Building a desk

I've been thinking about building a desk for a while now since my old office desk is not very good for gaming. It's not ergonomic and now that I have my hotas working I need something that won't have me reaching up for my controls or looking down on my monitor. Yes, I know there are simple fixes like sitting my monitors on a platform/mounting them on the wall so they're at eye level. But that's no fun!

I don't plan on making a full on simpit, but it will be a setup geared towards gaming, meaning speaker mounts, platforms/shelves for peripherals, and a comfy ass chair. I've also been kicking around the idea of abandoning the usual computer case and mounting all the guts of my PC directly in the desk. I figure this way I can swap parts easily without trying to wiggle my hands around in a cramped case. I can also mount as many fans as I want to help it hopefully run cooler than most cases could dream of. And being able to run my wires in a way where I don't have to see them unless I want/need to is an added bonus.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Is it better for a motherboard to be mounted vertically, or doesn't it matter?

 

Also, do me a favor guys and gals and try to keep me motivated on this project. I have a couple grand ideas that I think you guys will enjoy.

 

If anything it's better for a MB to be horizontal. That way you don't have the weight of the video card and CPU/heatsink dangling off the side. I actually was thinking about doing an open setup with my last build. I think Newegg sells a rack setup just for that purpose. The main problem I can see with it is you'd have to dust it religiously.

Edit: I've been wishing for a more ergonomic setup myself, but depending on how Oculus turns out I might be better off adding a mouse/keyboard/hotas tray to a nice comfy recliner rather than construct a big honking desk/simpit

 

I was planning on plexiglass on top and having the sides lined with fans with some kind of dust screens on them to limit the dust inside. I like having drinks at my desk, so an open top would never work for me.

 

1. Give yourself a budget and stick to it.
2. Plan and plan some more. Worst thing you can do is just jump in and end up with a bunch of stuff you don't end up using.
3. Have a mini frig within reach as getting up to get drinks in a pit can be a PITA.

could always do a open case if you don't like screwing around in a closed one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112287

 

3. I already have my mini fridge beside my desk. Way ahead of you.

2. That's why I am putting this here. I figure you guys can keep me on track so I don't end up trying to build a mini fortress gaming center with working drawbridge. And I can pull from your experiences to know what works and what doesn't.

1. Budget... Dihm, how high can I run your credit cards?

 

I have something planned that will put a silly drawbridge to shame. That part of the design is going to be a secret though.

But for the bits I'll show you (giggity), something like this:


and this:


combined, but more wood (more giggity) and less metal and plexiglass. And with a mini fridge. And cupholders. And a mead wench.

 

I'll admit it, I drooled a little.
one way to keep dust down is to get yourself a dehumidifier, it's good for keeping the dust down as well as keeping the humidity down which while usually not a problem can be in some circumstances. Also, eat the pets, if you have them. They generate almost as much dust as you do

 

As I am lazy i went with the prebuiltoptions, however you might be able to garner some ideas from it anyway.

Consider this a work in progress, I am gonna get some shelves for the exchangeable peripherals as well as a new rug. When I've got that in place I will also redo the cable management as it currently looks terrible. Consider the window blinds temporary as well .

The monitor mount is separate, I have seen a few persons running the "chair" part with a normal desk with really awesome results.

If anyone has any ideas on other things that could be made better, please tell.

Flight:

Spoiler

Driving:

Spoiler

 

Need to tidy them wires up Axe, great desk but the cables are a mess.

I have colo coded my cables and sockets, I use cable and cable tubes to keep everything neat and tidy. I am still using my old Oak desk, I am still deciding on how i went to build my pit.

I love the idea of building the pc into the desk. The problem i see here is is heat build up. Would need to go the aluminium route for the cooling.

 

I know, if you read my post you will notice that is on the todo list .

Regarding the heat buildup, if you look at the above picture you will notice he has fans on both sides sides of that desk. I'd imagine the airflow is actually better than in a normal chassi.

 

Todo list means it never get done, Color coding the the cables is the first thing everyone does when building a rig!!!

 

I wonder how much dosh it will cost to build a desk of out Aluminium Oxynitride, Transparent Aluminium.

 

and yet another thing from Star Trek becomes real, alternatively, you could go with sapphire

 

want...

 

Cupholders are lostech. May need a bottle holder too. You know for a bottle of whiskey or rum.

 

When I'm rich, I'm going to rent an office and go "work" there whole day.

1) Since it's not at home, I have unlimited options
2) No distractions

Btw. fridges are unnecessary. At high enough level you will not notice that the drink is warm and eventually you'll prefer it that way.

 

I prefer it cold still, but when you drink in two liter quantities you don't expect the bottle to stay cold the entire time.
And putting it back in the fridge after it's warmed just makes it go flat faster.