Noctua SuperDome lets gaming PCs run drastically cooler

The YouTube channel Major Hardware has developed one of the most unusual side panels for gaming PCs, as the so-called Noctua SuperDome looks like a hemisphere and replaces the glass panel of a Lian Li O11 Dynamic Evo XL. The glass panel, which does not usually contribute to cooling the system, is replaced by the SuperDome with 15 fans, using Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM fans, which cost a total of $525.

In the test system, all 15 fans are configured as intake fans, while two fans each at the top and bottom of the case blow the hot air out of the case. While the system reaches a CPU temperature of 86.4 °C (187.5 °C) in Battlefield 6 with the glass panel, the same PC with the Noctua SuperDome only reaches 66.9 °C (152 °F) - the system therefore runs almost 20 °C cooler. The fans themselves consume 27.6 watts of power. The SuperDome remains relatively quiet. Due to the sheer size of the SuperDome and the lack of a dust filter, the SuperDome is only of limited practical use, but the side panel shows once again that more fans are often better.

Prices and availability

The Noctua SuperDome side panel for gaming PCs is not sold commercially. However, hobbyists can make it themselves. All the necessary data for a 3D printer can be downloaded free of charge from Thingiverse. In addition, 15 compatible fans, such as the Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 PWM ($35 on Amazon), a compatible Lian Li O11 Dynamic Evo XL case and suitable screws must be purchased.