One of the computer aspects that is often overlooked is where to put the computer tower, whether on the desk, under the table, or even near the window.
Today, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can put a computer tower in a cabinet.
So, Can You Put A Computer Tower In A Cabinet?
The short answer is yes! You can put the computer tower inside of a cabinet. In fact, the popular office cabinet design today is to put your computer tower in a cabinet. However, this is only possible if there is proper ventilation. It is vital to ensure enough ventilation and sufficient airflow in the cabinet so that the computer does not overheat.
If the cabinet is airtight, the computer may heat up, and while it might or might not hurt the computer over time, it is a bad practice.
Heat is not good for electronics; that is why computers have case fans, CPU fans, and hard drive fans. So, it is ok to put a computer tower in a cabinet if it has enough space for cool and fresh air or you keep the door open.
If you put your computer sitting in a cabinet, you should make sure that the cabinet is open to enable cool fresh air to get in while in use.
If this is not possible, you should consider cutting a hole in the bottom and back of the cabinet and install fans to the holes. The back will suck cool air, and the hot air is pushed out from the bottom.
How Can Heat Affect PC Performance?
Heat is an unavoidable byproduct of computer hardware operation.
However, too much heat may slow down your pc system.
If the temperature of the CPU rises too high, it triggers a mechanism that decreases performance to prevent the processor from getting damaged.
The CPUs have a dynamic frequency scaling feature, a safety mechanism that protects the processor from damage by reducing the performance.
This mechanism occurs automatically without the need for manual adjustment.
However, a better option for you is to keep the CPU sufficiently cool and prevent the mechanism from being triggered for maximum PC performance.
Nine Tips to Increase Proper Airflow in Your Computer Cabinet
Maintaining sufficient airflow in your computer cabinet is essential for your computer and other components.
Otherwise, the temperatures of your computer components, such as the motherboard, CPU hard disk, graphics card, etc., can increase to levels that might damage them with time.
To avoid this, the cabinet should have good air circulation in which colder fresh air comes in, and hotter air moves out. Some of the ways to enhance proper airflow in your PC cabinet.
1. Remove Any Obstacles To Good Airflow
The easiest thing to keep your pc from overheating in a cabinet is removing any obstacles that can inhibit proper airflow.
Ensure that nothing is sitting against either side of the computer, especially the rear side where most of the hot air from the computer flows out.
Ensure there are about three inches of open air space on either side and the back is clear without any obstruction. Also, ensure the cabinet door is not closed all day to allow in some cool air.
2. Mount Front Intake Fan
One of the mistakes lots of people commit is skipping to install an intake fan in the cabinet.
Installing an intake fan at the bottom-front of your PC cabinet blows fresh and cool air inside the cabinet, which plays a significant role in achieving a good airflow.
Therefore, if your cabinet has no intake fan, it is recommendable to get one installed in your cabinet to keep your computer performing optimally without overheating.
3. Install More Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans are used to remove the hot air produced in the cabinet to the outside.
The hot air results from the heat produced by major computer components, including the graphics card, SMPS, CPU, motherboard, and hard disk.
Exhaust fans are usually situated at the top or middle of the backside of the cabinet.
You can consider installing two or more exhaust fans if your cabinet has extra space for installation or you are not getting excellent results from the already installed fan.
4. Manage The Cables Properly
Another way of enhancing proper airflow in the cabinet is proper cable management.
Tie the cables going to a similar destination together to prevent them from blocking the airflow.
You can tie the cables using plastic wires, cable braiding, spiral wrap, or another piece of cable that you are not using.
This is what is known as cable management and has an essential role in getting proper airflow as well as hiding them from the public view.
5. Mount Side Fans
You can also consider installing a side fan to the removable cabinet’s side panel.
It is recommendable to install an intake side fan to help blow air to your computer components inside the cabinet for enhanced performance.
The size of the size fan will depend on the number of vents available on the side panel.
6. Maintain Proper Cleanliness
It is essential to keep the cabinet clean both from the inside and even externally.
This will also help to prevent dust accumulation in your computer components which is good for proper functionality.
You can use a damp cloth to clean the external surface of the cabinet and an air blower to clean the inside.
Ensure you regularly blow off the dirt and dust settled inside, particularly on the power supply, fans, and cabinet corners.
7. Avoid Covering It
Alternatively, you can reduce the probability of your computer tower overheating when operating inside a cabinet by not covering it when in operation mode.
Keeping the covers off when not using the PC helps to maintain proper airflow and ventilation.
8. Use Mid Or Full Tower Cabinet
If you have a slim or mini-tower cabinet, you should get a mid-tower or full tower cabinet for your computer.
Slim or mini-tower cabinets lack sufficient internal space, which results in poor airflow.
Mid or full tower cabinets will provide your pc with sufficient room to breathe, and the fact that new cabinets feature a better power supply, fans and can accommodate larger hardware.
9. Give the PC some rest
Most individuals keep their computers running the whole day even when they aren’t using them.
If this is your case, you should not be surprised that your computer experiences much overheating.
To avoid this, you should shut down your pc a few times a day to cool off when you are taking a short break and when you get to bed.
You can also consider adjusting your computer settings into low power consumption mode to produce lesser heat.
Conclusion
In general, you can put a computer tower in a cabinet.
However, keep in mind that the cabinet can heavily affect airflow, especially if it is closed or lacks proper ventilation, which leads to overheating.
So if you consider putting your computer tower in a cabinet, ensure it has sufficient ventilation. I
f you have these things under control and the cabinet has proper airflow, there is no problem putting your computer tower in a cabinet.
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References
Putting my Pc in a cabinet safe?-tom’s HARDWARE