how much ventilation does a computer need?

[gopher]

i'm building a new desk and i need to know how much ventilation a computer tower needs.
can they be put inside a cupboard behind doors?
if so how much room does it need around it?
if not anyone got suggestions for hiding it.

thanks

[camstatic]

If it were in a sealed enclosure such as a cupboard, I'd want a large (at least 10cm diameter) mesh opening at the front/bottom of the cupboard, and an even larger one (12-15cm) as high as possible at the back. Computers generally draw air from the front/bottom/sometimes the sides, and exhaust air at the top/rear.

If your case has the cpu air intake (look for a circular vent on the left side of the case, looking from the front), make sure you give yourself about an inch of clearance on that side.

[gopher]

so in other words it's not a good idea?

what about an open shelf with a door on the front but open on the side where the vent is and open at the back?

[fuzzy2308]

so in other words it's not a good idea?

no........

[azkwazere]

no........

depends on how the cooling is designed, i wouldn't say a flat no..

As stated, if you are going to build it, make sure that there is exhaust at the rear, what i would do is leave about 2-3cm of space at the front to draw air from and then have an open rear to max the rear ventilation.

Invest in some better fans or even water cooling and i cant see you having too many issues.

Its like a car, as long as it can get air in and hot air out, your doing ok... when summer comes around it might start to be an issue but if you post some pics of your computer up i can advise further

aZk.

[arrow224]

You need airflow. As long as air is able to flow, you should be fine. If you wish to put it behind doors, either a) open the doors when you use it or b) install a fan in the door/s. Of course, it goes without saying that there must be a rear outlet as well.

[Captain Kermit]

Invest in some better fans or even water cooling and i cant see you having too many issues.

Water cooling seems to be a fairly dramatic step considering all he really needs to do is ensure a decent amount of air gets into and out of the computer.


Before you throw the PC in there never to be moved until you get a new one, open up the left hand side panel (if you're look at the PC from the front) and blow some compressed air in there to help unclog the fans and heatsinks. Just make sure there's no water in the tank of the compressor, and that if any droplets of water do get in there that you let it dry out properly before putting it back together. Much better to just avoid getting the water in there in the first place of course. You may find that the PC ends up operating cooler than it used to even in the new cramped enclosure if it currently has a shitload of dust all over the shop.

Give it an inch of clearance down the left hand side, somewhere to draw in cool air from the front of the case as low as possible, and leave the back wide open (will help with cabling too) and you'll be fine.

[ruggj]

lol was about to say water cooling and then it doesn't really matter where you put it lol.

as others have said, you need to be able to draw in cool air and somewhere for the hot air from the exhaust fans to go.

[Junny]

works similar way to car =]

[D-Man]

just dont put a back on the hidey hole that you have and make sure that you have a nice big fan (or 2 smaller ones) to push the air around. or water cooling. thats great

[Junny]

dont need water cooling unless you have a hardcore computer =]

[Goon]

keep it in the heat and it will die!!!

[Grennan]

It also really depends on what kind of usage hes getting out of it. If its used for your basic internet surfing, msn, emails etc then you would be alright as long as youve got a couple of fans.