Pushing the boundaries: Enthusiasts are all the time in search of an edge on this planet of overclocking and excessive cooling. In this wild check, the staff sought to find out whether or not superior GenAI and 3D printing may assist them squeeze out extra efficiency from in the present day’s processors. To reply this, they constructed a liquid nitrogen (LN2) container in a complete new approach – and arrived at some fascinating conclusions.
The venture introduced collectively specialists from throughout the ecosystem – Skatterbencher who’s famend for overclocking prowess; Diabatix, specializing in generative AI for thermal options; 3D Systems for additive manufacturing; and at last ElmorLabs for overclocking gear.
The staff took ElmorLabs’ present Volcano LN2 container as a reference level, then tasked Diabatix’s ColdStream Next AI to generate an improved design. 3D Systems then introduced that digital blueprint to life, 3D printing a prototype utilizing oxygen-free copper powder. Shockingly although, the cutting-edge course of commanded a steep $10,000 price ticket – a far cry from the $260 value of the unique Volcano.
The AI/3D printed design confirmed promise in early testing, specializing in three key metrics: cool-down time from room temperature to -194°C, heat-up time from -194°C to twenty°C below a 1250W load, and the bottom temperature achieved utilizing 500mL of liquid nitrogen.
It blew previous the Volcano in cool-down velocity, chilling from 28°C to -194°C in below a minute in comparison with the Volcano’s 3-minute tempo. Heat-up efficiency was higher too, with the AI container warming up 30% quicker. Efficiency additionally favored the AI design – utilizing 500mL of LN2, it hit -133°C, whereas the Volcano stopped brief at -100°C.
However, since these exams don’t signify real-world efficiency, the staff determined to run three extra utilizing the Intel Core i9-14900KF Raptor Lake processor. First, they fired up Cinebench 2024 to seek out probably the most steady most CPU frequency.
“We find that both LN2 containers can handle the Core i9-14900KF with P-cores clocked to 7.4 GHz without any issue. It seemed the AI-generated design could perhaps hold 7.5 GHz just a tad longer. But that might just be run-to-run variation,” they famous.
In the second check, they checked the CPU temperature deltas between the warmth spreader and cooling container base to evaluate actual warmth switch capabilities. There was additionally an all-out stress check, pushing over 600W by the chip for a number of minutes.
While the AI container did pull forward a smidge, the positive factors had been comparatively muted in comparison with the theoretical check outcomes. Temperature deltas between the CPU warmth spreader and container base had been tighter on the 3D-printed mannequin, however not by an earth-shattering margin. Even the efficiency uplift in Cinebench was pretty modest, as seen above.
After crunching the numbers, the staff decided that whereas technically spectacular, the AI/3D printed design at present would not pencil out from a value/profit perspective for modest overclocking eventualities. Not with that $10,000 price ticket.
However, they don’t seem to be achieved but. While “nothing concrete” is in hand, the staff says they may look into efficiency and price optimizations. The design of the LN2 container would not essentially have to be round, for instance. They are additionally exploring new designs for higher-power CPUs just like the Ryzen Threadripper or Intel’s Xeon 6.
All in all, the feasibility research might have uncovered some limitations, however it additionally proved generative AI has higher makes use of than merely churning out six-fingered fashions.