A custom PC build recently featured on Reddit demonstrates an innovative approach to cooling and design. The Reddit user, known as Prestigious_Gate_615, engineered a passively cooled computer system. This system utilizes two Noctua NH-P1 coolers and brackets produced through 3D printing, functioning entirely without fans and relying on passive cooling methods to regulate the temperature of its components. Central to this configuration is an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU, complemented by an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Both components are cooled using Noctua NH-P1 heatsinks. The design of this build is characterized by its minimalism, with the motherboard and GPU firmly fixed to the power supply unit at the base, foregoing a traditional computer case for a more streamlined and open structure.

The GPU cooling is enhanced by directly mounting the video card cooler onto a 3D-printed holder, supplemented by thermal pads and copper heatsinks to protect the memory and other vital GPU parts from excessive heat. Additional cooling blocks are applied to the RAM and SSD to ensure they remain at suitable operating temperatures. The specifications of this distinctively cooled PC are as follows:

• CPU: Ryzen 7 7700X
• GPU: RTX 4060, Gigabyte Windforce OC
• Motherboard: MSI B650I Edge WiFi
• RAM: 2x32GB G.Skill Flare X5 6000 CL30
• SSD: 4TB Lexar NM790
• PSU: 500W Seasonal Prime Fanless PX
• Riser: Streacom RZ4
• Heat sinks: 2x Noctua NH-P1

To further mitigate heat generation, the builder adjusted the power consumption settings. Despite setting the Ryzen 7 7700X to eco mode, with a power package target of 88W, it still reaches its thermal limit of 95°C under heavy use. Consequently, the TDP of the RTX 4060 was reduced from 115 watts to 90 watts, maintaining temperatures between 80 to 85°C under significant workloads.

This project exemplifies a creative and effective method in assembling a passively cooled PC, targeting enthusiasts who prioritize a blend of silent operation and high-performance computing.

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Sources: Reddit , FanlessTech