The Hidden Power: How a Wooden Side Table Transforms into a Gaming PC with RTX 3070

In summary: If you’re weary of gaming rigs that seem as if they were plucked straight from a Transformers film, adorned with flashy, angular designs, you’ll be intrigued by this remarkable creation from a Danish woodcraft expert. Modder “Modfoller” has constructed an understated ATX gaming setup, aptly titled “The Scandinavian,” which harmoniously integrates into your décor – at least until you switch it on.

At first sight, The Scandinavian could be easily confused with a sleek oak side table or cabinet – something one might encounter in a elegantly styled living space. However, raise the lid, and you will discover a fully operational gaming PC, outfitted with a Core i7-11700K processor and an Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU. Although the hardware might not represent the latest advancements available, the RTX 3070 continues to deliver considerable performance for 1080p gaming.

“The designation “The Scandinavian” refers to my inspiration for the design. Not only am I a native of Denmark, but the clean and minimalist approach is heavily influenced by the “golden age” of Danish, Scandinavian, and Nordic furniture design from the 1930s through the 1970s. The case is designed to mimic a side table or another piece of compact furniture,” comments the creator on his website.

Indeed, the unpretentious exterior reveals nothing about its function as a complete computer. The only hint is the discreet power button on the front, which glows softly in white when the system is activated.

Aluminum mesh panels on the sides facilitate adequate airflow both into and out of the case. At the rear, unobtrusively situated ports manage power, display connections, and peripherals, preserving the build’s streamlined appearance.

While the outside radiates natural warmth, the internal components tend toward a more industrial design. The inventor re-engineered elements from an economical Chieftec case, adapting them to mount the motherboard, GPU, and cooling system with ease.

In terms of cooling, despite relying exclusively on air, Modfoller skillfully designed the setup to maintain a quiet and cool environment under pressure. The system incorporates two 140mm intake fans, along with two 80mm fans and an extra 140mm fan for exhaust, ensuring effective heat dissipation.

The creation of the case itself demanded substantial craftsmanship. The creator painstakingly cut all the oak pieces from a single shelf, ensuring uniformity in grain and hue. Each piece was meticulously measured, sawed, sanded, and joined using wood glue and dowels. To achieve the luxurious, furniture-quality finish, he hand-rounded the edges using files and rasps, resulting in a smooth, polished look.

The final detail was a hand-applied beeswax finish, which endows the wood with its rich, lustrous appearance. For the legs, there are two alternatives: traditional oak furniture legs for a standalone side-table appeal, or simple rubber feet for those who prefer to set it directly on a desktop surface.