Custom Water Block for NVIDIA RTX 5090 Founders Edition

German overclocking specialist Der8auer has recently unveiled a custom water block designed for NVIDIA's flagship RTX 5090 Founders Edition. This innovative cooling solution has successfully reduced core GPU temperatures by an impressive 30 degrees Celsius. The prototype copper cooling system achieved peak operating temperatures of only 43.8°C, a significant improvement compared to the stock cooler's 73.8°C under the same testing conditions.

The water block features an all-copper construction with a substantial 14 mm-thick cold plate, specifically engineered for optimal thermal transfer from the GB202 die. Despite maintaining the dual-slot form factor of the original Founders Edition cooler, this custom water block includes multiple cooling channels beneath a transparent top panel that allows for easy monitoring of coolant flow.

In addition to the remarkable GPU temperature reduction, memory temperatures also saw a significant improvement, dropping by 38 degrees Celsius below stock measurements. However, the prototype faces several engineering challenges. The team encountered limitations due to the graphics card's display output ribbon cable, which hindered the possibility of a more compact design closer to the actual PCB dimensions. Furthermore, the unique split PCIe finger design of the Founders Edition card raised structural concerns that require additional reinforcement before any potential commercial release.

Der8auer's prototype prioritizes function over aesthetics, opting out of common features like RGB lighting in favor of raw cooling performance. The industrial design of the water block reflects its proof-of-concept nature, with the transparent top panel offering practical utility for monitoring coolant flow. While there is no official release timeline, Der8auer has indicated that addressing the PCIe slot structural support issue is a crucial milestone that must be overcome before considering any commercial version.