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Cyrix Hotplate Howto

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-you-can dept.

fimbulvetr writes "Looking to put those old processors to work? Tired of catching flack for having hardware, but no use for it? Worry no more! Doc from rabidhardware.com shows us how to employ 7 Cyrix processors to build a spectacular cooking device. Cooking instructions not included. Void where prohibited."

17 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Finally, a reason to use Cyrix by Willeh · · Score: 5, Funny

    While Intel recently made this impossible via their Speedstep technology, Cyrix is right on the bleeding edge of multitaskable (computing/ cooking) CPU's. For this, i salute them.

    --
    Will wank off Linus Torvalds for fame.
  2. Umm by TheKidWho · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wouldnt a Pentium 4 be better for this?

    1. Re:Umm by dfn5 · · Score: 4, Funny
      Wouldnt a Pentium 4 be better for this?

      So would gas, but the article isn't aimed at people looking for the best way to do something.

      --
      -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
  3. Cool idea but... by lecithin · · Score: 4, Funny

    "To do this we'll be using 7 6x86 Cyrix CPUs ranging from 100mhz to 150mhz, dissipating an upwards of 20+ watts each. All chips will be supplied with 5v regardless of their original requirements, which I imagine will also improve the thermal output."

    Wouldn't this void the warranty?

    --
    It could be worse, it could be Monday.
    1. Re:Cool idea but... by SpongeBobLinuxPants · · Score: 5, Funny

      The place I used to work at had a few cyrix based computers. The power supply fan quit on one of them, which in turn burned out the CPU fan. Finally 2 weeks later when someone called me complaining that the pc was wicked slow I checked it out. You could actually read "Cyrix MII" on the backside of the heatsink.

      --
      hack a day
  4. Recipe for cooking with Cyrix by miracle69 · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Host server on Cyrix processor.
    2) Post on Slashdot.
    3) Watch food get cooked.

    --
    Linux - Because Mommy taught me to Share.
  5. I call shenanigans! by YankeeInExile · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How can a single 7805 rated for a maximum Icc of 1A provide the couple dozen amperes to provide even the output equivalent to an Easy-bake oven?

    My inner child just got the shit kicked out of him by my inner skeptic who says, This should have waited a few weeks for 1 April

    --
    How does the Slashdot Effect happen given that no slashdotters ever RTFA?
    1. Re:I call shenanigans! by YankeeInExile · · Score: 5, Insightful

      ...indeed. In the time since my previous posting, I went and looked at the hotplate I have in my kitchen, and it dissipates 850W ... So, even if they could configure a handful of CPUs (with no clock feeding them) as heaters, it would take 42 of them to give the equivalent to a pretty pathetic cooking appliance.

      I re-assert: This article is 100% unadulterated bullshit

      --
      How does the Slashdot Effect happen given that no slashdotters ever RTFA?
    2. Re:I call shenanigans! by Technician · · Score: 4, Informative

      My guess is that he didn't REALLY get 120 watts through, but enough current to warm up the chips nicely.

      From a quick Google search on one of these...

      USM 7805 is a 3-terminal positive voltage regulator designed with built in internal current limiting, thermal shutdown and safe-area compensation for maximum flexibility and safety . With adequate heat sinking provided, USM 7805 can deliver up to 1.5A output current.

      I'm with you on your conclusion. The chip at current limiting gives you about 7.5 Watts, not 120 Watts or anything close. I have a night light for the kids that put out the same heat he could have gotten.

      --
      The truth shall set you free!
    3. Re:I call shenanigans! by YankeeInExile · · Score: 4, Informative

      Well, let me backpedal a bit on my flat denial.

      I can imagine designing a system that used a 20W heater to heat a very large mass of metal to a suitable temperature to fry an egg, with sufficient heat capacity to keep that temperature throughout the cooking of the egg

      Now, assume a mass of copper (Specific Heat of 0.385 Joule/g/C)

      I just fried an egg, using my little hotplate. I used a deep-fry thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil at 135C near the middle of the cooking process (just before I turned the egg). From raw egg to breakfast was 3 minutes 30 seconds (plus or minus 15 ... It's difficult to juggle an egg a hotplate a fry pan and a stopwatch without setting the kitchen on fire!)

      So, I soaked 850 (power output of hot plate) watts into my breakfast for 210 seconds, or a total energy input of 178.5 kJ. So, how much copper do I need to heat to a 135, such that after sucking out 175,000 joules it will be about 120. Fifteen degree drop , 175000 joules, comes to about 30 kg of copper.

      To heat 30 kg of copper to that 135 in the first place (from an ambient of, let's say 25) will take 110 * 30000 * 38.5 equals 1.27 MJ.

      At twenty watts, a mere 17.6 hours, assuming your heater and the block of copper are in a perfectly insulated space. Putting it in the real world will make it take longer (in fact, probably an infinite amount of time because of radiation loss).

      Learn the difference between heat and temperature

      --
      How does the Slashdot Effect happen given that no slashdotters ever RTFA?
  6. First menu will be... by danormsby · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fish and chips anyone?

    --
    Omnis amans amens
  7. Re:or by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Informative

    sorry about that formated the link badly http://www.rabidhardware.net.nyud.net:8090/index.p hp?id=44

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
  8. Mirror by SmokeHalo · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here is a mirror, as I have found the site to be /.'d already.

    --
    I'm not good in groups. It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent. - Q
    1. Re:Mirror by Technician · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Thanks for the mirror with good photos that shows off the hoax very nicely.

      Hoax??

      Yes.. Here are the facts some of which are taken from the photos.

      In a DC series circuit the current is equal in all parts.

      In a DC circuit Volts * Amps = Watts.

      The 7805 regulator is a linear regulator, not a switching regulator.

      The current for the chips goes from a 12 volt supply through the 5 volt regulator to the chips.

      The regulator drops 7 volts (from 12 to 5) while the chips get 5 volts.

      The current the chips draw goes through the regulator and at about the same current. (the regulator uses some current ot operate)

      From that the regulator has to dump more heat than the chips! To cook the eggs and bacon on the chips, the regulator (without a large heatsink in the photo) would have fried it's own crater in the table top as it would have put out more heat than the chips.

      Since a 7805 is current regulated and thermaly protected, I doubt the chips got more than 7 watts. Every try cooking bacon on a 7 watt night light? It's about the same heat as his hotplate but better concentrated to a small area. A night light would have cooked the bacon better. Even then, it would not be done enough to eat safely.

      Don't be fooled. The eggs and bacon was cooked on a regular stove, not the chips.

      The logo for the article should have been the foot. Then I would have laughed instead of picking the fraud apart. ;-)

      --
      The truth shall set you free!
  9. Google Mirror Site Available by ramsesit · · Score: 4, Informative
    Google Mirror also available

    http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:N6NjjllZah8J: www.rabidhardware.net/index.php%3Fid%3D44+&hl=en

  10. Since article is /. ed by CmdrGravy · · Score: 4, Funny

    To make a simple processor BBQ just get a big box of old processors, a can of petrol and a metal brazier.

    Put the chips and the petrol in the brazier, set it on fire and cook stuff on top. If the flames begin to die down add more wood, chips ( if you have them ) or any other junk to sustain the heating reaction.

  11. Missing sentence by lahvak · · Score: 4, Funny

    The sentence that is often missing in articles like this one is "Before proceeding further, make sure you have a back-up copy of your house".

    --
    AccountKiller