Wood vs Metal PC Temperatures - Does it matter??

[@rundymc]

Glad you tested this, I never understood the concern. Even theoretically it doesn't make sense. Metal will be "better" but insignificantly so. The conducted thermal pathway is components->air->panel->air. The first "air" is the air in the case... which is ventilated, reducing the temp delta. On top of that, you have the thermal resistance involved in the air->panel->air transitions. Long story short, case material is a minor factor when it comes to thermal performance. Airflow is by and large the most important variable. I'd only really consider it as a factor if I had really high case temperatures (maybe a Velka 3-like design).

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Thanks for watching!

[@TylerDurden-up8hz]

The issue is not the material, the size of the enclosure is the real deal, a bigger case means better the temps.

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Indeed bigger case usually mean better temps. But that was not the point of the video. It was to address the many comments implying that just because a case it made from wood the temperatures would be higher.

[@tcttvradio]

the issue is the material in a fire, the pc has to brick and start pouring out the magic smoke first then you run your test. Its like testing seatbelts in a car without crashing the car into a wall for goodness sake..

[@gaygekko]

I remember back when I built my first PC 6 years ago and I made a wooden case for it, all my friends kept telling me it would be bad for thermals and would be a fire hazard 😂. I'm using 4 140mm Noctua NF-A14 fans and an AIO for my CPU and I've literally never had any issues with thermals. I would be more concerned with dust build-up catching fire than solid teak wood, it would need to be hundreds of degrees before the wood would ignite!

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Good on you!

[@tcttvradio]

it is a fire risk when it is on fire, testing thermals is irrelevant. Test it on fire beside a metal pc on fire and see what does more damage. I was hoping he was intelligent enough to line the wood with a fireproof product like metal.

[@gaygekko]

@@tcttvradio That's ridiculous "it's a fire risk when it's on fire" buddy if it's on fire it's already too late, it doesn't matter what your PC is made of if it's literally burning. Any PC can burn, because plastic CAN burn and PCs are made of PCBs that are plastic. If it's on fire it doesn't matter, it's too late either way. Considering what the likelihood of a fire starting is, is much more important, because if there is zero risk of a fire starting then you don't need to worry about what would happen if a fire breaks out, because it's not gonna.

[@FrIoSrHy]

This was a question I had with your initial build of this PC, Nice to see it answered

[@DaDirtyPanda]

Dang my man just told the haters to stfu. 😂 Standing on business

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Haha no no it's all in the name of science

[@harryhalfmoon]

Just like the previous build... a piece of art and a joy to watch. Thank you!

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@djinghiskhan9199]

I got wood hearing your results

[@mxcbuilds6633]

🤣

[@BrownR87]

This is interesting, I have plans for a wood based sff PC case in the future but thermal insulation never occurred to me. I had likewise assumed airflow was far more important. For a wood case I've always been more interested in things like grounding and whether things like the motherboard standoffs being insulated would affect anything. Also, what kinds of finish will not off gas anything that could leave residue on components over time.

[@mxcbuilds6633]

I have yet to experience issues with grounding (I use bluetooth speakers and wireless mouse/keyboard). I use hardware oils and they do not give off any smell after curing

[@concinnus]

I had an ITX Mobo and GPU screwed into the bottom face of the top of a wooden desk for over a year. No issues with grounding or EMI.

[@KelvinWutheringWaves]

You can try to make a wood case that similar to metal case with same spec and do a stress test... I think that will show more detail and also support your though. Hope to see this!

[@mxcbuilds6633]

I think this test is enough for my uses

[@monstarskids]

the problem isn't the heat, by using metal, the computer will turn off if a short circuit occurs. while wood will catch you on fire. but rarely happens with modern components.. u can use thin metal layer before you apply the wood/plastic or make sure to connecting your cable nice and tight for safety

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Thanks for watching :)

[@TimberRough]

I have one more question)) I am afraid that with time wooden case will bend or screw a bit, because of changing temperature and heat, wood not so stable as metal, what do you think? Please continue what are you doing, I really love your work and mix of wood and hi tech.

[@Adam-Madman]

Well, it depends... What type of wood, how thick/thin, if it's dry enough, constant temperature and humidity in the room is very important and so on... Furniture can last for centuries. I would not be worried as long as you use good materials and don't travel around a world with your wooden pc 😉

[@mxcbuilds6633]

I haven't had issues with bending, but I did have an issue sliding out the mother board tray of one my old cases. I think the wood expanded enough to squeeze the tray in the middle preventing me from sliding it out. I would recommend providing a healthy tolerance for parts that require sliding if you are going to attempt this yourself (~1mm)

[@Garage_gg]

Wood you ever try integrating acrylic into your builds?

[@mxcbuilds6633]

I have actually. This one has acrylic slats. Check it out :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooaplISXf8-Gj6c

[@003thezg3]

I have a question, I plan to DIY a 6L Aluminum case but my friend says I should not because I would be expensive and aluminum is conductive so It could ruins my components If I was not careful. Would non conductive paint fix the problem ?

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Please note I have no experience making cases using aluminium, but I will provide my opinion anyways. 1. Making a case DIY is almost surely going to cost more than something you can buy. Unless you have scrap material and all the correct tools already. 2. Aluminium /conductive material is frequently used for PC cases with no issues. You just have to make sure the PCB of the components will not accidentally touch the case in any way. 3. While non conductive paint may help, if the parts in your case are rubbing against the aluminium constantly, it will eventually rub off the paint layer and cause issues. So it would be best to ensure your design won't allow for the contact in the first place. Hope that helps, best of luck!

[@User-83js7vaby]

And here i am, wondering if the temps with wood are higher after watching your newest video haha

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Thanks for checking this out

[@minuteproof3713]

what type of wood is more flxable for curving

[@mxcbuilds6633]

The softer the wood, the easier to bend. Other than that, I haven't done enough testing with different species to be able to give an accurate answer. Sorry!

[@dorians4043]

What stress test do you use?

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Furmark and it's CPU burner

[@Flapdr01]

I have a mostly wooden case too. Metal would be better for fireproofing and EMI though.

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Indeed

[@Re4binder]

what software do you use for your 3d models

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Fusion360

[@alnahid7698]

please make a small wooden matx case, like asus prime ap201

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Will consider, thanks for the suggestion 😃

[@VDubbi23]

Hey! Just wondering if you would do a project if paid for by a subscriber?

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Haven't done so before, it'll have to be a very interesting project and for the right price. Send me what you might have in mind on IG and we can discuss

[@lexierimes123]

Very informative 👏

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Glad you think so! ❤️

[@phillspencer]

Show’em daddy

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Hahahaha

[@maxv1455]

Не корректный пример! В данном примере приложив к корпусу деревянные панели, ты не убрал фольгу! А она сработала как тепловой экран! В своих же проектах корпусов из дерева ты не используешь фольгу! А также делать выводы только на основании датчиков температуры системы тоже не корректно! Например... измерь температуру системы вообще без корпуса - температура будет такой же как и в любом корпусе! Хоть в деревянном, хоть в металлическом! Разница будет только в скорости вращения кулеров, ведь они и работают для поддержания определенной "рабочей" температуры системы! Вообще лично мне было бы интересно увидеть у тебя на канале что-то интереснее чем просто стандартные корпуса... Дерево настолько пластичный материал... как насчет построить деревянный корпус в виде песочных часов и без кулеров вообще? Чтобы система работала на принципах естественной термодинамики, а компьютер был абсолютно бесшумным за счет полного отсутствия вращающихся элементов! Я такие системы строил еще 15 лет назад, но в обычных корпусах... а как насчет корпуса как скульптуры?

[@mxcbuilds6633]

Wouldn't the 'heatshield' make it even worse for temperatures if the case material mattered? It just further proves my point that it doesn't matter what material the case is made from as long as there is proper air flow, the temperatures will be the same. As for your second paragraph I don't quite understand, maybe it's lost in translation. But I did mention that I locked the fan speeds of all the components so that the air flow over the parts are constant in both testing. So the fans do not 'speed up' to keep the part temperatures constant. I suggest you rewatch the video carefully. Thanks!

[@maxv1455]

@@mxcbuilds6633 Видимо да... при переводе часть информации теряется! Про фиксированную скорость вращения мне ничего не перевели!) Моё утверждение основывается как раз на том же... что материал корпуса не важен при достаточном доступе воздуха!) Вопрос лишь в том как поведет себя дерево с течением времени от одностороннего нагрева и постоянного воздушного потока! Но лично меня это вообще не интересует!) Я не вижу смысла в замене металлического корпуса на деревянный только ради самого используемого материала! Достоинств или преимуществ в этом нет! Поэтому я и предложил тебе подумать над скульптурой! Но видимо тебя это не интересует... дело твоё!)