So you’ve snagged yourself a new PC, and now you have to figure out where to put it. Many desktops may be too big for your desk, so what then? What’s best – PC on your desk or PC under your desk? And is it a good idea to keep a computer on the floor?
In most cases, having your PC on the desk is your best bet. Keeping a PC under a desk puts your computer in danger of overheating. However, it’s possible to keep your PC under the desk with the proper accommodations and cleaning.
So, now you probably know whether to keep your PC on the floor or desk! If you’re interested in finding out more, keep reading! In the rest of this article, I’ll go over the best ways to maintain your PC, keeping it clean and cool whether you’ve got it on the floor or on a desk.
Why should I keep my PC on the desk?
The answer to this question is quite simple: air flow! If your PC is on an elevated surface (on your desk or a table, for example), it’s less likely to encounter large amounts of dust or debris, which float to the floor.
In addition to this, many PC cases have bottom-mounted fans, and having those fans directly above a dusty floor will spell bad news for your airflow and internal components. Though these cases have small feet to elevate the fans off the ground and promote airflow, dust will make short work of these parts.
Your PC will be exposed to more dust on the floor. The fans on your PC are pulling in and expelling air to cool the components, and during that process, they’ll pull in dust from the environment. Since dust sinks and accumulates on the floor, your PC fans will pull in more of it if it isn’t on an elevated surface.
Just try and avoid putting your PC on a desk mat, that can cause problems as I detail here.
Why Is Dust A Bad Thing For Your PC?
The components inside your PC are working hard and running hot. There must be a way to expel this heat to keep the parts cool, so most PCs have fans to keep air flowing throughout the case and over the components like your CPU and GPU.
If dust clogs these fans, airflow will be reduced, and your PC could be in danger of overheating.
Even discounting these extreme circumstances, hot components will run less efficiently while you’re working or gaming, negatively impacting your PC experience. That’s why I very strongly recommend getting a desk big enough for your monitors and your PC if you plan on doing intensive jobs. And why I recommend these desks for video editing and similarly computationally taxing tasks.
Under chronic heat stress, the components in your PC will also fail faster than if they were maintained at an optimal temperature.
If your PC is already dusty and you are worried about the consequences here is a video on how you can clean your PC to increase it’s longevity.
Can I keep My PC On Carpet?
Though most PC cases have feet to keep them elevated, it’s not enough to generate good airflow through a carpeted floor. A thick carpet can block airflow in and out of your PC, generating heat.
Carpet also traps heat, which exacerbates the issue! A thick carpet can also hold much more dust than a flat surface.
Additionally, if your PC sinks into the carpet over time, it can become even worse, with less room for air to move.
If keeping your PC on a carpet is your only option, consider using a small, flat platform on top of the carpet, like a wide stool, stand, end table, or even just a piece of flat wood. This will keep the fans off the carpet, encouraging airflow. However, the solutions discussed later will be better alternatives for the health of your PC.
I Don’t Have Room On My Desk – How Can I Keep My PC Off The Floor?
Good question! You don’t want your desk on the floor. But if your desk is lacking in real estate for a desktop PC, there are a few excellent solutions.
- Buy an end table
- Mount your PC under your desk
- Place your PC on a rolling stand
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End Table
If you need more desk space, you can always purchase another table! A simple end table can do the trick quite nicely. This keeps your PC off the ground, allowing for better airflow without having to shell out for a whole new desk.
Mount Your PC
You can purchase special “CPU holders” to attach to the underside of your desk that can hold your PC off the ground. If you’re installing this yourself, be extra sure that it’s adequately attached before using it! Once your PC is snugly inside, it’ll be a great way to save desk space. This option is also excellent for standing desks that may have to change in height.
Rolling Stand
Like the end table, a rolling stand is great for keeping your PC off the ground and away from tons of dust. However, it also has the added benefit of mobility! If you need to move your PC tower around a workshop or to different stations, this can work wonders!
