Redditor Shows Off Insanely Massive Passively-Cooled RTX 3080 Prototype
Unique cooling challenges are posed to PC hardware enthusiasts all the time, especially when their ambitions involve custom cases or out-of-the-box approaches. Recently, a Redditor showcased a prototype passively-cooled Nvidia RTX 3080 with 10 attached CPU air coolers, seeking feedback from the community.
The project sparked a discussion on the feasibility of such an unconventional cooling method. The highest-voted comment advised a complete overhaul of the build, suggesting the need for custom heat pipes in a ‘Christmas tree’ configuration due to concerns about the heat dissipation of the copper bar.
Despite the skepticism, the project drew inspiration from successful passive cooling cases like MonsterLabo’s ‘The Beast,’ capable of handling up to 400 Watts of heat, and Streacom’s passive cooling PC case, claimed to manage up to 600W of thermal power. These examples demonstrate that ambitious passive cooling hardware projects are not limited to laptops, smartphones, and Raspberry Pis.
While passive cooling offers efficient heat dissipation, it is essential to ensure proper ventilation in the room where such systems are utilized. Additionally, the possibility of incorporating very quiet fans into the constructs was suggested for added safety, although it may deviate from the concept of true passive cooling.
Enthusiasts are eager to witness the progress of the passively-cooled RTX 3080 project, particularly in terms of benchmarks and the final configuration. The evolution of this unconventional cooling approach is anticipated to provide valuable insights into the potential of passive cooling for high-end hardware.
As the project unfolds, the community looks forward to updated photos and performance assessments, eagerly anticipating the realization of this ambitious cooling endeavor.
