Tech Enthusiast Switches Graphics Card's Cooling with CPU Cooler in DIY Experiment, Delivering Unexpected Success
Take Your Graphics Card To The Next Level With 3D Printing And DIY Hacking!
If you've ever gazed longingly at that old graphics card gathering dust, wishing it had more PCIe slots and the ability to double as a CPU, here's some exciting news for you! With a 3D printer and a screwdriver, you can turn your pipe dream into a reality.
Step by Step Guide:TrashBench, a renowned YouTuber, demonstrates how to pull off this trick. The process involves removing the default cooler and shroud of your GPU, securing a CPU cooler, and even improving the thermals!
The DIY Journey:First, TrashBench attempted to affix the Cooler Master heatsink and fan to the GPU using zip ties, but the results were far from satisfactory. The graphics card in question was a GTX 960, and after being stripped and zip-tie-jerry-rigged with a CPU cooler, it hit 50°C, which is far from ideal.
The Breakthrough:TrashBench then created a "proper bracket" using his 3D printer. This custom-made bracket fit the screw holes on the PCB, allowing for secure screwing in and mounting of the CPU cooler on top, complete with a layer of thermal paste sandwiched between the two. The result? A remarkable 28°C, a significant improvement!
Practicality and Challenges:While this method isn't suitable for most machines due to the cooler's interference with the motherboard, it's still an impressive feat of DIY ingenuity. If you lack a 3D printer but have plenty of zip ties, you can always give the zip tie approach a try (though it might provide less optimal thermal performance).
The Past and Present of DIY Cooling:Remember the halcyon days of yore, when my colleague Andy and his step-brother experimented with zip-tie coolers on their ancient graphics cards? The zip tie method isn't new, but it's always intriguing to see innovative ways of improving technology. This little experiment makes me curious about dusting off my old GTX 1070!
Stay Ahead of the Game: Keep abreast of the latest gaming news, hardware deals, and more by following PC Gamer. And, if you're interested in learning more about CPU cooling solutions, check out our top picks for the best AIO coolers and air coolers available!
** Insights from Enrichment Data:**Creating a custom bracket, mounting a CPU cooler on a GPU, and applying thermal paste can help improve GPU thermals. This method, though not suitable for all machines, showcases the power of 3D printing in creative problem-solving. To achieve the best results, ensure good thermal contact, optimal airflow, and a suitable CPU cooler for your GPU's dimensions.
Author:Jacob Fox has been a hardware enthusiast since his first gaming PC at age 12. Despite a brief detour for a PhD in Philosophy, he continues to pursuing his passion for technology as a full-time member of the PC Gamer team. With a fingers-in-many-pies approach, Jacob has written for various tech websites and is eager to share his hardware expertise with fellow enthusiasts!
- With the innovative DIY hack demonstrated by TrashBench, fans of 3D printing can bet on winning by upgrading their graphics cards, turning them into functional CPUs.
- The latest season of DIY gaming projects saw a breakthrough when a GTX 960 graphics card was successfully converted using a custom-made 3D printed bracket and a CPU cooler.
- As technology continues to evolve, gamers and tech enthusiasts can win big with the aid of artificial intelligence, learning new ways to improve their card games with gadgets like the latest AIO and air coolers.
- The past and present of DIY cooling showcases the impact of creativity in problem-solving, such as the early attempts with zip-tie coolers on ancient graphics cards, and the recent success with a 3D printed bracket and CPU cooler.
- Rather than relying on the zip-tie method, fans of TrashBench can win the race to better thermals with a more precise approach, taking advantage of technology like 3D printing to create a custom bracket for their graphics cards.
