Cooler Master wants to replace your graphics card's 3 fans with its own, 2-fan solution

News
By Avram Piltch
published

A prototype video card cooler replace promises better temps with less noise.

Cooler Master Project VGA Cooler
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

If you have a high-end graphics card such as an RTX 4090 or RTX 4080, it almost certainly has three fans because it needs all the cooling it can get. A hot card is a slow card, but a card with three fans that's running at load is also a source of noise. Some folks try to address this problem by replacing their GPU fans with custom water blocks, but that requires them to use open-loop cooling which is expensive, difficult and a bridge too far for most people.

Cooler Master has a different idea. At CES 2024, the company showed off a prototype GPU cooler with dual fans that PC builders would use to replace the triple-fan setup that came preinstalled on the best graphics cards.

Company reps said that the two fans would be its Mobius fans, which they claim will provide superior airflow at lower noise levels. Without testing, we can't verify this claim, but probably there's room to improve upon the fans that at least some high-end graphics cards come with.

In addition to the fans, the prototype cooler has an all-white or silver casing that covers the front of the GPU and is emblazoned with a Cooler Master logo. In the prototype I saw, the logo was just silver colored, but the company could decide to make it an RGB light before this becomes a shipping product.

Cooler Master Project VGA Cooler

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

While the idea of upgrading your graphics card's cooling sounds appealing, there are a few big challenges facing this product. First, Cooler Master would need to create multiple versions of the cooler that are designed to fit on specific graphics card models. So the company would need to decide exactly which makes and models to design for. The model we saw on display was replacing the fans on an Asus graphics card.

Second, many users might be wary of removing their graphics card's stock fans for fear of damaging the card and voiding its warranty. And, finally, users might like the aesthetics of the graphics card they bought and not want a white or gray shield covering it up. 

However, if Cooler Master can show that its third-party GPU cooler provides performance improvements, it will find an audience among enthusiasts who like to push their components to the limit. We'll have to see if this concept ever becomes a shipping product. 

Avram Piltch
Avram Piltch
Avram Piltch is Tom's Hardware's editor-in-chief. When he's not playing with the latest gadgets at work or putting on VR helmets at trade shows, you'll find him rooting his phone, taking apart his PC or coding plugins. With his technical knowledge and passion for testing, Avram developed many real-world benchmarks, including our laptop battery test.
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24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • AgentBirdnest
    Second, many users might be wary of removing their graphics card's stock fans for fear of damaging the card and voiding its warranty. And, finally, users might like the aesthetics of the graphics card they bought and not want a white or gray shield covering it up.
    These were my first two thoughts. Those who are comfortable with removing the stock fans are probably a lot more comfortable with water cooling, as well (and if this is aimed toward 4080-4090 cards, then cost isn't as much of an issue for them.)

    I think aesthetics are probably the bigger concern... I think few people would want to cover up the logos, RGB, and snazzy designs on their high-priced graphics cards with this chunky thing. Replace that prestigious magnetic "SUPRIM" or ARGB "Republic of Gamers" logo with a good ol' emblazoned "CoolerMaster" ? Even if they do pretty it up and add RGB, it would be like covering your laptop's Apple logo with a Dell one. I don't think many people will go for that.

    With all that said, I'd love to see how it performs, and if it really lives up to the claims.
    Reply
  • husker
    Do they sell a kit to make my Ferrari look like a Ford?

    Note: Fords are fine, just not as fine as a Ferrari.

    Also, I don't really have a Ferrari.
    Reply
  • Avro Arrow
    Of all the ways that one can void their video card's warranty, this one is easily the best! ;)(y)
    Reply
  • Avro Arrow
    husker said:
    Do they sell a kit to make my Ferrari look like a Ford?

    Note: Fords are fine, just not as fine as a Ferrari.

    Also, I don't really have a Ferrari.
    Someone once told me to "Get high and die!" so I bought a Veloster! :LOL:
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    I could see a AIB builder (especially a second tier) cross marketing with a Cooler Master cooler from the assembly line.
    Reply
  • artk2219
    Co BIY said:
    I could see a AIB builder (especially a second tier) cross marketing with a Cooler Master cooler from the assembly line.
    That was my first thought if it performed well enough, that they may sell these as whitelabel for other manufacturers.
    Reply
  • UnforcedERROR
    Coolers on GPUs have gotten better, so there's been less reason to replace them. I remember when people would replace the conventional cooling solutions with aftermarket fans or heat pipes. Zalman made a number of these, and I installed at least one other brand on an AMD 5850. Even recently I recall NZXT putting out an AIO liquid cooler solution.

    Not terribly unique or interesting, but I suppose there's a market for it.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    It shouldn't be all that hard for them to support multiple board designs since it's basically just a shroud. They'd have to make sure there were appropriate screw openings and nothing overlapped but that's about it.

    That being said I'm not sure there's much of a market for this outside of OEMs who make their own cards. Having a mostly ready-made high quality fan/shroud setup that you could use across your entire line might be enticing.
    Reply
  • Avro Arrow
    Co BIY said:
    I could see a AIB builder (especially a second tier) cross marketing with a Cooler Master cooler from the assembly line.
    Cooler Master already makes GPU coolers for some companies. I remember seeing an episode of Gamers Nexus where Steve went to Cooler Master and several GeForce model shrouds could be seen with various brands on them. I think that they also make the coolers for the reference GeForce cards.
    Reply
  • Avro Arrow
    UnforcedERROR said:
    Coolers on GPUs have gotten better, so there's been less reason to replace them. I remember when people would replace the conventional cooling solutions with aftermarket fans or heat pipes. Zalman made a number of these, and I installed at least one other brand on an AMD 5850. Even recently I recall NZXT putting out an AIO liquid cooler solution.

    Not terribly unique or interesting, but I suppose there's a market for it.
    I have a Dell HD 5870 reference design with the jet engine blower cooler. Lotsa fun!
    Reply