Enthusiast turns CPU cover into water block — experiment on Core i9-14900KS

In the vastness of Chinese YouTube user Octopus conducted an unusual experiment - he transformed the processor cover Core i9-14900KS into full-fledged water block. Instead of installing a separate cooler, the enthusiast decided to mill it into IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) a series of channels for cooling liquid, creating a closed water system directly within the processor case.

To implement the project, octppus used a machine CNC and close cooperation with the subscriber. As a result of the modification, neat inlet and outlet channels appeared in the processor cover, and a rubber gasket and screws were used to seal the structure. The entire heat exchanger was connected to a non-standard cooling system: water was supplied from a conventional pails, which served as a reservoir. After each cycle, the liquid was poured into a separate bottle for the accuracy of the tests.

The results were contradictory. With a standard load of 60 W and at idle, the modified IHS provided lower temperatures compared to the classic water block. However, when the pump speed was reduced, the temperature rose sharply, overtaking the indicators of traditional systems. The main reason is the reduced heat exchange area and the lack of channel optimization for uniform heat distribution, unlike well-thought-out industrial solutions.

However, the idea showed that reducing the distance between the crystal and the cooling liquid by 4 times gives a real effect at high flow. However, the risk of damaging the processor with such a modification is extremely high, and the efficiency directly depends on stability coolant flowDespite the success of the experiment, this method remains extremely complex and impractical for most users.