How much air does a PC require ?

Dolby

Dolby

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Hi,

I have a PC in my lounge and am getting a quote on an entertainment stand soon, I'm planning on building this PC to into the stand. How much air do you reckon to leave at the top and either side?

Currently the processor runs at just under 20 degrees (Celeron D 1.6). The PC itself is 18cm wide and 42cm high. I was thinking 5cm on each side and the top, so the compartment will be 22cm wide and 49cm hiigh. t will be open the rear - but have a door up front.

Think this will suffice?
 
Front will have a door in the front to hide the PC, as it is in the lounge :/ I can get the air out the back though.

Thanks!
 
Be carefull if you going to be closing the front door, it doesn't matter how much "space" you have, you will just be circulating the hot air. If you have to, build in a fresh air intake fan (into the stand).
 
Just remember to supply your pc and CPU with ample oxygen, otherwise the number of calculations it does per second might start to drop.

:eek:
 
and dont forget to take into account that you'll probably be upgrading in the next year or 2 :)
 
airflow is key. this means there must be 2 holes in that cabinet, each with a fan in it. basically an intake and an exhaust. I suggest space for at least 120mm fans, remember, the bigger the fan, the quieter it is.
 
Hi,

Sorry for bringing this up - but I like lots of clarifying before building this stand and the measurements have changed a little. As mentioned in the initial post the PC is 42cm high and 18cm wide. The door in front will be closed most the time - but there is no back.

High is the issue : so I've lowered it to 43cm ... only 1cm higher than the PC itself :/ However, the sides are now going to have 15cm either way. I'm guessing this is a better design as most the air circulates on the sides and not the top of the unit?

The CPU currently runs at under 20 degrees (pretty cold since it doesn't do much!) without a sys fan. What do you IT machines think .... ?
 
I'd still make sure that there was a way for air to enter in front (which will exhaust through the rear opening). You space on either side seems fine, but means little if there's no cooler air entering the front in the first place
 
you get fans that go into the 5 1/4" bays in front. that and a system fan in the back should sort you out.
 
It should be fine as long as the extraction from the PSU is up top and not at the bottom of the box.

That means cool ear can filter in from the bottom and the hot air will rise out at the top...

It should work fine. The main thing is that cool air should be able to come in somewhere and the hot air should be able to escape.
 
antowan said:
It should be fine as long as the extraction from the PSU is up top and not at the bottom of the box.

That means cool ear can filter in from the bottom and the hot air will rise out at the top...

It should work fine. The main thing is that cool air should be able to come in somewhere and the hot air should be able to escape.
Click to expand...

I agree, although there are some cases that have the PSU mounted at the bottom of the case. They say it provides better cooling? :confused:
 
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