Billet Labs has completed its ambitious cast-iron radiator gaming PC build, weighing 218 pounds when filled with coolant, featuring an RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with the team noting that cooling an RTX 5090 would be "probably out of the question."
Billet Labs has completed its ambitious cast-iron radiator gaming PC build, weighing 218 pounds when filled with coolant, featuring an RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, with the team noting that cooling an RTX 5090 would be "probably out of the question."
London-based PC cooling innovators Billet Labs have finalized their cast-iron Victorian radiator gaming PC build, creating what may be the most unusual gaming rig of 2025. The project, detailed in an hour-long video by Alex from Billet Labs, transforms an antique cast-iron radiator into a fully functional gaming PC while maintaining its Victorian aesthetic appeal.
The Build Process
The radiator itself weighs 178 pounds (81kg) empty and 218 pounds (99kg) when filled with coolant, creating what Alex describes as "absolutely insane" thermal mass. The team faced immediate challenges due to the radiator's construction: "There's not a single flat surface, and not a single hole that I can bolt anything to," Alex wryly noted.
The first practical step involved 3D scanning the bottom of the radiator to create an accurate digital model. This allowed Felix to design a highly accurate 3D-printed mounting system for the PC components, including the PSU, motherboard, and GPU. The two-part plastic chassis was fixed to the central underlying spine of the radiator using corresponding half-pipe fixings.
Component Selection and Cooling Strategy
Despite initial impressions that this would be a fanless system, the chassis design included space for three super-thin 120mm fans. The cooling setup consists of:
- Alphacool water block for the RTX 5080
- Billet Labs prototype AM5 CPU cooling block
- Victorian radiator as the primary heat exchanger
- Copper piping, pump, and slim fans
The team chose an RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D combination as the "sweet spot" for this build. Alex explained that cooling something like an RTX 5090 would be "probably out of the question" due to the thermal demands of such a high-end GPU.
Technical Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850i (Mini-ITX) |
| PSU | Enhance ENP 7660L-VT 600W Platinum Flex ATX |
| Cooling | Victorian radiator, copper pipe, pump, water blocks, trio of slim fans |
Design Details and Aesthetic Touches
The build prioritized maintaining the radiator's visual appeal while making it a functional gaming PC. Components were mounted "as invisibly as possible, on the bottom" to preserve the Victorian artifact's appearance.
One particularly charming detail was the power button selection. Felix sourced a sprung antique brass gear lever, which was fitted into one of the side vents using a custom mount. This allows users to power up the PC in a stylish, period-appropriate manner.
Performance Testing
Before concluding the video, the team tested the antique cast-iron PC with gaming and benchmarking. In a "torture test" drawing about 520W of power for over an hour, the water temperature stabilized at under 30°C. Notably, the RTX 5080 peaked at 75°C during the most extreme testing Alex could throw at it.
Market Context and Availability
Finding an antique cast-iron radiator isn't easy in 2025, but the team notes that modern versions are still available through retailers like Amazon in various sizes. This suggests that while the exact antique aesthetic might be challenging to replicate, the core concept could be adapted using contemporary radiators.
The project represents an interesting intersection of PC cooling technology and historical preservation. With modern CPUs and GPUs generating increasing amounts of heat, creative cooling solutions like this cast-iron radiator build demonstrate how unconventional approaches can achieve both functional and aesthetic goals.
The build also highlights the ongoing innovation in PC cooling, where companies like Billet Labs continue to push boundaries by combining traditional materials with cutting-edge technology. As gaming hardware becomes more powerful and thermally demanding, such creative solutions may become increasingly relevant for enthusiasts seeking both performance and unique aesthetics.
The complete build video and additional details can be found on Billet Labs' YouTube channel, where the team provides comprehensive insights into the design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented throughout this remarkable project.
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion