Preparation for using a pelt

[mdzcpa]

Okay ladies and gentlemen (and the rest of the LN motley crew):

It's time to give me a hand in preparation for going to a peltier to cool my CPU. I need you guys to walk me through it. Not only will this benefit me, but it will be a great thread for many of our members and guests. It may also serve as the beginning of a good "Using a Peltier FAQ".

This is what I'm getting:

Swiftech MCW462-UT (226w pelt) (link with specs (http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw462.asp#5) )
It comes fully assembled with custom fit neoprene foam gaskets.

I'm also getting a dedicated 320w PSU for the TEC.

I'll be cooling the CPU with the TEC, and cooling the TEC with the Swiftech MW462-U. Again, it's a pre-assembled unit.

I will be putting all this in my Quiet Power Case. The basic components of the water coling system in the QP can be found here (http://www.swiftnets.com/assets/images/products/h20kits/peripherals_kit1.gif) .

Aside from swapping to higher cfm fans on the radiator (which are already installed and controlled by a rheobus), and adding a PSU cooling blowhole to the top of the case, I will not be making any other modifications to the cooling system. That's a given.

So, besides swappin' the fans, modding the blow hole, and slapping on the TEC waterblock unit with the gaskets, what else should I be concerned about?

What should I do besides the neoprene gaskets to control condensation?

Do I need to water proof the entire mobo? If so...how?

Am I missing something?

All suggestions and tips welcome:)

Thanks

[Player0]

You sound like you have it mostly figgured out. The swiftech comes with all the pretty gaskets which make life much easier. Just make sure you fill the socket with dielectric grease, and use this around the outside of the socket (and the middlepart where the thermsistor is). use some sticky neoprene on the back of the baord. As long as you follow SwiftTech instructions, youll be fine.

I suppose this is the 3/8" rig? (not the UH version). How does this kit work with the peltier anyway? Im honestly surprised that little dinky radiator will handle the hot water. 1/2" tubing would be a definate plus as well.

Will be interesting to see how this works with the 226w peltier...those Tbreds may actually work crappy with the 226...but I guess youll find out. :)

[NorthernYankee]

Hey Mike,

All I have to add from what Tom has said is that you might want to consider a some sort of seperate PSU that is designed for 12v loads. I have a 13.8v 25 amp unit. you can see it here (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F008%5F001%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=22%2D510). Mine is a lil big but it sits on top of the case very nicely. I know swiftech sells one that fits right in a drive bay and that is nice.

If you use a seperate ATX psu make sure you put a load on the 5v line. And make sure it can put out at least 20amps on the 12 line.

I still say the best bet is the seperate unit.

But no matter what have fun. Oh and I will be getting a Fridge tomorrow and I will be taking pics and writing up a lil article on how-to build a chiller unit.

Good Luck.

--NY

[Player0]

Mike, yes...PSU makes all the difference. Find a unit which can provide more than 12v. 15-16v would be ideal (mine does 14.5). This will really let you see the peltiers potential, and on you XP2200+, this could make the difference between very poor working and very good working ;)

[mdzcpa]

Thanks for the input P0:)

Yeah, i may be stretching things a bit with having the "stock" QP components doing the cooling duties. It's not the UH version. But, that's what my objective is...to see if it works as advertised:)

I may very well swap out parts to a better rad, 1/2' hoses, and a bigger pump after I see how it does in this configuration first.

I'll be doing a few articles along the way detailing the case mods, fan mods, wiring in the TEC PSU, TEC installation, and performance. This should be fun:)

Good suggestion regarding the neoprene on the backside...I would not have thought of that.

Do you have any pics of the dielectric grease around the outside of the socket? I understand filling the socket area, but not sure how much outside and around the socket area.

Thanks again.

[mdzcpa]

Wow...you guys type fast. :)

I'm getting the PSU that Swiftech sells which fits into the case. You can check it out by following that MCW462-UT link above and scrolling down a little.

It looks to be only 12v @25 amps though...is this too weak?

I will be using that PSU anyway as I'm getting a good deal on it and I am "testing" the entire Swiftech QP TEC kit which includes all this stuff. But I'd like to know if it is likely I will need to upgrade.

Thanks again:)

[Player0]

Mike, it will be enough to run the peltier, but like I said, you will only be running that pelt at 75% (about 170w total). This may only be a couple dozen watts more than the Tbred overclocked, so I wouldnt expect temps under 30c too likely. Only time will tell. Using a full 15v will give you 100% peltier power, and the full 226w, improving the temperatures greatly.

As for coating the outside of the socket, put the gaskets down first, and then apply a semi thick smear of the grease around in places the gasket doesnt cover (like the rocker arm). Just enough to coat, no more than that is needed.

[NorthernYankee]

Actually upping my voltage from 12.4 volts to `13.8 made no diff on temps it only increased water temps.

--NY

[Player0]

NY,

You might not have seen a CPU improvement because the water system wasnt enough to cope with the extra heat. But if your water system was able too, you would have seen an improvement.

[NorthernYankee]

That was my feelings too, with the chiller I will be building this weekend I will see if it really will make a difference.

--NY

[dicki]

ooooh a chiller... what are the specs and how are you building it?