Well I think this would be fairly extreme cooling, but if this is in wrong place, please feel free to move the thread. Anyway, what with the winter getting colder, I keep thinking about taking my rig outside or into the shed or something to see how far I could push it. If I were to do this, how much would I have to worry about condensation, and is there anything else I should be careful of? Thanks in advance
You don't have to worry about condensation (well, not while you're outside anyway). Condensation only occurs when PC components are cooler than the ambient air. In your case the air would be cooler than the PC components. You have to consider acclimatisation however. If you leave your PC turned off in your shed for a longer period of time, it will cool down to the ambient temperature. When you then take it in to your nice, warm house, the PC components are in effect colder than the ambient air in the house and you may risk some condensation then. Not so much on your motherboard, but on your harddisk platters. In that case allow your PC to come up to room temperature first. Of course, if it rains you want to be sure the shed roof doesn't leak, and you want to keep the PC clear from bugs who might feel attracted to that nice, warm interior...
Cheers for that nexxo. Just stuck a thermometer outside and it came back at an overclocking friendly 8oC, but I'm sure it'll get colder. I think I'll definitely do this fairly soon. Maybe after I get my case airflow sorted. Or some AS5.... Anyhow. Has anyone done this before? Also, would I need to worry about condensation maybe forming on the case and dripping/running onto components? Cheers
An easier method might be just to open a window and route some cold air straight into your case. Won't have as great an affect but will be a lot easier and more practical.
I actually have a power supply that can't handle it. The varistors actually freeze, which makes an open circuit, and I can't power on the computer. PITA, I have to keep a cold weather PSU and a warm weather one, and the warm weather PSU is MUCH more powerful...
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll probably wait until I get my case airflow sorted, got some AS5 on my proc and maybe until I get a new monitor (10+ year old Iiyama is a tad tempremental and doesnt like being moved...) Ill get back on here with the results, but in the meantime, let it snow! (or at least get colder anyway )
