Making Intel's Worst Product Better.... And Also Worse
0 up · 0 down · 0 ratings
Promos
Receive a $25 credit for Ting Mobile today when you sign up at linus.ting.com Create your build at buildredux.com Intel's i9-12900KS is an incredibly fast processor... but what if we made it faster? Buy a RockItCool Copper IHS Kit: Buy an Intel i9-12900KS: geni.us Buy an Asus Maximus Extreme Z690: geni.us Buy an Asus Strix RTX 3090: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Build Redux 1:22 - Isn't the IHS already copper? 3:30 - IHS Removal 5:40 - TIM Removal 6:52 - Polish 8:02 - Liquid Metal 9:10 - Relid 10:40 - Did it work?? 12:00 - Testing 15:27 - Game Testing 16:36 - Ting! 17:15 - Outro
The video opens by setting the tone that this build is designed to push the limits of a top end, premium PC configuration, rather than prioritize price or practicality. The hosts describe a dream build consisting of a RockItCool copper IHS kit, a high-end BCLK configuration, and extreme cooling to extract every possible watt and degree from Intel’s i9-12900KS. They question the tradeoffs of mass production tolerances versus the idealized copper lid, highlighting that copper IHS and nickel plating choices can influence surface area and contact with the die. The discussion then pivots to the practical steps needed to remove the stock IHS, the delidding process, and the tools required, including a delid tool and polishing materials. As the upside and risk of the mod are debated, they stress the high cost and the experimental nature of the upgrade, noting Intel’s mass production scale versus bespoke cooling solutions. The team then demonstrates the assembly, including applying liquid metal, taping, and mounting a high-end loop, all while narrating the potential gains and the cost of the upgrade. The test phase follows, showing temperature readings, Prime95 stress testing, and initial gaming benchmarks, with the verdict leaning toward modest but meaningful temperature improvements and higher power draw. Finally, they compare performance gains against the total system cost, discuss overclocking possibilities, and wrap with a sponsor message and a tease for more extreme cooling experiments. The video blends humor with hands-on hardware work and ends by inviting viewers to explore related content and sponsor offers, while keeping a critical eye on the practical value of the upgrade. The overall takeaway is that while the upgrade can shave a few degrees and push higher clocks, the economic and practical justification remains nuanced, depending on the user’s goals and budget. The hosts acknowledge the spectacle of the build, but also the reality that gains may be incremental beyond the initial excitement.
Topics · technology hardware · overclocking · cpu cooling · pc gaming hardware · reviews
Questions answered
- What is the purpose of installing the copper RockItCool IHS on the i9-12900KS?
- The copper IHS aims to increase contact quality and surface area for heat transfer, reducing temperatures and allowing higher sustained clocks, albeit at a high cost and complexity.
- Why do the hosts delid the CPU and apply liquid metal?
- Delidding removes the stock IHS to replace the thermal interface with liquid metal directly on the die, which can improve heat transfer and cooling efficiency, especially on power-hungry CPUs.
- Is the upgrade financially sensible for everyday users?
- For most users, the upgrade is not financially sensible; it offers limited temperature gains relative to the total system cost, and the benefits depend on extreme cooling needs and overclocking goals.