If you were to build a computer room

[msterzer]

My wife has made an offer to me that I can't refuse. The problem, our bedroom and my computers. Her answer, add a room to the back of our house for my computers. What we can do is add a 12 X12 room for me. Now if you could do this and was thinking that you could possibly have as many as 12 computers running at once, how or what would you do? Thinking of the wiring, electrical needs, desk space or rack space, storage space for components etc. Air conditioning needs also. Our house does have AC, but the bedroom is always hotter than the rest of the house. I'm thinking a window unit. This room could and probably would be sealed off from the rest of the house by a door that is now our means of exiting the back of our house. Windows or no windows, type of lighting, color of room, anything you can think of that you would do. All suggestions are appreciated and will be printed and saved until the project begins. That will most likely begin later this summer. I'm getting excited about this project and would love to hear from you all.

[Mntsnow]

Wow Nice wife

Hmmm well I will just start with pretty much how you asked the questions...

I would have my own power center (fuse box ect)
I would have some storage shelves with a work surface that is grounded to the same ground that the power is.
Seperate AC (Window mount is fine) since you say the Household one doesnt cool that great the back of the house to begin with
I perfer windows but be mindful of wanting drapes or blinds to control amount of light and no need to "publicly" display your computers.
Color of room truthfully just about any color is fine. I would choose a color that goes along with what the rest of the house is. (would stay away from carpet..static you know Tile is nice and easy to keep clean and doesnt promote dust)
I like to have a ceiling fan as it can really help cut the cost of heating/cooling as it keeps the air moving

[Philip1952]

Don't forget a set of kitchen cabinets and counter top down the lenght of one wall. You have to have space to repair or destory computers on.

[brandon184]

Compact refrigerator...

- Brandon
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[AuraEdge]

I think I read something like if you dedicate that room to "home office space" to the IRS, everything that is bought for that room and stays in that room is tax deductable, including the computer.

Not sure on the full legalese of this, but might be something to look up.

[Germ]

No windows, climate controlled, good lighting (not flourescent), book shelves high on the wall, built-in grounded work bench, seperate power supply, anti-static floor covering, gazillions of surge protected outlets, walls=your fav color, ceiling fan, mini-fridge, I could go on and on...............but you said 12' x 12'. Going to be pretty small for all that stuff.

[AuraEdge]

I use berber (sp?) carpeting, which is supposidly antistatic, with one of them rolly plastic things on top of it to glide on. I think you should have a window, because we all need some sunlight, and some indication if its AM or PM . If you dont plan on using a Window AC unit, you should just have a high window on either side, so you dont sacrifice privacy for lighting. If you get normal hiegh windows, definitly get some kind of blinds...you dont want the whole world watching you while you work. To minimize glare, you should have the window/s perpendicular to the monitors. I agree on the no florescent lighting. Workbench isnt necessary, but it would be nice to have. Minifridge...ah yes, fine addition to any room, but definitly a luxury..but hey, it can double as a corner table if needed.

Actualy I just measured my room, which includes my officespace, and its a 12x10. I got a workbench (old run down corner desk), comp desk, shelves full of parts, and even dressers and a full size bed in it. I dont think your going to have much of a spacing problem. For some reason, when you said 12x12, I was thinking more cubicle-ish.

We have a guest room thats about the same size as my room I may turn into a computer room. The biggest reason I want to do that is because theres so many shelves in this room and other objects like that, that the sound from my speakers dont reverberate off the walls like I want them to. Lame, I know, but we dont use the guestroom much lately anyways. Also, computers extremely close to my head when I sleep, and I need to keep noise in constant check because of that.

I say definlty go for the minifridge and workbench now, but you may never leave that room ever again.

[tarek]

dam man i have always wanted my own computer room but i wont be able to do that till i finish my schooling so you no how its but my plan is to have it away from house have 3 computer for servers for the network etc might also put a little frig there too....
i envy u
lol
of course maintaining all those comps is going to be a hassle
and u should get a router so u can connect to internet via all of them, i would definatley suggest putting as much protection as possible becuase if a bad storm was to come pow all ur comps r fried

i just want to ask u something is your wife suffering from some form of mental diesease or did u do something to her was she drunk when she said yes, did u make a deal with her for eg. be nice to her sisieters if none of above apply u must really have a nice wife very understanding, lucky man

[msterzer]

Great ideas folks. I'm liking what I'm reading. Several ideas I didn't think of. I really appreaciate all your help. I want to do this once and have it right the first time.

[Mike]

wow..I should have my dad answer this one for me. We just built some walls in the basement where we ran wiring and cat5 cable through.