DeskComputer project

[Jaros]

Hello Community, i've got a question for you ! 
I'm currently searching for a new desk, mine is good but feets are week, so i'm worried about my screens.

 

Here is a picture for you. (And yes i know it needs to be cleaned)
I've build my computer by myself, and this time i think i can built my own desk, like, you know, lian li, with the computer inside the desk. 
i assume it's not for everyone because it's expensive/"time costly", especially when you build it, but i can't pay like 1000€ for a 1m desk. 
So i'm here, to hear you about your experience, if you have built or buy it, what is avantages, or disadvantages, which materials should i use.. I could find a article to know it, but i think community feedback can be good too

Thanks for your answer !

- Max

 

(srry for my bad English, but serious tech forum in french are really rare to find)

[PowerPak]

So I just finished doing what you're thinking of, building a desk from scratch with the computer being housed inside the desk, Lian-Li style. Parts wise it wasn't that expensive, I went with wood (wall-stud quality 2x4 lumber and 3/4 inch thick sheets of top shelf pine plywood.) I also ended up putting two lexan windows into the desk/case. The advantages are I have a huge "case" to work with keeping all my components in, and from the outside when it's all completed it will have only two wires leaving the desk (power and Cat6 data.) I haven't had it long but disadvantages...it took about 10 days (after work, and 3 weekend days) to complete but about 70% of that was putting on a coat of paint/polycrylic and waiting for it to dry. 

 

I got some ideas online from other people's designs, then used SketchUp to mock up my own design. I ended up modifying the design a bit while I was actually doing the building, but am pretty happy with how it turned out. I'll attach a link to the Google Photos album covering a bunch of steps in the process. My apologies for the completed pictures, the monitors are not mounted correctly and none of their wiring hidden, I threw it together last night at midnight just to get it up and running to see, but had to be at work at 7 AM this morning as well. 

 

So all in all, definitely a "do-able" project and I'd be happy to share with you the steps I went through, link you my SketchUp designs, and talk you through the process. There are a couple of things I would change to do it again (for example, building in a false floor for hidden cable management.)

 

https://goo.gl/photos/6BEKmwwptmeav3tF8

 

(Moderators/admins, apologies if I used any forbidden terms or links!)

 

[Jaros]

8 hours ago, PowerPak said:

So I just finished doing what you're thinking of, building a desk from scratch with the computer being housed inside the desk, Lian-Li style. Parts wise it wasn't that expensive, I went with wood (wall-stud quality 2x4 lumber and 3/4 inch thick sheets of top shelf pine plywood.) I also ended up putting two lexan windows into the desk/case. The advantages are I have a huge "case" to work with keeping all my components in, and from the outside when it's all completed it will have only two wires leaving the desk (power and Cat6 data.) I haven't had it long but disadvantages...it took about 10 days (after work, and 3 weekend days) to complete but about 70% of that was putting on a coat of paint/polycrylic and waiting for it to dry. 

 

I got some ideas online from other people's designs, then used SketchUp to mock up my own design. I ended up modifying the design a bit while I was actually doing the building, but am pretty happy with how it turned out. I'll attach a link to the Google Photos album covering a bunch of steps in the process. My apologies for the completed pictures, the monitors are not mounted correctly and none of their wiring hidden, I threw it together last night at midnight just to get it up and running to see, but had to be at work at 7 AM this morning as well. 

 

So all in all, definitely a "do-able" project and I'd be happy to share with you the steps I went through, link you my SketchUp designs, and talk you through the process. There are a couple of things I would change to do it again (for example, building in a false floor for hidden cable management.)

 

https://goo.gl/photos/6BEKmwwptmeav3tF8

 

(Moderators/admins, apologies if I used any forbidden terms or links!)

 

Hi, Thx for this answer ! I've look your google profil and it's pretty cool, and personnaly i think we can gain some space with this type of desk. 

I'll need to install sketchup to see how can i create it, because i'll let a deskcase for my brother too. I'll be happy if you could tell me more about the differents steps, and materials, including the price of all the materials (lian li's deskcase are very expensive, and i'm sure by doing it myself it will be about 500$ Cheaper) . it will be a very long project but when i see the result, i think it's necessary to take all the time i need !

[PowerPak]

1 hour ago, Jaros said:

Hi, Thx for this answer ! I've look your google profil and it's pretty cool, and personnaly i think we can gain some space with this type of desk. 

I'll need to install sketchup to see how can i create it, because i'll let a deskcase for my brother too. I'll be happy if you could tell me more about the differents steps, and materials, including the price of all the materials (lian li's deskcase are very expensive, and i'm sure by doing it myself it will be about 500$ Cheaper) . it will be a very long project but when i see the result, i think it's necessary to take all the time i need !

Sure thing! I'm traveling today but I'll try to put together a write-up in the next few days and I'll get back to you once I do. Doing it in the US my prices will be different from yours but they'll give you a good idea, I know I spent maybe $200 or so on materials for the desk itself, and the rest was just time. 

[Jaros]

6 minutes ago, PowerPak said:

Sure thing! I'm traveling today but I'll try to put together a write-up in the next few days and I'll get back to you once I do. Doing it in the US my prices will be different from yours but they'll give you a good idea, I know I spent maybe $200 or so on materials for the desk itself, and the rest was just time. 

Well, it's ok, take your time, and thanks ! I don't think price will be much highet than US, theses materials are common  ! Have a nice day !