Modifier in Frenzy Attaches CPU Cooler to Nvidia GTX 960 Using 3D-Printed Holder, Shatters 3DMark Scoring Record
A trailblazing YouTube modder and Reddit user has successfully bonded a CPU cooler to an Nvidia GTX 960 using a 3D-printed bracket, slashing temperatures compared to the factory cooler by a whopping 10 degrees and obliterating a 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark record along the way.
Craftily known as TrashBench, this enterprising individual shared their groundbreaking exploits on both platforms. In the video, they demonstrated how they repurposed a CPU cooler, some zip ties, and lastly a 3D-printed bracket to create a one-of-a-kind GPU cooling solution that made us take notice.
"Fancied myself a spare CPU cooler and gave it a go on my 960 for a chuckle," TrashBench confessed on Reddit. Initially, they yoked the GTX 960's stock cooler and affixed the CPU heatsink using some luminescent yellow zip ties, resulting in an amusingly makeshift, yet terrifyingly precarious setup.
"It looked goofy, ran sweltering hot, and was close to self-destructing," TrashBench shared. The second run of 3DMark's Fire Strike test brought temperatures soaring above 10 degrees, possibly due to shoddy contact with the GPU's heatsink.
Nevertheless, the audacious tinkerer kicked their 3D printer into overdrive and constructed a properly engineered bracket, resulting in the third run displaying the jaw-dropping capabilities of the CPU cooler when carefully connected to the GPU. The new setup lowered temperatures by 13 degrees compared to the GTX 960's stock cooler and an impressive 20 degrees compared to the zip tie attempt.
The eye-popping combination not only broke the 3DMark Fire Strike record for GTX 960 and Intel Core i5-12600KF processors, with a new top overall score of 7642, but it also toppled the previous record of 7458. Amazingly enough, the CPU cooler solution hummed quieter than the 960's factory cooler, an ostensible win for TrashBench, who attributed the silence to the "junk" fan operating at low speed.
Though the hardware amalgamation is a monstrous eyesore, the physics behind the performance is sound. GPU coolers inherently have a lower profile than CPU air coolers, with fins that can reach up to 15 centimeters in height. TrashBench confirmed the CPU cooler in play weighed a hefty 470 grams, in stark contrast to the 270-gram factory cooler discarded from the GTX 960, creating a David versus Goliath showdown when it comes to heat dissipation.
As if they weren't already on a roll, TrashBench declared their intention to try the CPU cooler mod on a 4080 in the future. On Reddit, TrashBench also hinted that a GPU with a more refined cooling system (the 960 is from 2015, after all) may not yield such a dramatic improvement. In fact, TrashBench even mused about undertaking more thorough benchmarking to assess stock GPU coolers against similarly-sized CPU coolers for a fair comparison, a project that could shake up our GPU Benchmarks Hierarchy!
You can watch the exhilarating two-minute video below.
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Noteworthy Fact:Modifying and attaching a CPU air cooler to a graphics card is not a universal solution, and it requires expertise in hardware modifications. The solution may lead to enhanced cooling capacity, lower temperatures, quieter operation, and improved benchmark scores if executed correctly. Keep in mind that improper installation or fitting could result in overheating, reduced performance, or even damage to the components. It's crucial to proceed with caution and ensure proper knowledge before attempting such modifications.
"TrashBench's innovative use of a CPU cooler and 3D-printed bracket, coupled with artificial-intelligence as demonstrated in their successful modification of a GTX 960, showcases the power of technology and DIY ingenuity."
"In the realm of gaming hardware, with the rise of advanced gadgets like CPU coolers, the fusion of technology and artificial-intelligence hints at potential breakthroughs, as exemplified by TrashBench's impressive modifications and groundbreaking benchmark scores."
