Dew Point Advice

dazzerd · 4 Nov 2009 at 11:06

Hi guys I currently water cool my i7860 and gtx 275 on a swiftech 120x2.

My pc sits next to a vent in my room. Which is basically an opening from the outside wall to my inside wall. Within this vent is an open cavity.

I am thinking about placing a single rad within the cavity and linking it to my existing loop.

I don't particularly understand where the dew point kicks in. But obviuosly with the winter coming up, the single rad within the cavity is going to be reaching near zero temps which is probably going to make my fluid colder than the temperate within the case.

I'm not worried about the water freezing in the rad, I will add anti-freeze, but am concerned obvously with a water build up on the blocks within my pc.

Any advice or am I worrying about nothing?

cheers

HazardO · 4 Nov 2009 at 11:09

I would have thought this would depend on the humidity, you might be able to use a dehumidifier to lower the risk of condensation.

cavemanoc · 4 Nov 2009 at 16:21

If the water drops below ambient temp you will get condensation - with a decent overclock this probably won't happen - you got a temp probe in the water loop?

JonJ678 · 4 Nov 2009 at 16:29

I don't think you'll manage to take the water below dew point while under load, if you're lucky you might do when idle. I recommend folding at home as a way of making sure it never runs at idle

Sub ambient cooling is fairly hard to achieve, if you manage it turn one of the fans on the radiator off. A thermometer in the water would be a good idea.

One answer would be a second radiator in the case, it'll help cool until the liquid drops below ambient, and when it drops below ambient it'll start to warm the water. This will make it very tricky to take it below dew point

dazzerd · 4 Nov 2009 at 18:06

OK thanks for the advice guys I'll grab a thermometer and give it a whirl.

Probably start with the side of the case off and carefully monitor the temps.

pastymuncher · 4 Nov 2009 at 19:27

I have a windowsill mounted PA120.3 in a radbox. The window side of the box has a large filtered cut out so that when i open the window it can suck in cold outside air. I have never had a problem with condensation despite outside temps getting as low as -18 degrees last year. I have had load temps of 9 degrees!!

I have never had the loop freeze either. I don't think you will have a problem.

dazzerd · 4 Nov 2009 at 22:34

pastymuncher said:
I have a windowsill mounted PA120.3 in a radbox. The window side of the box has a large filtered cut out so that when i open the window it can suck in cold outside air. I have never had a problem with condensation despite outside temps getting as low as -18 degrees last year. I have had load temps of 9 degrees!! I have never had the loop freeze either. I don't think you will have a problem.

Haha thanks and you live in Scotland! Guess I will be OK then