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$39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

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Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#71

Post by fbdab103 »

brnaftr361 wrote: post #63
coffeebeqn wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s a little half assed though. Moving to a more desktop form factor would allow them to dump the laptop thermal solution with maybe one large case fan and a low profile cpu cooler. You could have an extremely quiet little machine instead of a jet engine that barely moves any air. I’ve been doing a somewhat similar mod on an old Lenovo tiny pc and it’s definitely great value as long as you put a little effort and th…

I thought the same thing, too. But I also wonder if the cooler mounting pattern is going to be compatible with consumer market coolers. I expect the one they've chosen is already tooled. I've got an older laptop with a busted screen, I've thought about pulling the mainboard and dropping it into a 3D printed chassis myself, and using it as a server. Haven't gotten around to it.

How much cooling does a laptop specced processor require? Presumably they are already engineered to run at lower power (<20 watts) and have severe thermal throttling by default.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#72

Post by rtpg »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expanda…

I bought a NAS a while back, I might not have if I had the guts to my Macbook Pro that is in a closet because I don't use it anymore (but don't want to deal with all the futziness from having a folded up laptop overheat). Especially one where there are easy upgradeable storage solutions.

Half of RasPi usages don't involve any GPIO. Granted the RasPi's form factor is a part, but a very thin slice from some older machine works.

Hell, a media PC to just slap next to the TV works well as well.

There is a legit argument that usages for this are very close to usages for a laptop with the lid closed, but at one point the aesthetics do become nicer, and with all the TB ports the world's a bit your oyster.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#73

Post by fbdab103 »

josephg wrote: post #38
ajayyy wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most of the carbon footprint of electronic devices is from the manufacturing.

Especially for laptop CPUs. They’re usually tuned (underclocked) to use a tiny amount of power. Because power consumption and performance are non-linear, even old laptop CPUs are usually much more energy efficient than modern desktops. You can underclock a lot of modern desktop CPUs to be more energy efficient too (eg Eco Mode). But almost nobody bothers to actually do that.

I recently did some minor testing of Eco Mode on my AMD build. I saw zero impact to single threaded workloads and a ~3% drop in performance for multithreaded. Which is a trade-off I will happily take.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#74

Post by morsch »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expanda…

Seems to me the problem is a lack of imagination

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#76

Post by 8organicbits »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expanda…

I set old computers up as gaming devices for my kids. They can't play the latest blockbuster, but there's lots of good older or low spec games. The oldest computer still regularly running in my house is 13 years old, it still runs well (2010 MacBook with Linux Mint).

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#77

Post by progval »

fbdab103 wrote: post #71
brnaftr361 wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the same thing, too. But I also wonder if the cooler mounting pattern is going to be compatible with consumer market coolers. I expect the one they've chosen is already tooled. I've got an older laptop with a busted screen, I've thought about pulling the mainboard and dropping it into a 3D printed chassis myself, and using it as a server. Haven't gotten around to it.

How much cooling does a laptop specced processor require? Presumably they are already engineered to run at lower power (<20 watts) and have severe thermal throttling by default.

The Odroid-H3 https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-h3-plus/> has a laptop-grade CPU, consuming 10-20W, and is passively cooled; so it seems doable.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#78

Post by cbsks »

ruytlm wrote: post #8

I really like this as a way to repurpose old hardware; I have known many laptops that end up sitting around in cupboards after their 'useful' life is over, that could probably still comfortably be serving as lightweight desktops even today.

I have a few old laptops as servers at home. It’s great because they have a (limited) built-in battery backup, and a keyboard and screen are there if you need a local terminal.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#79

Post by Rebelgecko »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expanda…

At least with desktop, I upgrade storage and RAM more often than CPU. There's a few exceptions, but many laptops don't even let you do that.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#80

Post by komali2 »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #4

It would be nice if they'd offer something FCC compliant rather than unshielded eye candy.

I'm genuinely curious about this because I've always seen all the fcc stickers and never bothered to think much beyond "oh nice that means it won't electroshock me I guess?" I didn't realize they were about actual electromagnetic interference.

So like, what's bad about that? For example, I life in an apartment with concrete walls, ceiling, and floor. Is there a risk I'll affect my neighbor's pacemaker with my extensive collection of electronics, probably many of which are poorly shielded? Is this affecting my network cables running hither thither in the apartment, or the switch plopped on top of a pile of cords with a raspberry pi sitting bare on top of it? My steam link downstairs? Is it causing cancer? Making my audio quality worse in my speakers? Basically, what should I be worried about, here?

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