Is this wise????

Barewolf · 10-04-2009, 15:45

I housed my PC tower in a Bedroom unit (See Pic).

The PC never really heats up to touch, and I have my surge sockets inside the bedroom unit.

When I closed the unit doors and had the PC running for an hour I opened them to check it, the heat that came out was like an oven, it wasn't immense but you could definately feel the heat, Graphics card / Processor probably.

Anyway, will this cause me any major problems, or would this be considered a fire risk in your opinion?

superbiatch · 10-04-2009, 15:48

Have you got any ventilation in there at all? (when the doors are shut)

Halcyon · 10-04-2009, 15:54

If you have no ventilation your Pc will overheat and it could cause it to crash or reduce in performance. Although components get warm, too warm isnt good for them and could ultimately lead to an early death of parts.

Could you maybe fix up a duct to an external fan or drill holes into the back of the cabinet?

Depending on your PC case you could also mount a fan at the front to draw warm air out. but then again after seeing the pic, you'd still be in the cabinet.

I don't think it is a fire risk though. There is nothing which could really ignite.

Graham M · 10-04-2009, 16:21

The hole in the back you have cut for the wire is probably enough to get enough air in, altho you could make it bigger or cut another hole if you're worried

Jon T · 10-04-2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

The hole in the back you have cut for the wire is probably enough to get enough air in, altho you could make it bigger or cut another hole if you're worried

I disagree Graham. The cabinet looks to be fairly close, if not touching the wall, so no air is going to get through the hole at all.

In addition, hot air rises, so if a hole is going to help, it would be better at the top corner of the back of the cabinet, or better still on the side.

IMHO, having a PC sealed in a cabinet like this is a 100% effective way to shorten the life of the PC. Cooling fans are there for a reason, to dissipate the heat generated by components into the cooler air surrounding them, this can't happen if the surrounding air is already approaching(or even exceeding) the temperature of the components that are trying to be cooled.

MovedGoalPosts · 10-04-2009, 16:48

Most modern PC's will have sensors on components such as the CPU which will shut it down if those things overheat. However the PC is designed to be able to draw cool air into the case and expell warm air. By enclosing it in a cabinet you are recirculating that exhausted heat. In an attempt to keep things cool, the various fans are likely to run much faster. Over time that will use more energy. As others have said, running components warm can affect theirlonger term durability.

Bottom line PCs should not be in small enclosures.

AbyssUnderground · 10-04-2009, 17:35

Heat will cause problems, you do need circulation, so maybe some holes cut in the back will help, or remove the doors completely.

damien c · 10-04-2009, 17:37

i would take it out of the cabinet it will cause more problems than what it would having it out of the cabinet.

it will overheat if you start playing games or running the cpu at 100% as you say after a hour you opened, the doors and it was like a oven then obviously it's gonna get to hot in there.

10-04-2009, 17:42

Make the hole botton right bigger and fit 2 x 120 mm fans drawing air in( I am sure you can suss a way of getting them to work.) The top left corner have 2 120mm drawing air out so you will have a good air flow then I would keep it in there. If venting it isnt an option I would take it out

CHiLL · 10-04-2009, 17:45

The only advise I can give is that what everyone else has said. Either make the ventilation better in the cupboard, or take it out completely. Computers can't stay in confined spaces, because they just accumulate heat, slow down and break eventually.

Taf · 10-04-2009, 17:51

Fit fans to the wooden cabinet

Barewolf · 10-04-2009, 18:00

The cabinet is close against the wall (Rear) and (Side) and eventually a worktop will be placed over the existing unit which will act much like a kitchen top and thus flush against the wall.

In this pic you can see theres about 1.2" from the wall to the unit, I "Could" remove the back completely to allow airflow, thats not a problem but I didnt want the unit doors open all the time, which they are now, because they are high gloss and very easy scratched.

I "think" that the reason of so much heat is from my USB external which I put in there, it belts out a huge ammount of heat. I have now unplugged this to see how it goes.

If it still gets too warm in there then i do have another place where i can put the PC where air flow is more abundent. If I could avoid doing that I would though.

Is their anyway I can check the core CPU temperature and GPU via Windows? If I can then I can test the CPU and GPU with the doors shut and doors open and see if they increase or decrease, maybe?

Barewolf · 10-04-2009, 18:02

PS- The side of the Pic you can see is having another unit next to it, it's not staying as a single unit like it is in the picture.

Wayfair · 10-04-2009, 18:05

More to the point, it's not Easter yet so step away from the egg...

Halcyon · 10-04-2009, 18:17

I think for the time being removing the backing will be a good idea. It will mean air can atleast rise up out of the cabinet and move around.
With the doors still there you won't see the panel off so all is good.

Good idea unplugging the USB drive. If not used all the time, best to not have it on.