Artistic PC Mods

Something I've become interested in recently is optimizing living space.  A basic example, why have a room dedicated to computers, monitors, scanners, faxes, etc?  Instead of buying a monitor why not buy a more expensive TV that has the resolution I need and use that as my monitor?  Especially considering I can't use the computer in one room and watch TV in another room at the same time.

The challenge in this type of a situation is how to hide/integrate your electronics.  The computer will overheat if you shove it in an enclosed space but also is cluttered looking if you shove it next to your entertainment center.

Presently, I'm looking into three different solutions that I wanted to share and I'd be interested to know if anyone does these and how they turn out.

1. Functional Computer Wall Art:  Ditch the case and mount your computer components to a piece of colored peg board or plywood.  Layout the components so its visually interesting (artistic) but also so everything is connected and functional.  Maybe add some lighting or other dramatic effect to have a functional one of a kind piece of art.  With something like this you could mount it above your TV or on a wall and cleverly run cables in a neat and orderly manner.

2. Computer Table: Build your computer into a coffee table or something such that you can use the table as a table but when needed it holds your keyboard, mouse, and computer components required to run.  If you have a flat panel you could mount it horizontally under a transparent acrylic table top.  If done, I would try and make the components (like the wall art) look interesting.

3. Submerged Computer:  I've been thinking about but its a little expensive to setup.  Basically you take a small fish tank (about 5-6 gallons) and mount your computer components inside.  Instead of water you use mineral oil, which is non-conductive.  The mineral oil serves to draw heat from the computer components and well as give an appearance, well, an aquarium.

Most plans you'll see for this on the internet (and I agree with) state that you should only submerge the motherboard and its accessories.  Hard drives and other optical drives should be mounted behind or in the light housing on top of the tank.  Both types of drives rely on high RPM rotation to work properly and the mineral oil would cause them to spin too slowly.  While a hard drive should be sealed well enough to be submerged its not recommended.  A solid state drive, however, will not have any problems.

One thing you'll notice in such a setup is that the fans will spin slowly due to the friction of the mineral oil.  No worries as the oil is what is absorbing the heat now so the fans really offer more of a visual appeal than anything.  You could also use a pump an add bubbles to the aquarium too.  

I've been contemplating a design where a smaller tank is submerged in the bigger tank but with water so I could put a fish or two in it.  That way it woul really look like a real aquarium despite being two separate things.  My concern, however, is if water starts leaking and/or spills into the other tank.  Zap!

Final word of warning on these mineral oil tanks as well... the mineral oil has a tendency to wick so over time you'd start finding oil dripping from your mouse,keyboard,etc.  The best solution is to make sure the ports are out of the oil solution and using a wireless setup.