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CPU Convective Water Cooling

Posted by chrisd on from the ugly-computers dept.

biso writes "The possibility of cooling a CPU with gravitational convective flow of water is here analyzed and experimented with positive results. Many liquid cooling systems have been experimented by overclockers to better dissipate the heat from CPUs. The major part of these coolers is characterized by a relatively complex system requiring pumps or other active devices. Sometimes even liquid nitrogen is used. I built a simpler cooler, able to dissipate the same heat flux of a normal heatsink."

8 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Why not use transformer oil? by xtronics · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Trasformer oil is insulating and would not short-out anything. It could also cool the powersupply at the same time, without the inherint saftey risk water subjects us to.

  2. PC or 400psi TCM? by gelfling · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's kind of ironic istn't it that CMOS PCs will eventually need the same plumbing as the TCMs they were supposed to replace.

    Hey I had a 9021-721 MVS/ESA mainframe that used TCM's cooled by a 400psi cooling system. The great thing about the next gen CMOS mainframes was that even though one TCM was now replaced with 3-6 CMOS units, we didn't need a massive chiller system.

    Oh well, guess everything will have huge ass chiller pumps now.

  3. Simpler, Cheaper Method... by jaybird144 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While I admire all of those who are willing to actually pipe water into their computers for the sake of keeping them cool, I am still more than a little frightened of this idea. Knowing me, something would end up leaking (probably through fault of my own) and my precious tower would go up in a ball of flame or some such. Rather, I choose to take your regular old air cooling and make it more effective. Through proper cable management, good airflow paths, a set of nice quiet fans, and the ability to control them with respect to how much they are needed, I keep my fan almost as cool as a friend of mine who does have a liquid cooling system, and with very comparable noise levels. If you're willing to do some work and set up a decent air-based system (and be willing to clean out the dust), there's no need to balance a bucket of water precariously on top of one's computer... : |

    1. Re:Simpler, Cheaper Method... by Tidan · · Score: 4, Interesting
      So much for innovation...

      This guy is trying to be creative and show us a unique way of cooling a computer. Obviously this type of water cooling is somewhat of a new idea, and has yet to be perfected. I mean, he even says that he tested it on a K6-2 computer (relatively low power dissipation).

      Give the guy some credit here! Instead of saying why fans are better and that water (or any liquid) spells disaster, why not try and understand why this is better than the old system?

      First - liquid cooled without a pump = no mechanical parts to fail. Those heat-pipe heatsinks that are becoming popular have liquid inside them, and you probably aren't worried about having them leak. It's possible that there might be a commercial product that does the same thing with gravitational convection of liquids.

      Secondly - eliminating (or reducing) fans not only eliminates noise, it also improves reliability. How many of us have had fans get noisier over time and eventually die on us?

      Anyway, I say more power to this guy. someday we might have the CPU mounted at the bottom of our case, and have a cool lava-lamp looking effect running up the side wall. Let's not be quick to fear new technologies - look at the possibilities first!

      --
      free ipod? yeah.
  4. You wanna build a quieter computer? by jsse · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You may look here

    Without the need to implement that bulky bowl of water. :)

  5. I've never understood why... by rmdyer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...the motherboard manufacturers just don't put the processors on the back side of the motherboards.

    Think about it. If the processor and other heat generating chips were on the reverse side you could mount the motherboard in such a way as to press against the large metal backside of your case cabinet. The case cabinet could be designed in such a way as to have indentations that force the processor flat against the case with heat sink gel. In fact the entire case back could be a water-cooled heat sink. This would keep the inside of the case "water-free".

    Sure, this would take a radical new case design and motherboard (another industry standard), but that seems to be where we are headed right? I mean processors are getting hotter and Intel and AMD are trying to figure out what to do.

    Why not?

    BTW, I think it has something to do with the fact that the motherboard components are all wave soldered on one side. This would melt most plastic components on that side. I'm not sure about this.

    1. Re:I've never understood why... by StressedEd · · Score: 3, Interesting
      force the processor flat against the case with heat sink gel


      A nice idea in principle, but cases are there to protect the components inside. If you go physically attaching the components to the case, all you have to do is knock the case and end up stressing the CPU die.


      That said however, I agree some sort of more "holistic" approach could be wise.

      --
      Be nice to people on the way up. You will meet them again on your way down!
  6. Nuclear reaction? by dirtyhank · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I guess Intel meant the surface of the Sun. This outer layer (photosphere) has a temperature of 6000C aprox. Yeah, it's damn hot but quite below from the 15000000C of the core (where the nuclear reactions take place).

    Molten lava temperature is ~1000C so only 5000C to go :-)