Member Avatar for jptmemphis

I would like to separate the components in my computer. I want have all the components normally accessed from the front of the computer (DVD drives, Floppy Drives, SD/MMC, memory cards, Power Button) in a box above my desk for easy access. I would like to have all of the items that are accessed from the back of the computer to be below my desk.

I need the cases to separate the components. I need to know where to find these items and specifically what to ask for.

If there are any Dos and Donts I would like to hear those as well. I will appreciate any responses.

Pat Taylor

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A practical checklist and pitfalls for splitting the "front" bits from the main chassis. wants easy desk access; and already pointed out that it is doable but needs planning. The notes below name the parts and the questions to take to a parts shop, and give safe, test-first steps to avoid surprises.

What to ask for at the shop:

  • a 5.25-inch bay face panel or slim bay enclosure that provides card slots and front I/O for desktop mounting (fits a standard drive bay)
  • a bay-mounted module or removable drive cage if you want hot-swappable storage on the desk
  • a front-panel extension harness (power/reset/LED) so the switch/LEDs live on the desk while the header stays on the motherboard
  • shielded, rated cable extenders or active repeaters for any data link that must run longer than the interface’s recommended length
  • a grommet/strain-relief kit for clean, safe cable pass-through through the desk

Do this — and avoid that:

  • Do map every item to the signals it needs (power, data, LED, eject). That tells you exactly what extension cable or module is required.
  • Do test boot and OS recognition before final mounting. Some external-style modules behave differently at boot.
  • Do preserve ventilation and keep the PSU and motherboard chassis under the desk if possible.
  • Don’t use long, unshielded cable runs for high-speed links; use active extenders when needed.
  • Don’t bundle power and sensitive data cables together; keep runs tidy and secured.

Simple workflow

  1. Inventory what must be desk-top accessible and list required connectors. 2) Buy the appropriate bay modules and purpose-made extension harnesses. 3) Temporarily route and test everything (power, boot, transfer) before final mounting. For interface cable-length and connector guidance see the Serial ATA and Parallel ATA specifications: Serial ATA and Parallel ATA.

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

You're going to need a system custom built to order to achieve what you're setting out to do. You're effectively 'splitting' the system in half, and that will require specialised housings for components, and custom built cabling to connect the two 'halves' of your system.

Why not simply fit castors to your desk, as I've done. Makes for much easier access to rear connectors!

Member Avatar for TallCool1

I would like to separate the components in my computer. I want have all the components normally accessed from the front of the computer (DVD drives, Floppy Drives, SD/MMC, memory cards, Power Button) in a box above my desk for easy access. I would like to have all of the items that are accessed from the back of the computer to be below my desk.

What you are asking can be done, but will be relatively expensive. The case "above" the desk could be more like a rack, containing external drives that can be connected by long cables, such as SCSI, USB, and FireWire interfaces. Another possibility would be to stack the external drives with Velcro. This type of drive can often cost as much as twice as much as an internal drive--and it's sometimes tricky to boot from a USB floppy, though USB card-readers are pretty cheap. I don't have any experience as to how well a FireWire DVD drive handles video.

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