20 replies to this topic

[Nerm]

Ok... this is a place that we can kinda orginize many of the commonly asked questions about Extreme Cooling.

Feel free to submit to this thread in a Q&A format... a staff member will edit this message from time to time with the new FAQ.

If you have an actual question, post in the forum, not this thread.

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[tbone2sk]

Q: How do I build a phase charge cooler?

A: Follow this guide.
http://www.vr-zone.c...x.cgi?i=714&s=1

- Refrigeration Basics 1 -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=713&s=1

- Refrigeration Basics 2 -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=714&s=1

- Regasing a Prometiea/Vapochill -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=716&s=1

- Insulation Guide -

http://wwww.vr-zone.com/?i=230&s=1

- Mounting a Prommie onto the GPU -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=172&s=1

- Dual Cascade Cooler -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=618&s=1

- Dual-Evaporator Cooler -

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=1227&s=1

Mounting Hole database for the convenience of people DIYing evaps or adapting Vapochills to fit the new sockets. Includes Graphics cards as well.

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=1356&s=1

Takes to VR-Zone to making these guides, and Nuclear at virtaul-octane.net for putting all the links together.

[Nerm]

This is just a small intro to Dry Ice(DICE) with answer's to some basic DICE questions. If anyone has anything to add to it or if you see any mistakes please feel free to PM me. Also, any added tips will be credited to the author.

What is Dry Ice?
Dry Ice abbreviated in this article as "DICE" is basically carbon dioxide in a solid frozen state. DICE is commonly used for keeping things frozen due to a sublimation temperature of -78.5°C. Many people have used DICE in their freezers when their electricity has been off for extensive periods of time. DICE works as an excellent coolant not only due to its cold temperatures but also because it sublimates (changes from a solid to gas without a liquid stage) in normal atmospheric conditions.

Where can I get DICE?
Praxair and Airgas are two of the most common places to get DICE in the U.S. & Canada. DICE can sometimes also be obtained from your local ice cream shop, grocery stores, and party supply stores.
Here is a link to the Dry Ice Directory

What material is best for a DICE container?
Most commonly used materials are copper and aluminum. However, copper is by far the preferred choice for most computer cooling applications.

Is DICE dangerous?
Not really as long as you use it with some common sense. Ventilation is important and DICE should always be used in a well ventilated area. If DICE comes in direct contact with skin it can cause burn's, so gloves and a long sleeve shirt are recommended.

How much does DICE cost?
That can depend on your location and the place you are buying it from. Check above for a list of DICE sellers.

What kind of temp's can I expect using DICE?
Normally between -60*C to -70*C.

What kind of fluid should I use, and how much should I add in the container with the DICE?
You want to use a fluid that is mostly pure alcohol like everclear, acetone, ethenol, etc. I have heard it claimed that ethonal is the best to mix with DICE, but I haven't personally confirmed this. You don't want to add more than 10%-15% of fluid in your DICE container.

Lastly!
Remember that insulation is your best friend when using any kind of extreme cooling. It is best to use closed cell foam insulation. You will find when doing any kind of cooling where condensation is a factor that foam tape insulation is your best friend. Di-electric grease is also important to have. When in doubt go all out.

[CoolMaster]

This is just a small intro to Dry Ice(DICE) with answer's to some basic DICE questions. If anyone has anything to add to it or if you see any mistakes please feel free to PM me. Also, any added tips will be credited to the author.

What is Dry Ice?
Dry Ice abbreviated in this article as "DICE" is basically carbon dioxide in a solid frozen state. DICE is commonly used for keeping things frozen due to a sublimation temperature of -78.5°C. Many people have used DICE in their freezers when their electricity has been off for extensive periods of time. DICE works as an excellent coolant not only due to its cold temperatures but also because it sublimates (changes from a solid to gas without a liquid stage) in normal atmospheric conditions.

Where can I get DICE?
Praxair and Airgas are two of the most common places to get DICE in the U.S. & Canada. DICE can sometimes also be obtained from your local ice cream shop, grocery stores, and party supply stores.
Here is a link to the Dry Ice Directory

What material is best for a DICE container?
Most commonly used materials are copper and aluminum. However, copper is by far the preferred choice for most computer cooling applications.

Is DICE dangerous?
Not really as long as you use it with some common sense. Ventilation is important and DICE should always be used in a well ventilated area. If DICE comes in direct contact with skin it can cause burn's, so gloves and a long sleeve shirt are recommended.

How much does DICE cost?
That can depend on your location and the place you are buying it from. Check above for a list of DICE sellers.

What kind of temp's can I expect using DICE?
Normally between -60*C to -70*C.

What kind of fluid should I use, and how much should I add in the container with the DICE?
You want to use a fluid that is mostly pure alcohol like everclear, acetone, ethenol, etc. I have heard it claimed that ethonal is the best to mix with DICE, but I haven't personally confirmed this. You don't want to add more than 10%-15% of fluid in your DICE container.

Lastly!
Remember that insulation is your best friend when using any kind of extreme cooling. It is best to use closed cell foam insulation. You will find when doing any kind of cooling where condensation is a factor that foam tape insulation is your best friend. Di-electric grease is also important to have. When in doubt go all out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice Nice,
also alot of ice cream stores sell dry ice, I know it sounds retarded but it's true

cause I had to use dry ice for a science experiement one time, so I went there and they gave me some FOR FREE
maybe it's diff dry ice tho iDK?

[Nerm]

How much does a phase change unit normally cost?
Mach II = ~$750
Mach II GT = ~$850
Vapochill XE and XE II = ~$700+
Vapochill LS = ~$850+
Custom Single Stage Unit = ~$450+

[cowbynit]

It looks awesome... My father owns an HVAC company so i have grown up with it and I have always been curious about using these methods to cool a pc just to see what kindof overclocking could be achieved... Now that I have seen someone else do it, I may just have to try it myself. I just have to clean out my garage first and get a really good set of noise canceling headphones! HAHA!

[DLS2008]

Nerm, you may want to add that many party stores and even a lot of Meijers sell dry ice. That dry ice directory only lists one seller for my area code, but I know for a fact that there are about 8 or 10 different stores that sell it. I've bought it at Meijers and friends have gone to some liquor stores.

[philbrown23]

wow, I just found this section. How long has it been here?got some nice info, I was thinking maybe in the DICE section you could put that if you add to much alcohol/acetone etc.. that your cpu will skyrocket fast. Happened to me the first time I ran DICE. Just a thought.

[Geekspeak411]

So how much of a boost could I expect from a phase change cooler, compared to a TEC cooler? Or which would be better for like a 4.2-4.7 overclock on a Q9450 TEC or standard water? Which should I go for?

[Renigade]

BROKEN LINK

Q: How do I build a phase charge cooler?

A: Follow this guide.
http://www.vr-zone.c...x.cgi?i=714&s=1

[Geekspeak411]

It seems all of the vrzone links go to pages that are no longer supported. Could someone update post with their new locations?

[soyuz]

So I take it that Phase Change Cooling is the best form of cooling available. Y/N.

Where can I get the most info on this subject? :thumbs-up: