Quality thermal pads are a rare commodity

There's something special about the ARCTIC TP-3 thermal pad. Based on a proprietary silicone formula, it offers excellent thermal conductivity while remaining electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive. Its soft, squeezable texture allows it to mold perfectly to components, making it a user-friendly alternative to traditional thermal pastes on VRMs, RAM chips, or M.2 SSDs. The ARCTIC TP-3 is available from $8.99. 

Minimalist homelab

"I'm just running a very modest homelab server for music streaming purposes thanks to Navidrome. It's totally fanless ! There is a small TP-LINK switch (2 ethernet ports) at the back of the PC. It runs on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC. Why ? Before, I was running Ubuntu Server (much better) but had many freezes... I didn't know at the time that the second ram slot was the culprit... Instead of using a SATA SSD, I wanted to try a NVMe SSD thanks to the BIOS modding of the Q1900-ITX. It now supports NVMe booting from the only PCIe X1 2.0 slot... It's slower than a regular SATA SSD but I like the fact that I don't need cables to power it."

Source: reddit 

DIY fanless LarkBox update

Remember this passively-cooled CHUWI mini PC from 2020? It shipped with the right processor and an old Zalman chipset cooler was used to handle the 10W Celeron J4125. Here is it today (second picture). It's still working beautifully, and in total silence. Proving once again that fanless is the way to go (and that dust is not a problem). 

Source: Hydrosaure 

OnLogic CL260 in action

Learn more about the CL260 here.

Odroid H4 cooling upgrade

Instead of using the stock cooler, this Level1Techs forum member mounts the Odroid H4 board inside a significantly larger aluminum case that acts as a giant heatsink. The Odroid H4 is very efficient, but under sustained high loads, the stock cooler can heat up fast. By using a case with a much higher thermal mass, it takes significantly longer for the system to reach peak temperature. The oversize approach also allows additional internal components like SATA drives or even a power supply.

Fanless A18 Mac Neo concept

We have a love hate relationship with Apple, but clearly, the latest MacBook Neo is a stroke of genius. This Mac Neo concept is designed as a more affordable, colorful alternative to the Mac Mini, aimed at students and first-time buyers. Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the device utilizes a slim aluminum chassis and passive cooling. With a theoretical starting price of $399, this Mac Neo would be a fantastic entry point into the macOS ecosystem.

Source: Yanko Design 

This perfect cube is a Ryzen AI PC

The new KUBB is powered by AMD, and it's available in Europe now. The awfully cute 120 x 120mm PC features a 100% silent design using a 1.4kg machined aluminum block as a heat sink (heavier than the massive Noctua NH-P1). At the heart of the PC is an AMD Ryzen processor (Ryzen AI 5 340 and Ryzen AI 7 350 options) that includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit to accelerate AI-driven tasks like machine learning and data analysis directly on the device. Despite its diminutive size, the system offers versatile connectivity including USB-C, dual HDMI, and dual Ethernet. The fully configurable KUBB is available from €1,079.

Arctic Senza AI 370 review

According to SweClockers, despite being fanless, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 computer performs impressively. It is roughly 50% faster in CPU tasks and over twice as fast in graphics benchmarks compared to the previous Ryzen 5000-based Senza model. While not exactly a gaming rig, the Radeon 890M allows for smooth gameplay in e-sports titles (like Counter-Strike 2) and can handle AAA games at lower settings. The Swedish tech site concludes that the Arctic Senza AI 370 is a "PC beyond the ordinary." A niche product for users who prioritize a clean, silent environment and are willing to pay a premium for a specialized, high-performance fanless design.

Source: SweClockers 

First fanless AMD Ryzen AI computer

Arctic's new Senza PC is powered by the mighty AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, and is virtually invisible. The Senza PC is designed to mount discreetly beneath a desk to maximize workspace and legroom. It features a unique passive cooling system with a surprisingly large heatsink, ensuring completely silent operation and a maintenance-free design with no moving parts. The system also features a dedicated front-access panel for easy reach to USB and audio ports. The new Senza is a complete Windows 11 PC and comes with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for €1,200.

Once that shrill little fan finally gets on your last nerve

Source: Yukino Song