Whether it be forbetter coolingoraesthetics, the best place to put your PC ison top of your desk. In fact, that’s the literal meaning of the term‘desktop’!
Even if your desk has a limited space, it’s wise to place it somewhere elevated. This way, your PC will haveproper airflowand the internal componentswon’t overheat.
You may utilize aseparate table, purchase adedicated shelf, or evenmount it on the wall.
Placing your PC on the floor isn’t a bad idea either. You just have to make surethere’s proper ventilation,and thesurface doesn’t accumulate too much dust. But this calls forfrequent PC and workspace cleaning.
In this article, I’ll brief you on the best spots to place any rig. Also, I have provided some handy tips if you’re thinking of placing your PC case on the floor.
On Top of Your Desk
Anyone with a big workspace (especially users withcurved desks) should definitely place their PC on top. The main reason for this isoptimal airflow.
It also mattershow well you position your PC. It’s best that youleave enough space at the backso the hot air can escape properly and there’s no cable clutter on the desk.
PC on top of the desk also lets more hot air dissipate from the top (if your case has vents). No doubt, it’s thebest position for cooling!
you may even show off your high-end components, andwith RGB lights, your setup looksaesthetically pleasing.
Not to forget that accessing themotherboard portsbecomes much easier. But along comes therisk ofaccidental spills and fallover.
You also don’t need to worry about excessive dust accumulation. This calls forcleaning your PCand componentsless often. But it does vary on other factors, like how dusty your room gets, whether you own a pet, too humid room, etc.
Use a Separate Shelf/Table/Stand
The major issue with most users is limited desk space. If you’re going to place the PC on top of the table, it will appear too bulky and there’s more risk of falling over.
Don’t put your PC on the floor or purchase an expensive desk immediately! A better and more budget idea is to go for a separate table/stand that’ssturdy enough to handle its weight.
This way, you even retain the advantages ofproper airflow,cooling, andless dust buildupof placing the PC on a desk.
you may getdedicated tower stands or shelvesfor PC cases. My personal favorite is therolling stands with wheels.
Instead of purchasing one, our team has gone for aDIY stand. We can now keep the PC case somewhere below the desk,ensuring it’s elevatedand not placed directly on the floor.
Evenreaching the ports is much easieras we can move it back and forth. If we had gone for a separate table or shelf, reaching the cables would have been more difficult.
One thing you need to sacrifice is aesthetics.Cable managementcan also be a little tricky. You mightrequire longer cablesdepending on how far your PC is placed.
Wall Mount Your PC
This is a bit difficult approach but an excellent location to achieve better cooling, airflow, and aesthetics. In fact, mounting the PC is one of the best options for users who havesecond thoughts on getting a case.
Along withappropriate skills, it also takesa lot more time to set up. Even with so much effort, there’s arisk ofphysical damage, the setuprequires frequent cleaning, andmaintaining and upgrading componentscan be challenging.
Clearly, this is applicable mostly to enthusiasts. If you’re ready to put in extra effort, I can assure you that mounting the PC on your wall won’t disappoint you.
Utilize Desk Cabinet the Right Way
Some oldcomputer desks come with a separate cabinetfor placing your PC. There aregrommet holesthat make cable management a breeze and even prevent accidental kicks and knocks.
If you have an oldPC case that isn’t aesthetically pleasingand youcrave more desk space, the cabinet is a worthy location for sure.
However, thePC’s rear end gets blockedwhichaffects the overall airflow. It’s alsodifficult to access the I/O panel.
So, is it a mistake placing the PC in the desk cabinet?Not exactly, if the backside of the cabinet has enough space for airflow.
In case your cabinet doesn’t have a hole, I highly recommenddrilling it on your own.
Also, ensure to position the desk in such a way thathot air can escape properlyfrom the back. You should also be able to access the ports from behind.
Placing PC on Floor? Keep These Things in Mind
If your PC case doesn’t add any aesthetic value or you just wish to keep the PC away from your working space, placing it on the flooris fine.
However, the dust and pet hair can get trapped inside the chassismuch faster. That’s because the floor tends to accumulate most dust in any room.
The low pressure around the intake fans createsnegative pressure inside the chassis, which attracts more dust. That’s the reason most professionals never advise placing your PC on the floor.
Modern cases come withnon-slip rubber feetthat slightly elevate the height. If you have a similar casing, placing your PC on the floor won’t have adverse effects.
Whether your room is parqueted, laminated, or has linoleum flooring, the risk is much reduced than the one with carpet. That’s becausecarpets gather more dustandstatic electricity.
To prevent all these,placeawooden board/plank underneath. Also, clean your surroundings and the PCevery single weekorat least once a month.
Not to forget that you mightaccidentally kick the PC case, which leads to scratches or even knock it down, damaging the components within.
ensure there’senough legroomfor yourself. Place the PC case out of the desk enclosure (away from your feet) if you have to.
