Geekworm for Raspberry Pi 4 Aluminum Case, Heavy Duty Passive Cooling Metal Case/Housing with Heatsink Pillar Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Only-Black (P173)
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
This heavy-duty, fanless aluminum case is a dead-silent thermal solution for Raspberry Pi 4 owners running 24/7 servers or home automation dashboards.
This case is a massive 174-gram heatsink that excels at keeping a Pi 4 under 40°C without any fan noise. It perfectly suits set-and-forget servers, but the restricted GPIO slot and recessed SD card reader make it frustrating for active hardware tinkering.
If you need frequent access to the SD card or GPIO pins, look for an open-air acrylic case with an active 30mm cooling fan instead.
Regret Score™
Low RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Drops CPU temperatures by up to 20°C under load using just passive cooling
- Completely silent operation since it relies on the 174-gram aluminum body instead of a fan
- Includes a copper shim for the CPU to provide metal-to-metal heat transfer
- Zero rattling or flex thanks to the thick, two-piece aluminum alloy construction
Cons
- The micro SD card slot is so narrow you need tweezers or needle-nose pliers to remove the card
- The enclosed metal housing noticeably degrades Bluetooth signal strength
- GPIO access is restricted to a narrow slit, meaning you can only connect via a ribbon cable
- Lacks any mounting holes or VESA support for attaching to walls or monitors
Dimension Scores
Drops CPU temperatures from 60°C down to 40°C under load using just passive heat dissipation.
Generates zero decibels since it relies entirely on the aluminum chassis instead of a cooling fan.
The 174-gram aluminum alloy feels incredibly sturdy, though a few users noted minor paint blemishes out of the box.
Port cutouts align perfectly, but the narrow GPIO slit forces you to use a ribbon cable for any external wiring.
Best For
- 24/7 Home Assistant dashboards where fan noise would be distracting
- Headless home servers tucked away in a closet or media cabinet
- Overclocked Pi 4 setups running intensive tasks like retro gaming emulation
Not Recommended For
- Projects requiring frequent swapping of the micro SD card
- Setups that rely heavily on a strong Bluetooth connection for wireless peripherals
- Hardware prototyping that requires constant, direct access to the GPIO pins
Watch Out For
- No thermal paste included — you need to buy your own silicone grease to use the included copper CPU shim.
- Trapped SD card — the cutout is too deep and narrow to eject the micro SD card with just your fingers.
- Bluetooth signal drop — the thick metal shell acts like a Faraday cage, weakening wireless peripheral connections.
- Fiddly thermal pads — the smaller thermal pads for the RAM and USB controller chips are tiny and require tweezers to place accurately.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B07ZVJDRF3 |
| Brand | Geekworm |
| Color | Pi4 Heavy-duty Case-Black |
| Series | P173 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Case Type | Raspberry Pi |
| Model Name | P173 |
| Item Weight | 6.7 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Geekworm |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Item model number | TB-2019-38-1 |
| Product Dimensions | 3.54 x 2.56 x 1.3 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.54 x 2.56 x 1.3 inches |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 4 |
| Motherboard Compatability | Raspberry Pi 4 |
| Power Supply Mounting Type | Bottom Mount |
| Recommended Uses For Product | In door use only |
What Buyers Say
Real-world thermal tests show this passive case cools better than many active fan setups, dropping CPU temps by a massive 20°C. The dead-silent operation makes it a favorite for bedroom Home Assistant servers. The heavy 174-gram aluminum build feels premium and eliminates the annoying whine of tiny 30mm fans turning on and off. The thick metal walls create a frustrating trap for the micro SD card, forcing almost everyone to use tweezers for removal. The enclosed metal design also noticeably degrades Bluetooth range for wireless controllers.
“Brought my temps down from 60 to 40 without a noisy fan, but you literally need tweezers to get the SD card out if you ever need to reflash it.”
Common Praise
- Drops operating temperatures from 60°C to 40°C without a fan
- Completely silent operation for 24/7 home servers
- Heavy 174-gram aluminum construction feels incredibly premium
- Included copper CPU shim provides excellent metal-to-metal heat transfer
Common Complaints
- Micro SD card is impossible to remove without needle-nose pliers
- Bluetooth signal strength drops significantly through the metal shell
- GPIO access is restricted to a thin slot that only fits ribbon cables
- No included thermal paste for the copper CPU spacer
Ownership Tips
- The tiny thermal pads for the RAM and USB chips are difficult to position by hand and require tweezers.
- Bluetooth controllers experience input lag if you sit more than a few feet away from the case.
- The lack of mounting holes means it just sits flat on a desk, which frustrates 3D printer setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this case fit the Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 5?
No. The port layout and internal heatsink pillars are machined exclusively for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.
Do I need to buy a cooling fan?
No. The entire 174-gram aluminum chassis acts as a passive heatsink, dropping temps by around 20°C without any moving parts.
Is thermal paste included in the box?
No. It comes with thermal pads and a copper CPU spacer, but you must provide your own thermal grease for the copper piece.
Can I easily remove the micro SD card?
The SD card slot is deeply recessed in the thick aluminum. You will likely need tweezers or needle-nose pliers to pull the card out.
Does the metal case block Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
Wi-Fi remains mostly stable, but Bluetooth range and signal strength drop noticeably due to the thick metal enclosure.
Can I mount this case to a wall or the back of a monitor?
No. The P173 lacks VESA mounting holes or keyhole slots on the bottom plate.
Buying Guide
When buying a case for a Raspberry Pi 4, your main choice is between active cooling and passive cooling. This Geekworm case uses its entire heavy aluminum body to absorb and dissipate heat, which means zero noise and no moving parts to fail over time. You should only buy this if you plan to set up your Pi and leave it alone, as the thick metal walls make swapping SD cards or tinkering with GPIO pins a massive headache. Make sure you have a tube of thermal paste on hand before it arrives, as you need it for the CPU's copper spacer.
Passive Cooling Design
Instead of using a tiny, whiny fan to blow hot air away, the entire metal case acts like a giant sponge that absorbs the heat and releases it into the room.
174-gram Net Weight
More metal mass means a higher capacity to absorb heat spikes from the processor before the system is forced to slow down.
Copper Heatsink Shim
Copper transfers heat much faster than standard silicone thermal pads, acting like a high-speed highway pulling heat directly off the CPU.
Alternatives
If you need frequent access to the SD card, GPIO pins, or rely on a strong Bluetooth connection, look for an open-sided acrylic case with a 30mm active cooling fan.
You Might Also Like
Micro ATX PC Case | Mini Tower Computer case | Pre-Installed 120mm*1 RGB Fan | ITX Desktop Chassis for MATX/ITX | 240 RAD | 280mm GPU | 160mm CPU Cooler Height - White S6
$0-$49This MAQUY S6 is a budget Micro ATX case with a pre-installed 120mm RGB fan, supporting 280mm GPUs and 240mm top radiators for entry-level builds.
Micro ATX Case, Mini PC ITX Desktop Computer Case MATX Case Support ATX PSU/250mm GPU/135mm CPU Cooler/1x 3.5’’HDD or 2X 2.5’’SSD/USB 3.0 Port
$0-$49This is a compact 38.5x19.5x32.5cm Micro ATX case supporting 250mm GPUs and 135mm CPU coolers, designed for budget workstation builds.
Small PC Case, ITX Mini Computer Case with 360 Degree Ventilation, 10.5L Compact Design for ITX Motherboard, SFX Power Supply, 4 x 2.5 Inch SSDs
$50-$99This 10.5L acrylic ITX case supports SFX/SFX-L PSUs, ITX motherboards, and GPUs up to 210mm, designed for compact builds.
Micro ATX PC Case | Mini Tower Computer case Support Vertical GPU Mount | Pre-Installed 120mm*1 RGB Fan | ITX Desktop Chassis for MATX/ITX | 240 RAD | 320mm GPU | 165mm CPU Cooler Height-Black
$0-$49A budget Micro ATX case with a mesh front, tempered glass, and support for 320mm GPUs and 240mm AIOs, but only one pre-installed 120mm RGB fan.