Hackaday

Turning a Cast-Iron Radiator Into a Water-Cooled PC

Billet Labs transformed a Victorian‑era cast‑iron radiator into a fully water‑cooled PC, a project that took three months to perfect. The 99‑kilogram system houses a substantial water volume, resulting in only a two‑degree temperature rise during stress testing. While the build demonstrates a striking aesthetic and theft‑proof mass, the team wrestled with corrosion, rust, and the radiator's inherent impurities despite using galvanic inhibitors. The effort highlights both the creative potential and practical drawbacks of repurposing historic metalwork for modern computing.