hks85

Im thinking about adding a tec to my system either now or in the near future along side an upgrade. How efficient are they? how reliable are they?

Eastrider

I'd like to add another question. Is there anyone powerful enough to mean an improvement from watercooling, but not too powerful for needing all the dielectric grase and neoprene crap... because it's so much a pita.

Anyone?

Scarlet Infidel

What do you mean by efficient? That doesnt mean very much in terms of TECs.

COP (coefficient of performance) is a useful measure along with an associated dT (delta T: difference between hot and cold side of the TEC).

Could you clarify what exactly you do want to know to save us having to explain every possible thing you might want to know.

zipdogso

As Scarlet Infidel said the answer depends on what your really asking but I will get the ball rolling....

They can be as efficient as you can make them but don't expect anything along Phase lines.

Some pointers:-Direct die cooling of the CPU is losing efficiency due to ever higher TDP's if your planning an i7 don't expect too much.
Multi-TEC chillers are certainly better but how efficient you can make it (and you will have to make it - literally.) will be commensurate to your knowledge of TEC's and the quality of the build/setup.

This is a common question because people don't understand how TEC's work.
Any TEC....big or small....adequately powered and setup WILL GO SUB-AMBIENT there is virtually no question of it AND It is quite possible to get most of them to go SUB- ZERO.
To expect a TEC to cool without going below ambient is like asking a get away driver to meet you outside the bank with his hands tied behind his back....
That said...it is possible to run a TEC with a small temperature differential but how it finally works depends on how it set up.

Ultrasonic2 (muffy)

How efficient are they?
It depends on a large number of factors so it's hard to say. In theory TEC's can be VERY efficient (high COP)but not in direct die cooling of CPU's. Direct die cooling is relatively en-efficient .. you'd be looking at 200- 500 watts to cooler a CPU depending on what results you want



how reliable are they?
They are ridiculously reliable PROVIDING you apply the correct pressure to them.

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Ultrasonic2 (muffy)

I'd like to add another question. Is there anyone powerful enough to mean an improvement from watercooling.
yes many will do but you wont get sup Zero temps at LOAD any more.


but not too powerful for needing all the dielectric grase and neoprene crap... because it's so much a pita.
All TEC rigs should go sub ambient if they dont then there's no point in having it . However you DONT need dielectric grease it is "Recommended" but not required. i've NEVER used it .. you will need to insulate the block and motherboard for sure though.

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ira-k

Mobo proofing is easy, costs about $20 and takes a half hour or so to do it, I kind of like doing it actually, its kind of fun. You can get di-electric out of your socket pretty easily with acetone and WD-40.

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NoL

It really isn't. I'd check some guides over in the phase or colder sections.
It's so easy its not even funny.

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