Bed side table as case

[Morganjvjv]

Hb

[happychineseman]

hidden...quiet... great. But be sure to allow some type of ventilation if its inside the drawer 

[Rampaging_Tomato]

hidden...quiet... great. But be sure to allow some type of ventilation if its inside the drawer 

Or you could just periodically open the drawer! (Highly practical)

[skine]

I built my PC into a desk drawer last summer.

 

 

 

http://imgur.com/a/mQhpW

 

My basic suggestions are to find an old computer case or two that you can cannibalize with a Dremel (EZ456 is better for making initial cuts into sheets of steel, but EZ506CU is better for longer cuts, and definitely get a deburring tool), and plan ahead on how you're going to do maintenance (eg, using metal threaded inserts instead of wood screws). You can also buy just a motherboard tray on its own, which might make things easier.

 

http://www.caselabs-store.com/motherboard-trays/

 

As for airflow, I have two 140mm intake fans and two 120mm exhaust fans, attached to garage sale baking sheets on the sides, which also have rubber around the outside to reduce vibration and noise. The fans are covered by cheap air vents from the local hardware shop that I painted black, and with foam filters for dust.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5D52R39396

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ONZT5Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

 

There are easily things I would do differently if I were to do this again (eg, more care into sawing straight lines), but most of the imperfections are covered by it being, well, enclosed in a drawer, and I'm happy with the end result.

 

Feel free to ask questions. Also, don't expect it to necessarily be cheaper than buying a case, unless you already have all of the parts and tools you'll need.