Downing's Custom Built-in PC/Retro Game Console DESK

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Downing
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Downing's Custom Built-in PC/Retro Game Console DESK

Post by Downing »

Hey guys,

This is something I've been working on for a couple months now as I've had time. Been busy with lots of real life work related time constraints but things should be cooling down enough so I can get back to work on it.

I'm just going to post a few pictures of the progress but basically I took my computer, an X-box, PS2, NES, SNES and N64 and threw it into my glass topped desk which when completed will be controlled by a fully integrated control box which will include LED cooling fans with on/off control and an audio output switch which when pressed, sends signal to my PC speakers, or to my 500 watt PA system that has three 12" speakers w/tweeter hooked up to the head! The control box also has a USB audio interface of a Line 6 Tone Port 2, which basically allows me to record analog audio and convert to digital, mostly for my guitars and mics. But that too I will have hooked up to go though the PA or PC speakers.

Simply put, if I'm play COD or and Doom the police are likely to show at the house!

These aren't in any real order but you get the general idea. There are more details on my Personal Blog if you want more info on it, but feel free to ask as well. I've been trying to be more active on the forums lately so conversation will help!

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* This is just a copy of an older post, I can't believe that I hadn't already started a thread over here about it!
Last edited by Downing on Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
Downing
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Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Location: Capital City, NH
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by Downing »

Just made a small amount of progress today on the desk. Got my 4 120MM Blue and Green LED fans roughly mounted to the back panel of the desk.

I still have to put the directional ducts on the back as the two left fans blow air out and the two right ones blow the cool air in. However without directional duct vents, there's nothing to stop the hot air from bouncing off the back wall and getting sucked back in by the right fans!

Simple up and down directional ducts will solve that, hot air pointing up, cold air in pointing down.

The pic below just shows the rough mount. I have to trim them in, paint then wood and I have 4 fan grill covers on order to give it a bit of style. Slowly getting there!

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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
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o.pwuaioc
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by o.pwuaioc »

This looks super cool - eagerly awaiting more!
Downing
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Location: Capital City, NH
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by Downing »

Got the trim work around the fans done as well as temporarily mounting the fan grills that came in this afternoon! Tested with 12V power supply which will be what is plugged into the switch on the control box but as you can see, I have a defective fan. The LEDs don't work but the fan itself does. So I've ordered some more green LEDs and I'll just wire it the connections. Now all that's needed for the face is to just paint it black and the back I need to put the directional vents in place. Shouldn't be too difficult. Will post more updates hopefully in the next day or so!

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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by CRTGAMER »

Downing's Computer Desk - An entire desk as a Computer Case! :shock:
Very impressive! Maybe rename the OP title to emphasize that the desk is the computer case? The desk mod gives all kinds of room for any expansion. With that much space no drive wires to get in the way. Are you and Bacteria related? :D

The case Mod PDF from your site is great, THANKYOU! A handy reference!
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p1109425

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Downing
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Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Location: Capital City, NH
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by Downing »

Glad you like the case guide and thanks for the comments! haha, no Bac and I aren't related, we just build off of similar ideas! But yeah, this will be pretty expandable but space is going to get taken up pretty quick as I've got an xbox, PS2, NES, SNES and N64 all built in as well! This was supposed to be a quick project but now two months into it it still has a long way to go!
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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
Downing
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Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Location: Capital City, NH
Contact:

Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by Downing »

New LED's should be in shortly to replace those that are not working in that second fan. Once those are wired up I should be able to mount that in the back. I decided that I'm not going to put the vents in place right now anyway as I might be able to sneak by with just one divider to direct the air in a different direction.

Anyway, got the front painted and the fan grills mounted so this work out nicely. It seems that the green push more air than the blue, but once the unit gets sealed up a bit tighter, the fans will equal out on their own.

Maybe another update today!

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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by CRTGAMER »

Desk is really impressive
It looks like you will have good cooling with all of the fans. One of the concerns is even though you have a large volume of air moving, will there be enough "breeze" around any critical components? A question of dead zones of air without proper ducting or diversion plates around the CPU and drives. However, there is plenty of room for radiant cooling to prolong any heating affect of static air inside the desk.
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CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p1109425

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Downing
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Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Location: Capital City, NH
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Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by Downing »

I highly doubt that will be an issue because each component that requires a fan (i.e. cpu and graphics card) still have their stock fans in tact. So basically the blue fans will be sucking the hot air out and that's right behind my CPU and cool air will be brought in from the green ones which covers the whole area of the desk. I don't think that will be a problem!

But on another note, the LED's came in and they are working wonderfully! They are a slightly different shade of green though and much brighter, but I don't think it will be noticed very much.

I have a Molex connector for the power as well so if I have to take the back panel off for any reason, a quick disconnect will work out nicely!

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Hey guys, check out my new website and project showcase!
Also this is where my Case Making Guide can be found!
AppleQueso

Re: Downing's Computer/Retro Gaming Desk

Post by AppleQueso »

Man this whole thing is like one of those crazy dream projects I'd sometimes fantasize about.

Can't wait to see it done, I bet it's going to look great.
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