I'm planning to build a home office desk using a large study panel mounted on two filing cabinets for support. My gaming PC will be housed in one of the cabinets, and I'd prefer a design without a central support. I'm wondering what kind of wood would be strong enough for the panel since I want to avoid softwoods for this larger setup. Also, if anyone has suggestions for alternatives to using filing cabinets as legs, I'd love to hear them, as I don't want my PC sitting directly on the ground.
3 Answers
Just a heads-up, PCs can overheat when they're enclosed, making it hard to maintain them. You might want to think about that when planning your setup.
The best wood really depends on how big your desk will be. For a substantial width, I went with a custom butcher block countertop made from 2.5" thick walnut for my 12ft desk. If you're looking for alternatives, solid core doors can work great as tabletop surfaces. You can also check out Ikea for decent desktop options—they have some stylish tabletops!
How much did your butcher block end up costing, if you don't mind sharing?
I'm aiming for something around 70 inches wide and 2-2.5 inches thick, so that helps! I'll check out Lowes and IKEA for options.
Do you have an IKEA nearby? They actually sell units designed for hiding PCs, and they also offer a variety of desktop surfaces. I used a piece of 3/4" plywood for mine, and it turned out great. Just make sure to incorporate some cabinet fans for airflow! Don’t forget that an old door could also work if you’re going for a budget option.
If I skip the cabinet door and cut a portion out of the back for airflow, would I still need fans? My PC has about 5-6 inches of clearance, so it seems like it would get enough air.
I've got a liquid-cooled system, and I keep an eye on the temps. I'll do my best to make sure everything fits well!