Spent 4 hours on a custom plexiglass window and it cracked on first boot

I cut a perfect side panel window for my old Cooler Master case, but the heat from the GPU warped the plexi and it spiderwebbed within 10 minutes. Should I have used acrylic instead, or did I just mess up the thickness?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant_perry1mo ago

Plexi is basically just glorified plastic that cannot handle ANY heat. You need actual acrylic, specifically cast acrylic, not extruded. Extruded acrylic will warp just as bad as plexi does. Go with 3/16th or 1/4 inch thick cast acrylic and you'll be fine. Also leave a 1/8 inch gap around the edges so the panel can expand without cracking when it gets hot. And for god's sake dont mount the GPU right up against the window or you'll just melt another one.

jordan6531mo ago

Plexi does that every time. Thicker acrylic or a gap next time.

river1821mo ago

Honestly I feel like the gap thing is overblown. I've had plexi panels flush mounted for years without any issues and I run my system pretty hot.