Updated
Updated · XDA Developers · Jun 22
TrashBench Cools RTX 3060 to 21C With Ice Machine, Halting Test Over Condensation
Updated
Updated · XDA Developers · Jun 22

TrashBench Cools RTX 3060 to 21C With Ice Machine, Halting Test Over Condensation

2 articles · Updated · XDA Developers · Jun 22

Summary

  • An RTX 3060 hit about 6.8C at idle and 21C under Cyberpunk 2077 after TrashBench routed ice-machine water through the GPU, far below 60C on stock cooling and 44C with standard water cooling.
  • The setup required modifying the ice machine with a thermostat because its default controls kept shutting it off during sustained gaming loads.
  • Condensation quickly became the limiting factor: water droplets began forming on the hardware, forcing TrashBench to stop the experiment before damage occurred.
  • TrashBench described the project as a stunt rather than a guide, underscoring that extreme sub-ambient cooling can outperform conventional methods but creates impractical moisture risks for everyday PC use.

Insights

Could supercomputer fluids make extreme DIY cooling with ice machines practical and safe for PC enthusiasts?
Is this risky ice machine experiment a glimpse into the extreme cooling future home PCs will need for AI?