Watch the quick start video
Follow our complete quick start guide for the Vilros Wave case:
The video provides step-by-step instructions, detailed visuals, and expert tips for assembling the case and connecting peripherals.
Case overview
The Vilros Wave case for Raspberry Pi 4 features a distinctive wave-pattern aluminum alloy design that provides both aesthetic appeal and functional passive cooling. Key features include:
- Aluminum alloy construction for heat dissipation
- Wave-pattern design for enhanced airflow and style
- Full port access (USB, HDMI, Ethernet, GPIO, power, microSD)
- Passive cooling (no fan required)
- Durable, lightweight design
Compatible with: Raspberry Pi 4 (all RAM variants)
Assembly steps
- Prepare components: Remove the case parts from packaging. If there are protective films on aluminum panels, peel them off.
- Install thermal pads (if included): Apply any included thermal pads to the Raspberry Pi 4's main chips (CPU, RAM, power management) for optimal heat transfer to the case.
- Position the Pi 4: Place the Raspberry Pi 4 into the case base, aligning all ports with case openings. The aluminum case acts as a heatsink, so ensure good contact.
- Secure the Pi: Use the provided screws or standoffs to secure the Pi 4 in place.
- Attach the top cover: Place the wave-pattern top cover over the Pi. The wave design allows heat dissipation while providing protection. Secure with screws or clips.
- Connect peripherals: Connect HDMI, USB devices, Ethernet, and power. All ports should be easily accessible through the case openings.
Passive cooling performance
The Vilros Wave case uses aluminum alloy construction as a passive heatsink, drawing heat away from the Raspberry Pi 4's chips and dissipating it through the case's large surface area and wave-pattern design.
Benefits:
- Silent operation (no fan noise)
- No moving parts to fail
- Effective for most workloads
- Maintains comfortable Pi 4 operating temperatures during typical use
Performance: The passive cooling design is effective for standard desktop use, coding, media playback, and light to moderate workloads. For sustained heavy loads (video encoding, gaming, intensive computation), the Pi 4 may still reach thermal throttling temperatures (~80°C). Monitor with vcgencmd measure_temp.
Note: For Pi 5, see the Pi 5 Wave Case instructions.