● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Modder attaches desktop CPU coolers to ZTE phone for sustained performance, runs games at 1080p
Key points
- ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra modified with two desktop CPU coolers.
- Achieved 99% stability in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC sustained performance for gaming at 1080p ultra.
- Project aimed to explore smartphone as a main computing device.
Smartphone Transformed into Desktop PC
A hardware enthusiast on Reddit transformed a ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra smartphone into a miniature desktop PC by stripping down the device and attaching two full-size desktop CPU air coolers to its core components. The project aimed to overcome thermal throttling, a common limitation preventing mobile chips from sustaining peak performance.
Hardware Used
The modified smartphone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The display, camera hardware, and mobile network hardware were removed, with the display integrated into a custom acrylic enclosure. The desktop heatsinks were mounted to fully cover the main components, improving heat dissipation.
Performance Results
The modified setup demonstrated significant sustained performance. In the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, it achieved a 99% stability score over 20 loops, with a minimal 70-point difference between the best and lowest scores. The modified Z70 Ultra scored 10,533 in 3DMark, outperforming a Samsung Galaxy S25+ with the same chipset. This sustained performance allowed the device to run games like The Witcher 3 at 1080p ultra settings.
Motivation Behind the Project
The creator stated the project originated from a desire to explore the concept of using a single smartphone as a primary computing device, replacing a phone, gaming console, and separate PC. The experiment highlights the raw computing power of modern mobile chips when thermal constraints are addressed.
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Reporting from
A hardware enthusiast modified a ZTE Nubia Z70 Ultra smartphone by attaching two desktop CPU air coolers to its internal components, creating a miniature desktop PC. This modification allowed the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC to sustain peak performance, achieving high stability scores in benchmarks and running demanding games like The Witcher 3 at 1080p ultra settings. The project demonstrates the potential for mobile chip performance when thermal throttling is eliminated.