We have always toyed with the idea of doing a project around e-waste. About four years ago, Yvonne first introduced the idea, and soon after, Linus and the team began brainstorming what e-waste could become. At one point, CPU coasters even came up as an option, but they were not practical to make at scale. A fidget spinner, though, was the idea that stuck.

Meet the CPU Fidget Spinner, built around real processors that may have once powered games, streams, and way too much doomscrolling at 2 AM. Now they are back, not crunching numbers but helping you de-stress, focus, and geek out between classes, or during those endless meetings.

They are fun, functional, and built with the same spirit that drives everything we make.

Engineering and Design

Designed for durability, comfort, and the best experience with every flick, the CPU Fidget Spinner was anything but simple to create. We tested dozens of prototypes to get the feel just right. The frame is made from anodized aluminum, chosen not only for its strength and precision but also because it feels great in your hand. For the bearings, we did not just chase the longest spin time. Instead, we chose the option that delivered the best overall balance of smoothness, quietness, and longevity. Just as important, we built the design around industry standard R188 bearings, so if you have a personal favorite, swapping them out is quick and easy. Designing for replaceability was a key aspect of the process because we know there is an established community of fidget spinner fans who care about those preferences. The result is a CPU Fidget Spinner that feels effortless, reliable, and customizable at every turn.

Of course we tested spin times the LTT way by strapping the spinner to a Tormach milling machine running at 2000 RPM. That gave us a consistent starting point and a fair fight between every design we tried.

Intel VS AMD - The Spin Battle

We tried both, but not every CPU is cut out for fidget life. Intel chips looked promising until we discovered their offset heatsinks made the spinner wobble like a shopping cart with a bad wheel. AMD, on the other hand, has stuck to the same rock-solid 40mm x 40mm outside footprint for nearly 20 years. Even better, the AMD chip has a bit more heft, which gives the spinner extra momentum for longer, smoother spins. Team AMD won this round!

The Prototype Journey

The CPU Fidget Spinner didn’t just appear overnight, it went through plenty of trial phases before landing in your hands today.

Phase 1: The very first idea was as simple as drilling a hole through a CPU and pressing in a bearing. Sounds easy, right? In reality it was tricky. Once the bearing was in, you could not replace it, and the tolerances had to be very precise to spin smoothly without falling out.

Phase 2: We began experimenting with ways to reinforce the edges of PCBs, which are built from layers of woven fiberglass and resin. Fiberglass gives PCBs strength and heat resistance, but the thin edges can be brittle, sharp, and uncomfortable to handle. By reinforcing those edges, we made the spinner more durable and kept fingers safe.

Phase 3: Concepts emerged for securely attaching a protective edge to the CPU.

Phase 4: A breakthrough moment came when we flipped which side we were machining, cutting down the part count and simplifying the design.

Phase 5: Intel chips were tested but their offset design made spins unstable. No go on Intel. 

Phase 6: AMD proved to be the right choice. Consistent sizing, better balance, and extra weight for a premium spin.

Phase 7: The finished product - refined, designed for comfort, and ready to spin.

More Than Just a Pretty Casing

At first glance the aluminum casing just looks like a clean finishing touch, but it is actually one of the most important parts of the entire design. It clamps down on the bearing, gives the spinner structure, and acts as armor for the fiberglass PCB inside. During development we knew exposed fiberglass wasn’t an option, it’s brittle, messy, and doesn’t hold up well to daily use. The aluminum solved all of that, turning a fragile edge into something durable, clean, and comfortable to spin. Drop it on the floor? The aluminum takes the hit. Spin it for hours? The aluminum keeps your fingers comfortable. Swap CPUs across generations? The casing bridges tiny thickness changes in PCBs over the years, making the fit seamless. In other words, the casing is doing far more heavy lifting than you would ever expect from a slim strip of aluminum. 

Back to School, System Refresh

We built the spinner to give you a reset button for busy days. But it is not the only tool we have lined up for you.

The Back to School Collection is packed with gear designed to make the semester smoother, from cozy hoodies that keep you comfortable during late-night cramming to desk pads and pencils that upgrade your study setup to everyday essentials that keep you focused and ready.

It is all built with the same spirit as the spinner: functional, reliable, and just a little bit fun!

Warmly,

The LTTStore Team