First, my background: I paid for food and incidentals in college by repairing computers and building systems for the more well to do students. But that was several decades ago, and Ive mostly been out of computer building, except for building a couple personal systems over the years. Current system being 7 years old now. So.. I'm not afraid of building, my I am well aware my experience is amateur and out of date.
Ive been wanting to build a new system for a while. As far as usage goes, I used to game, but these days its more spreadsheets and video. And if i do get back into games, its likely to be more in the WOW category than in the super heavy stuff. I want a decent system but I doubt I will need to live in the world of overclocking and fighting for a few FPS. I think I've got most of my parts planning needs met by reading other posts and watching LTT videos. and I already have a rtx2070 videocard and a thermal-take 750 watt PS. I'm inclined towards the X570 aorus MOBO and ryzen 5 3600 (using the included wraith cooler). I am not inclined towards making the jump to liquid or exotic cooling. One important detail: the area where this computer will live tends to be Dusty. Very Dusty. Dusty enough that I'm tired of having to open the computer to clean it multiple times per month.
In my current DIY mood, I want to actually build the case. I'm intending to use wood as my main medium, though a plexy window is under consideration. My carpentry skills are definitely up to the task either way, and I've sketched out a plan. On the dust front, I'm thinking towards air sealing the case except for fan holes, and then heavy filtering those. But heat exists. On the plus side, the ambient temp in the home area of this future computer is almost always 18C. I rarely have IO needs other than the basic, so I'm thinking all parts completely interior, with only one hole for all cords (power, two video, audio and a USB to externally placed hub) to exit, then permanently sealing that around the cords. For the fans, Ive got some filter material that I am confident will prevent any but the most minimal dust intrusion, but by the nature of filters, they will definitely make the fans job harder. The case will be side mounted to a wall, so the top and bottom will be unobstructed. I'm thinking 4 120 MM fans on the bottom inside, pulling cool air in through the filter, and 4 more inside on the top, pushing hot air out through more filters.
1) Is this a viable ventilation plan given current heat production of modern parts?
2) Should I be trying to keep the internal space as compact as possible, or is a larger internal cavity better
3) Is having the PS completely internal, with no separate external venting going to be a problem?
I'm sure that other questions will come up as I proceed, but these seem like basic important questions to seek counsel on before I start buying parts. I appreciate any advice this community can provide.
lazyxeno got a reaction from Stu_Bear in Custom Case plan with Questions
