A Reddit user has created a desktop-level build in a form factor smaller than a laptop. It dispels the myth that tiny PC's can only run low power parts. This would be of interest to people who are extremely interested in miniaturization or custom PC builds.
Extreme ITX mod houses desktop CPU and GPU in notebook-sized chassis
The cooling techniques would also be of interest. It shows that, if you're willing to take a lot of risks with your mods, you can run high-end silicon in notebook-level form factors.
Specifications
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (12-core)
- GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 V2 (12GB)
- Motherboard: ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi
- RAM: 32GB Crucial DDR5 Pro 6000MHz
- Chassis: Custom 3D Printed (Fiber-reinforced high-temp PLA)
The build uses an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU and an ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 V2 GPU. The motherboard is an ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi which provides the right connectivity for a mini ITX build. We added 32GB of Crucial DDR5 Pro memory @ 6000MHz for high data speeds required by the CPU. So far, these are just parts that would be a typical high performance desktop build, before we get into mods.
The case is a custom 3D printed housing with fiber-reinforced high temp PLA material. It's less than 2U thick, or ~8.89cm. To get a full-size GPU into such a small case, the backplate for the GPU was cut and the plastic cover removed. Also, the power cables were trimmed down to minimize internal cable mess, thus maximizing airflow in such a small space.
The CPU voltage was brought down by 20mV and the temperature was limited to 85 degrees C for thermal tuning. With this, the Ryzen 9 7900X was able to run at ~4.8GHz consistently and at 117W. As for the GPU, it was able to run at ~1900MHz while playing games in 4K. The hotspot for the GPU was 90 degrees C. It seems these components are being run pretty close to their thermal limits with no throttling for sustained operations.
There are potential risks in this build. There are possibilities for short circuits and even fire with these exposed components. The source warns explicitly that one should not replicate this setup (specifically) without serious technical expertise for the average user.
This is more a proof of concept for heavy customization than something actually available. This is a one-off and so no prices or availability are known.
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