Hardware enthusiast and YouTuber Greg Salazar has pushed PC cooling to an extreme by replacing his computer’s side panel with an array of 15 Noctua fans. Dubbed the 'Superdome,' the custom build aims to solve thermal throttling issues by flooding the chassis with direct airflow.
Salazar documented the process, which involved laser-cutting a custom acrylic bracket to house the fans. By mounting the fans directly onto the side of the case, he effectively created a massive intake system that forces cool air directly onto the motherboard and graphics card.
Dramatic thermal gains
The results proved significant during stress testing. According to Salazar’s benchmarks, the 'Superdome' configuration reduced internal temperatures by a full 20 °C compared to the stock glass panel. The massive airflow allowed the hardware to run at higher stable clock speeds without hitting thermal limits.
Noctua, the Austrian manufacturer known for its signature brown-and-tan color scheme and premium cooling performance, provided the hardware for the project. Salazar noted that while the setup is functionally impressive, the sheer number of fans creates a unique aesthetic that dominates the workspace.
Technical challenges persisted throughout the build, particularly regarding cable management. With 15 fans operating simultaneously, the build required extensive daisy-chaining and power distribution adjustments to ensure the motherboard headers could handle the load without failing.
Salazar’s project highlights a growing trend among PC enthusiasts to prioritize thermal efficiency over traditional aesthetics. While most users opt for tempered glass to showcase internal components, the 'Superdome' demonstrates that sacrificing visibility for airflow can yield substantial performance dividends.
