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How to Build an Oil-Cooled Aquarium PC

Monday, March 9th, 2009 – running time 17:18
The most disgusting PC hack ever! We build a computer inside an aquarium, and then fill it full of mineral oil, to see if full-on liquid immersion cooling will work better than air or water cooling. Watch as we take PC modification to the next level and put a PC in an aquarium, complete with a ship wreck and fake plants.

We've done some serious air cooling and water cooling of PCs... but we've never immersed one in oil.

So we jumped at the chance to drop one of our PC into Puget Systems Aquarium Module, build out a nifty looking aquatic PC, and see for ourselves what it does for CPU cooling.

The results? Better than we expected, but not nearly as good as we could get if we added in a pump and radiator!

If you can, buy your mineral oil in bulk from a vet or farm co-op... anyplace that sells supplies for horses. In the city we spent over $100 buying 42 16oz bottles, about twice what it would have cost in gallon bottles. Owch!

Want the ultimate cooling solution? If you've got the cash, check out 3M's Flourinert... just make sure you build a sealed case, or your investment will vanish over time!

Highlights
Samuel L Jackson ( 12:59, 12:59 ) iFanboy ( 15:41, 15:51, 15:56, 15:41, 15:51, 15:56 ) high school ( 6:24, 6:24 ) hard drives ( 10:01, 10:01 ) Samuel L Jackson ( 12:59, 12:59 ) iFanboy ( 15:41, 15:51, 15:56, 15:41, 15:51, 15:56 ) high school ( 6:24, 6:24 ) hard drives ( 10:01, 10:01 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" War."

" 48 bottles of mineral oil of fish tank and a perfectly and is it motherboard find out how we built this machine and if -- CP is gonna run any cooler on this episode of systm. This episode of systm is made possible by Netflix. Squarespace. Godaddy.com. What the system up Patrick Norton and I'm Roger -- now we received -- email from a heart of South Africa and he wrote check out this YouTube video build an oil cool PC. How what will this work. Can -- something like on the subject. Oddly enough rather time as email showed up John -- the president -- systems called NASA -- be interested. In checking -- the -- aquarium module -- lots and lots of mineral oil. But they just think of some questions we purposefully avoided -- or water cooling series like handers which read. He -- heaps of water cooling episodes of system but how that cooling tank with a well put the piece inside and see if that helps Andrew. Why do we avoid a full emerging cooling as it's called it's fun. Grassley agrees he's okay two point to never wrestle with six gallons of mineral oil or worse yet tragically mineral oil atom motherboard it can get. -- And not what the system forms might categorize it as good solder flux few -- kind of way him. Now that's actually it's it's dirty it's not even it it's just ridiculously just lots and lots of oil yes like -- an older car but Lester that more important while oil makes -- really quite PC because it can't the heck out of your system. Check out this table of thermal conductivity guys now thermal conductivity or -- is a measurement of materials ability conduct heat. Well has. Pretty mediocre thermal conductivity guys probably ten times better there which is great but unlike your target -- large -- to -- around your machine. It's not impossible -- systems as big -- passive radiator -- please promise we'll keep the hottest Quad Core systems around fifty degrees Celsius not bad. It you know but think about minerals point 138 K is. It's pathetic look at copper its value is 380 -- it's relative you want to learn more go to Wikipedia. And as we mentioned it's still put 138 K is a lot better than -- point 25. -- map don't know the exact number is pretty whether it's an order accurate so. Will you know."

" You -- super tool for cooling PCs. Not exactly know now. I can't I can't build an oil -- Well that's and so we'll cool PC a lot of -- cool -- the Wii -- drive solves system and I had a re circulating. Yeah it's it's gotta funds physically -- your head on button. If you want like the chance the only they'll -- the only cooling system that probably go to three m.'s foreigner of Cray supercomputer friend. It's a -- floor apartment electrically insulating completely -- and I think electrically insulating it is. Ridiculously incidentally is a little bit of border we'll keep an unbelievable amount of high voltage from jumping to next. Yeah it's it's not flammable it is completely inert as in you can drink it without problems and you might also heard of it mention any of this because it holds oxygen well so they did a whole side by -- about breathing. Lauren now it was actually it was actually really coursing and it's basically they replaced oxygen -- air mixture with fluid. Which probably hurts like tack back as far as we know the only people who Bennett. Porter also lesser price it costs several hundred dollars per 100 milliliter bottle at an art store. Or upwards of 202 -- fifty dollars a gallon can actually find it for sale in bulk. -- corner there's a but market for this stuff now analysis on the black market it's almost impossible to recycle and if your system isn't completely sealed it evaporates. Which means you'd have to top it off. Don't let off you conceal 200 bucks a gallon top it off -- activities -- well that's going to -- So before anybody asks about cooling oil to make it better cooling for your system. But about what mineral oil in the back of the fridge and call me back and tell me about -- relative this custody at room temperature versus. Cool this is."

" Time to thank one of the sponsors of today's show godaddy.com. Want to make an impact online community dot com has what you need starting at less than five bucks a month web hosting from godaddy.com includes 99 point 9% up time. 24 sevenths support and free access to the godaddy hosting connection -- before it could quickly install over fifty free applications. What we're pressed Joomla Drupal OS commerce and more. Godaddy.com makes it easy to customize your own virtual dedicated server. Q what three popular plans or selector on Linux or windows server with all the plan options you need plus veterans -- this one that's that's what it's like you're gonna scored actually 10% off your entire order some restrictions apply -- site for details. Get your piece here it at godaddy.com -- system believes that code SY SY."

" So. So he gets involved yes it's like to read the parts list."

" Sure Brent parts list first we got Puget systems aquarium module with very pedestrian piece of equipment looks like an equation because it is. And it has some special custom made parts that -- the bottom of the -- those -- so pedestrian. Next we have five pounds of gravel and this is Patrick choice not mine because he wants the aquarium the standing -- and white. It must've been really really cool. Up next we got a light in it and of course the standard PC parts in this case your machine."

" From home and six scale of the barrel oil bought sixty yes and at times and seniors veterinary supplies last forcing people supply. Shop places stock big gallon bottles of mineral oil -- in horse laxative if you've ever given it to or shall never forget. Was a bit longer -- we are ready to drive it would cost a lot less by the gallon though because this is to 69 times. 48 give or take. Roughly a hundred receive some things to think about before you start this project don't want him I'd of course when you get the left that. Now those who abhors a little while after -- the horse lives today and wow that flashback to high school in den -- Pennsylvania. On the safety tip part. Ports are crime with the particular memory and having right now. We got prime 95 running the Mac that our processors are looking at like forties and forty degrees centigrade on the temperatures of the processors. This is an important state did make your system runs before you're set the thing and world the mineral oil it will make your life simpler would if you don't. Well and you have to pull it all out clean towel off and start over again after you obviously with the problems in with the easy way to clean up the mineral oil and we'll talk about armed services -- I. I would actually you -- last time -- cleaned it -- I used my handy dandy alcohol lightly but I need to. We should get the alcohol and -- well yes we'll get back and check lets just say it's really miss that message so follow these tips first. Yes. Important -- to get to know what you've assembled at all. Try it one more time to make sure everything works before you drop the mineral oil into the aquarium. Right let's start assembling yes yes so."

" It's not take a moment to thank one of our sponsors Squarespace. Here to tell you more is our fabulous editor of release you know. Hey everything of the editors this -- and I'm here to tell you about Squarespace the smarter web publishing site that -- that that -- at. Out of blogging Squarespace is they fully hosted environments which means that you don't have to worry about installing any code on any server. That combined with the great template design and gotten to take advantage of their fourteen day free trial. I was up and running within an hour and that includes the complete importing of my previous blog with their import tools. And even better use the code system that SY ST and to get 10% off the life of your order to head on over to Squarespace dot com and you won't. We disappointed."

" So Rogers all the parts that oil PC case let's talk about moving the power supply cover which is the hot ticket for looking super cool. Inside your fish tank. Why would you do this to look cool insider fish tank how to do this. Well two things one be very careful you don't stock shock yourself or stock yourself as the case maybe. And to look for the little tags it's a warranty void if removed those are almost always perfect. For finding the screws need to remove to open up the case."

" It's."

" A big debate about the fan on the top that this case it's connected by obviously power wires are good that people can power supply unit. In some cases if there's not resistance on the wires are actually more accurately coming through this means that in there. The -- quite we will not start up so. If you cut those leads power supply won't boot he. Needed wired -- there or populace system in place. You get this to run or leave the fan in place underwater cliffs and funky. Unfortunately you can't really see it there's a nice little place we can do for you apparently requires. So we don't have to cut."

" Solstice things that you -- offbeat. Acrylic case is being count anywhere drive that does that the attorneys were never actually seen -- before. Yet the amounts anywhere bracket for -- as he drives are solid state drive so in theory right you could submerge a solid state drive it's just memory chips -- yet. There's arguments back and forth about whether you can submerged when he your regular routine -- mean gesture. You know spinning disks are hard drives. A lot of people think that there's an air pressurization here pressure equalization goes on inside of the drive and there's a little tiny hole -- with the oil and a -- here he said caution importantly that on top of the case smart. You can't call action we -- power supply that's just -- it submerged as well this actually gets submerge the whole point of removing this from its. Cradle cradle it's case. Anecdotal extension view is so you can't see all of these kind."

" And of course because the mineral oil is non conducted. Should not have any issues. Yes with capacitance discharge."

" is running just."

" Fine how many bottles of oil that is forty to 42 out of 48 bottles reply. Six remain which is something like a hundred and that two dollars for the oil. 112 dollars and ninety cents will make sure you upgrade to voice a merger. Well here's why. Glad you find this buddy. This is just."

" something bad it's just really feels disgusting."

" It's time now for our Netflix sponsored pick of the week this week one of my personal favorite appearances of well brat it's Johnny suede this 1991 comedy is ridiculous funds starring Brad -- with the amazing public or do. This movie tells the story of a wannabe rock star -- rockabilly rock star on a quest for fame and its ups and downs of life and love. But appearances from Catherine -- and Samuel L. Jackson is offbeat quirky movie deserves a spot on your Netflix queue. Not into it well there's gotta be 90000 other titles Netflix has to offer included we'd bet we'll Blu-ray discs and you can find at your local store. You are found to find any title you're looking for and well with forty shipping centers called -- happen in just a single business day. And shipping both ways. Free plans start at four dollars and 99 cents within the system view or you can get a free trial by signing up today. At www. Netflix.com. Slash system."

" So to downsize and."

" If there is no provision for -- optical drive. True no Blu-ray HD dvd driver or CD dvd drive what television sound guys there's the basically -- went in by -- that's of creepy in there. Yeah I don't look at it case. So are very hypnotic effect its oil moving very slowly what bubbles coming up -- it certain exploit and by US be your hack your way into the case to not enough there they also don't include a white. In the prices -- bums me out because the whole kids. With the fish tank and the customized insert that holds the motherboard is a whopping. 237 dollars and fifty cents without the oil without the oil which is another 112 dollars. I mean you look in well over 240."

" Look at well over three party is -- That was. Some other things you. Might want to know is some of the cabling."

" Management. Is kind of you have to spend some time managing your cables as a reason -- can assure you backside of the machine right now I would if I went all over here the most cables are in the way so. Cable management will take a little time to work out. On the upside -- the other parts edible PC cases and they're writing the form insert -- now we're not hack and a bunch of marketable PC cases. And saving approximately 200 dollars in the prices get. Cooling well the numbers aren't. Bad but the thermometer on the side is currently reading eighty degrees for the -- part of it is very very hot room under thousand -- scoops. Public go through radiator in game will keep it cool and we hit the lights and yet shiny sparkly."

" And then I don't know maybe -- some. If you vote if you could use non reactive -- anything kind of colors but I'm not color in the oil. Can -- trying to tap that and then moving kind of on that that's one acoustic thing so we have. Puzzlement. Copper and the CPU cooler -- the fans can have intermittently stopping in spitting fairly -- fake pretty old fan page. Cool stuff coming up this week yes on iFanboy. IFanboy brings you the best of the world of comic books every week most recently with their two episodes covering in New York comic con. And with the watchman movie coming -- be sure to watch iFanboy this week for all you need to know about that graphic novel that inspired the movie. You can catch iFanboy every Wednesday only a revision3.com. Slash I fan -- As always people get an idea."

" Comments or suggestions email system revision3.com. Or visit reforms and joins us. Happy fun -- time -- three dot com slash forum and you file all the older episodes at revision3.com slash system. I'm Patrick Norton -- day we'll see you next week. Picture here we saw -- for example."

" Well the thing to do what we that we put in some light snap does look very impressive right now. But two things one. -- It's a lot better in the dark. There -- pretty anybody was really doubting that was an oil and we threw butler and there. Amber I believe it runs for long because the butler makes even bigger mess -- he likes. We'll see you next week on system we'll. -- You know what it's much more more oil is really kind of disgusting."

" Did you up with camera -- think it's important that all."

" War."

" 48 bottles of mineral oil of fish tank and a perfectly and is it motherboard find out how we built this machine and if -- CP is gonna run any cooler on this episode of systm. This episode of systm is made possible by Netflix. Squarespace. Godaddy.com. What the system up Patrick Norton and I'm Roger -- now we received -- email from a heart of South Africa and he wrote check out this YouTube video build an oil cool PC. How what will this work. Can -- something like on the subject. Oddly enough rather time as email showed up John -- the president -- systems called NASA -- be interested. In checking -- the -- aquarium module -- lots and lots of mineral oil. But they just think of some questions we purposefully avoided -- or water cooling series like handers which read. He -- heaps of water cooling episodes of system but how that cooling tank with a well put the piece inside and see if that helps Andrew. Why do we avoid a full emerging cooling as it's called it's fun. Grassley agrees he's okay two point to never wrestle with six gallons of mineral oil or worse yet tragically mineral oil atom motherboard it can get. -- And not what the system forms might categorize it as good solder flux few -- kind of way him. Now that's actually it's it's dirty it's not even it it's just ridiculously just lots and lots of oil yes like -- an older car but Lester that more important while oil makes -- really quite PC because it can't the heck out of your system. Check out this table of thermal conductivity guys now thermal conductivity or -- is a measurement of materials ability conduct heat. Well has. Pretty mediocre thermal conductivity guys probably ten times better there which is great but unlike your target -- large -- to -- around your machine. It's not impossible -- systems as big -- passive radiator -- please promise we'll keep the hottest Quad Core systems around fifty degrees Celsius not bad. It you know but think about minerals point 138 K is. It's pathetic look at copper its value is 380 -- it's relative you want to learn more go to Wikipedia. And as we mentioned it's still put 138 K is a lot better than -- point 25. -- map don't know the exact number is pretty whether it's an order accurate so. Will you know."

" You -- super tool for cooling PCs. Not exactly know now. I can't I can't build an oil -- Well that's and so we'll cool PC a lot of -- cool -- the Wii -- drive solves system and I had a re circulating. Yeah it's it's gotta funds physically -- your head on button. If you want like the chance the only they'll -- the only cooling system that probably go to three m.'s foreigner of Cray supercomputer friend. It's a -- floor apartment electrically insulating completely -- and I think electrically insulating it is. Ridiculously incidentally is a little bit of border we'll keep an unbelievable amount of high voltage from jumping to next. Yeah it's it's not flammable it is completely inert as in you can drink it without problems and you might also heard of it mention any of this because it holds oxygen well so they did a whole side by -- about breathing. Lauren now it was actually it was actually really coursing and it's basically they replaced oxygen -- air mixture with fluid. Which probably hurts like tack back as far as we know the only people who Bennett. Porter also lesser price it costs several hundred dollars per 100 milliliter bottle at an art store. Or upwards of 202 -- fifty dollars a gallon can actually find it for sale in bulk. -- corner there's a but market for this stuff now analysis on the black market it's almost impossible to recycle and if your system isn't completely sealed it evaporates. Which means you'd have to top it off. Don't let off you conceal 200 bucks a gallon top it off -- activities -- well that's going to -- So before anybody asks about cooling oil to make it better cooling for your system. But about what mineral oil in the back of the fridge and call me back and tell me about -- relative this custody at room temperature versus. Cool this is."

" Time to thank one of the sponsors of today's show godaddy.com. Want to make an impact online community dot com has what you need starting at less than five bucks a month web hosting from godaddy.com includes 99 point 9% up time. 24 sevenths support and free access to the godaddy hosting connection -- before it could quickly install over fifty free applications. What we're pressed Joomla Drupal OS commerce and more. Godaddy.com makes it easy to customize your own virtual dedicated server. Q what three popular plans or selector on Linux or windows server with all the plan options you need plus veterans -- this one that's that's what it's like you're gonna scored actually 10% off your entire order some restrictions apply -- site for details. Get your piece here it at godaddy.com -- system believes that code SY SY."

" So. So he gets involved yes it's like to read the parts list."

" Sure Brent parts list first we got Puget systems aquarium module with very pedestrian piece of equipment looks like an equation because it is. And it has some special custom made parts that -- the bottom of the -- those -- so pedestrian. Next we have five pounds of gravel and this is Patrick choice not mine because he wants the aquarium the standing -- and white. It must've been really really cool. Up next we got a light in it and of course the standard PC parts in this case your machine."

" From home and six scale of the barrel oil bought sixty yes and at times and seniors veterinary supplies last forcing people supply. Shop places stock big gallon bottles of mineral oil -- in horse laxative if you've ever given it to or shall never forget. Was a bit longer -- we are ready to drive it would cost a lot less by the gallon though because this is to 69 times. 48 give or take. Roughly a hundred receive some things to think about before you start this project don't want him I'd of course when you get the left that. Now those who abhors a little while after -- the horse lives today and wow that flashback to high school in den -- Pennsylvania. On the safety tip part. Ports are crime with the particular memory and having right now. We got prime 95 running the Mac that our processors are looking at like forties and forty degrees centigrade on the temperatures of the processors. This is an important state did make your system runs before you're set the thing and world the mineral oil it will make your life simpler would if you don't. Well and you have to pull it all out clean towel off and start over again after you obviously with the problems in with the easy way to clean up the mineral oil and we'll talk about armed services -- I. I would actually you -- last time -- cleaned it -- I used my handy dandy alcohol lightly but I need to. We should get the alcohol and -- well yes we'll get back and check lets just say it's really miss that message so follow these tips first. Yes. Important -- to get to know what you've assembled at all. Try it one more time to make sure everything works before you drop the mineral oil into the aquarium. Right let's start assembling yes yes so."

" It's not take a moment to thank one of our sponsors Squarespace. Here to tell you more is our fabulous editor of release you know. Hey everything of the editors this -- and I'm here to tell you about Squarespace the smarter web publishing site that -- that that -- at. Out of blogging Squarespace is they fully hosted environments which means that you don't have to worry about installing any code on any server. That combined with the great template design and gotten to take advantage of their fourteen day free trial. I was up and running within an hour and that includes the complete importing of my previous blog with their import tools. And even better use the code system that SY ST and to get 10% off the life of your order to head on over to Squarespace dot com and you won't. We disappointed."

" So Rogers all the parts that oil PC case let's talk about moving the power supply cover which is the hot ticket for looking super cool. Inside your fish tank. Why would you do this to look cool insider fish tank how to do this. Well two things one be very careful you don't stock shock yourself or stock yourself as the case maybe. And to look for the little tags it's a warranty void if removed those are almost always perfect. For finding the screws need to remove to open up the case."

" It's."

" A big debate about the fan on the top that this case it's connected by obviously power wires are good that people can power supply unit. In some cases if there's not resistance on the wires are actually more accurately coming through this means that in there. The -- quite we will not start up so. If you cut those leads power supply won't boot he. Needed wired -- there or populace system in place. You get this to run or leave the fan in place underwater cliffs and funky. Unfortunately you can't really see it there's a nice little place we can do for you apparently requires. So we don't have to cut."

" Solstice things that you -- offbeat. Acrylic case is being count anywhere drive that does that the attorneys were never actually seen -- before. Yet the amounts anywhere bracket for -- as he drives are solid state drive so in theory right you could submerge a solid state drive it's just memory chips -- yet. There's arguments back and forth about whether you can submerged when he your regular routine -- mean gesture. You know spinning disks are hard drives. A lot of people think that there's an air pressurization here pressure equalization goes on inside of the drive and there's a little tiny hole -- with the oil and a -- here he said caution importantly that on top of the case smart. You can't call action we -- power supply that's just -- it submerged as well this actually gets submerge the whole point of removing this from its. Cradle cradle it's case. Anecdotal extension view is so you can't see all of these kind."

" And of course because the mineral oil is non conducted. Should not have any issues. Yes with capacitance discharge."

" is running just."

" Fine how many bottles of oil that is forty to 42 out of 48 bottles reply. Six remain which is something like a hundred and that two dollars for the oil. 112 dollars and ninety cents will make sure you upgrade to voice a merger. Well here's why. Glad you find this buddy. This is just."

" something bad it's just really feels disgusting."

" It's time now for our Netflix sponsored pick of the week this week one of my personal favorite appearances of well brat it's Johnny suede this 1991 comedy is ridiculous funds starring Brad -- with the amazing public or do. This movie tells the story of a wannabe rock star -- rockabilly rock star on a quest for fame and its ups and downs of life and love. But appearances from Catherine -- and Samuel L. Jackson is offbeat quirky movie deserves a spot on your Netflix queue. Not into it well there's gotta be 90000 other titles Netflix has to offer included we'd bet we'll Blu-ray discs and you can find at your local store. You are found to find any title you're looking for and well with forty shipping centers called -- happen in just a single business day. And shipping both ways. Free plans start at four dollars and 99 cents within the system view or you can get a free trial by signing up today. At www. Netflix.com. Slash system."

" So to downsize and."

" If there is no provision for -- optical drive. True no Blu-ray HD dvd driver or CD dvd drive what television sound guys there's the basically -- went in by -- that's of creepy in there. Yeah I don't look at it case. So are very hypnotic effect its oil moving very slowly what bubbles coming up -- it certain exploit and by US be your hack your way into the case to not enough there they also don't include a white. In the prices -- bums me out because the whole kids. With the fish tank and the customized insert that holds the motherboard is a whopping. 237 dollars and fifty cents without the oil without the oil which is another 112 dollars. I mean you look in well over 240."

" Look at well over three party is -- That was. Some other things you. Might want to know is some of the cabling."

" Management. Is kind of you have to spend some time managing your cables as a reason -- can assure you backside of the machine right now I would if I went all over here the most cables are in the way so. Cable management will take a little time to work out. On the upside -- the other parts edible PC cases and they're writing the form insert -- now we're not hack and a bunch of marketable PC cases. And saving approximately 200 dollars in the prices get. Cooling well the numbers aren't. Bad but the thermometer on the side is currently reading eighty degrees for the -- part of it is very very hot room under thousand -- scoops. Public go through radiator in game will keep it cool and we hit the lights and yet shiny sparkly."

" And then I don't know maybe -- some. If you vote if you could use non reactive -- anything kind of colors but I'm not color in the oil. Can -- trying to tap that and then moving kind of on that that's one acoustic thing so we have. Puzzlement. Copper and the CPU cooler -- the fans can have intermittently stopping in spitting fairly -- fake pretty old fan page. Cool stuff coming up this week yes on iFanboy. IFanboy brings you the best of the world of comic books every week most recently with their two episodes covering in New York comic con. And with the watchman movie coming -- be sure to watch iFanboy this week for all you need to know about that graphic novel that inspired the movie. You can catch iFanboy every Wednesday only a revision3.com. Slash I fan -- As always people get an idea."

" Comments or suggestions email system revision3.com. Or visit reforms and joins us. Happy fun -- time -- three dot com slash forum and you file all the older episodes at revision3.com slash system. I'm Patrick Norton -- day we'll see you next week. Picture here we saw -- for example."

" Well the thing to do what we that we put in some light snap does look very impressive right now. But two things one. -- It's a lot better in the dark. There -- pretty anybody was really doubting that was an oil and we threw butler and there. Amber I believe it runs for long because the butler makes even bigger mess -- he likes. We'll see you next week on system we'll. -- You know what it's much more more oil is really kind of disgusting."

" Did you up with camera -- think it's important that all."

mari1ee

Started discussion: March 9, 2009 @ 8:20pm GMT

Episode 94 - Oil Cooled PC: Put A Computer In An Aquarium [Discussion]

Will dunking a PC in oil -full immersion cooling- work better than air and water cooling? Watch as we take PC modification to the next level and put a PC in an aquarium, complete with ship wreck and fake plants.

Watch or download now

evoGage
9 months ago
Great fun episode, how long could you run the PC at full load before the oil gets a bit too warm to cool it?
globeadue
9 months ago
i love the clips of you folks pulling it out of the oil.. that is the reason i went with computers and pay people to work on my car - lol
fishtoprecords
9 months ago
Cool episode. Nice callout to the solder flux fume fans. At least it was very messy.

What caused the very disappointing performance? Too little surface area (just the tank sides) with no ventilation? or was the specific heat of the oil just unsuitable.

Perhaps you need to recycle that old car radiator from last year's cooling tests?
xfuuey
9 months ago
Agreed. Really cool episode again, IMO.
Wonder if your room temp really did play a big factor in the temps you were receiving..?!? :cool:
computoman
9 months ago
Patrick said:
[quote]
Then you're gonna love next week's ep on making ice cream!
[/quote]
I wanted to know how to make ice cream. oh well......... (just kidding)
davmoo
9 months ago
That's the thing about immersion cooling a PC like that...it has a really high geek factor, but a really low useful factor. It might perform better with the oil also passing through an outside-the-tank radiator, but then moving that oil outside the tank introduces a whole new level of possible disasters. That's why I've always stuck with air cooling. It may not be as flashy and slick (har har), but the worst disaster is simply I burn out a processor.

I have to admit, though, that I have thought about combining the cooling of my cpu with the heating of my aquarium...

Oh, I should add, and will add with an edit, don't think that I didn't enjoy the episode. I most certainly did enjoy it. I just wouldn't do that myself :)
computoman
8 months ago
Definitely a ddiy though their are a zillion web pages about it.
jave42
8 months ago
In reply to evoGage:
Great fun episode, how long could you run the PC at full load before the oil gets a bit too warm to cool it?


Never!(ish) It will probably develop bubbles at around 140 degrees C, at which point you lose dielectric properties(not too critical.)

If you used a radiator, you probably wouldn't want a pump, its a maintenance item and the oil will circulate naturally, with a provided path.
fishtoprecords
8 months ago
You guys are leaders. Cali Lewis' Geek Brief today #528 is about.... wait for it.... putting a computer in an aquarium with mineral oil
View all 15 comments