Redditor uses a 4kg chunk of copper to cool an i9 processor
This CPU idles at 35 degrees, and its cooled by a block of copper
Published: 3rd February 2023 | Source: Reddit |
Can you cool a CPU with a chunk of copper? Yes, yes you can
A Redditor called "That-Desktop-User" has utilised a block of copper as a fanless heatsink to cool an Intel i9 processor, keeping the CPU at 35-degrees at idle and at around 80-degrees under load.
This hunk of copper was salvaged from an old medical machine, containing pre-threaded holes and a brass filter on the inside. That-Desktop-User has speculated that these holed could be used to add liquid cooling to this copper block, allowing them to improve the cooling potential of this near 4kg chunk of metal.
The incredible thing about this unorthodox cooling setup is how unreasonably effective it appears to be. This "heatsink" does not feature much surface area, but it is able to keep an i9 processor at around 80-degrees under load. With modifications, even better thermals could likely be achieved.
The huge thermal mass of this copper block is likely what's keeping That-Desktop-User's i9 processor cool under load, and it is unknown how this well crazy heatsink solution would work when presented with large, sustained loads. That-Desktop-User only tested his copper heatsink for 15 minutes under load, and it is likely that longer loads could overwhelm the large thermal mass of this chunky copper heatsink. It is likely that an i9 processor would add heat to this copper heatsink faster than it can dissipate it to the air around it, resulting in climbing temperatures for the copper block and higher CPU thermals.
You can join the discussion on the Redditor that used a chunk of copper to cool their i9 processor on the OC3D Forums.
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When I tested my CPU prior to adding the monoblock onto it, I used a cheap Intel fan from the 2700k days, and it easily kept the 11900k CPU down in the 80s while I verified it works under load (not heavy load). The fan cost me £5, this copper probably costs 3 or 4 times that amount!
Are people that bored that they want to test multiple objects just for "s**ts and giggles"? Even if its passive silent cooling, I still dont see the point.Quote