Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I recently built this water-cooled Raspberry Pi cluster and now it's time to put it to the test. I ran it against a Windows PC, a MacBook Air and a single Raspberry Pi to see how it compares. On each platform, we searched for all of the primes numbers up to a certain limit and compared the times it took to reach the target limit. You'll be surprised by the results!
People have also asked to compare the cluster to one of AMD's Ryzen CPUs, so if any of you have one then please download the script below and try running it on your computer. I'd also be interested in seeing how a Pi 400 compares.
Download the Python script - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook/#test_script
Download the multi-process Python script - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook/#multi_test_script
Read the full write-up, including details on the cluster setup - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook
Basic Parts List & Purchase Links
Display Used For Testing - amzn.to/2NHJlUn
8 x Raspberry Pi 4B (2GB Model Used) – amzn.to/3i0eYni
TP-Link 16 Port Ethernet Switch – amzn.to/2Ldn9km
Rav Power USB Charging Hub – amzn.to/2MNCSH3
HD Touchscreen Monitor - amzn.to/38ug1Zq
Water Cooling Kit – bit.ly/3sfTAiO
8 x 30mm Cooling Blocks – bit.ly/38vZa8I
8 x Ethernet Patch Leads – amzn.to/2XPjfAS
8 x USB C Cables – amzn.to/35rOwOp
3m RGB LED Strip – amzn.to/3nyaPbt
M3 Standoff Mount Kit – amzn.to/38u6Qs8
M3 Red Aluminium Standoffs - banggood.com/custlink/KKvd8SbbvU
M3 Screw Kit – amzn.to/38wl63J
3mm MDF Board Approx. 600 x 600mm
Laser Cutter Used - K40 40W CO2
Option 1 - amzn.to/3sB9xAb
Option 2 - amzn.to/3nSGrZz
Note: Some of the above parts are affiliate links. By purchasing products through the above links, you’ll be supporting this channel, with no additional cost to you.
I recently built this water-cooled Raspberry Pi cluster and now it's time to put it to the test. I ran it against a Windows PC, a MacBook Air and a single Raspberry Pi to see how it compares. On each platform, we searched for all of the primes numbers up to a certain limit and compared the times it took to reach the target limit. You'll be surprised by the results!
People have also asked to compare the cluster to one of AMD's Ryzen CPUs, so if any of you have one then please download the script below and try running it on your computer. I'd also be interested in seeing how a Pi 400 compares.
Download the Python script - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook/#test_script
Download the multi-process Python script - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook/#multi_test_script
Read the full write-up, including details on the cluster setup - the-diy-life.com/can-my-water-cooled-raspberry-pi-cluster-beat-my-macbook
Basic Parts List & Purchase Links
Display Used For Testing - amzn.to/2NHJlUn
8 x Raspberry Pi 4B (2GB Model Used) – amzn.to/3i0eYni
TP-Link 16 Port Ethernet Switch – amzn.to/2Ldn9km
Rav Power USB Charging Hub – amzn.to/2MNCSH3
HD Touchscreen Monitor - amzn.to/38ug1Zq
Water Cooling Kit – bit.ly/3sfTAiO
8 x 30mm Cooling Blocks – bit.ly/38vZa8I
8 x Ethernet Patch Leads – amzn.to/2XPjfAS
8 x USB C Cables – amzn.to/35rOwOp
3m RGB LED Strip – amzn.to/3nyaPbt
M3 Standoff Mount Kit – amzn.to/38u6Qs8
M3 Red Aluminium Standoffs - banggood.com/custlink/KKvd8SbbvU
M3 Screw Kit – amzn.to/38wl63J
3mm MDF Board Approx. 600 x 600mm
Laser Cutter Used - K40 40W CO2
Option 1 - amzn.to/3sB9xAb
Option 2 - amzn.to/3nSGrZz
Note: Some of the above parts are affiliate links. By purchasing products through the above links, you’ll be supporting this channel, with no additional cost to you.
