Components and Design (Cont’d)
CPU Fluid Heat Exchanger (FHE)
CoolIt Systems describes their CPU Fluid Heat Exchanger (waterblock) as using a monolithic copper, multi-cell, single channel design. The waterblock appears to be Nickel plated and comes with thermal compound pre-applied to the base.
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The Freezone CPU waterblock comes with an assortment of mounting hardware that supports both Intel 478/775 and AMD K8/AM2 processors.
Aluminum standoffs replace the stock retention mechanisms and provide attachment points for the spring-steel mounting wires. Different shapes and sizes of wires are used to support the various socket styles.
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All the Freezone tubing comes pre-assembled and is securely attached to the various system components. The tubing is covered with spiral-wrapped wire to help prevent kinking.
Thermal Control Module (TCM)
The Thermal Control Module is used to regulate the Freezone system water temperature. A small potentiometer on the TCM circuit board allows adjusting the Freezone for maximum cooling (with maximum noise) or quiet operation (with less cooling).
Double-sided tape comes pre-applied to the backside of the TCM and is used for mounting the circuit board inside the PC enclosure.
Six connectors are provided on the TCM for attaching the various system cables:
- Temperature sensor cable
- TEC power cable
- 3-pin Fan cables (one for the Freezone chiller fan and two for PC case fans)
- 4-pin Molex from PC power supply
I have to admit I was a little disappointed that CoolIt elected not to mount the TCM in a 3.5′ (or 5.25′) bay unit with a digital temperature display. Doing so is pretty much the norm in other high-end water-cooling systems and TEC based coolers these days. This would allow adjusting the TCM cooling setting from an easily accessible, front mounted knob instead of having to open up the case and tweak a tiny pot on a circuit board. Its also disappointing that no failsafe shutdown was implemented using the PC’s Pwr-On signal wire (again, pretty much the norm in other systems). The controller is already in place — why not use it to its full advantage?
This are aluminium
This are aluminium waterblocks, and aluminium sucks. Im in process of making a device like this but with 6 TECs all runing at full load at 12V from a separate power supply. On top of that I will use all copper waterblocks for best thermal conductivity. I think I will achieve some crazy results. Will probably have to undervolt TECs if CPU is idling.
Great testing btw, and great reference results.