computer Cabinet

[moondog]

Never having done this kind of thing before I am hoping people here can tell me if I am all 'wet'.

This is a design for a computer station in my house, (see attachments)
actually in my bedroom. It is only a 4 room house so space is a scarse and the standard tower cases are just getting too big (I now use a Cooler Master Wave). I designed the following cabinet space which will fit 2 computers.


I am going to use 2 HSPC Tech Stations (http://www.highspeedpc.com). These will offer a nice open space to assemble the parts. The cabinet itself will be lined with soundproofing material. The ventilation comes from two 6" holes through the floor to the basement. On the left (see pics) will be the return or air being sucked out of the case. The 2 curved baffles are to be sure that are is evenly removed from both Tech Stations. There will be a 300 cfm centrical blower in the basement pulling air down or out of the cabinet. On the right is another 6" hole through to the basement which will supply the air intake (the basement air is about 5 degrees cooler and dry).
The air duct grate on the left bottom of the cabinet is actually an air-heat vent. That is why it is necessary to pull air fron elsewhere.
With cabinet doors closed it should me a nice sealed unit.

Let me know what y'all think.

Thanks

[Darttman]

Personally I would never do such a thing. Conventional cases (most) are designed to create proper airflow through the case to exhaust heated air. I also think this type of arrangement is somewhat difficult to work in.

My biggest main concern would be having a proper groundplane established as a regular case has. looks like you have more than enough room to house a couple conventional computer cases. My case of choice is a square case by http://www.yeongyang.com/index.htm
it is a cube server case.

I use a test bench set like you show from highspeed pc and i like it for burn-in and diagnosing, but using it like you want to I would want something more sturdy.

I hope this helps!

[moondog]

Thanks for the reply: yes I am concerned about the structural integrity of using "plastic" to attach a motherboard to. I found some aluminum motherboard trays that will work..
I am also doing a design with two cases, but having trouble with getting air directly to the cpu heatsink fan via a hood as I do now with a modified Cooler Master wave case. Also venting the heat out of the cabinet.
I know it seems stupid to put the computers in a cabinet, but they sit in a bedroom and silent performance is key, and that they not be seen. I am 60 years old and "coolness" is not a factor.

A work in progress. Looked at the cases you suggested and they look nice.

Thanks.

[Darttman]

I forgot to mention you might want to try and fit a small server rack in there. It might be what your looking for and all the hardware would be properly secured in the rack. A few 2U sized sliding trays and of course all your hardware should fit fine.

just a thought

[moondog]

Thanks and yes I have looked at various rack mount and server cases.. The trouble is I have only 18" in cabinet depth to play with and with the doors closed I loose control of ventilation. I am going with a custom job using Lian Li motherboard trays and hard drive racks. A neighbor installs High Velocity air conditioning units and has couple of extra blowers which I can install in the basement and use to get adaquate and very directional ventilation, and along with a couple custom hoods over the cpu coolers should work.

thanks for the help