @Azari and @phenix456 , I am liking the ideas, I haven't updated this post in a while, will upload some new pictures for you guys to comment on shortly.
I have used two vesa mount arms, will make the GPU flat in the near future, just needing to get it completed as is right now, Risers are expensive af,haha!
The problem with using the side is that in certain places the fans won't fit as the dimensions are less than 120mm, but will re-measure and see If I can make them fit. I went with bottom, these are drilled already, also don't want to hurt the structural integrity too much, considering this is just pine.

The bottom of the desk has cracked through while building, so it now has red resin features, took them as a design improvement.

I have attached some new shots, of what I am building to currently.
I now have the USB front panel in the top between the two vesa mounts.
Removed the 45* braces from the legs, found some really great carpentry fittings to use instead.
Will include a relief for glass.

Mobo is being attached via standard standoffs, the mobo section has a relief of 10mm to allow longer standoffs to be used( will 3D print standoffs and then ground the screws, aluminium back plate and gpu to PSU case)

@AceSwiftShooter, the fans on the left side are out, right side is in.

Forgive me, the last update was V38, I am now at V71...

 
@Cookie, you will be happy to hear that I will be horizontally mounting the GPU now.

Where to get these riser cables from though, besides the obvious?
Rebeltech would have been the goto.
 
@Cookie, you will be happy to hear that I will be horizontally mounting the GPU now.

Where to get these riser cables from though, besides the obvious?
Rebeltech would have been the goto.
Design is looking good!

Yes unfortunately the risers are quite expensive
Wootware hasphantek R519 but maybe just put a wanted add up on carb and try get one for a lot less. Try not to skimp on the riser card, you don't want a shitty quality one that loses performance



Some notes on what @phenix456 has posted above,

  • Reconsider the thickness of the desk. For proper posture and being able to push your chair under the desk, a skinnier worktop could be better. I agree here. They made this mistake with the Lian-Li DK03 and then fixed it with the Lian -LI DK04 model. The first one was to thick, the bottom of the desk would touch my knee's and my chair wouldnt fit under it which sucked. The 04 model now has a lip so that your knees fit more comfortably ( the lip may be difficult to introduce to your design though)
  • The width is very narrow if you plan on doing dual monitors/ desktop speakers in the future. A keyboard and mousepad might also block all the nice hardware on show if everything is squeezed into a smaller desk. My desk was 1.8 x 1m and my keyboard and mouse still covered alot of the display, s oI dont think you can really avoid that. I used a Logitech G410 tenkeyless keyboard so it didnt take up alot of space
  • Possibly remove the cross members under the desk, you might wanna stick a carpet under the desk. You may need to keep the corss member for stability however you an just lift it up 100-200mm off the ground to avoid touching the carpet. It can also be used as a foot rest :D
  • looks like there's a groove routed for the glass to sit flush in. Leave a relief to lift the glass once it's in there. Great idea haha. Maybe a groove on opposite sides so that it looks symetrical.


Fans on the sides - Are you going to make cut outs for them on the sides of the desk or how are you going to let the air escape?

Iv got an idea, might be to complicated though. Let me sketchup it quick
 
I've considered this so many times, but I would never be able to sit comfortably at a desk that thicc. While my elbows are at 90degrees when sitting, I would have to rotate my shoulders to get have enough clearance to put my palms on the desk. Ergonomics is my primary goal, since I sit behind my desk 12 - 16 hours a day.
 
I've never given a desk pc a thought, the size just didn't appeal to me. Then when I went through this thread I though let me just put some ideas together.

I've only begun on the table top. These are my criteria or wants if I were to do this:
  • Weirdly for me, must look more like desk than pc
  • Push the components to the back
  • Minimize depth, spread out to sides
  • Go itx
  • Wall mount monitor.

The 'case' part holding the components would look hella better than I've made it. I just roughed it up.

Wood Dimensions 1500x750x50mm
box Dimensions I think 800x250x100mm

 
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Design is looking good!



Iv got an idea, might be to complicated though. Let me sketchup it quick


So for fans you could build in a slit on each side of the desk which redirects the airflow to the bottom of the case.
- This removes the fans outlet on the side of the desk so you can put the desk flush against a wall
- provides some cover for the fans so you don't see the whole fan and rather just the blades on front or back
- can add dust filter to bottom


Quick sketchup of idea

 
@Cookie, I agree with all the points you have made, but I've just finished building it, literally everything is together and running!

I left one cross member below for stability purposes/foot rest.

Fans on the sides do have holes😂, I did manage to not forget about cutting them out.
Will post pictures once it has been varnished this weekend, just needed my PC for this week.

Ended up using a riser card as well, will post 1/2 pics of the inside, before I do the build log.

Wanted to do something like that, but would have added unnecessary bulk to the desk, but when I build V2, for when I have my own house, it will have more features than this one, plus I don't really have the skills for that, this was a learning curve on it's own!

@PandaAttack1, surprisingly it is really comfortable for me, given 1.88m tall, elbows sit just about level with the top, so from that point of view it's comfortable and chair/legs fit underneath perfectly, given that's 650/680mm from the floor.
Both monitors are at a raised point(monitor arms).
The raised monitor height helps as they are around eye level, for someone who wears glasses for close work, there's nothing worse than looking down and hitting the top of the glasses frame.
 
Who needs a water cooled GPU?
GPU hits 56*c max on Furmark extended test (Palit GTX1080)
Derail: The thermals on that Palit has always been amazing. I'm sure it's loving the airflow and space in a 'case' like this.
 
Derail: The thermals on that Palit has always been amazing. I'm sure it's loving the airflow and space in a 'case' like this.
Yeah, it's absolutely loving the amount of air it has access to, thermals area amazing still, will be passing it on to my 2nd build in July, am considering another palit, I would like a water block though.

They are brilliant cards!!
 

Just a preview, will be much neater from Saturday/Sunday
Another monitor arm is arriving on Friday.
Looks awesome! Well done!

I hope that fan doesn't catch on the power cable 💥🤣

Wouldv'e been nice if the GPU was mounted just to the left in that empty space to show off the motherboard! But you can always fill that spot with something else. Is that a Z370F?

Yes one thing about desk builds is amazing thermals!!!

My gigabyte 1080ti never went over 62 degrees so watercooling inst necessary but you cant have an awesome show off build and not watercool the GPU! 😜 Hope you got an extra R1,5k lying around for a GPU waterblock 🤣

<3 palit cards

Put some LED UV strips around the inner desk, will make that lime colour POP POP!!!!
 
Looks awesome! Well done!

I hope that fan doesn't catch on the power cable 💥🤣

Wouldv'e been nice if the GPU was mounted just to the left in that empty space to show off the motherboard! But you can always fill that spot with something else. Is that a Z370F?

Yes one thing about desk builds is amazing thermals!!!

My gigabyte 1080ti never went over 62 degrees so watercooling inst necessary but you cant have an awesome show off build and not watercool the GPU! 😜 Hope you got an extra R1,5k lying around for a GPU waterblock 🤣

<3 palit cards

Put some LED UV strips around the inner desk, will make that lime colour POP POP!!!!

Going to be 3D printing some better cable management for the GPU cables, so I don't have a very expensive error.
I wanted top mount it there, but would have needed a 500mm riser cable.

If I could get a waterblock I would, but sadly, generation and make of card is a bit of an issue there, don't want to go generic cooling either.

It's a Z390-F, for this generation of boards, it's not a bad board, but going forward Asus has really compromised this board.
 
Hey guys, sorry for not doing a build thread just yet, been slammed with UNI work, and the bottom has cracked through really badly in places.
I am going to have a new bottom laser cut from plyboard, will do the build thread once that is done.
I will also be bringing the bottom board inside the frame, so more legroom and a slightly better ergonomic profile.
Total desk depth will be reduced by 20mm.
 
Have always been, going to be
Derail: The thermals on that Palit has always been amazing. I'm sure it's loving the airflow and space in a 'case' like this.
Have always been, going to be getting something slightly newer in the next few months, not sure about it being Palit unfortunately
 
I've never given a desk pc a thought, the size just didn't appeal to me. Then when I went through this thread I though let me just put some ideas together.

I've only begun on the table top. These are my criteria or wants if I were to do this:
  • Weirdly for me, must look more like desk than pc
  • Push the components to the back
  • Minimize depth, spread out to sides
  • Go itx
  • Wall mount monitor.

The 'case' part holding the components would look hella better than I've made it. I just roughed it up.

Wood Dimensions 1500x750x50mm
box Dimensions I think 800x250x100mm

Are you getting anywhere with this?
 

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