Overclocker der8auer demonstrated a radical cooling method that lowers CPU temperatures significantly without using active fans. This experiment matters to builders who struggle with thermal management on high-performance chips like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The approach replaces standard radiator fans with a massive 3D-printed chimney to leverage natural convection. It offers a glimpse into extreme passive cooling, even if the setup remains largely impractical for typical desktop cases.
Enthusiast der8auer demonstrates extreme passive cooling on AMD processor
The core of this experiment involves a custom liquid cooling loop attached to an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. Der8auer removed the standard fans from an All-In-One (AIO) radiator and installed a 110-centimeter tall 3D-printed chimney in their place. This chimney acts as a vertical exhaust stack, drawing heat away from the radiator through negative pressure and airflow dynamics. The system relies entirely on the chimney's height to create a strong draft, eliminating the need for noisy fan motors.
Cooling Test Results
- CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Temperature Drop: 19 degrees Celsius
- Cooling Method: 110cm 3D-printed chimney
- Standard Temp: 90 degrees Celsius
- Modded Temp: 71 degrees Celsius
The temperature reduction achieved by this setup is substantial. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D dropped from 90 degrees Celsius to 71 degrees Celsius, a reduction of 19 degrees. This result came from the 110-centimeter chimney working in tandem with the liquid loop. In contrast, a shorter 10-centimeter chimney test failed to move enough air to lower the coolant temperature, proving that height is critical for this passive method to work.
We have tracked the Ryzen 7 9800X3D closely, including our earlier coverage on the Amazon CPU Swap Scam. The 110-centimeter chimney extends well beyond standard PC case dimensions, making it impossible to use in most consumer builds. This physical constraint limits the method to specialized test benches or open-air setups. The experiment highlights the thermal headroom of the 9800X3D but does not offer a scalable solution for everyday users.
Der8auer shared these findings in a new video showcasing the modded cooler. The demonstration confirms that extreme passive cooling can drastically reduce temperatures on modern high-end CPUs. While the 19-degree drop is impressive, the size requirements prevent widespread adoption. Builders seeking quiet operation might still prefer optimized fan curves over a massive chimney structure.
Source: TweakTown
