Tired of clutter? When you want high performance without sacrificing aesthetic appeal, some creators turn to engineering their own solutions. Enter Zac Builds, who recently tackled the challenge of hiding a powerful desktop PC in plain sight—not just behind the television, but cleverly integrated into their living room setup.
Instead of a simple hiding spot, Zac Builds decided to elevate the concept by attaching the computer to a high-powered fan. The foundation of this ingenious project was a Dreo 519S Tower Fan, which provided both the perfect camouflage and a significant advantage for system cooling.
The goal wasn’t just concealment; it was optimization. By leveraging the fan’s powerful airflow, Zac Builds transformed a simple hiding spot into an active cooling system. To achieve this, they began by taking apart the AtomMan G7 PT mini-PC to take precise measurements and design custom components.
The engineering process involved 3D printing heavy-duty brackets that mated the PC’s base to the fan, carefully guiding the essential airflow through the system. The initial plan for the mounting base was a flat sheet of plastic with standoffs; however, the final iteration incorporated strategic cutouts to maximize air circulation.
The real innovation came in the external casing. Zac Builds designed and printed custom face plates that served multiple functions. These plates not only protected the components but were engineered specifically to ensure efficient heat dissipation. They even incorporated vent holes over the heatsink, ensuring that the powerful fan’s air could actually cool the machine effectively.
Further refining the design, they realized a simple arrangement of face plates created a gap that allowed unwanted air seepage. So, for a second, more refined iteration, they merged these components into a single unit and added additional vents, pushing the boundaries of how the airflow could interact with the hardware.
To finalize the stealth setup, the team addressed the power supply. They designed and printed a base that cleverly concealed the power brick, routing the necessary cables directly into the fan’s housing—eliminating any unsightly wires dangling behind the appliance.
The result is a system that manages to look seamlessly integrated into the décor of a living room, offering maximum thermal efficiency while maintaining a clean aesthetic. The finished build successfully hides the mini-PC, presenting only the small unit attached to the fan and a single HDMI cable connecting it to the screen.
Beyond the visual deception, the physical changes yielded tangible benefits. The added airflow from the stand fan helped reduce the computer’s internal fan noise by approximately 10 to 15 decibels, resulting in a quieter, cooler performance. While the setup is a triumph of clever DIY engineering, it does come with one practical caveat: if you plan on playing demanding games on your living room TV, the fan itself cannot be used elsewhere.
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Credit: Tom’s Hardware
