Question Cooling pc sub-ambient

[NewToTown]

I’m considering building a computer case that is fully sealed, except an inlet in the front and an outlet in the back, the back having 2 140mm fans, and the front having 2 140mm fans pulling air from a room AC unit, basically making it climate controlled. The reasoning I used is that sub ambient can have condensation, but if I make the ambient temperature in the pc case lower, it shouldn’t condensate. I’m basically asking if this would work, or would this be a bad daily use computer design? Thank you 😊

 

[kanewolf]

You just move the condensation to the outside of the case. Would your "sealed" case keep all water out? Unknown. You would be better off using your cool air to lower the temp of a radiator and allow your component temps to remain above ambient IMO.

 

[NewToTown]

So in theory it would work, but in reality it would be unknown if it would be water tight, and if it is unknown for how long. Thank you for the insight! I never considered the seals not being perfect 😅

 

[USAFRet]

4 x 140mm fans (2 in and 2 out) is not a 'sealed' case.
I'll bet there would be a little leakage of air around the exhaust fans...room air coming in.

And to what end? Unless you are already out on the hairy end of OC and the CPU is actually thermal throttling...colder does not equal better performance.

 

[hftvhftv]

A PC is not a Dodge Demon, things will break if condensation comes into contact with the computer parts. I'd suggest large radiators unless you wish to live on the edge.

 

[rubix_1011]

A normal commercial A/C unit likely isn't going to promote condensation inside a PC - the thermal delta isn't enough to cause this. Your house windows don't get condensation on them when the air conditioning is on, do they? The only place I've actually seen that occur is in Doha, Qatar in the middle of the summer where it was 116F (46.7C) outside with a 97% dewpoint and was 72F (22C) inside, since you know, it's right by the Persian Gulf.

I think there's even a Jayztwocents video where he covers this exact scenario and does the test to prove it.

I'd suggest large radiators unless you wish to live on the edge.

The edge of what...bankruptcy? But in all seriousness - edge of what?

 

[jsmithepa]

edge of what?

I say the EDGE between SAFE for Joe Blow hobbyist vs someone with formal training in this kind of thing and be able to discern problems, have tools to measure and tackle it.

 

[rubix_1011]

Setting up a watercooling loop is pretty simple to do - it really only requires a set of knowledge needed to define what components you need to fit, an understanding of total watts to cool and following installation directions.

Air conditioning blowing over computer components is the same concept that is used in data centers - they have very large units that control room temp, keep it consistent and fans blow air through the rooms and through the blade chassis.

I think we're confusing 'blowing cold air from an A/C into a computer' with TEC/Peltier cooling that often reaches into single digits or below...or compressor or LN2 cooling.