Nov 04, 2025 12:00:00

Intel Arc GPU overclocking world record set using car antifreeze and a pond pump

In the world of self-built PCs, there are people who enjoy 'overclocking,' which is the pursuit of how to maximize performance by operating CPUs, GPUs, etc. at higher than standard operating frequencies. Normally, parts are cooled as much as possible using liquid nitrogen, but an overclocker has achieved the world record for overclocking

the Intel Arc B580 by using automotive antifreeze.

GPU overclocker uses chilled car antifreeze and pond pump to push Intel card to sub-zero temps, sets world record — 'TrashBench' sets GPU benchmark record at -17C, gains 16% more performance | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/overclocking/gpu-overclocker-uses-car-coolant-and-pond-pump-to-cool-intel-arc-b580-achieves-17c-temperature-16-percent-performance-uplift-and-gpu-benchmark-record

The world record was set by overclocker and YouTuber TrashBench, who used a MAXSON MS-Intel ARC B580 iCraft 12G graphics card.

First, remove the heat sink along with the exterior.

Wipe off the grease on the GPU.

The water cooling unit is fixed in place, but it cannot be installed as is.

The parts for fixing the water cooling unit to the circuit board are printed using a 3D printer.

After applying liquid insulating tape to make it waterproof, install the water cooling unit.

Attach the heat sink to the memory, secure it with clamps, and connect it to the power supply.

In addition, an air-cooling fan was installed in the water-cooling unit.

According to TrashBench, antifreeze remains liquid down to about -25°C, so they use antifreeze that has been cooled to -17°C in a freezer. The antifreeze is pumped out by a pump used in the pond.

The Intel Arc B580's maximum operating frequency is 2850MHz when it is stock.

By overclocking with air cooling, it was possible to increase the operating frequency to 3200MHz.

The maximum FPS when running '

Cyberpunk 2077 ,' ' Forza 5 ,' and ' Monster Hunter Wilds ' at 1080p resolution and high image quality settings is as follows. Increasing the operating frequency through overclocking will also increase the maximum FPS.

This water-cooled system using antifreeze achieved an operating frequency of 3316MHz.

The score of 3DMark's Time Spy benchmark was 16,631 points, which is about 12% higher than the original score and broke the world record of the B580.

The maximum FPS results for the three titles are as follows. The water-cooled overclocking with antifreeze (red) achieved an average 16% FPS improvement compared to the stock (blue) system.

However, as the antifreeze warmed up, the cooling efficiency decreased and the operating frequency also decreased.

In addition, you can see the movie that TrashBench actually succeeded in overclocking from the following.

I Froze Intel's B580 GPU. It Should've Died. - YouTube