A modder and YouTuber, known as “Basically Homeless,” has successfully built a functional mid-range gaming PC directly into a standard office chair. This project, showcased in a recent video, aims to free up desk space and create a minimalist computer setup by turning the chair itself into a hidden computer case.
Contents
This unique PC build involved modifying a FlexiSpot office chair to house standard computer components, designing custom parts, and finding creative solutions for connectivity and display.
The Chair and Components
The project utilized a FlexiSpot office chair which featured a suitable opening between the seat cushion and its mechanism. This space was just large enough to accommodate a mini-ITX motherboard.
Inside the chair, the modder installed a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, 64GB of RAM, and a mini-ITX Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card. A low-profile CPU cooler and a flex power supply unit, typically found in server racks, were also necessary due to the limited space.
Custom Modifications and Integration
Integrating the components required significant customization. Basically Homeless designed and 3D printed a custom enclosure to securely hold the PC parts within the chair, ensuring proper ventilation.
The enclosure included openings for input/output (I/O) ports. Utilizing keystone modules allowed the modder to easily swap various connections like HDMI outputs, USB ports, and headphone jacks.
Getting power to the PC was a challenge. The solution involved routing the power cord through several holes cut into the chair’s base, making it the only partially visible cable during normal use.
Custom built gaming PC components visible within the base of a black office chair, with the power cable routed through the chair base.
The Display Solution
Connecting a display proved to be the most unconventional part of the build. While a wireless monitor was considered, the potential 10 milliseconds of input lag was deemed unacceptable for gaming.
The modder chose to run another cable through the chair’s lumbar support and headrest. This cable connects to a VR headset, such as a Bigscreen Beyond or Meta Quest. The VR headset is used to project a virtual 1080p screen in front of the user, even when playing non-VR games, completely eliminating the need for a traditional wired monitor on the desk.
For more details on the chair used, see the FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Office Chair Review.
Performance and Practicality
The completed chair PC functions effectively, with components remaining secure and undamaged even when the chair is reclined. The modder reported not feeling the components through the seat cushion.
However, the concentration of hardware inside the chair may inadvertently lead to increased warmth, potentially turning it into a heated seat during use.
This project is reminiscent of other hidden PC builds, such as the Endgame Invisible PC built into a desk last year, which featured higher-end components like an RTX 4090 and liquid cooling.
Conclusion
Building a gaming PC inside an office chair represents an extreme approach to space-saving and minimalist desk setups. By combining off-the-shelf components with custom 3D-printed parts and unconventional display methods like VR headsets, the modder successfully created a functional, hidden computer system. This project highlights the creativity possible within the PC building community to tackle common challenges like limited space.
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