Thinnest CPU 5cm limit

[IkeaEraser]

Hi there!

I hope there isn't a limit to theoretical build proposes in this community. I'm building my own PC and exploring the feasibility of many many ideas with the knowledge and experience of the community.

I have a keyboard tray of approximately 55cm x 45cm x 6.5cm that I'd look to build a pc into. There is a 2.5 cm window at the front end (where I am sitting), and it expands to a height of 9cm further in.

I am looking to built a PC without exceeding the height of 5 cm. It sounds crazy, but I hope for constructive feedback on what to look out for the things to note, and perhaps solutions.

The GA-X99-Designare-EX highest peak is at 4.5cm. Considering motherboard thickness, I should be find within the 5 cm limit I set myself, but if not, the real height limit would be 2cm away.

http://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/HX424C12SB2K4_32.pdf
The 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 tops out at a height of 3.5 cm. Adding the offset height from the top of the connector to the tray top, subtracting off the height of the connections that actually sits inside the connector (would be double counting that height), I should be safe within 5cm height limit.

Next is the GPU, which is a large component. I figured I could connect it to the motherboard through a PCIe x16 Extender and lay it down. That way, the GPU highest height would be of 2 slot's width (approximately 4cm)

There is no way round the PSU dimensions unless I build one myself and with very very little success probability. Much like one shown in this video http://, I could have it installed at on the underside of the keyboard tray.

This leaves me with the cooling options. At a height limit of 5cm, it seems logical that multiple 5cmx5cm fans are needed.That multiplies noise generated, so it seems a liquid cooling system is logical (opinions needed). The large fan would once again be mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray.

Here are the conundrums that currently eats me at night and I hope someone has an opinion on it.
-Because of the 2cm wide, 55cm long gap by the keyboard tray, it is largely an open-air setup. Should I build an enclosure? It would trap heat inside incredibly due to the lack of height (Heat travels upwards) I could do away with the cooling system if its open air, with just a normal fan to blow at the gap to move air along.
-Is there vibration related problems if I didn't screw the components to the keyboard tray? Why are most components mounted on with screws and in bays? Could I use velcro to stick the PSU on the underside of the keyboard tray? The same velcro would be to use on the keyboard top components to keep that from moving about.

Any addition I/O ports I would need, can be extended with a hub or so on the table top. SSDs are very thin, so no worries.

I look forward to hearing your opinions, correction and criticisms.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

I applaud this kind of creative thinking !
If you have a keyboard tray then you possibly have a cabinet holding the keyboard tray so you might consider expanding your ...canvas ...to include any available surface within range.
Good luck and hope all goes well...this comes from someone who drilled a 3inch hole through my house wall to pipe in cold air from outside.

 

[weberdarren97]

I think this is a crazy bad, wonderful idea. Let's build a computer into a keyboard tray.

I'm assuming you have your mind set on that motherboard or you already have it?

Cooling is going to be tricky. I would build an enclosure and blow air through with two of these Noctua 40mm fans. I would use a Noctua NH-L9i low profile CPU cooler.

I'd mount the PSU to the bottom of the tray and run the cables around the tray to the components up top.

I would put the graphics card beside the motherboard and lay it down on the tray. You'll need a PCIe x16 extender to make this happen.

I would screw everything down just to be sure it's secure.

 

[IkeaEraser]

I applaud this kind of creative thinking !
If you have a keyboard tray then you possibly have a cabinet holding the keyboard tray so you might consider expanding your ...canvas ...to include any available surface within range.
Good luck and hope all goes well...this comes from someone who drilled a 3inch hole through my house wall to pipe in cold air from outside.

So I'm keeping things damage free, no drilling, no cutting. I had thought of just using a drawer as the enclosure for the CPU, but it means I'd have to drill and cut holes to run cables around

Having said that, is using Velcro to secure the parts down a good or bad idea? Why are screws mostly used? Is there a vibration related reason to it?

 

[IkeaEraser]

I think this is a crazy bad, wonderful idea. Let's build a computer into a keyboard tray.

I'm assuming you have your mind set on that motherboard or you already have it?

Cooling is going to be tricky. I would build an enclosure and blow air through with two of these Noctua 40mm fans. I would use a Noctua NH-L9i low profile CPU cooler.

I'd mount the PSU to the bottom of the tray and run the cables around the tray to the components up top.

I would put the graphics card beside the motherboard and lay it down on the tray. You'll need a PCIe x16 extender to make this happen.

I would screw everything down just to be sure it's secure.

THAT. IS. THE. IDEA!!! So glad you got it!

I would need to read up on cooling techniques, types, systems and such. As well as case materials. But should I build a 6-sided case? Or build a 3-sided case to fend from dust and leave it open air

My concern with a total enclosure, is that the thickness of the case would be taking up very limited space. A .5cm thickness would mean 1cm top and bottom, leaving very little wiggle room. Very little room for heat convection in the enclosure, and the high heat such close contact may negatively affect the material used. But of course, if they ever came a need, I could transport it easily.

A 3 sided case on the other hand (just the front-left-right side, leaving the back, top and bottom open) would protect against 80-95% of the dust. I have plenty more room (relative) for heat convection, and the benefit of having cold air when my air-conditioner is on.

On the topic of cooling, I wouldn't liquid cooling right? If the GPU and CPU has a distance of approximately 10cm (thanks to the PCIe X16 extender I'd be using) the heat buildup wouldn't be drastic. I could essentially have just 2 fans, 1 blowing at the CPU, 1 blowing at the GPU and that would be sufficient? All other components will just enjoy the spread out space and such.

I am seriously considering using velcro for holding things down. Why isn't anyone shooting down that idea?

 

[weberdarren97]

I just had the seed of an idea. There's a company called XION that makes really cheap cases. Why not get one of those and just cut out the motherboard tray. That way you could velcro the mobo tray to the keyboard tray, properly screw in the motherboard, and have an I/O shield. You could then just attach some clear acrylic or plastic to the edges of the tray for the left and right sides (you would need to make a cut for the I/O shield).

http://www.xionusa.com/index.asp

On the topic of cooling, I'll try to keep this simple. I recommend using a blower style card (the type of cooler seen on reference cards) so that it blows its heat away from the system. Have your fans blowing from right to left, matching the air direction from the GPU cooler.

 

[IkeaEraser]

I just had the seed of an idea. There's a company called XION that makes really cheap cases. Why not get one of those and just cut out the motherboard tray. That way you could velcro the mobo tray to the keyboard tray, properly screw in the motherboard, and have an I/O shield. You could then just attach some clear acrylic or plastic to the edges of the tray for the left and right sides (you would need to make a cut for the I/O shield).

http://www.xionusa.com/index.asp

On the topic of cooling, I'll try to keep this simple. I recommend using a blower style card (the type of cooler seen on reference cards) so that it blows its heat away from the system. Have your fans blowing from right to left, matching the air direction from the GPU cooler.

That's a good idea! Saves me from any structural damage when removing/installing the velcro!

What did you mean for GPU cooler? Are you saying the aftermarket cooling systems that comes with a bracket to hold the GPU or the fan integrated with the GPU?
Any large fans/radiator unit that comes along will be mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. They will be blowing hot air downwards.

Sorry, I haven't read up sufficiently on cooling systems yet to have an informed discussion with you on that. apart from that, two-three 5mm fans on the front side to circulate air across the keyboard tray towards the back.

I do intend to have the GPU cooler mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. W

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

Hey you need to get one of those clever things called a....laptop. Apparently, they are thin, have a built in cooling system. Amazingly, it even has a built in keyboard, mouse and screen.

 

[weberdarren97]

I just had the seed of an idea. There's a company called XION that makes really cheap cases. Why not get one of those and just cut out the motherboard tray. That way you could velcro the mobo tray to the keyboard tray, properly screw in the motherboard, and have an I/O shield. You could then just attach some clear acrylic or plastic to the edges of the tray for the left and right sides (you would need to make a cut for the I/O shield).

http://www.xionusa.com/index.asp

On the topic of cooling, I'll try to keep this simple. I recommend using a blower style card (the type of cooler seen on reference cards) so that it blows its heat away from the system. Have your fans blowing from right to left, matching the air direction from the GPU cooler.

That's a good idea! Saves me from any structural damage when removing/installing the velcro!

What did you mean for GPU cooler? Are you saying the aftermarket cooling systems that comes with a bracket to hold the GPU or the fan integrated with the GPU?
Any large fans/radiator unit that comes along will be mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. They will be blowing hot air downwards.

Sorry, I haven't read up sufficiently on cooling systems yet to have an informed discussion with you on that. apart from that, two-three 5mm fans on the front side to circulate air across the keyboard tray towards the back.

I do intend to have the GPU cooler mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. W

What I meant by GPU cooler is the ones that are built into the card.

This would be an example of a blower cooler. It intakes from near the motherboard and exhausts out the back of the card. These types of coolers are great for maintaining directional airflow because they don't cause swirling turbulence like the example below.

This would be an example of an open air cooler. Because the fans are exposed and there is no shroud to deflect the airflow, the air swirls around the card and doesn't really go anywhere without the help of case fans.

 

[IkeaEraser]

Hey you need to get one of those clever things called a....laptop. Apparently, they are thin, have a built in cooling system. Amazingly, it even has a built in keyboard, mouse and screen.

The tinkering fun would be gone.

 

[IkeaEraser]

I just had the seed of an idea. There's a company called XION that makes really cheap cases. Why not get one of those and just cut out the motherboard tray. That way you could velcro the mobo tray to the keyboard tray, properly screw in the motherboard, and have an I/O shield. You could then just attach some clear acrylic or plastic to the edges of the tray for the left and right sides (you would need to make a cut for the I/O shield).

http://www.xionusa.com/index.asp

On the topic of cooling, I'll try to keep this simple. I recommend using a blower style card (the type of cooler seen on reference cards) so that it blows its heat away from the system. Have your fans blowing from right to left, matching the air direction from the GPU cooler.

That's a good idea! Saves me from any structural damage when removing/installing the velcro!

What did you mean for GPU cooler? Are you saying the aftermarket cooling systems that comes with a bracket to hold the GPU or the fan integrated with the GPU?
Any large fans/radiator unit that comes along will be mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. They will be blowing hot air downwards.

Sorry, I haven't read up sufficiently on cooling systems yet to have an informed discussion with you on that. apart from that, two-three 5mm fans on the front side to circulate air across the keyboard tray towards the back.

I do intend to have the GPU cooler mounted on the underside of the keyboard tray, next to the PSU. W

What I meant by GPU cooler is the ones that are built into the card.

This would be an example of a blower cooler. It intakes from near the motherboard and exhausts out the back of the card. These types of coolers are great for maintaining directional airflow because they don't cause swirling turbulence like the example below.

This would be an example of an open air cooler. Because the fans are exposed and there is no shroud to deflect the airflow, the air swirls around the card and doesn't really go anywhere without the help of case fans.

Thanks a bunch!
Do you have any advice on case materials or keeping it an ESD free environment?

 

[weberdarren97]

Hook an ESD mat to a place that will conduct a large amount of static. These include: large pieces of metal, the screws in the outlets in your walls (it may be hard to get the clip to grab onto a screw), any dedicated ground wires you may have run. Place everything you're working on onto the to mat. That should protect it from environmental ESD.

Now let's protect it from personal ESD. Get yourself an ESD wristband and hook the alligator clip to the mat once the mat is grounded.

Note that ESD wrist straps can also be had in iFixit kits. My personal favorite iFixit kit is now on sale on Newegg.