Guy converts luggage case into a liquid-cooled gaming PC, calls it the 'Nuclear Football'

[Humza]

The big picture: There are several gaming laptops out there that could achieve what the Nuclear Football was built to do, but its creator wanted an experience that comes with a bigger display while costing less than laptops with comparable specs. Hence, a custom-built liquid-cooled PC inside a Pelican 1525 case that now serves as a portable gaming rig to keep you entertained during your travels.

Unlike the original briefcase accompanying the US president, this Nuclear Football is more likely to set off an atomic bomb in Fallout 76 rather than authorizing one in the real world. Its creator, who goes by the name of 'thegarbz' on Reddit, goes into detail on how his traveling routine led to the creation of this custom-built PC.

Inside the Nuclear Football is an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and an Nvidia RTX 2070 Super FE, along with 16GB RAM fitted to a Gigabyte B450-I Aorus Pro Wifi motherboard. The 256 GB of NVMe storage might seem inadequate, but then its owner is a "bit of an addict and a completionist," so only a few games are installed at any given time.

Powered by Corsair's compact SF600 PSU, the components crammed inside the luggage case call for some proper thermal management. That's handled through water-cooling the hardware with Alphacool parts, Noctua fans, EKWB blocks, and a custom fan controller with temperature display and PC link.

The display comes in the form of a Dell 23-inch monitor, chosen from among 45 displays, for its thin bezels, beveled bottom edge, and front-accessible buttons. It's fitted to the top of the case so the build opens up like a laptop.

Given that the bottom side of the case is occupied as well, there's no room for a built-in keyboard inside. However, the front features plenty of ports for connecting peripherals, including a VR headset for enabling the full desktop gaming experience.

At 12.1 kg, the Nuclear Football is strictly meant to be used on a desk, and its portability is also affected by the lack of an on-board battery. It is, however, convenient to lug around most places and, more importantly, highlights the flexibility of the PC platform and users' creativity in designing a machine around their use-case.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/83621-guy-converts-luggage-case-liquid-cooled-gaming-pc.html

 

[stewi0001]

I feel like I need to do something like this. I prefer a desktop PC and I like it to be transportable.

 

[jbc029]

"VR capable" isn't really such a high bar to clear anymore. Considering an i3 and 1070 was all you really needed to have a decent experience, damn near anything beyond an RX 580 can give you decent VR these days. *Any* modern CPU will also fit the bill.

 

[madboyv1]

HA I love it, that is a beautiful thing.

 

[Uncle Al]

Fantastic! Does it come with a version with built in two wheel dolly for us older players???

 

[Nobina]

"VR capable" isn't really such a high bar to clear anymore. Considering an i3 and 1070 was all you really needed to have a decent experience, damn near anything beyond an RX 580 can give you decent VR these days. *Any* modern CPU will also fit the bill.

It's also a calculator

 

[CBXSteve]

Compaq/Osborne/Kaypro, full circle.

 

[VitalyT]

Try getting it through an airport.

 

[mrtraver]

Try getting it through an airport.

It definitely would be my carry-on.

 

[mbrowne5061]

It definitely would be my carry-on.

I suspect that it has more than the volume of allowed liquid.

 

[elementalSG]

Ah...but what does Dark Helmet from Spaceballs think when he learns of the combination you need for this luggage? And...does it use the same combination as President Skroob's luggage?

 

[madboyv1]

I suspect that it has more than the volume of allowed liquid.

yeah, I imagine 100ml would be tough amount to cool with.

 

[Manya3084]

"VR capable" isn't really such a high bar to clear anymore. Considering an i3 and 1070 was all you really needed to have a decent experience, damn near anything beyond an RX 580 can give you decent VR these days. *Any* modern CPU will also fit the bill.

Remember, the motherboard box needs to have "VR capable" on it or you're sol

 

[Manya3084]

Ah...but what does Dark Helmet from Spaceballs think when he learns of the combination you need for this luggage? And...does it use the same combination as President Skroob's luggage?

Amazing, I have the same combination on my luggage!

 

[jbc029]

Remember, the motherboard box needs to have "VR capable" on it or you're sol

 

[treetops]

Hah, I'd love see him bring that through TSA

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I'd like to see how get that through Airport security vs. My bookbagged Alienware 15".

They just dust it for explosives and I'm on my way.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Hah, I'd love see him bring that through TSA

You beat me too it.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Hah, I'd love see him bring that through TSA

When I really think about it... as soon as TSA sees those hoses for the AIO you're definitely gonna end up in hot water.

TSA used to be so anal that they would try to disallow people from taking laptops that didn't have Hard Drives because they'd never seen an SSD before.
Something like this - especially with the liquid cooling hoses is going to raise red flags.

They can demand you empty the fluid for example.

TSA is so anal right now that I didn't bother buying the new Alienware 51m because they measure your lithium ion battery and power supply bricks.

Reminds me of The"Ahmed's clock" incident.

 

[FatBoyDiesel]

When I really think about it... as soon as TSA sees those hoses for the AIO you're definitely gonna end up in hot water.

TSA used to be so anal that they would try to disallow people from taking laptops that didn't have Hard Drives because they'd never seen an SSD before.
Something like this - especially with the liquid cooling hoses is going to raise red flags.

They can demand you empty the fluid for example.

TSA is so anal right now that I didn't bother buying the new Alienware 51m because they measure your lithium ion battery and power supply bricks.

Reminds me of The"Ahmed's clock" incident.

Uh, that clock didn't look like a clock. It looked like a damn bomb. Nobody with some sense would've first thought that thing looked like a clock. My peers and I have made clocks for school projects back in the 90's and they'd look like big calculators at worst. We didn't need a briefcase and a bunch of indiscreet wires reminiscent of a briefcase bomb.

 

[Larsenex]

This is exactly what I would want. I do not want a 'thin laptop' I essentially want a desktop scaled down in a suitcase so I can port it around. If they made 'portable desktop as a laptop' rigs I would just buy one.

Having it all in one case > monitor and most pieces and having to also carry a full size keyboard, gaming mouse and power cord would be absolutely fine with me.

So without having to do a complete custom job like above (its awesome) do they make such larger better cooled alternative laptops?

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

When I really think about it... as soon as TSA sees those hoses for the AIO you're definitely gonna end up in hot water.

TSA used to be so anal that they would try to disallow people from taking laptops that didn't have Hard Drives because they'd never seen an SSD before.
Something like this - especially with the liquid cooling hoses is going to raise red flags.

They can demand you empty the fluid for example.

TSA is so anal right now that I didn't bother buying the new Alienware 51m because they measure your lithium ion battery and power supply bricks.

Reminds me of The"Ahmed's clock" incident.

I've brought both desktop towers and extra liquid through TSA. If they can't tell what something electronic is they wipe it with this thing that looks like a small baby wipe and put in a machine to read it to test for explosives.
If you bring extra liquids you need a reason (like my daughter's food allergies) and they'll just give you the full search treatment by going through your bag carefully.

If he tried this at TSA he better be prepared to empty the liquid though. If I were the next passenger in line, I sure would want this thing carefully checked, ha.

 

[Gregtombstone]

Well done mate. Simple Simon says "in central park by the fountain.........

 

[CrossBoss006]

Wow now I know what to do with all my spare parts. Cool build.

 

[toooooot]

Lifehack: open this device on a plane, say allah akbar and turn it on. Fun and laughs ensured.