The WORST CPU Cooler EVER – Sketchy Heatsinks Ep2

The video documents the second episode of Sketchy Heatsinks, where the team from Linus Tech Tips attempts to cast and assemble a so called worst CPU cooler using scrap aluminum and improvised casting methods. They begin by recounting suggestions from viewers to cast their own heatsink and describe the plan to cast with molten aluminum in a home workshop. The team explains the theory behind casting, including the need for a mold, venting, and how to account for aluminum’s oxide layer and shrinkage. They print an initial PLA prototype to size the mold, then proceed to create a green sand mold and a graphite crucible furnace, step by step detailing the process and the challenges around achieving a solid pour. The project progresses through several iterations, including lost PLA casting and later a foam lost foam approach, each time testing how well the molten aluminum fills the mold and how the final shape performs as a heatsink. The culmination sees mounting the final attempt on a motherboard with an Intel Q6600, adding thermal paste and securing the setup with zip ties, while the team reflects on the outcome, acknowledging that the result is far from ideal but informative for future iterations. They close by analyzing the testing results, humorously rating the effort and outlining lessons learned, before promoting related software sponsors and inviting viewers to follow along for the next installment. The narrative blends hands-on tinkering with practical engineering constraints, emphasizing learning through trial and error. Concrete details include a clay and sand green sand mixture used for the initial mold, a graphite crucible for melting aluminum, and the transition from lost PLA casting to lost foam casting to simplify the mold process. The creators discuss heat transfer concepts like surface area, static pressure, and the mass of the heatsink, and they explicitly note the limitations of their techniques, such as porosity and incomplete filling of fin structures. Throughout, the video interleaves technical explanation with lighthearted commentary and friendly banter, maintaining an approachable tone despite the technical complexity. The ending frames the episode as a learning experience, acknowledging the project did not meet lofty goals but provided valuable debugging experience and a teaser for future refinements in Sketchy Heatsinks.

Topics · hardware · technology · engineering · diy