$200 desk

[maplevirus]

When I look at gaming setups online, they all have these insane desks that look amazing. I've been looking for one as I want a sweet setup with the new computer I'm gonna build, but I'm unable to find a good looking desk that's not over 200-250 Canadian dollars. I was looking at the Alex desk from Ikea, but still not convinced on it. Hoping you guys could recommend me a desk.

If you want any information on what I'm gonna do with the desk... I'm a 16 year old who likes to play games and I have no idea what I want to do with my life, hope that helps. I was thinking of a white-themed build with light blue RGB/LED since my room is already white (and grey). 

[dizmo]

I'd just get the basic desk from Ikea, and spend the rest on cable management stuff and a nice monitor mount.

Or make your own top out of 2x4's and plywood.

 

[it_dont_work]

7 minutes ago, dizmo said:

plywood.

 

Nar use form ply or filmface ply and some hardwood moulding to cover the edges if you to that, gives a better mouse surface and looks a lot better 

 

For the non aussies, formply is a black faced plywood for concrete forms. 

[GigabitXe]

If you do end up with an IKEA desk, I would not recommend using a monitor arm or anything that puts a lot of force in one spot. Most IKEA desks are particle board and do not do well with a lot of force in a small spot. You can put plenty of weight of them, but make sure it is spread out (for example a heavy monitor would do fine as long as it has a wide stand). That being said, if you have a physical IKEA store near you, stop in and go to the As-Is section. You can usually find really good deals on desk tops that have little to no damage on them. I got my desktop with adjustable legs for around $50-60 US dollars ($40 for the top, $4 for each leg). 

[maplevirus]

1 minute ago, Space2867 said:

If you do end up with an IKEA desk, I would not recommend using a monitor arm or anything that puts a lot of force in one spot. Most IKEA desks are particle board and do not do well with a lot of force in a small spot. You can put plenty of weight of them, but make sure it is spread out (for example a heavy monitor would do fine as long as it has a wide stand). That being said, if you have a physical IKEA store near you, stop in and go to the As-Is section. You can usually find really good deals on desk tops that have little to no damage on them. I got my desktop with adjustable legs for around $50-60 US dollars ($40 for the top, $4 for each leg). 

Yeah no ikeas here

[Christophe Corazza]

57 minutes ago, maplevirus said:

I was looking at the Alex desk from Ikea

 

27 minutes ago, maplevirus said:

Yeah no ikeas here

 

But you said that you’ve already looked at IKEA desks?!

I would definitely suggest that you go and check out the desks at IKEA yourself. Make sure you’ve already looked at other people’s build logs to get some inspiration for your own build. That way you will also be able to pick a desk that fits your design best.

 

58 minutes ago, maplevirus said:

I'm a 16 year old who likes to play games and I have no idea what I want to do with my life

 

That’s a nice perspective on the future ;-)

[Catsrules]

40 minutes ago, Space2867 said:

If you do end up with an IKEA desk, I would not recommend using a monitor arm or anything that puts a lot of force in one spot. Most IKEA desks are particle board and do not do well with a lot of force in a small spot. You can put plenty of weight of them, but make sure it is spread out (for example a heavy monitor would do fine as long as it has a wide stand). That being said, if you have a physical IKEA store near you, stop in and go to the As-Is section. You can usually find really good deals on desk tops that have little to no damage on them. I got my desktop with adjustable legs for around $50-60 US dollars ($40 for the top, $4 for each leg). 

I had an Ikea desk and monitor mounts and I definitely damage the desk with my mount. However surprisingly it held up for the 3 years I had the desk. But i did put a 2x4 board under the desk to spread out the weight.

[GigabitXe]

12 hours ago, Catsrules said:

I had an Ikea desk and monitor mounts and I definitely damage the desk with my mount. However surprisingly it held up for the 3 years I had the desk. But i did put a 2x4 board under the desk to spread out the weight.

I did the exact same thing with my desk, as I use a dual arm monitor mount. So far, the board has kept the desk from snapping in half  .

[magicammo]

On 6/1/2018 at 4:41 PM, maplevirus said:

When I look at gaming setups online, they all have these insane desks that look amazing. I've been looking for one as I want a sweet setup with the new computer I'm gonna build, but I'm unable to find a good looking desk that's not over 200-250 Canadian dollars. I was looking at the Alex desk from Ikea, but still not convinced on it. Hoping you guys could recommend me a desk.

If you want any information on what I'm gonna do with the desk... I'm a 16 year old who likes to play games and I have no idea what I want to do with my life, hope that helps. I was thinking of a white-themed build with light blue RGB/LED since my room is already white (and grey). 

Id go with Ikea to be honest. I bought one of the fancy "gaming" desks even tho the build quality was amazing and held everything i deeded (keyboard, mouse, case, and monitor) i needed Drawers!!! so i just went with Ikea and i love the desk. I need to get some things for cable managing. also if your crafty and you own any consoles you can hide them in the drawers and make routing holes in the desk so nobody knows you have them you don't want to be marked a console peasant lol