You’re cooling your PC wrong. - PC in a Grow Tent
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Get 50% off (up to $200) your annual subscription when you sign up with Zoho Desk at: lmg.gg Get a workshop jacket: lttstore.com PCs create a lot of heat, so if you have a small gaming room it can get uncomfortably warm in the summer. Luckily we have a solution - a grow tent. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com CAD files coming on Monday, apologies. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:30 - Why this idea isn't all that dumb 2:03 - Tent assembly 4:22 - Window adapter machining 7:54 - Shop jacket 8:19 - A little burn 8:50 - Window adapter install 11:38 - Fan! 12:30 - Tent install 14:20 - The moment of truth 15:26 - Moonside! 16:06 - Outro
This video presents a playful yet technically grounded experiment: can a grow tent be used to cool a gaming PC during hot summer conditions? The creators walk through the motivation, outlining common cooling options like fans, windows, and air conditioners, and they explain why those may not be ideal in a small, heat-prone room. They choose the grow tent route to isolate the PC and control airflow, recognizing that a closed environment could trap heat but potentially allow directed cooling with a purpose-built exhaust. The build starts with selecting a $65 grow tent and preparing an external air intake and an exhaust path through a window adapter, which they design and machine with laser cutting and HDPE clamps. They document early assembly challenges, such as fitting the window adapter, aligning the acrylic panel, and dealing with tubing compatibility, reflecting a methodical, iterative approach. The team tests two runs: first with the tent unverified, then with the complete setup in operation, comparing room temperatures before and after enabling the cooling loop. In the final phase they install a six-inch exhaust fan, route air from the room through the tent and out the window, and reintroduce the PC to evaluate real-world performance, showing a notable drop in room temperature and a controlled thermal environment for gaming sessions. The conclusion emphasizes that the room becomes substantially cooler with the tent cooling solution, even as some individual components like the CPU saw only modest changes, underlining the broader success of isolating ambient heat and managing airflow for a better gaming experience.
Topics · diy project · hardware · technology · engineering · cooling solutions · cnc milling · laser cutting · 3d printing
Questions answered
- Why would a grow tent be considered for PC cooling in a small room?
- A grow tent was proposed to isolate the PC and control airflow, potentially enabling directed cooling while keeping heat confined away from the rest of the room.
- What temperature changes were observed during the test runs?
- During testing, the room temperature dropped notably after activating the exhaust, with the final observation showing the room cooling significantly, though some components like the CPU showed smaller changes depending on load.
- What were the main construction challenges and how were they addressed?
- Challenges included fitting a window adapter, aligning an acrylic panel, tubing compatibility, and securing airflow. They addressed these with laser-cut parts, HDPE clamps, epoxy-like fabrication steps, and iterative testing.
- Is this approach practical for typical setups and rooms?
- The approach demonstrates feasibility for specific room configurations and lighting constraints, but practicality depends on window structure, available space for a tent, noise tolerance, and the risk of dust or light leakage.