Is it possible for an ice machine to cool an Nvidia RTX GPU during gaming? A bold modification demonstrates that it can.

      An ice machine successfully cooled an RTX 3060 to only 22 degrees while playing Cyberpunk 2077.

      A countertop ice maker is not typical PC hardware, but YouTuber TrashBench demonstrated that it can serve as an unexpectedly effective GPU cooler. In a recent video, TrashBench utilized an ice machine to create a custom cooling system for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, yielding remarkable results.

      This project drew inspiration from fellow creator Mr. Yeester, who used an ice machine for CPU cooling. TrashBench aimed to innovate by cooling a graphics card using the ice machine itself instead of just adding ice to a cooling loop.

      Before the experiment, the air-cooled RTX 3060 was operating normally, hitting approximately 60 degrees Celsius in Cyberpunk 2077, with a GPU hot spot around 75 degrees. Once the modified ice-machine setup was operational, these temperatures significantly decreased. The GPU maintained a range of 22 to 23 degrees in the same game, while the hot spot temperature reduced to about 34 degrees.

      However, the ice machine needed significant modifications. A standard countertop ice machine isn't built to manage a continuous GPU heat load. Its typical cycle creates ice, turns off the compressor, refills with water, and repeats, which is fine for beverages, but insufficient for keeping the water cold while the RTX 3060 was dissipating heat into the loop.

      To enable the setup, TrashBench adjusted the machine’s operations. He employed an external thermostat, typically used for a beer fridge, to keep the compressor running all the time. He also had to navigate the machine’s evaporator placement to effectively cool the water circulating through the system.

      The outcome was impressive but not practical. Although the results showcase the ice machine's cooling capability for a gaming GPU, the experiment highlighted why this approach should remain a novelty. With the water temperature dipping below ambient levels, condensation emerged as a significant issue, resulting in moisture accumulation around the equipment.

      In summary, while an ice machine can dramatically cool an RTX 3060, the risks of condensation, the cluttered setup, and various safety concerns mean this is more of a proof-of-concept than a practical solution for a gaming PC.

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