This $1.7 Million Gold Mini PC Might Actually Be Slower Than Copper

Sofía García · 2026-09-27

When you hear about a mini PC made of 24-carat gold, your first thought might be, "Wow, that's luxurious!" But then you see the price tag: around $1.7 million. And it weighs nearly 29 pounds. That's not exactly mini, is it? The kicker? It's touted for up to 50% faster heat transfer, but here's the thing: copper would have been far cheaper and offers even better thermal conductivity. So what's the deal? ### The Allure of Gold in Computing Gold has long been a symbol of wealth and prestige. In electronics, it's actually used in small amounts for connectors and contacts because it doesn't corrode. But making an entire chassis out of 24-carat gold? That's more about bling than performance. The creators claim this gold mini PC can dissipate heat up to 50% faster, but compared to what? Probably plastic or aluminum, which are common in standard PCs. But when you stack it against copper, gold falls short. Copper's thermal conductivity is about 400 W/mK, while gold's is around 310 W/mK. So copper wins on pure performance. ### Why Copper Would Be a Better Choice If you're building a high-performance mini PC, you want materials that effectively move heat away from critical components like the CPU and GPU. Copper is the gold standard (pun intended) for heat sinks and heat pipes because it's excellent at conducting heat and it's relatively affordable. A copper version of this mini PC would likely cost a fraction of the price and perform better. So why go gold? It's simple: exclusivity. This is a status symbol, not a practical machine. It's for someone who wants to say, "My computer is made of gold." ### The Weight and Size Conundrum At nearly 29 pounds, this isn't something you'd want to lug around. Most mini PCs weigh just a couple of pounds. So calling it a "mini PC" is a stretch. It's more of a small form factor desktop that happens to be incredibly heavy due to the dense gold. And let's not forget, gold is soft. It scratches easily, so you'd have to handle it with kid gloves. Not exactly ideal for everyday use. ### Who Is This For? This product is clearly aimed at the ultra-wealthy who already have everything. It's a conversation piece, a display of excess. For professionals in the computer industry, it's a curiosity, but not something you'd recommend for actual work. If you need a powerful, efficient mini PC, you'd be better off with a standard model that uses copper cooling and costs a few hundred dollars. You could buy a fleet of them for the price of this one gold unit. ### The Bottom Line While the 24-carat gold mini PC is eye-catching, it's not a smart buy for anyone who cares about performance, value, or practicality. Copper is cheaper, conducts heat better, and is far more durable. So unless you have $1.7 million burning a hole in your pocket and a desire to show off, stick with the copper. Your wallet and your computer will thank you. Remember, in the world of technology, flashy doesn't always mean better. Sometimes, the tried-and-true materials are the best choice. So next time you see a gold-plated gadget, ask yourself: is it worth it? Probably not.