Stylish and slim 14600T build

Remember this unique build from 2024? Kazuki is back with another impressively slim and compact system. "This time, fins of Arctic Alpine 11 Passive has been trimmed to fit inside the case, instead of cutting the panel of the case to allow exposure of the fins outside the case. I was worried that it might not have sufficient length to dissipate heat well, but to my pleasant surprise, Arctic designed the heatsink very well.

ASUS Strix 600 and 700 ITX motherboards have dual mounting holes, so that LGA 1151 heatsink like Arctic Alpine 11 (or 12) Passive could still mount without doing any heavy modification, although almost all other motherboard only support the newer LGA 1700 CPU coolers from these generations.

It's been working fine for more than a month without an issue with CPU frequency limiting to 3.2GHz and undervolting by 100mV. CPU temperature is between 55C to 60C normally, and it could rise up to about 80C under my load."

Source: PCPartPicker 

The NUC 16 Pro is a powerhouse

Courtesy of ASUS

The NUC 16 Pro is available

This new iteration is powered by the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors (Panther Lake architecture using Intel's 18A process node). It features a robust array of connectivity options, including the latest Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi standards, making it a versatile hub for home, professional use, or edge computing. Designed for 24/7 reliability, the Core Ultra 7 356H model is now listed for $1,119 (barebone) and up to $1,999 (32GB / 2TB model). Fanless cases are in works as we speak.

Passive RTX 4070 mod

The core of the mod is a single-slot RTX 4070 "Laptop-on-Desktop" GPU. These cards are often sourced from Chinese markets (like Taobao). They use the power-efficient RTX 4070 mobile chip soldered onto a custom desktop PCIe PCB. This redditor removed the original small, loud fan and adapted the massive Palit KalmX heatsink to fit, achieving solid gaming performance in a system with zero moving parts.

Source: reddit 

Akasa unveils Pascal MX

At the heart of the Pascal MX is Akasa's patented spring-loaded CPU mounting system, which maintains consistent, uniform contact pressure across all supported sockets (Intel® LGA1851, LGA1700, and LGA1200). This enables the same chassis to support Intel® Core™ processors from 10th-14th Generation and the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra (15th Gen) processors, all at up to 65W TDP. Heat from the CPU and M.2 2280 SSD is conducted into the aluminium chassis via dedicated thermal modules, dissipating passively through the external fins. With no fans and no moving parts, the Pascal MX eliminates the primary sources of mechanical failure and particulate ingress that limit system uptime in demanding deployments.

The Pascal MX carries an IP65 ingress protection rating, providing dust-tight sealing and resistance to low-pressure water jets for dependable operation in harsh outdoor and industrial environments. IP65 protection extends beyond the chassis to a set of screw-thread locking external cables including HDMI, dual USB 3.0 Type-A (5 Gbps), Ethernet (RJ45 LAN) and DC power, each 2 metres in length. A rear testing opening cap allows clean and damage-free field diagnostics without full disassembly.

It incorporates an internal 220W DC-to-DC converter with multi-rail output (+3.3V, +5V, +5V standby, +12V, -12V) and accepts a 12V DC input through a 4-pin DIN connector. Built-in over-voltage and over-power protection support stable operation across -25°C to 70°C. Standard 24-pin ATX power cables and 4+4-pin connectors are included for compatibility with ATX motherboard power. A 150W, 12V external power adapter is available as an optional component for complete system builds (product code: AK-PD150-02K). Measuring 255.6 x 255.6 x 110.5 mm, the case includes wall-mounting brackets for easy installation on vertical surfaces, control cabinets and building infrastructure.

Source: Akasa 

Portable mini workstation

This compact and highly capable mini workstation is powered by an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and 32GB of RAM, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments like home offices or studios. It features a robust full-metal chassis that acts as a heat sink for the 28W CPU. The system supports 8K/4K dual-display outputs through its Iris Xe Graphics. Equipped with a 1TB NVMe SSD and WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.2, this mini desktop offers a fast, professional-grade experience with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. It's available now for a reasonable $768.

Noctua NH-P1 being manhandled

Courtesy of MODDER-TORU

Embedded World 2026

If you’re heading to Embedded World 2026, be sure to stop by the Akasa booth to explore their latest cooling innovations, specifically their high-performance CPU coolers and fanless chassis. We are incredibly proud of our decade-long partnership with them. Akasa remains the only manufacturer to systematically release updated fanless cases for NUC and Thin Mini-ITX formats, all while keeping prices truly affordable.

Why you should go fanless

Going fanless is a bit like switching from a gas car to an electric one: you don’t realize how much background noise you were putting up with until it’s suddenly gone. The most immediate benefit is the noise level is immersive work. Perfect for writers, programmers, or anyone who finds the whir of a fan distracting. By the way, in a traditional PC, the fan is usually the first component to fail. Fans act like tiny vacuum cleaners, pulling dust, pet hair, and debris into the sensitive internal components. No Intake means no clogging, and total peace of mind.

Image source: reddit 

Factor 100 Series by OnLogic

Not every edge AI deployment requires a heavy-duty server; many need a reliable, compact system that can process data in real time at the point of collection. The Factor 100 Series is built for those specific, high-value applications like defect detection, localized monitoring, and sensor fusion. With its small form factor and power-efficient Qualcomm processing, the Factor 100 Series makes it possible to embed intelligence directly into your machinery or enclosures, providing the targeted performance needed for modern machine vision and autonomy.

The Factor 100 Series is built to deliver consistent operation in challenging industrial settings while using as little space, and energy, as possible.

• Fanless design: Fanless cooling technology drastically reduces the risk of dust and particulate ingress, ensuring long-term reliability and reduced maintenance, even in inhospitable environments.

• 0 to 50°C temperature range: Designed for the rigors of edge deployment, the Factor 100 Series provides resilient performance wherever it's needed.

• Low power draw: The 7 W TDP allows for high-density deployments without the need for intensive cooling infrastructure.

• Industrial-grade reliability: Long-lifecycle components and a 15-year chip availability provide reliable, long-term project stability.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/fr101/