Hands-on with the Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable: Updating our longstanding motherboard test bench
Der8nechtable brings active PCB and convenience to extreme benchmarking and hardware reviewing
A few months back, you may have read news from Thermal Grizzly about a unique collaboration to create a professional-grade test bench, dubbed Der8enchtable, with an open design and an integrated PCB. The brainchild of overclocking legend Roman “der8auer” Hartung and ElmorLabs (Jon “elmor” Sandstrom) was first unveiled at Computex 2025, where it promptly earned a design award. The unique benchtable features an active PCB that adds functionality beyond a simple benching stand. Initially designed for internal use, the project matured into a full-on commercial venture for overclockers, reviewers, content creators, and hardware testers who frequently swap components. And moving forward, this is where we’ll test all the motherboards we review.
The Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable, priced at $269.99 on Amazon, is clearly a premium product, offering far more than a basic stand for a motherboard and peripherals. What sets it apart is its active PCB, which simplifies hardware testing by providing extensive connectivity: 11 four-pin fan headers across four independently controllable zones (including one for an AIO/pump), two SATA ports, four MicroSD card slots for storage, and six USB ports (four Type-A and two Type-C).
Additional features include the ability to mount radiators on the side and a space underneath to tuck away the power supply. Wire management is made easy with included velcro strips that utilize cutouts in the PCB/plexi. Finally, integrated RGBs in the plexi layer add a touch of flair. While it may not be as visually appealing as our previous benching table, its design is highly functional, streamlining component swapping and testing.
In the Box
Included in the multi-layered box is everything you need to set up the benching table. From the legs and brackets to screws and cables, it’s in the box, along with instructions for putting it all together. You get loads of screws to attach the parts, and the tools (Allen keys, 2/2.5/3mm) that fit them.
- Manual
- Base Assembly with integrated PCB
- AIB (PCIe) Securing Bracket
- Radiator Bracket
- L/R Stand Bracket
- PSU Support/Mounting
- Damper Feet
- DIN7991 M3 x 16mm Screw
- DIN7985H M3 x 12mm Screw - A2
- DIN912 M3 x 5mm Screw - A2
- DIN912 M4 x 6mm Screw
- 6-32 UNC x 1/4in Phillips Head Screw - A4
- M3 HEX Nut - A2
- M3 x 12mm Barrel Nut - A4
- Allen Keys 2/2.5/3mm
- Double female 2-pin Dupon cable, 20 cm
- Double female 4-pin Fan cable, 30 cm
- Double-sided Velcro Strap
- Double female 3-pin A-RGB cable, 30 cm
- Double 9-pin USB 2.0 cable, 15 cm
Benchtable and Port Overview
The der8enchtable PCB supports E-ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards — just move the standoffs to the correct locations for the board. The PCB is matte-black, while the labels and branding are all white and easy to read (for small writing on a PCB anyway). The RGBs glow bright and, when attached to the motherboard with the included cable, can be controlled by the motherboard software. Again, it’s not really meant to be artful; it is functional, but it’s a clean-looking bench table, especially if you use the velcro wire loops to wrangle the loose wires.
Below, we’ll take a quick look at the ports on the board, starting on the top half and left edge. Here we have a few USB ports: two Type-A and two Type-C. Speeds will be slow because all the data travels over the USB 2.0 connection, but when you’re benchmarking or testing hardware, that’s typically not a concern, as it’s just peripherals, or you’re saving small files.
On top is the first (of three) fan zones, each with three 4-pin fan headers and a switch to control them. The three-way switch offers external control (via the EXT FAN header off to the right, which connects to the motherboard), 50% and 100% settings, which can help achieve consistent test results. Next to that is the 3-pin ARGB header that routes to the motherboard. Finally, in the upper-right corner is the 6-pin PCIe connector for powering the board (fans, USB, etc.).
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Down the right edge is another fan zone and two 4-pin pump headers. The only difference between these two is that the pump headers support 3A/36W each and have their own fuse. Below that are two more USB Type-A headers.
Continuing along the bottom-right edge are the two SATA port INPUTS, preconfigured for 2.5-inch SSDs and wired to the onboard SATA ports. The PCB also provides four microSD card slots, which are cost-effective alternatives to SSDs when considering price per gigabyte.
Along the bottom edge, starting on the right, is a small area for the power and reset buttons and their corresponding connections to the motherboard. If whatever you’re testing doesn’t have integrated power/reset buttons, connect the front panel power/reset headers here and voila, you now have buttons! To the left is the 9-pin USB 2.0 header used for benchtable-to-motherboard communications. Next to that is the third fan zone and the last of the ports and headers. We’ve listed all of them below.
- 9-pin USB header (data connection to motherboard)
- PCIe 6-pin header (power supply from PSU)
- 4-pin header (for PWM signal to external fan control)
- (3) Fan Zones (each with 3× 4-pin fan headers)
- Pump Zone (2× 4-pin pump headers)
- (4) MicroSD slots for memory cards
- (2) On-board SATA connectors
- (2) SATA out connectors
- (4) USB 2.0 Type-A (max. 500 mA)
- (2) USB 2.0 Type-C (max. 3 A)
- 2-pin header for power button
- 2-pin header for reset button
- 3-pin aRGB header (GND / – / D / 5V)
The Tom’s Hardware build
Final Thoughts
The Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable is an impressive improvement over standard benching tables. Its standout features—including an active PCB, peripheral attachment points, and manual fan/pump header control—offer significant advantages for testers. These additions make adjustments easier and yield more consistent test results. Furthermore, the integrated RGB lighting adds a bright aesthetic flair to the device, making it more than just a benching table.
As a motherboard reviewer (see my list of best motherboards and best motherboard deals), I have a couple of minor critiques of the benchtable. First, I would appreciate an option for M.2 connectivity directly on the benching table. While I acknowledge the difficulties with connecting PCIe and the fact that the speed isn't strictly necessary for benchmarking (and can introduce instability compared to SATA), having an M.2 mount would still be a beneficial feature for hardware reviewers and testers.
My second minor concern relates to the benchtable's legs. They are generally fine, but the setup becomes slightly unbalanced and prone to tipping when a large AIO cooler, such as our Arctic Freezer II 420 (non-RGB), is used. Some extra weight on the opposite side, or shifting the PSU mounting location in that direction, would provide additional stability in this use case. Otherwise, it’s not a concern when using a smaller AIO, and it's perfectly stable.
The Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable is an elevated take on the standard test bench, incorporating features that make it ideal for extreme overclockers using sub-ambient cooling, hardware reviewers, or anyone seeking a distinctive open-air PC setup. While its $269.99 price tag is steep, it offers significantly more value than competing benching tables (if you can use the features)—and is exponentially more useful that the motherboard's cardboard box.
From streamlined peripheral connections to integrated RGB lighting, the Der8enchtable excels for hardware testing and intense sub-ambient overclocking. However, those simply looking to showcase their PC may find more aesthetically pleasing, lower-cost alternatives if they don't require all the advanced features contributing to the price.
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Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.
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monsieurwoof It looks nice, but I’ll stick with the Jonsbo TB01 we use at work. Some of the server motherboards need extra mounting posts, and with a PCB benchtable it’s not possible to simply tap new threads and add the posts.Reply -
bit_user Glaring oversight: no cutout underneath the CPU! I could scarcely believe this, when I first noticed!!Reply
Here's the testbench frame that I'm using.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0948LSWPMIt's clunky and janky. But, once you get it assembled, it holds together alright - and it doesn't obstruct access to the bottom of the CPU! I don't use the flimsy PCIe support bracket, though. If you want a good testbench case for use with big graphics cards, keep looking! Also, couldn't use the PSU mount, but I just set the PSU sideways on the table and it's fine.
BTW, one thing I discovered since getting it is that no reconfiguration of the screw positions is needed when switching between ITX and the two ATX flavors. However, there's one screw position that shifts between micro-ATX and regular ATX (which also adds one additional screw). IIRC, you can just leave the standoffs in the ATX position and attach a micro-ATX board with 7 screws. However, if you set it up for using the 8th screw on micro-ATX boards, then you will have to move it when installing a regular ATX board. This goes for normal cases as well!