Computer Ventilation and Desk

Jesse Williams · 06 Jul 2017

On Saturday, I am getting an Antique Roll Top Desk for my Computer Room. I will be taking the old desk and will be putting it in my room, since I need more desk space.

As you all know, a Roll Top Desk has a top that opens and closes. If I put my tower and monitor on this desk, and close the top, will it cause ventilation issues for the computer? I will only be closing the top when the computer is turned off.

Any help would be appreciated!

P.S. I know this question is a little odd to ask.

spunk · 06 Jul 2017

The only time you need to worry about good ventilation is when the computer is turned on. If it is off, it will not overheat because, it's not on.

CountMike · 07 Jul 2017

Jesse Williams said:

On Saturday, I am getting an Antique Roll Top Desk for my Computer Room. I will be taking the old desk and will be putting it in my room, since I need more desk space.

As you all know, a Roll Top Desk has a top that opens and closes. If I put my tower and monitor on this desk, and close the top, will it cause ventilation issues for the computer? I will only be closing the top when the computer is turned off.

Any help would be appreciated!

P.S. I know this question is a little odd to ask.

Yes, it probably will (when it's on even at idle) if you are talking about a desktop computer. Laptops on the other hand produce less heat but are also more susceptible to heat.

spunk · 07 Jul 2017

Yes, it probably will (when it's on even at idle)

we are not talking about Idle, we are talking about being powered on, or being powered off. Not sleep, hibernate or idle. So, if the desktop computer is powered off, not idle, it will not need ventilation.

CountMike · 07 Jul 2017

spunk said:

we are not talking about Idle, we are talking about being powered on, or being powered off. Not sleep, hibernate or idle. So, if the desktop computer is powered off, not idle, it will not need ventilation.

Well duh, I thought it would be pretty logical that he's not asking about it's state when not running but only when left running a program and using some resources and so produces heat. It's not a live thing to need fresh air to breathe.

Jesse Williams · 07 Jul 2017

Guys, I was just asking if it needed ventilation when I shut it down and close the top. I just didn't know how this worked. It's a Desktop.

Frozenoem1 · 07 Jul 2017

My rolltop is unhappy with desktop anywhere but, beneath the center drawer, in the kneewell. Even when idle power off, heat is still generated.

Stick it on a power strip and kill all when leaving it.

The monitor shouldn't be an issue, there is some breathing room in the canvas backer of oak slats (tambour) at least if it truly is old oak roll top.

Since not all roll tops are created equal, suggest checking it after 8 hours for heat build-up or just stick a thermometer in it.

Jesse Williams · 07 Jul 2017

Jesse Williams · 08 Jul 2017

That's it.

Jesse Williams · 08 Jul 2017

Frozenoem1 said:

My rolltop is unhappy with desktop anywhere but, beneath the center drawer, in the kneewell. Even when idle power off, heat is still generated.

Stick it on a power strip and kill all when leaving it.

The monitor shouldn't be an issue, there is some breathing room in the canvas backer of oak slats (tambour) at least if it truly is old oak roll top.

Since not all roll tops are created equal, suggest checking it after 8 hours for heat build-up or just stick a thermometer in it.

I didn't understand what you were saying? Can you verify what you are saying when you mentioned the power strip and how your Roll Top doesn't agree with your desktop.