Innovative Cooling Techniques in CPU Overclocking
In the realm of CPU cooling, enthusiasts often rely on traditional methods such as heatsinks and fans. However, master overclocker Roman “Der8auer” Hartung has recently showcased a more avant-garde approach: spray cooling. This technique involves directly applying coolant to the bare integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, offering a glimpse into a world where conventional cooling methods may be challenged.
While spray cooling is not for the faint-hearted or the casual user, it certainly captivates the imagination. Der8auer’s demonstration revealed that this method can effectively cool an AMD CPU during a rigorous multi-core run of the Cinebench R23 benchmark. Although the final score fell short of what one might expect from a standard cooling setup, Der8auer attributed this to the CPU potentially reaching temperatures of 95°C at certain points during the test. Thus, while spray cooling may not be poised to dethrone traditional coolers anytime soon, it remains a fascinating experiment in thermal management.
At its core, spray cooling is a variant of phase-change cooling. This process allows the coolant to transition from liquid or mist to gas upon reaching its boiling point, which occurs almost instantaneously upon contact with the heated CPU. This phase change facilitates the removal of significant thermal energy, and as the gas cools and reverts to liquid, it can be recirculated within the system. This concept echoes the phase-change refrigeration systems once popularized by products like the Asetek Vapochill, as well as the vapor chambers found in some modern graphics card cooling solutions.
As Der8auer elaborates in his video, the intricacies of this cooling method demand meticulous planning. The choice of coolant is paramount; it must possess a low boiling point while being non-conductive and non-flammable. In his setup, Der8auer utilized 3M Novec 7000, which boasts a boiling point of just 34°C and meets all necessary criteria. However, it’s worth noting that this coolant is set to be banned in the EU later this year, which may hinder the proliferation of hobbyist spray cooling using Novec in the near future.
The apparatus crafted for this experiment consumed approximately 500ml of coolant within a mere 15 minutes. Observers could witness the CPU being effectively cooled by the mist, with ice crystals forming on the spray nozzles. During light workloads, the CPU cores maintained temperatures between 60-70°C while drawing around 50W of power. The setup successfully completed the Cinebench multi-core test, demonstrating the viability of this unconventional cooling method.
While the allure of extreme cooling experiments is undeniable, it is advisable for most users to stick with established airflow and liquid cooling solutions for their CPUs. For those contemplating an upgrade, our guide to selecting the best gaming CPU offers insights into current top performers, including the Ryzen 7 9800X3D featured in this innovative cooling experiment.
If you have ventured into the realm of extreme cooling for your CPU, we invite you to share your experiences on our community Discord server.
