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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."

2 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. 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.