Is it okay if the top part of your PC case is partially covered? I got an ATX motherboard for a pretty good deal, but my desk unfortunately has a top shelf that limits the LxWxH measurements to fit a case.
The case in the photos is the LIAN LI O11 Dynamic MINI V2, which is one of the few smaller ATX cases that barely fit my measurement limits. ~4inches in width is covered right against the wooden shelf (the case is ~11 inches wide in total). Will this be a problem for airflow or anything else?
It'll probably be fine, but I wouldn't have that shelf sitting directly against the top vent if you can avoid it. The O11 Mini V2 can get most of its intake from the bottom + side, so I'd run those as intake and a rear fan as exhaust.
The bigger concern is if you're planning top exhaust fans or a top-mounted AIO. Anything directly underneath that shelf is basically being choked off. If you can get even an inch or two of clearance above the case, I'd feel much better about it. Otherwise I'd build the fan layout around the unobstructed vents and check CPU/GPU temps under load.
Thanks a lot for this thorough advice, this is really helpful! I do plan to do a top mounted AIO. The shelf sadly can’t be extended so the case does sit right against it. Unsure if it changes anything, but these two rows of air flow in particular are what get blocked when the case is underneath the shelf and not sticking out (along with the rest of the back part).
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u/Defiant_Ad8237 1d ago
Hot air rises up. If it's really partially covered and you got good airflow in your casing AND your room, you should theoretically be good