Custom Case / Desk Wood

[smackababy]

So, after selling my old desk before I moved across the country (too lazy to disassemble the monstrosity and stuff it in my car), I am finally caving to getting a real desk and giving my GF her folding table back.

She did agree to let me build a case / desk though and now I get to have some fun!

So, I have a question concerning the wood used. Would there be any noticeable difference (or is there any) in the thermal properties of the different types of wood?

Also, are extenders for PSUs any good? I am debating putting a slot loading DVD drive up on the top of the desk for easy access. I know the SATA wouldn't be a problem, but running the power will require some type of extender.

Oh, and of course, the entire thing will be water cooled. >_> Probably gonna pick up a MO-RA and really have some fun with this build.

 

[Vectronic]

Considering you won't be mounting components directly to the wood (ie: it's not going to touch the heatsinks, etc)... thermal properties of the wood wouldn't be much of a concern, but obviously heavier wood would transfer heat more quickly, and retain it longer.

You shouldn't mount anything directly to the frame of the desk... like hard drives, etc... they should be on a platter/stand-off, even if that's made of wood... because of the thermal expansion/transfer/etc... it will warp, and degrade the strength... one day something bumps against it, goes right through.

Extending the 4 pin molex is easy, I don't know what the limits would be, but for peripheral devices it shouldn't matter you could probably extend it 20 feet with no difference.

 

[smackababy]

I didn't think the wood would have too much of a concern, but I wanted to make sure. I take it the finish (either paint or a varnish / stain) probably wouldn't make any difference either right?

I didn't mean to imply I was going to mount it anything directly to wood. I'd install a 5.25" mounting bracket most likely, and simply shroud it within the desk. I am not sure how I want to do that just yet (and that really depends on the slot loader I end up getting).

 

[Vectronic]

Yeah paint/varnish wouldn't make a difference. In fact you would probably be better off varnishing in the interior as well, it will help keep the air/dust moving inside... and be easier to clean the spots where dust might gather. (obviously make sure it's well dry before installation, the vapors could damage stuff)

 

[jaedaliu]

Just make sure you have some air flow through the computer. Even with water cooling taking most of the heat dissipation outside the desk, your motherboard is going to produce enough heat to warp the wood if you don't have some venting.