Windows 7 - How cool is too cool?

Reid · 08-01-2011

I have been experimenting on various homemade cooling systems and ideas. One question I have not been able to find an answer for is, what are the lower limits of cpu function in regards to temperature? 10 degrees C? sub zero degrees C?

linnemeyerhere · 08-01-2011

Not sure how cool is cool cause I'm still trying to figure out what is hip? Sorry I just have to post this.
I figure if the mad scientist cool the CPU's with liquid nitrogen while massive over clocking they can operate way cool!

scrooge · 08-01-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Reid

I have been experimenting on various homemade cooling systems and ideas. One question I have not been able to find an answer for is, what are the lower limits of cpu function in regards to temperature? 10 degrees C? sub zero degrees C?

have you come up with anything yet?
don't keep us hanglng. let see your work. i always like to see some new ideas.

scrooge

profdlp · 08-01-2011

I can't really answer your question (sorry), but I know one of the concerns with extremely low CPU temps has to do with condensation.

See the second section regarding "Dewpoint" here:

Relative Humidity

A Guy · 08-01-2011

I believe that CPU's will be fine at temps like -40c, probably to -100c, I've seen a test where they got to -191c. Of course, that isn't constant over long periods. I'd think you'd be looking at the silicon breaking down before the electrical components. In any case, you'd never approach those temps with any "normal" coolers. A Guy

bobtran · 08-01-2011

My pc is water cooled and consistently displays 35C-45C on a Q6600 @ 2.4GHz (or 40C - 50C @ 3.0GHz overclock) with dual 9800GT video cards running SLI and a 1200 watt PWS in the same case.

I have heard of people running in the upper 20C to lower 30'sC.....but I must agree that you have to watch out for condensation if you go too cool otherwise we would all use small AC units to cool our pc's and be done with the whole cooling issue.

karlsnooks · 08-02-2011

check the specs on the chip involved. I've been away from such things for too long, otherwise, I could instantly give you an answer. must be old-timer's diseaase.

I have an acquaintance who puts his laptop into the refrigerator to keep the temps down while he is rendering. The lower temps give him about 5 times better output in terms of frames/sec since the cpu doesn't get throttled this way.

Your computer will have some components which will have a higher lower limit. Unless you are really going to extremes, the specs for components is normally on the safe side.

As someone else mentioned, your bigger concern will be condensation.

Reid · 08-02-2011

Yes condensation is a concern, but I have found that if you double tube (ie using a refrigerant pipe with freon surrounded by a regular plastic tube), you can keep the PIPE condensation contained and drained away from your system. I havent actually hooked this up to a computer yet but have been running this system on a trial basis to see what kind of issues emerge. This is what actually brought my initial question to light because it gets extremely cold concentrated on the "heatsink" which would be butted up against my cpu.
On another note, what is keeping someone from just housing their reservoir and radiator in a fridge or freezer at around 0 degrees C?

Thorsen · 08-02-2011

-190 here i think

5 GHz Project: CPU Cooling With Liquid Nitrogen : Record Attempt: The 5 GHz Project

Reid · 08-02-2011

LOL, that is absolutely awesome Thorsen! Thank you. Just do not ever shut it off long enough to thaw out eh?