Under Motherboard Heat Dissipation - Overclock.net

4RK3TYP3 · 06-03-07

2 methods:
1. Heat Sink Method
Intro: This method utilizes Anodized aluminum plates as well as ambient air flow underneath the system. This method can also be adjusted to Water cooling but is a bit more...makeshift than many would like for their water to run through.
-Take 1 sheet of anodized aluminum (12X24x.112") and cut that into 2 sheets the size of your motherboard.
-Take both sheets (making sure to have the anodized side up) and mark the holes for your system on the plates.
-Use a sheet hole punch to pop out holes on the marks (try to be as exact as you can or you will end up skiwompifying your aluminum with holes).
-Take some sort of rubber sheet and cut into small circles (approx. .75-1" dia. and 1/8" tall)
-Place 1 on each corner of the system and then 2 in the center but spread apart.
-glue the rubber "feet" onto the anodized aluminum (making sure you are gluing to the non-anodized side) using super glue for best results.
-once both anodized plates are glued to the feet, you will have a gap inbetween.

This will basically act as a heat spreader for the system, and based on the ambient air flow in the computer dissipation will vary. For most effective cooling, purchase Copper pipes (1/8" OD) and snake configure them to the size and width of your motherboard. Attach appropriate water fixtures to both ends and attach to your cooling lines. this method cooled the system (with ambient air flow) by approximately 4-6C (not too terrible for 15 dollars of material). I haven't tried with water cooling just yet but I believe temperature dissipation should be around 15C.

**Be sure to check Anodized side for scratches to prevent ESD through Induction on the system board, I've never had problems with it but it is possible, to repair the scratches use a small amount of superglue in the wound. If you have a Multi-meter, test conductivity.

2. Back case Radiator.
-Take copper pipes (approx 6-8ft 1/8 - 1/4" OD) and snake configure it to the underside of the mobo tray (the side without the motherboard).
-Set the ends up with appropriate fixtures and connect to either existing water cooling system, or a small water pump and a reservoir (mine leads into my minifridge).

This method will dissipate heat underneath the motherboard and drop ambient temperature within the case. This method showed to drop the system temp to 7C when reservoir was at room temperature and ambient air flow was 80F. Using a modified mini fridge temperature drop was 12-15C.