Kodi Community Forum

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?

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.

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.

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?

I don't see why not.

There is already a hole in the back. Maybe you can put a little fan there?

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.

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.