It’s hard to imagine building a 100% passive high-performance PC with today’s components. Soaring TDP and power consumption make the equation insoluble. This is so true that PCs combining high-performance components with fully passive cooling have all disappeared from the market. However, on Reddit, one member took up the challenge using Noctua NH-P1 radiators and his 3D printer. The result is an audacious construction that seems to work.
100% passive PC: The list of hardware used :
CPU: Ryzen 7 7700X
GPU: RTX 4060, Gigabyte Windforce OC
Motherboard: MSI B650I Edge WiFi
RAM: 2x32GB G.Skill Flare X5 6000 CL30
SSD: 4TB Lexar NM790
PSU: 500W Seasonic Prime Fanless PX
Riser: Streacom RZ4
Radiators: 2x Noctua NH-P1
But 3D printing and large Noctua radiators weren’t enough to achieve this feat. A little software modding was also required. The GPU has seen its thermal power density (TDP) reduced from 115W to 90W, resulting in temperatures of 80 to 85°C under load. The 8-core Ryzen 7 7700X runs in Eco mode at 88W, reaching its thermal limit at 95°C. The system is based on an MSI B650I Edge Mini-ITX motherboard, with a total of 64 GB of G.Skill Flare X memory running at 6000 MT/s in EXPO mode. Both components, GPU and CPU, are connected to NH-P1 heatsinks. Installation for the CPU was relatively straightforward, while the GPU required custom support. The designer shared 3D files, enabling a similar system to be reproduced for DIYers.
