This 8-pound copper cylinder can cool an Intel Core i9 CPU pretty effectively

[Avro Arrow]

Given that it takes roughly 30lbs of pressure to slot a memory DIMM

That 30lbs isn't constant pressure when RAM is installed, it's momentary. I've also never seen a CPU cooler that weighs 30lbs before. You do realise that weight and pressure not the same thing, eh? If you put a constant 30lbs of pressure on a DIMM slot, you will eventually break it.

When running, your feet regularly meet the ground with over 300kg of pressure. Does that mean that your feet can handle 300kg of weight on them at all times? Most people would tell you "no" but feel free to try it out if you don't want to believe them.

and some CPU coolers apply even more, I highly doubt it.

I've never seen a CPU cooler rated at 30lbs of pressure so I don't know where you got that number but even if one was, that pressure is moving in two directions with half of the pressure on the motherboard and half on the CPU cooler itself. I'm guessing that you haven't built a PC before so I'll humour you with an explanation.

My concerns about this being used as a CPU cooler is about mechanical damage but you're looking at it one-dimensionally. The mechanical damage to which I refer isn't just about the weight of the cooler on the socket. Sure, that's a pretty serious risk but that's not what first came to mind when I saw it. Anyone who has built a PC in the last 20 years will agree 100% with my reasoning.

ATX computer cases since the 90s have been almost exclusively towers and towers have the motherboard mounted vertically. The biggest risk with a 30lb copper column is not that it's going to crush the motherboard's socket with its weight (although it eventually would), but that it's going to rip the socket clean out and take a good chunk of the motherboard's PCB with it when mounted in a case because a cylinder that tall will have significant leverage to go with its absurd weight. I mean, sure you can mitigate something like this by using a cumbersome stand but it's still stupid.

The other reason I think that you're new to building is that you really underestimate just how fragile a motherboard is. The heaviest consumer-grade video cards ever made only weigh about 5lbs and these come with anti-sag stands. PCBoard isn't made to take weight, it's made to channel electrons and to dissipate heat which is why nothing even remotely heavy should ever mechanically strain it.

Most entire PCs don't weigh 30lbs, something that someone who has built PCs before already knows. This is more than the weight of most entire PCs mounted right on ~9cm² for an indefinite period of time so do you now see why this would cause mechanical damage to the mortherboard?

 

[captaincranky]

You could slot those DIMM's over and over again and not see any damage to the board itself.

Do you understand the difference between shock impulse and prolonged pressure? If plugging DIMMs into the board were going to do damage, the board would be more likely to crack as opposed to bending

Also, when you have things like the 4090 weighing in at 4.9 lbs hanging from the board/putting pressure on it (depending on mobo orientation/case design), I highly doubt there will be issues. Heck, a 1080ti is pushing almost 3 lbs as well.

The board isn't supporting the weight of a video card in its entirety.. It's bolted to the case at the far end of its moment arm. Not to mention the 4090 is a 4 slot card. So, does that equal 4 bolts?

The mounting pressure of a cooler far exceeds the weight you're talking about as well.

Maybe so, but the cooler is pulling the board toward itself.

Enough chatter. It's pretty obvious by now that you're right, and I'm wrong. So, why don't you dash out and buy one of those copper cylinders, cut a hole in the side of your case to accommodate it. Then, you can come back in a few years and say, "I told you so".

But not before, OK?

 

[captaincranky]

That 30lbs isn't constant pressure when RAM is installed, it's momentary. I've also never seen a CPU cooler that weighs 30lbs before. You do realise that weight and pressure not the same thing, eh? If you put a constant 30lbs of pressure on a DIMM slot, you will eventually break it.

When running, your feet regularly meet the ground with over 300kg of pressure. Does that mean that your feet can handle 300kg of weight on them at all times? Most people would tell you "no" but feel free to try it out if you don't want to believe them.

I've never seen a CPU cooler rated at 30lbs of pressure so I don't know where you got that number but even if one was, that pressure is moving in two directions with half of the pressure on the motherboard and half on the CPU cooler itself. I'm guessing that you haven't built a PC before so I'll humour you with an explanation.

My concerns about this being used as a CPU cooler is about mechanical damage but you're looking at it one-dimensionally. The mechanical damage to which I refer isn't just about the weight of the cooler on the socket. Sure, that's a pretty serious risk but that's not what first came to mind when I saw it. Anyone who has built a PC in the last 20 years will agree 100% with my reasoning.

ATX computer cases since the 90s have been almost exclusively towers and towers have the motherboard mounted vertically. The biggest risk with a 30lb copper column is not that it's going to crush the motherboard's socket with its weight (although it eventually would), but that it's going to rip the socket clean out and take a good chunk of the motherboard's PCB with it when mounted in a case because a cylinder that tall will have significant leverage to go with its absurd weight. I mean, sure you can mitigate something like this by using a cumbersome stand but it's still stupid.

The other reason I think that you're new to building is that you really underestimate just ho fragile a motherboard is. The heaviest consumer-grade video cards ever made only weigh about 5lbs and these come with anti-sag stands. PCBoard isn't made to take weight, it's made to channel electrons and to dissipate heat which is why nothing even remotely heavy should ever mechanically strain it.

Most entire PCs don't weigh 30lbs, something that someone who has built PCs before already knows. This is more than the weight of most entire PCs mounted right on ~9cm² for an indefinite period of time so do you now see why this would cause mechanical damage to the mortherboard?

I said something similar, to no avail. I certainly admire your determination, in spite of the fact I think it was wasted effort.

FWIW: https://noctua.at/en/nh-u14s/specification 2 pounds
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15/specification 3 pounds (But it is dual tower).

I admit to being mistaken about the weight of the CM 212s

That being said, CM doesn't even publish the weight of this beast: https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/cpu-air-coolers/masterair-ma624-stealth/#specifications

 

[Avro Arrow]

I said something similar, to no avail. I certainly admire your determination, in spite of the fact I think it was wasted effort.

Bah, I was bored at work so I had the time to kill. I'm not that determined, I'm secretly lazy as all hell!

FWIW: https://noctua.at/en/nh-u14s/specification 2 pounds
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15/specification 3 pounds (But it is dual tower).

I admit to being mistaken about the weight of the CM 212s

That being said, CM doesn't even publish the weight of this beast: https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/cpu-air-coolers/masterair-ma624-stealth/#specifications

I really don't care what that person believes because I can only say what I know. If someone else wants to make a fool of themselves, that's their right. You and I know better and so we'll never have to learn the hard way. My post was more to keep other people from getting the wrong impression.