Building a wood case.

[Shappo]

Hey all,

For my major project for high school, I'm deciding to build a HTPC case.

Before I consider doing any planning of it.

What are some factors I need to consider with a wooden PC case?
(Like grounding, heat etc..)

Any tips, suggestions are highly appreciated

 

[Outlander_04]

air flow and cooling .

vibration

emf shielding . alumina foil lining should be plenty to create a faraday cage similar to a metal case .

heat cycling on the wood might cause splitting . Consider using plywood and laminating real wood on to that .

 

[Shappo]

So your saying I should cover the inside with aluminium foil?

 

[Paperdoc]

Outlander_04 is right on all counts. Although you don't see it, ALL computer cases (even those with plastic cases) have conductive internal coatings to be sure they acts a "metallic" grounded cages. This does two jobs - keeps external noise signals out of your computer, AND prevents you computer from broadcasting its own noise around the area and interfering with other equipment.

For vibration, consider mounting major components (or sub-assemblies like disk cages) to the main frame using rubber grommets. Also look at rubber or felt feet for the case. Your simplest approach may be to use some commercially-available case from which you can remove the entire exterior shell, leaving the internal metal frame and component mounting system. Then you'll have all the electronics properly connected to a common Ground to eliminate noise and static. But you'll still need to provide the EMF shielding that was formerly part of the exterior shell you removed.