Pc in a desk build

[_tucker_]

hi peeps im going to be building an integrated pc desk as i love the style and the neatness of them. ive been looking online at as many as i can find but they are quite the rarity.
if any of you could point me to some good build threads it would be appreciated.

im looking to start with the basics really i.e how big should i make the desk? i see most prebuilt ones are around 800mm deep by 1400mm long. mine at the moment is a sort of l shape around 1500 long and 600 wide along the front and 1m on the l part that comes forward. i dont want something massive but i also dont want something small and crammed.

im also very torn between 2 options, i will be moving my 900d water cooled set up into the desk as the main pc but my son also has a new pc setup that i could incorporate into the desk so i have the 2 inside, i think that would really fill the desk up nicely and i never move either pcs around or go to lan partys ect so thats not an issue. i just think would it look better with just 1 computer inside with a few res in the middle and run 2 water loops with solid tubes? whats you opinions?
its mainly all to create a show piece so ill be filling with led lights and possibly building the inside with coloured acrylic

if any of you have made your own please feel free to give any advice or tips

 

[Dodge245]

hi peeps im going to be building an integrated pc desk as i love the style and the neatness of them. ive been looking online at as many as i can find but they are quite the rarity.
if any of you could point me to some good build threads it would be appreciated.

The only one I have really seen is the video by Linus Tech Tips.

im looking to start with the basics really i.e how big should i make the desk? i see most prebuilt ones are around 800mm deep by 1400mm long. mine at the moment is a sort of l shape around 1500 long and 600 wide along the front and 1m on the l part that comes forward. i dont want something massive but i also dont want something small and crammed.

Are you going for a glass top? Are you getting is premade? Or buying second-hand?

Basically, the size is dictated by the glass you can get, and or the space you have, a standard 150cm long desk would be more than enough length.

im also very torn between 2 options, i will be moving my 900d water cooled set up into the desk as the main pc but my son also has a new pc setup that i could incorporate into the desk so i have the 2 inside, i think that would really fill the desk up nicely and i never move either pcs around or go to lan partys ect so thats not an issue. i just think would it look better with just 1 computer inside with a few res in the middle and run 2 water loops with solid tubes? whats you opinions?
its mainly all to create a show piece so ill be filling with led lights and possibly building the inside with coloured acrylic

if any of you have made your own please feel free to give any advice or tips

I personally think that the desk will be full of empty space with 1 machine, so go for two

 

[_tucker_]

The only one I have really seen is the video by Linus Tech Tips.



Are you going for a glass top? Are you getting is premade? Or buying second-hand?

Basically, the size is dictated by the glass you can get, and or the space you have, a standard 150cm long desk would be more than enough length.




I personally think that the desk will be full of empty space with 1 machine, so go for two

I’ll be making the desk myself as I’m a carpenter by trade, the glass I will be getting cut to size that’s not an issue either, that will be 8mm clear and toughened.

Problem I have is my partner doesn’t want it too big but also I don’t want to go too small that when it comes to it I struggle to fit 2 in and I don’t want it messy,
As for filling it my current pc that’s going in is pretty filled up I have lots of unnecessary companants like I water cool my aquero 6 and I have like 4 rads in push and pull, I just love when the case it’s full to the brim with lots going on.

I’ll post a pic of the current setup for reference

 

[Dodge245]

Take a look at the Linus Build, they struggled to fill there space:





Potentially, depending on how you do it, you could use one water cooling loop for both Machines as they will be in the same space.

 

[_tucker_]

Take a look at the Linus Build, they struggled to fill there space:





Potentially, depending on how you do it, you could use one water cooling loop for both Machines as they will be in the same space.

Cheers bro,
I’d be building something a lot more involved than that but it’s an idea, i will be putting led strips inside the desk and also built into the desk itself and behind to try and get that ambient feel and look. I will be using rigid tubes as well and I’ll have all of that exposed so it’s all visible.

Problem I also have is I’ll be moving house in the next 4 months so I also need to be able to move it around, I don’t want to make it all in 1 piece but I also don’t want it to look like it’s been stacked together.
I need to create an access on the bottom for cables without having that visible as as well.

 

[Fritzz]

There was/is a user(L3p) on here that has built a few desks. Here's some of his finished builds and I bet with some searching you could find the build logs.

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/l3p-d3sk-2017/

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/tt-d3sk/

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/cross-desk/

Edit:
Found the buildlogs:
https://hardforum.com/threads/project-l3p-d3sk.1557874/
https://hardforum.com/threads/casemod-tt-d3sk.1898000/

 

[_tucker_]

There was/is a user(L3p) on here that has built a few desks. Here's some of his finished builds and I bet with some searching you could find the build logs.

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/l3p-d3sk-2017/

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/tt-d3sk/

https://www.l3p.nl/projects/cross-desk/

Edit:
Found the buildlogs:
https://hardforum.com/threads/project-l3p-d3sk.1557874/
https://hardforum.com/threads/casemod-tt-d3sk.1898000/

That last one is exactly what I’m after thankyou, some quality builds there these people have some real talent, I found the build log for the last one the cross desk but there’s no pictures for some reason.
I like that most of the stuff is on display and accessible and his even managed to fit them in a relatively small desks by the looks of it.
My only concearn is it sort of just looks like 2 desktop pcs one each end and not spread throughout the length of the desk, I kind of want the pc to flow right the way across rather than cramped at each end but then mine will be slightly longer so perhaps I’ll be able to give it some more room.
It gives me a few ideas to consider cheers for the find

 

[Deleted member 126051]

If you're looking for a sit-stand type desk, you can find underframes fairly easily on Amazon. Just make sure you get one that can carry the load properly.

Also, I suggest you invest in a pocket-hole jig.
Sure, you can surface-nail/screw. But that always looks cheap.
And use SCREWS, NOT NAILS! (Coated by preference. It increases holding strength and decreases likelihood that they'll work their way out.)

Also, when you're doing your final fitment/assembly, GLUE AND SCREW!
The glue gives you a surface-wide bond between pieces and reduces shearing requirements on the screws.

Also, if you're painting the desk or using melamine, use caulk to seal corners inside the desk.

1. Air sealing
2. Gives nice continuous corner look.
3. If painting white or using melamine, use white caulk.
4. If painting a different color, buy a paintable caulk.
5. If you're going to use wood and stain everything, ignore caulking

Either a dado blade for a circular/track/table saw, or a dado head for a router.
If you have a Dremel-style tool, they also make jigs to turn them into routers as well.
A better way to support edges of horizontal surfaces.

And yes, you'll want an appropriately sized hole saw for cutting fan holes.

Also recommend you build the desk with a back "lip".

This way, if you want to go multi-monitor on an armature, you can use a clamp-style (as opposed to a screw-in) and have someplace to attach it to.

 

[_tucker_]

If you're looking for a sit-stand type desk, you can find underframes fairly easily on Amazon. Just make sure you get one that can carry the load properly.

Also, I suggest you invest in a pocket-hole jig.
Sure, you can surface-nail/screw. But that always looks cheap.
And use SCREWS, NOT NAILS! (Coated by preference. It increases holding strength and decreases likelihood that they'll work their way out.)

Also, when you're doing your final fitment/assembly, GLUE AND SCREW!
The glue gives you a surface-wide bond between pieces and reduces shearing requirements on the screws.

Also, if you're painting the desk or using melamine, use caulk to seal corners inside the desk.

1. Air sealing
2. Gives nice continuous corner look.
3. If painting white or using melamine, use white caulk.
4. If painting a different color, buy a paintable caulk.
5. If you're going to use wood and stain everything, ignore caulking

Either a dado blade for a circular/track/table saw, or a dado head for a router.
If you have a Dremel-style tool, they also make jigs to turn them into routers as well.
A better way to support edges of horizontal surfaces.

And yes, you'll want an appropriately sized hole saw for cutting fan holes.

Also recommend you build the desk with a back "lip".

This way, if you want to go multi-monitor on an armature, you can use a clamp-style (as opposed to a screw-in) and have someplace to attach it to.

Cheers for that in depth response.
I’m actually a carpenter by trade and I make deals and wardrobes ect so I’m a dab hand and I also have all the tools and gadgets. I’ll be surface screwing the legs together and then filling in the holes, I’ll be making it out of moisture resistant MDF on the legs with 2”x2” planned timber squashed between the mdf so the legs will be around 80mm thick. The actual desk compartment itself I’ll be making from 2mm galvanised sheet metal and folded at about a 45 degree angle at the front to allow for more leg room and a nice style.
The dimensions will be
1500mm long
750mm wide
760mm heigh
220mm deep for the actual compartment
Just debating to set a middle section around 50mm less to allow for little extra wiggle room underneath however the intent is to be able to sit 2 people under it and this would hinder it. There will only be 1 desk chair under it so it’s not the end of the world as predominantly it’s just me using it.
I will make a 50mm cavity behind to allow heat to escape and to put a led strip to give a nice ambient look behind the desk when in use.
I’ll ping a few pics of someone’s desk I found that I’ll be basing my design on as a basic shape.