Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Black Armour Aluminium Case with 2 x Ultra Silence Fans

This product was excellent. I tested this product over a couple of hours using the methods in this link: https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/stress-testing-your-raspberry-pi.html. (Namely the 'stress' tool, and the tool 'cpuburn-a53' which we had to compile ourselves.)

Test results - 19-21c when unloaded, with no GUI running etc (base OS was RetroPi, I believe this is built on Raspbian, and nothing else). Using stress, the tool got to about 39c. Using cpuburn, it topped out at 51c. Very impressed with this product. This product was excellent. I tested this product over a couple of hours using the methods in this link: https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/stress-testing-your-raspberry-pi.html. (Namely the 'stress' tool, and the tool 'cpuburn-a53' which we had to compile ourselves.)

Test results - 19-21c when unloaded, with no GUI running etc (base OS was RetroPi, I believe this is built on Raspbian, and nothing else). Using stress, the tool got to about 39c. Using cpuburn, it topped out at 51c. Very impressed with this product.

Worked great for ages but 2 years on it's hopeless. Most of the time when I use the raspberry pi for watching videos I can still hear the noise from the fans. Worked great for ages but 2 years on it's hopeless. Most of the time when I use the raspberry pi for watching videos I can still hear the noise from the fans.

While streaming 4k with the standard case I was getting temps around 65 degrees C. Added this case and now operates at 30-34 degrees C. Highly recommend! While streaming 4k with the standard case I was getting temps around 65 degrees C. Added this case and now operates at 30-34 degrees C. Highly recommend!

Top works well; supplied pads connect the chips to the heat-sink and the fans spin to keep it cool. The bottom is cut with shallow fins to style it like the heat-sink side despite not receiving any heat to speak of; would have been more useful smooth for better mounting tape adhesion, or better yet holes for screw mounting. Top works well; supplied pads connect the chips to the heat-sink and the fans spin to keep it cool. The bottom is cut with shallow fins to style it like the heat-sink side despite not receiving any heat to speak of; would have been more useful smooth for better mounting tape adhesion, or better yet holes for screw mounting.

Long story short - don't buy it for the fans - they're trash, just the heatsink.

First unit arrived with some of the mounting holes not tapped, so I couldnt assemble it.
After getting a replacement, it ran fine, wasn't "Ultra silent" however. Wouldnt even call it "silent".
After about 4 months, the fans started rattling/screaming - sounded like failed bearings. RMA'd again.
After receiving a replacement, the second set of fans failed again - same symptom.
At this point I realised they were just rubbish and I'd be RMA'ing this thing over and over, so I DIY'd a replacement with some decent fans.
I installed 25mm fans made by CUI (searc...view more Long story short - don't buy it for the fans - they're trash, just the heatsink.

First unit arrived with some of the mounting holes not tapped, so I couldnt assemble it.
After getting a replacement, it ran fine, wasn't "Ultra silent" however. Wouldnt even call it "silent".
After about 4 months, the fans started rattling/screaming - sounded like failed bearings. RMA'd again.
After receiving a replacement, the second set of fans failed again - same symptom.
At this point I realised they were just rubbish and I'd be RMA'ing this thing over and over, so I DIY'd a replacement with some decent fans.
I installed 25mm fans made by CUI (search for CFM-2510B-070-140). Its not "silent", but quieter than before, and the new fans have been running 24x7 for almost 3 years now, without change in their performance.

Overclocked the Pi to 2000mhz and with a minecraft server it kept the temps around 40° but after 2 days use one of the fans has started making an awful grinding noise that can only be stopped by tapping it. They’re not even quiet when it’s not grinding. Would be a great solution if the fans were actually silent as advertised. Overclocked the Pi to 2000mhz and with a minecraft server it kept the temps around 40° but after 2 days use one of the fans has started making an awful grinding noise that can only be stopped by tapping it. They’re not even quiet when it’s not grinding. Would be a great solution if the fans were actually silent as advertised.

By: AcidEx 15/09/22

Verified Owner

Pros:
- looks nice
- keeps my Pi4 at a steady 36°C

Cons:
- No instructions, you only get what's given in the description of the product on PB's page.
- One fan doesn't work

Wasn't comfortable with how close the aluminium heat sink was to these two contacts, so I put electrical tape on the heat sink where it contacts the board. Pros:
- looks nice
- keeps my Pi4 at a steady 36°C

Cons:
- No instructions, you only get what's given in the description of the product on PB's page.
- One fan doesn't work

Wasn't comfortable with how close the aluminium heat sink was to these two contacts, so I put electrical tape on the heat sink where it contacts the board.

By: Scribsz 08/01/21

Verified Owner

It's all aluminum. Only came with 4 screws for the 2 fans so quite sad about it. It is indeed pretty quiet and doesnt even get that warm on full use. It's all aluminum. Only came with 4 screws for the 2 fans so quite sad about it. It is indeed pretty quiet and doesnt even get that warm on full use.

The lack of instructions is a broblem, it's more complicated than you would expect. I found myself guessing and checking YouTube to get info. The heat transfer pads are very delicate and break even peeling off the plastic protection The lack of instructions is a broblem, it's more complicated than you would expect. I found myself guessing and checking YouTube to get info. The heat transfer pads are very delicate and break even peeling off the plastic protection

Used this case on a Pi4 and has been great for a couple of months and keeps the Pi cool at 36 degrees, since powering down after continuous use one of the fans now makes a noise sporadically and now is annoying, I anticipate this will only get worse.. have sourced other replacement fans (x2) for almost the same cost of this kit... The concept of the case is great, but let down by the cheap quality fans. If you plan to get this kit, it would be advisable to get new fans to save future hassle... Used this case on a Pi4 and has been great for a couple of months and keeps the Pi cool at 36 degrees, since powering down after continuous use one of the fans now makes a noise sporadically and now is annoying, I anticipate this will only get worse.. have sourced other replacement fans (x2) for almost the same cost of this kit... The concept of the case is great, but let down by the cheap quality fans. If you plan to get this kit, it would be advisable to get new fans to save future hassle...

No manual at all.
The aluminium is good and fits well.
If you have a camera this works, but you cannot install or remove flat flex once in case. Impossible to get to clips while assembled.
Fans are not quiet at all.
I can not recommend this to anyone No manual at all.
The aluminium is good and fits well.
If you have a camera this works, but you cannot install or remove flat flex once in case. Impossible to get to clips while assembled.
Fans are not quiet at all.
I can not recommend this to anyone

No real instructions provided make it a little difficult to explain the frustration when testing to get the provided fans to work, you need to make sure to use the correct pins but the images associated with the device aren't clear.

in terms of installation, I didn't have any real issues but I do feel like the thermal pads are on the cheap and nasty side. Finding high quality thermal paste/pads/etc might be a good way to go if you want better contact with the aluminium casing.

I think there are definitely better thermal solutions out there for the Pi4 but finding them can be a bother. Only buy this product if you, or someone you know, h...view more No real instructions provided make it a little difficult to explain the frustration when testing to get the provided fans to work, you need to make sure to use the correct pins but the images associated with the device aren't clear.

in terms of installation, I didn't have any real issues but I do feel like the thermal pads are on the cheap and nasty side. Finding high quality thermal paste/pads/etc might be a good way to go if you want better contact with the aluminium casing.

I think there are definitely better thermal solutions out there for the Pi4 but finding them can be a bother. Only buy this product if you, or someone you know, have practice with putting together thermal solutions for a similar device.