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Billet Labs turned a vintage cast-iron radiator into the working heat exchanger for a custom gaming PC built around an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080. Tom’s Hardware reports that the radiator weighs 178 pounds empty and the filled system weighs 218 pounds. The project delivered quiet gaming and strong reported cooling in one stress test, but preparing the radiator and making its liquid-cooling loop reliable involved substantial rework.
How the radiator became part of the PC
This was not a PC placed inside a radiator-shaped case. The radiator was connected to the active liquid-cooling loop and served as the system’s heat exchanger. HotHardware reports an 18-liter (4.75-US-gallon) capacity. Components were mounted beneath the radiator, out of sight, on a custom 3D-printed bracket, with copper piping joining the loop. Tom’s Hardware’s account and HotHardware’s report describe the project, published February 24, 2026.
What hardware did the build use?
| Component | Reported part |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
| Graphics card | Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850i Mini-ITX |
| Power supply | Enhance ENP 7660L-VT, 600 W Platinum Flex ATX |
| CPU cooling | Billet Labs prototype AM5 water block |
| GPU cooling | Alphacool RTX 5080 water block; exact model not stated by the reports |
| Airflow | Three slim 120 mm fans |
| Radiator and plumbing | Cast-iron radiator, copper piping, and an inhibitor intended for iron-and-copper systems |
Why does the PC weigh 218 pounds?
The 218-pound figure is for the filled system, not the radiator by itself. Tom’s Hardware reports the empty radiator at about 81 kg (178 lb) and the filled system at about 99 kg (218 lb). Its 18 liters of capacity helps explain why the liquid loop adds appreciable mass, though the reported difference between the empty radiator and filled system also includes the rest of the assembled PC. The result is a build that needs sturdy, planned placement rather than an ordinary desktop spot chosen for convenience.
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The reports show that performance depended on workload, and they are accounts of this individual build rather than independent comparative testing.
#1 Best Overall
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte "basalt black" finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 9 processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- 240mm heat exchanger: The 240mm heat exchanger, available on the optional CPU liquid cooling, heightens thermal resistance, ensuring temperatures stay consistently low during longer gaming sessions.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
Gaming
HotHardware reports that Halo 3 averaged in the 400 FPS range at native 4K and describes gaming as near-silent. That is a result for the reported game and setup, not a general benchmark for other titles or cooling systems.
Sustained stress testing
Tom’s Hardware reports a test drawing about 520 W for more than an hour. During that run, coolant stayed below 30 °C and the RTX 5080 peaked at 75 °C. Those figures demonstrate what the assembled loop reportedly achieved under that test; they do not establish how it would compare with a conventional radiator under controlled conditions.
Rank #2
- 【System】AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU Processor 8 Cores 16 Threads 4.7 GHz CPU (max up to 5.2 GHz) , AMD B850 Chipset Motherboard, Windows 11 Home Prebuilt Gaming PC
- 【Graphics & Memory】 RTX 5080 16 GB GDDR7, 256 bit Graphics Card Gaming PC, 32GB DDR5 6000Mhz RGB Memory, 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
- 【Cooler & Power】STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming Computer Case, 360mm AIO Liquid Cooling PC, 7x ARGB Color Adjustable System Fans, 850W Gold Certified Power Supply, Case Size 17" x 9.25" x 17"
- WARRANTY: 2 Year Parts and 3 Year Labor, 1 Year Shipping, FREE Lifetime Technical Support , Assembled in California, USA
- 【Game Without Limits】This powerful Gaming PC use AI rendering to deliver a massive performance, which is capable of running all your favorite games whether you’re a optinal gamer of Black Myth WuKong, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty Warzone, Valorant, League of Legends, Apex Legends, Roblox, Overwatch, Elden Ring, Rocket League and Diablo IV etc
Combined CPU and GPU load
HotHardware also reports that a Cinebench-plus-Furmark workload exposed limits: the GPU heated up and the CPU thermally throttled. The reports therefore do not support treating the radiator as an unlimited passive cooling solution. Billet Labs’ Alex said the radiator’s “thermal mass is absolutely insane,” but also that “cooling something like a 5090 is probably out of the question,” as quoted by Tom’s Hardware.
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What went wrong while building the loop?
A large old radiator is not automatically ready to use in a modern PC loop. The reporting describes prolonged preparation and repeated attempts to make the plumbing dependable:
Rank #3
- AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D 4.7GHz (5.6GHz Turbo Boost) CPU Processor | 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD | 360mm AIO Liquid CPU Cooler with ARGB Fans, say goodbye to outdated and inefficient air coolers.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 32GB DDR5 RAM 6000 RGB Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- WI-FI 5 802.11ac | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Promised, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio & Mic | Free Gaming Keyboard & Mouse
- High-spec AIO liquid coolers used, delivering unmatched cooling performance for a perfect operational experience and unparalleled cooling performance. With hardware unrestricted by temperature limits, you can unleash its full potential. Whether gaming, creating, or working, you'll never suffer from thermal throttling again. | Showcase Your PC with the Stunning King 95 Case - Black | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
- This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, Diablo IV, Starfield, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Forza Horizon 5, Resident Evil 4, Alan Wake 2, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, God of War Ragnarök, Overwatch 2, Dragon's Dogma 2, Marvel's Spider-Man, more at Ultra settings, detailed 4K Ultra HD resolution, and smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.
- Cleaning and flushing took extensive effort to remove debris from the radiator.
- Copper particles damaged a pump.
- Inadequate seals allowed air into the loop, prompting repeated rework.
- Filters clogged quickly, adding another maintenance problem.
The loop used an inhibitor intended for iron-and-copper systems, but that did not eliminate the challenges of cleaning, sealing and filtration. Those practical problems are central to the build: its radiator could function as cooling hardware, but integrating a vintage part required more than connecting a few pipes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is this a practical cooling design to copy?
The project is best understood as an ambitious custom build, not a proven recipe for a typical gaming PC. The reports do not provide controlled comparisons with conventional liquid-cooling setups or establish long-term maintenance requirements. Anyone considering a similar design would need to account for the filled system’s mass, secure component mounting, radiator cleanliness, compatible materials, reliable seals, filtration and service access. The reports do not establish exact water-block fitment beyond identifying the Alphacool RTX 5080 block by brand, so a similar build would need to verify compatibility with its specific graphics card.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X Processor (12-core)
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz RAM, 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Graphics Card
- Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, 360mm Liquid Cooling
Rank #4
- Effortless Gaming: MEK from ZOTAC comes with all hardware and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. Crafted in the USA, simply unbox, plug in, power up, and dive into your favorite games with ease. Backed by a 1-Year Complete System Warranty and 3-Year GPU Warranty — no registration required.
- Heart of the MEK: the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 uses NVIDIA Blackwell architecture with AI-enhanced technologies including DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and real-time ray tracing — delivering exceptional 4K gaming performance with AI-driven frame rates and next-gen visual fidelity.
- Powerful Processor: the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop CPU — featuring AMD's industry-leading 3D V-Cache technology — delivers up to 5.2GHz with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 96MB L3 Cache for elite gaming performance, seamless multitasking, and professional content creation.
- Well-Rounded: 32GB DDR5-6000MHz RAM, 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD, and 850W 80+ Gold PSU provide quick loading times and stable power. Connections: HDMI 2.1b, 3x DisplayPort 2.1b (up to 4 displays), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5-Gigabit LAN, 7.1 HD Audio.
- 360mm AIO Liquid Cooling + Optimized Airflow & Warranty Support: MEK features a powerful 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler with front 2x 120mm Infinity fans and rear 1x 120mm Infinity fan for optimized system airflow, keeping your RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D running at peak performance during extended gaming sessions. Warranty service is provided through ZOTAC USA. Return shipping after warranty service is available only for U.S. addresses.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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