Well, if, for some reason, you want to create a CPU waterblock without buying anything, you can go the DIY route, and apparently, a modder has shown the whole process.
Modder Creates a Custom CPU Waterblock By Carving Out the IHS; Thermal Performance Not Too Impressive
PC builders, often the hardcore ones, have intrusive thoughts about certain elements, such as sticking your finger into the GPU fans while they are running, but it seems like a modder has done something that few of us would expect. In a YouTube video uploaded by ocutppus and spotted by UNIKO's Hardware, an individual has managed to convert a CPU's regular Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) into a water block, which involves "literally" carving out cooling channels on the IHS, and regulating the coolant manually after intervals.
Starting with what the modder did with the IHS, it seems like he utilized CNC machinery to carve out what appear to be channels for the coolant through which heat is dissipated. The mechanism is similar to direct-die cooling, but here, the carvings will make the IHS a closer implementation of what you would typically find in a cooling block. Interestingly, the individual also attached fittings for water pipes to the IHS, making it a "mini-version" of the conventional CPU cooling blocks you'll find there.
Since this implementation was more focused on the IHS, the modder didn't create a dedicated cooling reservoir but instead used a plastic bucket. Well, you heard it right. The modder utilized the bucket as the place for the coolant regulation, and after a certain time of use, the coolant was discharged into a separate bottle. So, we believe that this implementation is suitable enough for experimental purposes, and if you are thinking of trying something similar, we can only wish you luck.
There are some fascinating performance stats with this way of cooling, since the processor tested was the Core i9-14900KS, and there were a lot of temperature fluctuations, especially since, with the custom IHS solution, the contact area with the CPU itself was much less relative to a conventional CPU waterblock, which means that during the time when the pump speed is reduced, temperatures would see a massive spike. So yeah, this alternate cooling method isn't as easy as it may seem.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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