Custom Desk Rev 2.0 - **Criticism Wanted**

[PBaines]

Looking to start a new desk. After completing the first one I have found strengths and weaknesses meaning that the new desk should fix everything that was wrong with the current one
 
Here is what I have made in sketchup (to scale) which anyone is able to use this model if they wished, here is the link
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/97695353/Desk%20rev%202.0.skp

Sketchup is available here
http://www.sketchup.com/download
 
 
Please use constructive criticism, with explanations! instead of something like "I don't like where the vandal switches are"
 

[guyfromnebraska]

Looks pretty sweet. I personally would move the switches to the right side next to the radiator to get a cleaner front but that's just me. Can't wait for more!

[LonliestofAll]

Downloading now will get to you in 10 mins

[Saladin]

Subbed. Loved the first desk. Many of the points herein are my opinion, not objectively one way or the other.

1. Thickness of the desk top. I would suggest recessing the primary components further on the left side and using the middle of the desk to run hard tubing to the right side (holding radiators). This would allow you to still see the components and the cooling and to have an easier time typing and using he desk.
2. In the previous version you had a 3 way split, while this was visually interesting you may have better cooling results (and easier tubing runs) if you mimicked this bu running some of the tubing under the bottom panel, ie one loop of tubing that flows back upon it's self (I may not be explaining this well).
3. I like that you have the PSU hidden in the back, consider adding a surge suppressor in the same area, this would allow you to more easily manage power cables from the monitors and the PSU.
4. Related to the previous, run the main power cable out a leg, you could also use this routing space for ethernet cables.

Hope this helps, I will add anymore below an edit tag if I think of them. Can't wait to see this. Version 1.0 was amazing.

[LonliestofAll]

I highly suggest making the area in between your legs and arms thinner. That's it, can't wait to see this completed!

[JordanMac]

looks good the only thing i would say is that the desk top is quite thick, try making it thinner by laying the rad down flat and using pcie x16 extenders so you can lay the graphics cards down down flat. (this would also give you a better view of the components).

[Lord Pantaloons]

I don't like that it's desk shaped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks good

[PBaines]

Subbed. Loved the first desk. Many of the points herein are my opinion, not objectively one way or the other.

1. Thickness of the desk top. I would suggest recessing the primary components further on the left side and using the middle of the desk to run hard tubing to the right side (holding radiators). This would allow you to still see the components and the cooling and to have an easier time typing and using he desk.
2. In the previous version you had a 3 way split, while this was visually interesting you may have better cooling results (and easier tubing runs) if you mimicked this bu running some of the tubing under the bottom panel, ie one loop of tubing that flows back upon it's self (I may not be explaining this well).
3. I like that you have the PSU hidden in the back, consider adding a surge suppressor in the same area, this would allow you to more easily manage power cables from the monitors and the PSU.
4. Related to the previous, run the main power cable out a leg, you could also use this routing space for ethernet cables.

Hope this helps, I will add anymore below an edit tag if I think of them. Can't wait to see this. Version 1.0 was amazing.

I like the ideas that you have pointed out, though I probably will not have the three way split this time around. As it creates more fluid, meaning I need more pressure from the pumps to push the water around. I will try and do the cleanest, parallel runs possible with only one run, instead of a split.

I especially love the power cable out a leg, that is actually awesome! However finding a drill big enough to go through a leg? we shall see hahaha

 

I highly suggest making the area in between your legs and arms thinner. That's it, can't wait to see this completed!

It is only 11cm, I could make it smaller as the only thing that will be in that area is the reservoir and my ssd's so I guess I only have to make it thick enough to house those

 

looks good the only thing i would say is that the desk top is quite thick, try making it thinner by laying the rad down flat and using pcie x16 extenders so you can lay the graphics cards down down flat. (this would also give you a better view of the components).

I can't really lye the radiator down as it the intake will be really awkward and will lose a lot of performance. Also means I have to have exhaust through the bottom etc. Though the top is thick, remember that I will be having the section between my arms and legs a lot smaller as you can see with that rounded section. I have thought about laying my GPU's down, but I like them 90 degrees, I have seen quite a few builds that have used extenders and personally I didn't like them. 

But yeah, since all the components are in the left bay, and the leg/arm section is narrow all should be well!

[Saladin]

I especially love the power cable out a leg, that is actually awesome! However finding a drill big enough to go through a leg? we shall see hahaha

I believe dewalt has a 2 or 3 foot drill bit extension, I would have to check, you can find them, they are usually used for drilling holes through wall joists after the walls are up.

[megadarkwood]

God dammit! Just give me your old desk ok?

[Saladin]

A couple more suggestions for you.

1. LED strip lighting under the motherboard (maybe use frosted acrylic around the edge to diffuse the light)
2. I would place a cross beam between the right legs and along the back for support/visual appearance
3. 3rd vandal switch for lighting control
4. Hide the pumps in the rear cavity
5. Run USB extensions into the back space for keyboard/mouse (just leave a small cutout for cable management)
6. As an alternative to 5 run keyboard and mouse cables under the top of the desk
7. Hinge the rear space for ease of access
8. Consider aluminum flashing around the edge of the glass.

[jclappers]

SUBBED, now i shall have a look at the sketchup

[legopc]

make something that moves in the middle  

[Cjoflorida]

If you want you could have the power supply showing instead of in the back because some power supplies look pretty nice and you could just cut a hole in the wood to hide cables.

Also you could turn two draws in to one in order to make one tall enough to store files.

[Giggitygoebbels]

My suggestion:add another 480mm Rad and also a Surge protector (as @Saladin said)next to the power supply that enclosed area.That gives more cooling.Also add another fan at the side of the front(or really anywhere,)for better air flow instead of just hot radiator air coming in and out of the area.

Also i suggest putting a UPS under the shelves(?) .

[IvIast3r]

I believe dewalt has a 2 or 3 foot drill bit extension, I would have to check, you can find them, they are usually used for drilling holes through wall joists after the walls are up.

or just use a router and cut a grove for the cable?

[KrazyKap]

I really love this! Looks a lot like what I had envisioned to do myself one day

 

Do you have any plans for the back section of the desk (where the PSU is)?

 

Could probs fit a ton of storage drives in there!

[AmateurPCGuy]

Another Desk!? Hold on, I need to restock my pants...

 

But seriously, this will be another awesome build! Will sub on this thread.

[AmateurPCGuy]

Criticisms:

 

I found the Desk 1.0 is too small to you height-wise... maybe kick the height up a notch?

Da KEYBOARD TRAY!!!!

[ofr057]

I highly suggest making the area in between your legs and arms thinner. That's it, can't wait to see this completed!

agree in stead of a cylinder res i would be looking at making a box from scratch so you can increase the volume of the res while making it slimmer

 

since a normal desk is about an inch thick i would be trying to get under 2 inch's at least

 

Another thing that would look good is getting some pcie extension cables to lay your graphics cards down, that way your motherboard area will have a slimmer profile

 

also with your old desk the board you mounted on it for your monitor sorta spoiled it i would look at getting a proper vesa mount frame

[Homicidium]

Maybe just a little critism that I didn't liked too much in the first desk.

 

I found the tubing just too long in some spots. I would like to have this a little more centered if possible enabling you to use shorter runs with the tubing just to clean up asthetics? I'm probably the only one with that opinion, but hey you've asked for it

[FileCorrupted]

I downloaded the sketchup and modified it a bit and found out there is space for 12 HDD's (in a custom built drive cage) in the back of the desk near the PSU so that's awesome... I would upload the file but I made imported it into blender and it would not go back to sketch up! So ya I would try and add the drive cages back there when you build the case Just make em with some wood and it should work fine.

[jclappers]

get some ribbon cables and lie the gpu's on their side next to the mobo

[SwimBiggs]

Hi, Nice job there.. I'm starting one myself too ill keep posting when i get the parts.
I want to give my humble opinion, tho I'm no expert and I've never done this before but here goes:
1- I suggest to move your vandal switches up on the surface all the way to the back, next to the psu tray to enjoy the led on them or use military switches
2- I can see a lot of free space which wont be good under the glass i guess, so try and make your table smaller and do a nice cage for your hdd with UV fans on it if your not using WC
3- That was suggested to me by ghost use acrylic tubing.. you can actually get a heat gun and heat it up then bend it if you don't want to buy a lot of fittings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHpreTceVpw   
4- I'm not really sure what are you gonna do with the wiring but I would suggest to make the wiring from the bottom + the back and hide the bottom with a removable cover.
well that's it and I'm looking forward to see this through hopefully i learn smth

[PBaines]

Thank you all very much for your criticism, it has all been a contributing factor to what my final design will be.

 

I should have the new design up within the week currently on holiday at the moment!