Note: Original article and all pictures are from www.maximumpc.com.Credits go to them.

It’s finally come to pass that the once super-hardcore in personal computers have become merely mundane. None of the traditionally enthusiast and modder-exclusive features, like clear side windows, cathode lights, water cooling, and overclocking, remain their exclusive domain, as all of the above can be had simply by buying the most relevant parts – generic casings with acrylic side windows, the whole sunbeam tech lineup, Cooler Master’s Aquagate, and most any respected motherboard maker you care to name – all corresponding to the above “features”.

The appropriately-named Hardcore PC Company is attacking one of the last bastions of hardcore modding previously only seen in some one-off, poorly made examples that nonetheless spelled “hardcore” all over its dripping, slippery self. This would be the technique of oil-immersion cooling, something that as recently as 2 yrs ago was looked upon with awe and disbelief, and found its way to many expletive and exclamation-filled forum posts and “most extreme” topic headings. No longer.

                                             The compartment with oil is sealed with dozens of screws. A large part of the PC is designed to slide out as a whole.

Hardcore PC has a sleek, working prototype that oozes professionalism from every crevice (not to mention oil). The Reactor, a slimline, filled-to-the-brim-with-hardware PC set off in black and blue is Hardcore’s first (and so far only) product and is the result of a long process of development and an honest-to-goodness US patent for “Liquid Submersion Cooling System”. The purpose of submerging a perfectly good PC into oil is of course to cool the components far better than traditional methods such as air cooling and even water cooling. Since all of the critical components are submerged in oil that’s much, much better at conducting heat than air, excellent thermal performance is surely a given.

                                            Drip-drying is a requirement whenopening up the Reactor for access. Note the paper towels in the reviewer's hand.

That unearths a somewhat obvious question though – electronics + liquid shouldn’t be mixed right? Well, they shouldn’t unless the liquid is non-conductive, like the oil Hardcore PC uses. This same oil is also biodegradable and in fact is edible, not that the company recommends swallowing a mouthful. The hottest components (and coincidentally the ones with no mechanicals that could get borked by the oil) are put into one separate compartment, while other components such as mechanical hard drives and optical drives get their own separate areas. The specially-made motherboard with integrated Creative X-Fi, triple GTX280’s, memory sticks, custom redundant PSU and even the Samsung-sourced SSD hard drives are immersed, and can be removed (nearly) as a whole when access is required.

This is the sticking-point (yes, the oil is sticky too) – these specialized components can nearly be labeled as “none-user serviceable”, which for the truly hardcore certainly spells “do not buy”. After all, a lot of hardcore enthusiast want to get down and dirty (and now slippery) with their hardware by swapping out parts, tweaking settings, upgrading when the time comes. Hardcore PC’s Reactor makes these activities many levels more difficult than usual – but not without good cause.

                                             The oil doesn't sit idly; it is circulated through this cooling radiator.

The company is working to ease this process, and it’s also important to note that this is not yet their final, shipping product, and there may be other products coming out soon which addresses these concerns. Regardless of its unique take on custom PCs, Hardcore PC is at the forefront of something big – the relegation of the awesome into the mainstream. Oil cooling being what it is, this PC will definitely not be for some, or even most enthusiasts, but this is but the first step in the never-ending process of advancement of PCs – and the Reactor is a certified piece of history as the first commercially produced and available, oil-submerged PC on the market.

Thanks to www.maximumpc.com for the original article, as well as pictures.

                                            Hardcore PC does not rely only on oil submersion as its draw for its PCs; attention to detail is obvious in these shots.

                                            A talented modder's early application of the technique, Picture courtesy of Tom's Hardware.