The world of computer hardware cooling is ever-evolving, and the latest trend is a daring experiment by YouTuber TrashBench. He's taken a bold step by testing a cooling method that's both unconventional and potentially risky: direct water cooling on a GPU die. This method, which involves water directly contacting the GPU die, has been a topic of interest for enthusiasts and manufacturers alike, but it's rarely seen in retail products. TrashBench's experiment, however, proves that it's not just a theoretical concept but a highly effective cooling solution.
A Daring Experiment
TrashBench's setup was a custom-built cooling solution designed to prevent short circuits and PCB leaks. He used a 3D-printed block with adhesive sandwiched between the block and substrate, and nail polish to protect capacitors around the GPU from short-circuiting. The test involved a dead RTX 3060 during leak-testing and a thermal-load test on a working GTX 980. For benchmarking, he applied the setup to an NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super, hooking it up to a Core i5-7600K test rig.
Surprising Results
The results were eye-opening. In Unigine Heaven, the RTX 2060 Super with direct water cooling achieved a temperature of 28°C, compared to 36°C with AIO cooling and 70°C with stock cooling. Cyberpunk 2077 showed similar results, with the RTX 2060 Super running cooler with direct water than on AIO cooling. However, when TrashBench tested the same setup on the Core i5-7600K, the AIO cooler won, achieving 39°C in Cinebench R23, compared to 52°C with direct water cooling.
The Science Behind It
The effectiveness of direct water cooling on GPUs is attributed to the cooling fluid itself extracting heat directly from the GPU die. Traditional waterblocks use a heatspreader and thermal paste, thermal metal, or a thermal pad to transfer heat from the GPU die to the radiator. This method, while reliable, may not be as efficient as direct contact with the cooling fluid.
Implications and Future Developments
TrashBench's experiment raises questions about the potential for direct water cooling in retail products. While it's a highly effective method, the risk of short circuits and PCB leaks must be carefully managed. Manufacturers may need to invest in innovative solutions to make this technology safe and reliable for consumer use.
In conclusion, TrashBench's experiment demonstrates the potential of direct water cooling on GPUs. While it may not be suitable for all applications, it's a fascinating development in the world of computer hardware cooling. The future of cooling technology may involve more innovative and daring approaches to keep our GPUs running cool and efficient.
