Tower placement

[Jared]

I'm saving up for a new computer, which I hope to purchase soon. as this one has been problematic. (To the point where I'd rather start again with a clean slate and use this for something else).
This is the desk I'm wanting to buy; I do have a limit of around £200 for the desk, as well as a max width of 140cm.

Now I'm considering this desk because of the 'tower hidey hole' which is quite convenient. However, I'd like to know about any overheating problems that may occur.
Do you have any recommendations, or even opinions on this?

This is the case I'm wanting, I do like the 200mm fan on the top of the case which increases cool airflow.

 

[Wrench97]

As long as it has free space in the back of the desk to exhaust hot air and is not placed in front of a heat vent or baseboard heat unit it'll be ok.

 

[Jared]

Thanks Bruce, I have been reading that the Obsidian 650D has poor cooling, I might consider another case. are there any cases you'd recommend? I've heard the NZXT Phantom 410 is pretty good, I'll look into it a bit more.

 

[Digerati]

FTR, this topic started as a PM conversation Jared and I decided would do best in the public forums where others may contribute. This is what I said in response to questions about desk sturdiness and heat, and computer placement (on desk or on floor?)

Even a fully loaded full tower will weigh less than 50lbs so it would have to be a pretty wobbly desk to collapse under that weight. My desk has a slot or cubby hole I slide my tower into. The desk came with a door for this slot, but I removed the door to allow for unrestricted air flow.

A case, IMO, is supposed to sit quietly and discreetly out of the way. So I don't want it on my desk taking up space, nor do I want my ears next to the case fans. If my desk did not have this slot to slide the case into, I definitely would put the case on the floor - which is where all my other computers sit. Just make sure it sits on a hard surface to let air get under it and not a rug.

The opening is 24" tall in my desk and to make room for all the cables in back, the desk sits about 3 inches from the back wall. And as I noted above, I took the cubby hole door off so no problems with heat. That said, I always keep watch of my temps with CoreTemp.

I have quiet fans too but when you consider the CPU fan, at least 1 and probably 2 case fans, potentially a graphics card fan (or 2) and at least 1 PSU fan (and maybe a chipset fan too) even with quiet fans, they still reverberate through the case and can be heard when next to your head. I have a nice case too, but once you've seen it, you've seen it. I really don't want it drawing any attention to itself so I can pay attention to what's happening on my monitors.

In regards to that desk you are considering, I don't think I would like it. The space to put the tower looks great, but I think the monitor platform would put my monitor (monitors, in my case) too high for me - even though my chair and monitors have height adjustment too (most monitors don't! ). That shelf would force me to tilt my head up instead of straight out and/or slightly down as I prefer and do now with my monitors sitting on the main desktop level. Looking up for several hours a day makes my neck hurt just thinking about it! If that were my desk, I am certain I would leave off that monitor shelf.

 

[Patrick]

Looking up for several hours a day makes my neck hurt just thinking about it!

This physically makes me cringe.

I remember I had a friend that had all TVs in the house suspended in the air, and you had to look up to watch TV. The neck pains were brutal, I have no idea how they lived with it.

 

[Jared]

I will admit that monitor shelf isn't too appealing, I like everything else about the desk though. I could take that shelf off or just not use it.
It's like being at the cinema, sat at the front for a few hours straining your neck.

 

[Wrench97]

Thanks Bruce, I have been reading that the Obsidian 650D has poor cooling, I might consider another case. are there any cases you'd recommend? I've heard the NZXT Phantom 410 is pretty good, I'll look into it a bit more.

My old standby favorite is still the Antec Three Hundred Two, it's not a flashy case but it has plenty of cooling and is sturdy, second fav are the Coolermaster HAF series cases.

 

[Jared]

I'm actually looking at the Fractal R5 define case, it also has soundproofing which is good.

 

[Tekno Venus]

I'm actually looking at the Fractal R5 define case, it also has soundproofing which is good.

I like that case a lot.

Talking of desks, currently stripping out my room to fit my new desk. I've finally got a proper monitor and mechanical keyboard which will really improve my computer experience.

This is my new desk: MALM Desk - black-brown - IKEA

I will be using this to mount the monitor: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duronic-DM351X3-Single-Monitor-Bracket/dp/B00AUTTBPQ (but the Solid 1 monitor, 2 arm version)

 

[Jared]

I was looking at that exact desk before, I have decided I'd rather go with the one I've already chose.

 

[Digerati]

I like Antec cases too. I have used many others. But they disappoint for one reason or another and I end up going back to Antec. The Antecs seem to be better built, sturdy, "true" (exactly 90° bends), lots of large fan support, and I like their air filters too. Plus, Antec fans are quiet too.

True, most Antecs are not flashy, but that's fine with me. I don't want a case that distracts. I want a case to sit quietly and discreetly off to the side and not bring attention to itself. I prefer to pay attention to what is on my monitors.

So I don't like lights and flashy facades. I do like a side panel window, however, because I can keep watch on dust build up and make sure all fans are spinning without opening the case.

 

[Patrick]

Antec cases are definitely great. I like to stay away from case manufacturers like Cooler Master and such. I am sure they make great cases, but they're extremely flashy and full of LED's and cold cathodes. No thanks. I want a case, that's it.