We put a 3090 in it... - Hot Wheels Water Cooling

This video documents an ambitious collaboration where Shank Mods tries to fit a RTX 3090 graphics card into a Hot Wheels PC chassis, pushing the limits of a tiny 9.6 liter case. The plan kicks off with a frank assessment of the space constraints and a decision to relocate the dual SFX power supplies to the top of the case, freeing room for a larger radiator. The team debates cooling strategies, considering a single loop water cooling solution for both CPU and GPU, and weighs the tradeoffs of airflow versus noise. Early tests are performed on an open bench to gauge headroom before committing to full enclosure work, using FurMark and Prime95 to stress the system while monitoring temperatures. The segment ends with a refreshed plan: move forward with a 120 mm radiator, adjust the case internals, and begin the five-step chassis modification to cradle the oversized GPU while preserving the Hot Wheels aesthetic. The second paragraph follows the mechanical and electrical rework of the chassis. The crew disassembles and clears the case to create space for the GPU and the radiator, drilling holes and removing rivets to accommodate the longer 3090. They carefully relocate the power supplies to new positions, carving out space for a 120 mm radiator and designing a rear support to stabilize the longer graphics card. Compatibility issues with the motherboard I/O shield and a mounting bracket are addressed through deliberate cuts and test pieces, including acrylic mockups to visualize clearance. Throughout, the team emphasizes preserving the original Hot Wheels look while achieving functional cooling, driven by the live data from stress tests and temperature monitoring. In the third segment, the build enters a critical fitting phase where the back plate, radiators, and water loop are aligned inside the constrained chassis. The team performs iterative cuts and adjustments to ensure the GPU, CPU, and radiator all fit without impeding each other, while maintaining structural integrity. They test with FurMark and Prime95 again to verify sustained performance and observe temperature behavior under load, noting CPU temps in the 70s and GPU temperatures climbing but not throttling. The crew also integrates the Ostendo rear projection-inspired display and other retro-themed aesthetics, culminating in a showcase of the compact rig running modern games at surprising frame rates. The conclusion highlights the successful containment of a high-powered build in a subten-liter footprint, the satisfaction of a difficult but rewarding fabrication process, and a nod to future possibilities for even more flame-themed or higher-performance iterations.

Topics · hardware · modding · custom_pc · water_cooling · small_form_factor · retro_gaming · aesthetic_design