• $800 budget deskbottom / indesk computer (Creative build)
    20 replies, posted
I've always found desktops intrusive and ugly, but they seem to be the only affordable way to PC game. Therefore, I've decided to build a computer inside a desk encased in noise isolating material because I hate the noise of computers. [b]Budget:[/b] $1200-1500 (lenient up to 1800 if you must) Going for a computer that will last three to four years, not be the latest overheating power-sucking showcase in consumer technology, so bang for buck is more important than performance overall [b]Build criteria:[/b] Build is for gaming use and must be able to play mainstream games on at least low settings a few years in the future. No case required as computer will be mounted inside desk cabinet. [b]Necessary in build:[/b] [url=http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/18967/]IKEA[/url] or [url=http://www.officemax.com/office-furniture/desks-laptop-stands]OfficeMax[/url] desk with a compartment big enough to fit a computer sans case. [url=http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1050900-800-budget-deskbottom-indesk-computer-(Creative-build)?p=27548909&viewfull=1#post27548909]Example (thanks ryan)[/url] Monitor. Keyboard. Speaker(s). The computer itself. Either a wireless adapter or a 60 foot long ethernet cord. Anything required to build the computer, a la heatsink paste [b]Unnecessary in build:[/b] Mouse OS Case Fans (I'll get them myself) Go wild, facepunch.
maybe a chiclet style keyboard like the apple one?
For all the stuff you are getting, I think you should expand your budget a bit more.
[QUOTE=Vaun Strungel;27535395]For all the stuff you are getting, I think you should expand your budget a bit more.[/QUOTE] Same.. A good Ikea desk is rather expensive. Especially one that would fit all the standard components of a PC. [editline]19th January 2011[/editline] Maybe you should buy a good desk, and take your current PC, and integrate it into the desk? You could then upgrade that computer with the other monies.
[QUOTE=Vaun Strungel;27535395]For all the stuff you are getting, I think you should expand your budget a bit more.[/QUOTE] Okay, just don't want to spend too much. Budget expanded to 1.5k, lenient. More is accepted if it means quality, but I just want a computer that will play games on medium / low in three - four years before being replaced.
[QUOTE=Ama-zake;27536423]Okay, just don't want to spend too much. Budget expanded to $1200-1500.[/QUOTE] Alright, that's more manageable. I'm guessing it would be reasonable to spend $900-$1100 (depends on the exact budget spectrum) on the PC + peripherals and the remainder on the desk. Care to tell us what games you plan to run and at what preferred resolution? [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] Also, I think it might be a good idea if you actually went out and browse a Ikea/OfficeMax store yourself, so you can get a better idea of what you can fit in certain desks. Just a suggestion.
Sorry to thread steal, but would any of you possibly have a suggestion for a good desk preferably under $300 ($400 max).
[QUOTE=Vaun Strungel;27536596]Alright, that's more manageable. I'm guessing it would be reasonable to spend $900-$1100 (depends on the exact budget spectrum) on the PC + peripherals and the remainder on the desk. Care to tell us what games you plan to run and at what preferred resolution? [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] Also, I think it might be a good idea if you actually went out and browse a Ikea/OfficeMax store yourself, so you can get a better idea of what you can fit in certain desks. Just a suggestion.[/QUOTE] Eh, just want to be able to play mainstream games on very high now (example: Bad Company 2) and in three years still be able to play mainstream games on at least low. I'd prefer an in-desk setup with the computer housed away in a large noiseproof cabinet in the desk or something, so any large cabinet will do. Budget is, again, lenient: If you think spending more is cost-effective, go ahead.
[QUOTE=Ama-zake;27540844]Eh, just want to be able to play mainstream games on very high now (example: Bad Company 2) and in three years still be able to play mainstream games on at least low. I'd prefer an in-desk setup with the computer housed away in a large noiseproof cabinet in the desk or something, so any large cabinet will do. Budget is, again, lenient: If you think spending more is cost-effective, go ahead.[/QUOTE] Would you want a glass top desk? Because you could buy an oak, or cheap wood, desk. If you're a good wood worker, you could make a small stand for the glass (approx. 10-13 cm). You could then put the computer in the crevice, which is visible from the top. If have standoffs, you could mount the Motherboard directly to the wood desk. I don't know if that makes sense, but I couldn't explain it clearer.
[QUOTE=Johnbooth;27541948]Would you want a glass top desk? Because you could buy an oak, or cheap wood, desk. If you're a good wood worker, you could make a small stand for the glass (approx. 10-13 cm). You could then put the computer in the crevice, which is visible from the top. If have standoffs, you could mount the Motherboard directly to the wood desk. I don't know if that makes sense, but I couldn't explain it clearer.[/QUOTE] I get what you mean, however the point of this build is the exact opposite of trying to show it off. I prefer standard wooden desks to glass ones and especially for this application because a few of them have cabinets large enough to fit a computer, which would save a lot of time as opposed to fabricating something from scratch and would hide the computer well. I guess an "ideal" desk for this application, in my opinion, would be something like a large dark wooden desk with plenty of desk space and a cabinet under the desk large enough to fit standard ATX components and noise isolating material - essentially making the cabinet itself a noise-isolating case. With a few uses of the hole saw / jigsaw and installation of some large fans, that is.
This doesn't seem like something you want to leave up to other people. You seem to have a very clear idea of what you want. It would be easier to ask for help on specific things. For example ask for a computer to be built that would be able to do certain things. Once you have that figured out ask about putting computers in desks/alternative cases and the best way to go about that. I'm pretty sure you can get a straight up motherboard tray that could mount to the side of a large drawer with the expansion bay stuff facing up. You can just Velcro drives and the power supply to any open space. Then cut some holes for fans in the back of the drawer and desk and mount fans of the same size in the opening. Buy some momentary push buttons for power/reset and mount them in a convenient location. Run wires and splice them into the motherboard headers. As for noise control, you pretty much answered that one for yourself. Buy some noise isolating foam and use Velcro or whatnot to mount it in places although if the computer is in a drawer it will be pretty quiet already. [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] This desk would be good I think. All you need is the noise isolating foam as you can put a case right in the cabinet. It has good airflow, and cable management. [url=http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40180037][img]http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/micke-desk-white__0104228_PE251179_S4.JPG[/img][/url] (click it)
[QUOTE=ryan1271;27548909]This doesn't seem like something you want to leave up to other people. You seem to have a very clear idea of what you want. It would be easier to ask for help on specific things. For example ask for a computer to be built that would be able to do certain things. Once you have that figured out ask about putting computers in desks/alternative cases and the best way to go about that. I'm pretty sure you can get a straight up motherboard tray that could mount to the side of a large drawer with the expansion bay stuff facing up. You can just Velcro drives and the power supply to any open space. Then cut some holes for fans in the back of the drawer and desk and mount fans of the same size in the opening. Buy some momentary push buttons for power/reset and mount them in a convenient location. Run wires and splice them into the motherboard headers. As for noise control, you pretty much answered that one for yourself. Buy some noise isolating foam and use Velcro or whatnot to mount it in places although if the computer is in a drawer it will be pretty quiet already. [editline]20th January 2011[/editline] This desk would be good I think. All you need is the noise isolating foam as you can put a case right in the cabinet. It has good airflow, and cable management. [url=http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40180037][img_thumb]http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/micke-desk-white__0104228_PE251179_S4.JPG[/img_thumb][/url] (click it)[/QUOTE]I was at Ikea the other day, and that desk is extremely smaller than what it looks like in the pictures. Are you really saying go without a case?
I wouldn't keep the tower in a cabinet if I were you. They tend to restrict airflow.
Looks like the best option for motherboard mounting seems to be simply jacking a motherboard tray off a cheap case since standalone motherboard trays seem to cost a buttload for some reason So if i'm to spend roughly one hundred on a desk, what would you guys recommend for the computer itself, including all accessories except the desk outlined in the OP?
[QUOTE=Xybjj;27561073]I wouldn't keep the tower in a cabinet if I were you. They tend to restrict airflow.[/QUOTE] Better than a draw though, and you can always cut holes in the back
I built you a wishlist on NewEgg for $1,100.00. It has everything but speakers because the monitor has built in speakers. I figured this would be good because you are going for a low profile look. It has a case as well but you could easily just mount it on a motherboard tray. That leaves you $100 - $400 for a desk which should get you a good desk. Here is the link, tell me what you think: [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=22219908[/url] Also, a word of advice: This is your computer which you will have to pay for and its going in your house. I personally would never let someone else make those kind of decisions for me. Please make sure this is what you really want or just tell me and I can make changes.
[QUOTE=ryan1271;27569550]I built you a wishlist on NewEgg for $1,100.00. It has everything but speakers because the monitor has built in speakers. I figured this would be good because you are going for a low profile look. It has a case as well but you could easily just mount it on a motherboard tray. That leaves you $100 - $400 for a desk which should get you a good desk. Here is the link, tell me what you think: [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=22219908[/url] Also, a word of advice: This is your computer which you will have to pay for and its going in your house. I personally would never let someone else make those kind of decisions for me. Please make sure this is what you really want or just tell me and I can make changes.[/QUOTE] that's a terrible build 8GB RAM? 640GB for more than the price of a 1TB spinpoint F3? 1156 now that sandy bridge is out?
He still needs a desk so I figured he could go with some of the older stuff. Are there Sandy Bridge models in a similar price range? And why not have 8GB of RAM its fairly inexpensive.
Yeah, that's one bad build, sorry.
[QUOTE=reapaninja;27569726]that's a terrible build 8GB RAM? 640GB for more than the price of a 1TB spinpoint F3? 1156 now that sandy bridge is out?[/QUOTE] Is sandy bridge even worth paying the extra bucks for the extra performance? Also, Ryan, my price range without a desk or case or mouse is around 1350 preferably with a max of 1850 but I'd much prefer having more bang for buck over having the latest and greatest
Sandy bridge is worth more than a few bucks. And UEFI is coming with the mobos, too.
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