Refrigerant cooling

[johnnymk]

I remember a couple of years ago reading about water cooled components in computer cases (Seemed risky). I see the ads for humongous fans for $40-$70. I question their ability to really cool the components which need to be cooled.
I also read a few articles about the dramatic speed increases when CPU's are dramatically cooled. I guess it still applies to today's processors.
Anyway, I was wondering if a computer case would incorporate a small compressor, evaporator and condenser, if the resulting speed increase would be worth it. I know that you could probably use the components from a small dorm type refrigerator or even one of those portable units that sell at Heartland for $79.00.
For a few bucks, the case could be insulated fairly well with insulation that is used around furnaces. Probably has an R Value of 10 per inch.
Any thoughts on this subject?

[cruelpupet]

yea i got a few thoughts... theres a product called the "kryo" (i think its called that) its a small unit you put under your tower that houses all that stuff.


there have also been some mods wher people put their cases inside small refrigerators Just do a search online for Fridge pC im sure you'll get something

[wildbill]

you've got fridges

http://www.pangea.ca/~guisolut/jb/projectk.htm

you've got built in compressors

http://www4.tomshardware.com/cpu/97q4/971205/
(their website sucks at the moment http://www.kyrotech.com)

http://www.vapochill.com

you have water cooling

http://www.koolance.com/
(i like their setup the best cause it cools the video card, harddrive and the powersupply, getting rid of all the excess noise from the fans)

and then you have the REAL nutz

http://www16.big.or.jp/~bunnywk/ln2/ln2_e.html

http://www.octools.com/articles/submersion2/submersion2.html

[johnnymk]

Thanks!! Lot's of good information at each site. One setup runs $750.00 and another is approximately $300 for the CPU cooler, the hard drive cooler and the power supply cooler. The refrigerant cooler really kicks butt, though. I still think that some of these components could be a lot cheaper!
The article using the small refrigerator was quite ancient. I would like to see if that guy experimented with a later model processor.
From the sounds of it, normal fans may not be able to cool future processors adequately, so alternative coolers may be mandatory.
That would really bring the price of computers way back up.

[BrewMaster]

As a word of advice to anyone who wants to try Refrigerant Cooling:

Remember that cooling the air around your CPU (or anywhere for that matter) also condenses moisture out of the air. Obviously condenseing water around any of your computer components is a bad thing (duh). Be careful.

If anyone tries this, post some pics here. I'm intrigued as to what other Apexers are doing....