Stick computers in oil Spring 2009 Engr 45 By, Sergy Pretetsky & Jeff Hitchcock
Why computers need cooling Greater conductivity at low temperatures Avoid critical failure Overheating= over stressing components
Common Computer cooling Air cooled heatsinks Water cooling Peltier cooling Phase change cooling Liquid nitrogen & Dry ice and acetone
Thermal properties (water vs. air) Volumetric Heat capacity (Jcm -3 K -1 ) –Water –Air Thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)) –Water –Air Heat Transfer Coefficients –Water – ,000 W/(m 2 K) –Air – W/(m 2 K)
Thermal properties (water vs. oil) Volumetric Heat capacity (Jcm -3 K -1 ) –Water –Oil - ~2 (FAR more than air) Thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)) –Water –Oil -.15 (60 times more than air) Heat Transfer Coefficients –Water – ,000 W/(m 2 K) –Oil – ?
The complete set up
The Tub
The Oil The Computer submerged
The Overclocking test
Thermal paste test
Results Long term test Processing remained the same Problems –Plastics –Heat retention in oil
Results Overclocking Test With oil –no additional performance Old computer –possibly maxed out components –If we had new computer, could have pushed it further
Results Thermal Paste test Out of 3 popular thermal pastes –1 was dissolved away –2 were RT –Possibly more degrading at running temps
Conclusion With an old computer –Didn’t help boost performance Didn’t cause failure What to do next time Use a radiator to cool the oil Keep power supply separate
Sources pdfhttp:// 499.pdf English/Lubes/PDS/glxxenpvlmomobil1_truck_suv_5w- 30.pdfhttp:// English/Lubes/PDS/glxxenpvlmomobil1_truck_suv_5w- 30.pdf d_429.htmlhttp:// d_429.html