Linus Tech Tips: A unique PC case with phase change cooling finally hits the market after 8 years, offering fanless, silent operation with a hefty price tag.
Linus Tech Tips - I bought this scam PC case... And it actually arrived
The video discusses the long-awaited release of a unique PC case that uses phase change cooling technology, which was initially a Kickstarter project that faced significant delays and ethical concerns. The case, developed by Calios in partnership with Streomcom, uses a phase change cooling system with no moving parts, relying on a copper heat exchanger and capillary action to cool the CPU and GPU. This technology, although complex and previously unmarketed, is proven in other applications like satellites. The case is heavy, with the copper edition weighing 31 kg, and is priced at $2,000, while the aluminum version costs $1,000. Despite its high cost and some assembly challenges, the case offers silent operation and effective cooling, maintaining stable temperatures even under load. The video also highlights the ethical turnaround of Calios, who offered refunds to dissatisfied backers of the original project.
Key Points:
- The PC case uses phase change cooling with no fans or pumps, offering silent operation.
- The copper edition of the case weighs 31 kg and costs $2,000, while the aluminum version is $1,000.
- The cooling system is proven in other applications, like satellites, and uses capillary action for fluid circulation.
- Calios, the developer, offered refunds to original backers after delays, showing improved ethics.
- Despite assembly challenges, the case maintains stable temperatures and performance under load.
Details:
1. 🚀 The Long Journey to Market
- The Kickstarter project for this case began eight years ago, highlighting a prolonged development period, which faced significant challenges including initial scams that undermined trust.
- A key turning point in the product's journey was the partnership with Streomcom, which facilitated its development and eventual market entry.
- The product innovatively turns a PC into a phase change cooling system with zero moving parts, featuring a massive copper heat exchanger, which sets it apart from previous unsuccessful attempts.
- Despite its innovative approach, the product's market viability is questioned due to its heavy and expensive nature, posing potential barriers to adoption.
- The significance of its launch is underscored by the failure of similar products to reach the market, marking a major achievement in cooling technology.
2. 🔍 First Impressions: Weight and Aesthetics
- The case weighs 31 kg (just shy of 69 lb) before installation, particularly in the copper edition, which is limited to 500 units. The aluminum version is also notably heavy, reflecting a robust build quality.
- The design aesthetic is marked by a premium, industrial look, appealing to high-end users and collectors, although the long wait period of up to 8 years from order to fulfillment may deter some.
- The loop heat pipe cooling system uses R1233zd(E) refrigerant, which boils inside the evaporator, leveraging capillary action to pump the system. This passive cooling design, which eliminates the need for fans, draws on technology used in exotic solutions such as satellites, indicating its reliability and innovation.
3. 🛠️ Building the Fanless System
3.1. Key Components of the Fanless System
3.2. Assembly Process and Challenges
4. 🔧 Assembling the Motherboard and CPU
- The assembly features the MSI Mag X670E Tomahawk Wi-Fi motherboard with a Ryzen 9900X CPU, chosen due to availability issues with the 9800 and 9950 models.
- The CPU has a thermal design power of 120 watts, and the system includes 48GB of DDR5 8000 memory.
- A custom CPU cooler is used, and the motherboard tray is at a 45° angle to aid fluid circulation, though not all components align perfectly due to design flex.
- High-quality Cryonaut thermal paste from Thermal Grizzly is recommended for optimal thermal performance.
- The hold down plate allows for an offset mount, enabling coolant to pass directly over the compute dies of the Ryzen CPU, enhancing cooling efficiency.
- Assembly is complex and may require two people, suggesting it's not a typical DIY project.
5. 💻 GPU Installation and Cooling Setup
5.1. GPU Cooler Installation Steps
5.2. Cooling Considerations
6. 🔬 Testing and Initial Reactions
- The assembly of the case was well-executed despite lacking cable management features, showcasing effective design practices.
- A delay in testing the system for a week post-assembly indicates a lapse in immediate testing protocols.
- Upon startup, a boiling sound from the heat exchanger suggests potential cooling system issues that could worsen under load conditions.
- The GPU maintained a low temperature of 60°C at 90% load, indicating efficient thermal management.
- The CPU temperature reached 81°C under load, suggesting inadequate cooling for the processor.
- Graphics settings were optimized with DLSS upscaling and ray tracing enabled, achieving high-quality visuals with efficient performance.
- The system operated quietly despite the boiling noise, indicating good acoustic management.
- The absence of side panels may have compromised cooling due to reduced convection, highlighting the need for testing with panels in place.
7. 🌡️ Thermal Performance and Analysis
- Using a thermal camera, areas on the 4090 board were found to exceed 80°C, indicating potential hotspots that may need addressing for better heat management.
- The SSD was operating at a casual 50°C, with some areas reaching 56°C. While these temperatures are warm, they remain within operational norms for NAND, since cooler temperatures do not benefit this component significantly.
- The power supply exhibited temperatures of 50°C externally, but internally reached up to 90°C. This significant temperature gradient suggests a need for optimized cooling solutions to prevent overheating.
- Certain chips reached temperatures of 93.3°C, despite thermal compound application, suggesting that improvements in heat dissipation methods are necessary.
- The GPU side was notably warmer, with localized temperatures up to 94°C, potentially impacting performance and longevity if not managed effectively. Comprehensive cooling strategies may be required to maintain optimal temperatures.
- Overall system temperatures for the GPU were at 73-74°C, which is considered normal for such configurations, but continuous monitoring is recommended to ensure stability.
8. ⏳ Reflecting on the Wait and Final Thoughts
- System performance remains stable, with no significant changes in temperature or FPS after extended use, indicating efficient cooling and hardware stability.
- The CPU and GPU maintain high performance levels consistently, suggesting strong thermal management and design.
- The system has been running for several hours without performance degradation, hinting at good short-term reliability, which is crucial for gaming and high-intensity tasks.
- In response to customer concerns about wait times, Calios's leadership offered refunds, demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction and effective issue resolution.
- The copper version of the system is priced at $2,000, while the non-copper version is $1,000, highlighting a significant cost difference for aesthetic preference and potential thermal advantages.
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