Need a new computer for low/no airflow cubby hole

hondajt

Member
My parent's INSIST on using a computer desk that has an almost completely sealed cubby hole for the computer. Similiar to this, but bigger and significantly nicer (aka more expensive)
http://www.countrysidecabinetry.com/...denza-open.jpg

They have a midsize/full size tower currently, and the CPU stays in the 60~70*s (Celsius). It's insanely hot because they keep the door shut.

Well, they need a new computer, and they will put it right in that cubby and shut the door.

Noise is not an issue, but what should I do? I can't spend more than $400, so W/C is out. They don't need something insanely fast, but the 2.8GHz Pentium 4 thats in there now is too slow.

I need a quad core, onboard video is a plus, but doesn't matter as we have tons of cheapo PCI & AGP cards laying around if needed. The current hard drives and DVD drives are all IDE/Pata, but I could easily transfer the data to new HDD if I could get a SATA within budget.

It has to have:
*$400 total (After tax) (+/-$15)
*Quad core
*Onboard 10/100/1000 LAN
*At least two PCI slots
*Mid tower or Desktop Case
*Energy efficient PSU (80+ at least)

Thoughts?
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Core i7 920
    Motherboard
    Intel X58
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTS250 512MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W2361V
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate Barracuda SATA
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    stock
    Mouse
    MX Revolution
Drill a hole in the back of the cubby. And another one at a different height on the inside where your feet go.

Say, one down low and the oher near the top of the cubby. How air out the upper one, cool air in the lower one.

I have seen computers be okay with little air flow; however, not for machines used for gaming.

Use one of those hole drill bits. The kind for making door knob/mechanism holes.

If they don't want to, politely let them know that without air flow that desk is going to cook the computer and make it unusable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire X1700
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    3 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1 gig GeForce 210
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Vizio 21" tv
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 resolution
    Hard Drives
    1 terabyte sata in 1 partition
    Cooling
    fans that came with it
    Keyboard
    basic USB
    Mouse
    basic USB
    Internet Speed
    3 megabits on a cable modem, wired
Drill a hole in the back of the cubby. And another one at a different height on the inside where your feet go.

Say, one down low and the oher near the top of the cubby. How air out the upper one, cool air in the lower one.

I have seen computers be okay with little air flow; however, not for machines used for gaming.

Use one of those hole drill bits. The kind for making door knob/mechanism holes.

If they don't want to, politely let them know that without air flow that desk is going to cook the computer and make it unusable.
Its called a hole saw. dont be afraid to cut a large hole. I agree with the one on the bottom and one on the top since it will create a convection type of cooloing
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.17 Ghz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775
    Memory
    SUPER TALENT 2GB x 2
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS EAX800/2DTV/256M/A Radeon X800 256MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer X223Wbd Black 22 and 1 HYUNDAI L90D+ Silver 19
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB int

    Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160812A 160GB ext
    PSU
    450w
    Cooling
    ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000
    Internet Speed
    Pretty dam fast
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