Some Extra Cooling – 3D Print Your Way to Better

Heat is the silent enemy of electronics. Whether you're dealing with a gaming PC, Raspberry Pi, NAS, or even 3D printers themselves, efficient cooling is essential for optimal performance and longevity. One of the most affordable and customizable ways to improve thermal management is by using 3D-printed cooling accessories.

With the rise of consumer-grade 3D printers and a wealth of open-source designs, you can now print custom fan mounts, ducts, heatsink brackets, and airflow guides to keep your hardware running cool—without relying on expensive aftermarket parts.

Why Use 3D Printing for Cooling?

1. Customization

Every build is different. Off-the-shelf cooling solutions may not fit your specific case, board layout, or airflow path. A 3D-printed solution allows you to tailor-fit components for your exact needs.

2. Cost-Effective

Once you have access to a 3D printer, filament costs are minimal. For just a few cents of PLA or PETG, you can create structures that would otherwise cost significantly more if bought pre-made.

3. Rapid Prototyping

You can print and test cooling solutions in a matter of hours. If the airflow isn’t ideal or the fit isn’t perfect, tweak the design and reprint.

Common 3D-Printed Cooling Solutions

● Fan Ducts / Air Shrouds

One of the most popular printed cooling upgrades is a fan duct or shroud. These are especially useful for targeting airflow over CPU heatsinks, VRMs, or hard drives in tight cases or enclosures.

For example:

Raspberry Pi ducts can channel airflow directly over the CPU and USB controllers.

GPU shrouds redirect fan output toward specific hotspots.

HDD/SSD cooling guides can draw air between stacked drives in a NAS enclosure.

● Mounting Brackets for Extra Fans

Many cases don’t have mounts for additional fans. A 3D-printed bracket can help you:

Attach a fan to a PSU shroud.

Mount a fan to the side panel.

Install 40mm fans in micro NAS enclosures or 3D printer control boxes.

● Custom Heatsink Clips

Some motherboards or SBCs (Single Board Computers) don’t come with standardized mounting holes. 3D printing a clip-on heatsink retainer can provide a solution without modding the board.

● Cable Management + Cooling Aids

Better cable management improves airflow. You can 3D print cable combs, guides, or mountable clips that keep airflow channels clear, indirectly improving system thermals.

Best Filament Types for Cooling Parts

PLA is easy to print but may soften under high temperatures (above 50–60°C). Best for low-heat environments.

PETG offers higher heat resistance (up to 70–80°C) and more durability—great for fan mounts inside PC cases.

ABS or ASA is ideal for high-temp environments (like near hot-end chambers in 3D printers) but requires more printing care.

Final Thoughts

Adding some extra cooling using 3D printing is a smart, efficient, and flexible approach for DIY tech builders. Whether you're enhancing airflow inside a NAS, tweaking a printer enclosure, or retrofitting a cooling system in a compact PC, 3D-printed solutions offer unmatched versatility.

Platforms like Thingiverse, Printables, and Cults3D have thousands of free designs you can download and adapt. If you're comfortable with CAD tools like Fusion 360 or Tinkercad, you can create your own custom cooling components from scratch.