ok i saw on the danger den water cooling custom setups that there is something called a peltier... and i was wondering wtf it was LOL. and if it is good, does any1 here actually use em? please need some info!
Not a fan myself, too risky. Basically its a way of getting even lower temps than watercooling. Google tbh, I can't explain at 2am.
Basically, a peltier cooler is based off of the "peltier effect". You have a certain junction where a change in temperature results in a current between two materials. Similarly, if you apply a current to the junction, one material will increase in temperature while the other decreases in temperature. In a peltier cooler, a current is applied to the junction so that the material coupled to the CPU is the one that drops in temperature. The other material is connected to an exhaust (radiator or other cooling system) to cool it down. So... basically, a peltier cooler allows the CPU to be cooled to somewhat low temperatures (well, lower than a traditional heatsink/fan), BUT with the side effect of having a component inside the system with a substantially high temperature which itself needs to be traditionally cooled. PLUS you needed high current flow in order to induce the temperature differential in the peltier junction. This is just what I remember offhand, but I figured it should suffice until others respond with more detailed info.
...In english, it's a little plate that goes between your CPU and your CPU cooler. You run electric current through it, and one side gets rather cold (The CPU side, if you've set it up right), and the other side gets really, really hot. CPUs with powerful peltiers will run in the 0 to -10 degree range. Of course, you now have to worry about insulation and frost buildup and other little problems, but it'll let you overclock your CPU just a little bit further than a traditional watercooling setup.
well, is it safe to use? i mean i dont want to get 1 of these with my new watercooling set up if it could like kill my cpu, lol
Safe enough as long as you know what you are doing. Google it and find some examples of peoples rigs w/pelts Also look for guides and such. Get a pelt that is rated high enough to cool your chip. Then insulate it well to prevent condensation build-up frying your system. A pelt needs a dedicated power supply. I think Meanwell (sp?) are the PSU of choice. You'll have to fire up the pelt first and let it reach a stable temp before you turn your computer on or you will just be placing an insulator between your cpu and cooling. Yes, it can be safe and effecive at achieving low temps and good overclocks. If Extreme is what you are going for try it. my 0.02 is that it is too much bother.
wow thanks dude, ya i really wanna go extreme on my xp2500 ya thanks again, definately gonna have to look into it and i have a bunch of PSUs laying around. btw, is it possible to put a peltier on a video card or the chipset?
I've seen vid card (and I think DD sells a version of their Maze cooler w/pelt) Never seen or heard of the need for chipset. Get a Zalman ZM-NB47J and as long as there is some airflow you should be OK. By power supply I don't mean a computer PSU. They don't provide enough amps on the 12V rail. you need a dedicated power supply like this Danger Den are out of stock at the moment but you should be able to Froogle it. I don't know if you would need more than one psu for multiple pelts. I'd go with a 226W potted pelt on the CPU (pelt is rated at 24A) and a 120W or 172W pelt on the GPU. Edit: DD has the Maze 4-1 that comes with an 80W pelt so I guess that is enough. Check the Peltier section of the DD site also look at this site for more tehnical info. Be sure to do lots of reading. Find how-to's on installation and insulation. You do not want condensation. Glad to have been of some help.
The 80w Pelt with the 4-1 set will be ok for things up to ~ X800's but even then you're reaching the edge... An overclocked X800XT will run ~ 100w maybe a bit more, which would be too much for an 80 watter. 172w should be fine for the GPU, its the max the 4-1 will take iirc, don't think you can get more powerful pelts that are 40x40mm
If you have to ask what a pelt is, you're not ready to use one, tbh. Peltiers are the next step up in watercooling. Definitely not a ride for the weak. Visit Procooling.com forums where there are many people with Pelt experience.
Must say if you go for it you've got guts. Vapochill or a Prommie is much easier and safer than a pelt setup (with heating elements to prevent condensation). Eletricity bills will go through the roof too. On the plus side you can turn your central heating down! Well yeah, they're funky, have an 'extreme' factor - but is it really worth the effort, cost and risk of death to your components?
Watercool first. If you make it that far, buy a peltier (If you want more of an edge) Ohh and understand it'll be at least another 100 bucks to set up after you get a powersupply, the grease, insulation,pelt, yada yada yada
