Sneaker X Merges PC Gaming + Sneaker Culture Into Computer
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Sneaker X Merges PC Gaming + Sneaker Culture Into Computer

If you even remotely keep tabs on sneaker trends, it’s near impossible to ignore a certain segment of kicks have taken a hard left into the realm of the surreal, with a succession of newer designs continuing to push the bounds of plausibility (and maybe in that pursuit, sacrificing comfort). Conversely, with the release of this absolutely bonkers gaming PC the same can now be said about PC computer design. Behold, Sneaker X, a real working gaming computer so convincing, you’d be tempted to try to slip it on.

Sneaker X Merges PC Gaming + Sneaker Culture Into Computer

Rear view of Sneaker X PC gaming computer, shaped like a real red, black and white sneaker with built-in LED lights and cooling fans. Small smoked clear window allows view into PC case internals just above the sneaker's heel.

Sneaker X designer JMDF was originally awarded the Best Art Direction at the Case Mod World Series after turning his sketches into a working IRL prototype. Inspired by sneakers from Nike, adidas, and Balenciaga, PC gaming manufacturer Cool Master took notice and announced they would eventually help turn the prototype into a real and purchasable machine. And now that day has (nearly) arrived with the announcement of availability and two model pricing.

Original sketches of the Sneaker X PC gaming computer, as illustrated by PC modder JMDF for the Case Mod World Series showing the design from a multitude of angles with descriptions of its proposed components.

Seemingly all of the wildly over-the-top details have been retained from JMDF’s original head-turning design by Cool Master: Gundam-styled angular chonk, luminescent LED color lights strewn across the silhouette, alongside the application of liberal perforations mimicking real sneakers that also effectively help to cool the internal PC component just as they would the feet. Additional heat-combatting measures are hidden from view, with a 360mm AIO liquid cooling system stationed near the midsole.

Side view of Sneaker X PC gaming computer, shaped like a real red, black and white sneaker with built-in LED lights and cooling fans. The PC is set facing to the left against a purple blue gradient background, with a glossy black surface showing reflection of the sneaker below it.

The sum of the design is unapologetically audacious and stands as the complete opposite of the minimalist modern cases designed to complement the room rather than tread upon it aesthetically.

For those willing to part with $3,800 for a liquid-cooled sneaker specced out to deliver high frame rate performance powered by an i7-13700K CPU and RTX 4070 Ti graphics card should venture over to cmodx.com.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.