A tech YouTuber engineered a unique GPU cooling system by repurposing a countertop ice machine, significantly reducing the Nvidia RTX 3060's temperature while running Cyberpunk 2077.
- RTX 3060 GPU temperatures cut by more than half using ice machine cooling
- Modified ice maker compressor to run nonstop with external thermostat
- Condensation and safety concerns limit practical use of setup
What happened
YouTuber TrashBench repurposed a standard countertop ice machine into a custom cooling system for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. Inspired by a similar CPU cooling mod, TrashBench adapted the ice machine to cool the GPU directly rather than just introducing ice to a liquid loop. During gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077, the system slashed the GPU temperature from around 60 degrees Celsius to approximately 22 to 23 degrees.
To achieve this, TrashBench modified the ice machine’s operating cycle. Typically designed to periodically freeze ice then shut down, the machine’s compressor was set to run continuously using an external thermostat usually intended for beer fridges. Additional work was done to optimize the cooling of the water loop by adjusting the evaporator’s placement inside the machine.
Why it matters
This mod demonstrates a novel approach to GPU cooling by utilizing an appliance not originally intended for PC hardware, highlighting the creativity and experimentation within the PC enthusiast community. The substantial temperature drop indicates potential for alternative cooling solutions beyond traditional air or liquid coolers.
However, the experiment also underscores the challenges of such DIY solutions. Continuous compressor operation and sub-ambient cooling introduce condensation risks that can damage electronic components. Safety concerns and the complexity of the setup make it impractical for everyday use but valuable as a proof of concept.
What to watch next
It will be interesting to see if this unconventional cooling method inspires further innovation or refinement, potentially with improved moisture management or compact designs compatible with gaming PCs. Developers of cooling technology may take cues from this to explore hybrid or alternative cooling methods.
Meanwhile, the broader PC modding community will likely continue to experiment with repurposing everyday devices for hardware cooling, pushing the boundaries between inventive DIY projects and practical performance solutions. Monitoring advancements in condensation prevention and efficient, low-noise continuous cooling will be key to future success.