Innovative Cooling Solution: The Superdome Fan
If you’re a dedicated PC enthusiast, a unique project has surfaced that promises to capture your attention—a giant ‘superdome’ fan composed of 15 standard 120mm cooling fans that functions as a side panel for a computer. This intriguing invention was brought to life by the YouTuber Major Hardware, who drew inspiration from comments on one of his earlier projects.
From Prototype to Practicality
Previously, Major Hardware created a humorous take on a CPU cooling solution titled ‘The Destroyer of CPUs.’ This prototype consisted of 15 smaller (30mm) fans arranged in a dome-like design, intended to mimic the performance of the renowned Noctua NF-A12x25 fan, albeit for comedic effect. Surprisingly, while the quirky setup performed comparably to the full-sized Noctua fan in terms of cooling, it was notably louder.
Following feedback from his audience, the idea evolved into something more formidable. Major Hardware decided to build the superdome fan using proper Noctua NF-A12x25 fans. The company kindly supplied him with 15 of these 120mm fans, allowing him to scale up his previous design. He employed a 3D printer to create a robust supporting structure that attached seamlessly to his Lian Li PC case as a side panel.
Impressive Results
Upon testing, Major Hardware discovered that the newly designed superdome fan not only outshined its miniature predecessor but also excelled in practical performance. In a gaming session of Battlefield 6, the CPU temperature before installing the superdome was measured at a staggering 86°C. However, following the installation, the temperature significantly dropped to 66°C, representing an impressive 20°C reduction in overall temperature. It’s worth noting that the superdome proved to be remarkably quiet during operation, contrasting sharply with the previous version.
Considerations and Drawbacks
While the superdome fan demonstrates outstanding cooling efficiency, it does come with a few considerations. The power consumption sits just under 30W, a reasonable figure for a system of this scale. One downside is the lack of dust filters, although Major Hardware has noted that his specific case design mitigates this concern due to its effective airflow setup.
Major Hardware expressed their excitement with the output of the superdome, stating, “it’s kind of nuts how much air the superdome is pushing around,” and pondered leaving it permanently attached to his gaming rig. For those willing to attempt a similar project, the necessary 3D printer designs are shared on his YouTube channel, though potential builders should also consider the financial investment required for the 15 Noctua fans, which retail for $35 each, totaling $525 without factoring in additional materials for printing and assembly.
A Bold Cooling Choice
The superdome fan not only serves as a potent cooling method but also as a striking visual statement for any gaming setup. If you aim to make a statement while effectively managing heat, constructing a giant fan-dome could be a worthy endeavor, albeit with a watchful eye on dust accumulation.
For more fascinating computing projects, don’t forget to explore other unconventional computer cases that have emerged in recent years, including innovative designs like the coin-op gaming PC.
For additional details on the superdome fan project, check out the full story Here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
