TheRetroArcade
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Posts: 1,957
Joined: Feb 2026
Joined: Feb 2026
Billet Labs, take a bow.
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I see custom PC builds pass through my newsfeed all the time, and my usual reaction is "meh". One I've been keeping an eye on for a while now, though, has finally reached its conclusion, and it's such an extreme build that I'm in absolute awe of its creation.
Billet Labs has released a video chronicling their efforts to create a custom PC integrated underneath a Victorian cast-iron radiator. That would be less impressive if the PC itself was merely strapped to the bottom frame, but no, it goes one step further. The radiator functions as the main heat exchanger for the cooling system, which means it's a fully-functional, liquid-cooled, steampunk-eat-your-heart-out gaming machine.
The unfilled radiator itself was initially estimated to weigh 50 kg, or as Billet Labs puts it, "catastrophically heavy". As it's a cast iron unit, it's also prone to internal rust, which proved to be a thorn in our intrepid builder's side throughout the project.
The goal initially sounds remarkably simple—build a high-spec gaming PC around an object designed to radiate heat away from its components, in a way that it can be used every day. However, the sheer amount of extra effort here is downright herculean.
The three-month project involved 3D scanning of the bottom of the radiator for component placement, which then led to the creation of a 3D-printed tray to hold the internals, integrating the system within the bottom loops of the radiator chassis itself. The components picked included a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an RTX 5080, and 32 GB of RAM. Luxury.
However, when it came to the water cooling loop, things became even more complicated. Billet Labs fabricated a sequence of copper pipes with a built-in filter to hook up to the radiator's internals, in an effort to prevent internal debris from messing up the pump.
The radiator's existing bleed port was used for air removal purposes, although a custom T-piece system was created to allow the filling of the radiator and PC cooling system with water separately. This means the system itself can be removed from the loop without draining the radiator itself.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
Break out the braising torch, I guess. The plumbing itself looks like some sort of steampunk nightmare, but appears to be remarkably well designed as Billet Labs breaks down its internal workings, complete with two pressure gauges mounted to the front side.
As for the power button? Why, it's an antique brass gear lever of unknown origin, of cour...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
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Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
I see custom PC builds pass through my newsfeed all the time, and my usual reaction is "meh". One I've been keeping an eye on for a while now, though, has finally reached its conclusion, and it's such an extreme build that I'm in absolute awe of its creation.
Billet Labs has released a video chronicling their efforts to create a custom PC integrated underneath a Victorian cast-iron radiator. That would be less impressive if the PC itself was merely strapped to the bottom frame, but no, it goes one step further. The radiator functions as the main heat exchanger for the cooling system, which means it's a fully-functional, liquid-cooled, steampunk-eat-your-heart-out gaming machine.
The unfilled radiator itself was initially estimated to weigh 50 kg, or as Billet Labs puts it, "catastrophically heavy". As it's a cast iron unit, it's also prone to internal rust, which proved to be a thorn in our intrepid builder's side throughout the project.
The goal initially sounds remarkably simple—build a high-spec gaming PC around an object designed to radiate heat away from its components, in a way that it can be used every day. However, the sheer amount of extra effort here is downright herculean.
The three-month project involved 3D scanning of the bottom of the radiator for component placement, which then led to the creation of a 3D-printed tray to hold the internals, integrating the system within the bottom loops of the radiator chassis itself. The components picked included a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an RTX 5080, and 32 GB of RAM. Luxury.
However, when it came to the water cooling loop, things became even more complicated. Billet Labs fabricated a sequence of copper pipes with a built-in filter to hook up to the radiator's internals, in an effort to prevent internal debris from messing up the pump.
The radiator's existing bleed port was used for air removal purposes, although a custom T-piece system was created to allow the filling of the radiator and PC cooling system with water separately. This means the system itself can be removed from the loop without draining the radiator itself.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
Break out the braising torch, I guess. The plumbing itself looks like some sort of steampunk nightmare, but appears to be remarkably well designed as Billet Labs breaks down its internal workings, complete with two pressure gauges mounted to the front side.
As for the power button? Why, it's an antique brass gear lever of unknown origin, of cour...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?