VIDEO: Asetek Shows Liquid-Cooled AIO Prototype

This design could lead to AIOs with beefier specs.

Now here's an interesting idea: a liquid-cooled all-in-one PC.

Created by Asetek, a provider of self-contained liquid cooling systems for OEMs, this prototype addresses possible AIO heating issues provoked by obvious space limitations--AIOs certainly can't circulate hot air like desktop PCs. But if the prototype actually catches on in the industry, it could possibly change the way manufacturers design AIOs in the future, perhaps allowing for beefier hardware.

As seen in the video below, the Asetek prototype measured an iMac-like 58-mm in thickness, and used an Intel Core i7 920 processor and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M GPU--these two alone consume over 200-watts combined.

According to the Asetek engineer, the AIOs' heat was handled by a high-performance, optimized radiator design coupled with low-noise, axial fans. Asetek inserted its proprietary, low-profile pump just below the radiator, all of which Asetek mounted within the AIO's vertical stand. The pump/radiator setup was attached to a high-performance, low-profile cold plate mounted on the right within the AIO enclosure, pulling heat off the 130-watt Intel processor. On the left, the pump/radiator was connected to a low-profile cold plate and heat spreader covering the Nvidia GPU.

To see this prototype in action, check out the video below. What do you think? Will liquid cooling make a difference and allow manufacturers to provide high-end AIO PCs? Or could this just be a new gimmick to pull consumers away from laptops and netbooks?