HTPC in enclosed home theater cabinet?
#1
Looking to build my first HTPC

Quick question - Are any of the recommended builds able to function OK heat wise if they are in an enclosed area? basically my TV stand has 2 cabinets underneath it with doors - Would any HTPC function OK in an enclosed area like this? Or would airflow be an issue?
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#2
Lots of tips here: http://lifehacker.com/5619746/how-to-bui...ent-center

Your cabinet is essentially a case, so you need to create some airflow. Shouldn't be as tough as how Lifehacker did it, but that gives you a clue. Unless you are putting it in a case and then the case inside the cabinet. Then you probably still need somewhere for air to escape the cabinet.
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#3
I would think that as long as mentioned above, the cabinet isn't a completely sealed unit, it should be fine provided you have a well ventilated case with decent airflow passing through it.
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#4
This is the TV Stand I have:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pinnacle+Des...Id=9985441

I would be putting the HTPC inside one of the closed door. Would this be possible?
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#5
I don't see why not.

There is already a hole in the back. Maybe you can put a little fan there?
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#6
There is a website for everything: http://www.coolerguys.com/cabinetcooling.html

There are also USB-powered external fans that if you have some skills you could fit to the back of your stand/cabinet.
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#7
I would most certainly put a fan in there.. may even make the hole larger and place a 200mm in. One other thign to be wary of is vibration. I had a fridn do something similar and a little hum from his drives ended up being reverberated throughout the cabinet, adn was actually pretty lound. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep it quite.
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HTPC in enclosed home theater cabinet?0