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Announcing the Limited Edition OBT XOC Insulation Foam

Today we’re unveiling a limited edition OBT XOC Insulation Foam designed specifically for extreme overclockers using the Open Benchtable.

Specifically Designed for the Open Benchtable

This pre-cut and precisely shaped insulation foam is perfect for any extreme overclocker using the Open Benchtable looking to set up a clean and efficient setup. Here’s why it stands out:

  • Compatibility: Precise hole cutouts for all motherboard (ATX, mATX) and PCIe standoff locations, as well as OBT feet mounting holes
  • Cut to Shape: compatible with all full-size Open Benchtable models (V1, V1.1, and V2)
  • Mounting Clearance: pre-cut CPU backplate area to support a wide range of LN2 container backplates
  • Ease of Use: The foam thickness matches the OBT standoff height for simple installation.
  • Re-usability: Made from a trusted and proven material for long-lasting use.
obt xoc insulation foam installed on open benchtable

Note : Some backplate heaters might require a custom cut out, you can do so with a sharp cutter. We are working on getting this updated to support more backplate positions for future revision (if any).

Two Types of OBT XOC Insulation Foam

For this limited edition production run, we provide two thickness options:

  • A “thick” option, that perfectly match the Open Benchtable stand-off height
  • A single/double “thin” option that allow for more customization

The “Thick” option

This is the simplest to use. Get it, slide in on the OBT, remove the pre-cut foam positions for your CPU Ln2 Pot backplate and… that’s it!

The “Thin” option

This option offers the most options for extreme overclockers as it is 2-pieces of half-height foam. The CPU Backplate pre-cut area is the same on both Thin & Thick options.

This option help route cables for the heating backplate elements or be used as a long-term insulation template for a specific motherboard.

Availability

The OBT XOC Insulation Foam is available today on the web shop in extremely limited quantities. But don’t worry! We’ll be following up with everyone who orders this limited-edition foam to gather feedback for a potentially wider release.

The Backstory: A Long and Winding Road

The idea for the special insulation foam came about way back in 2016, after the launch of the OBT Community Edition.

We wanted to create a solution that would not only make XOC setups more efficient but also improve their aesthetics – after all, every rig deserve to look sharp! Here are some of the challenges we faced in bringing this idea to life:

  • Balancing Compatibility: Accommodating a wide range of motherboard socket positions and CPU backplates turned out to be a complex task.
  • Material Selection: Finding the right balance of insulation, re-usability, and laser-cutting compatibility proved difficult.
  • Production Method: Both laser cutting and water jet cutting had their pros and cons. Ultimately, we opted for water jet cutting for this initial production run.

We’ll talk more about the development story in a future blog post. For now, this first batch is an extremely limited run. But based on your interest and feedback, we definitely consider turning it into a regular product. We’re eager to hear your feedback on how we can improve it further!

Motherboard mounting guide for Open Benchtable and OBT Mini

This is part of our series of how-to & guide about the Open Benchtable and the Open Benchtable Mini. Today we focus on mounting a motherboard on your Open Benchable.

Getting ready

The Open Benchtable is compatible with pretty much all the common form-factors: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX and XL-ATX.

The Open Benchtable Mini is compatible with the Mini-ITX (and some Mini-DTX) form factor.

To start, get the number of stand-off that you need from their storage location. ATX & Micro-ATX form factor requires up-to nine and Mini-ITX requires four.

As mentioned in our mounting guides, there are two types of stand-offs and they can be mixed. Half of them are push-pin standoff while the other half is made of screw standoffs (these are similar to the conventional standoffs you find in most cases). All of the standoffs are stored in the feet of your OBT.

If you are using screw standoffs, get the same amount of M3 screws off, there are located on the right of your OBT.

Tips from the team: we usually go for one conventional standoff in the center and push-pins for all of the others! (you can mix push-pin and screw-standoffs that you feel comfortable with).

Motherboard Mounting

Once you’re all set up, install your standoff so they align with your motherboard (green locations).

If you are using conventional standoffs, tighten your M3 screws in them to secure the motherboard.

Usign the Open Benchtable Mini is even easier, you only need 4 standoffs

Let us know on Social Media what is your favorite mounting strategy: Push-pins only or Mixed ?

Storage mounting guide

Even if the OBT is easy to build, sometimes we just want to check how things should be worked out. Today we focus on mounting storage on your OBT.

Getting ready

First, make sure your storage is supported on your OBT model.
The BC1 supports 2.5″ and 3.5″ drives whereas the OBT Mini support 2.5″ drives. What’s not different is that you can attach two drives on each model.

Mounting the drive

Unscrew two M3 screws of you OBT.There are located on the top right corner of the BC1. Concerning the OBT Mini, there are securely held on at the bottom right of the structure.

At the bottom of your OBT are four hard drive slots, align your drive under two of these holes and tighten the M3 screws in your drive’s threads.

Tips from the team: Attach your drive so that its connectors are on the same side that your motherboard’s SATA ports, it will make cabling easier!

Tag Archive for: bc1.1