Liquid Metal Cooling a PHONE!?!?!

Liquid Metal Cooling a PHONE is a detailed experiment where Linus Tech Tips investigates whether applying liquid metal to a smartphone’s internal cooling path can maintain higher performance under load. The video begins by framing liquid metal as a risky but potentially rewarding solution, referencing prior delid practices and the pursuit of lower temperatures. The team chooses the Razer Phone as their test subject due to its respectable yet imperfect thermal design, and they document the disassembly process step by step, emphasizing care to avoid corrosion and short circuits. They remove stock thermal interfaces, add a copper heat spreader, and apply conformal coating as a safeguard before introducing liquid metal to the heat pipe. The host explains that performance gains may stem from better thermal transfer rather than pure conductor effects, and highlights that any improvements could be modest and situational. After reassembly, they run a series of benchmarks, including 3DMark and Vulkan/OpenGL tests, revealing a surprising stabilization in performance and even an initial top-tier placement in some tests. The verdict, while showcasing impressive results, remains cautious: the risk of damaging components and voiding warranties outweighs the marginal gains for typical users. The video then pivots to a sponsor segment and concludes with practical advice about safety, warranty considerations, and a reminder that this is an exploration rather than a recommended modification for everyday devices. Overall, the project demonstrates notable thermal performance improvements under load, but it remains a high-risk modification with uncertain long-term reliability. The hosts encourage viewers to consider safer, manufacturer-approved cooling solutions or performance optimizations instead.

Topics · technology · hardware · experimentation · mobile gaming · overclocking · safety