What are your thoughts on an integrated phase-change cooling case with these features and how much would you pay for it?

Darsim

Darsim

Darsim

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I have been designing a case that integrates phase-change cooling for the last couple of years and I have tried to solve as many of the problems that I found we face when we try to go toward sub-ambient or sub-zero cooling. So, here are the key features of the case, and please give your thoughts on it:

  • The case will have an integrated phase-change cooling system that works as a chiller for sub-zero cooling for both CPU and GPU. You will have the option to run the phase-change cooler continuously or in high-demanding situations the chiller to kick in. You can turn on and off the chilling system anytime you want switching between sub-zero cooling and normal liquid cooling.
  • Removing the need to insulate the components of the PC entirely. One of the most annoying things about cooling PC components to anything lower than room temperature is condensation. Whenever you try to chill a PC, you have to insulate everything that cools down below ambient temperature. You have to use a kneaded eraser on the motherboard around the CPU. You also need to insulate many things with foam which takes the fun out of cooling your PC to sub-ambient temperatures. So, I have designed the case in a way that eliminates the need to insulate any component of the PC. you can change any of the PC parts easily and none of the parts are ruined with insulation material like kneaded eraser or Vaseline in the CPU socket.
  • Usually, phase-change cooling comes with the drawback of the loud noise that comes from the AC compressor. So, to reduce the noise, I have designed a patent-pending casing for the AC compressor to reduce its noise to be equal to or even lower than the noise generated by conventional PC fans. This means that the case will be as quiet as a normal desktop PC with let's say Noctua NF-A12 fans at mid-range speed.
  • The case will also have an integrated test bench that holds the motherboard, GPU, PSU, three 3.5” drives, and two 2.5” drives. You can insert the test bench into and out of the case with a couple of quick releases. It makes the building of the case very easy or even changing parts.
  • This case eliminates dust on the main components of the case especially the parts that are on the test bench. The motherboard, GPU, and the drives will be as clean as the day the PC was built.
  • The case includes two 360mm or 240mm radiators based on configuration, a phase-change cooling system that contains an (AC compressor, condenser, heat exchanger), reservoir, and water pump combo, and between 9 to 12 fans.
 
Sounds like a Vapochill from the late 90's/early 2000's.

I remember a couple of folks running such a system on these very here forums. Technically impressive but I remember the actual case being absolutely ugly, especially back then when you had lovely Aluminium cases.
 
In my opinion, even though I hav
Sub-Ambient_Cooling_Case_v71_2023-Sep-23_09-42-31PM-000_CustomizedView22035410091.thumb.png.7896317e2734300c60c1df90419b65f9.png
e designed it, I believe that this case that I have designed looks elegant.
 
A big drawback of cases like this is compatibility. Imagine you bought something like this for an AM4 system, and then it didn't fit AM5. An entire very expensive case would be rendered useless. On the other hand, a standard ATX case from 20 years ago is still compatible with today's parts.
 
tom_e said:
Out of interest how are you getting around the need to insulate components without running the whole MB under the phase change cooling?
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With a semi-sealed chamber and dehumidification. temperature and humidity control and everything inside the chamber is done with a custom multi-functional heat exchange that I have designed. The cost of making the multi-functional heat exchanger is very small for what it does.
 
Mr Evil said:
A big drawback of cases like this is compatibility. Imagine you bought something like this for an AM4 system, and then it didn't fit AM5. An entire very expensive case would be rendered useless. On the other hand, a standard ATX case from 20 years ago is still compatible with today's parts.
Click to expand...
The case is an ATX standard and it will fit every motherboard from mini ITX to ATX motherboards. It is no difference from conventional cases that are in the market. The only difference is that you will always need risers for your GPU that's all
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
Eatx motherboard support?
And this may be better posted in
Overclocking and cooling section of Forum
Or watercooling

Sounds interesting though
Click to expand...
It does not support EATX motherboards because it has a horizontal version as well and it will be too wide if it would support EATX.
Actually, I wanted to post it in the overclocking section but because it is a new hardware design, I thought it fit here better.
 
Darsim said:
It does not support EATX motherboards because it has a horizontal version as well and it will be too wide if it would support EATX.
Actually, I wanted to post it in the overclocking section but because it is a new hardware design, I thought it fit here better.
Click to expand...
For what it's worth
And I know case design is subjective
What one person likes another may hate
Personally I think it looks great
Especially in black and gold

Some things I guess
May be suitable for multiple forum sections
I don't normally look in general hardware
Whereas watercooling and overclocking I always look
 
Mcnumpty2323 said:
For what it's worth
And I know case design is subjective
What one person likes another may hate
Personally I think it looks great
Especially in black and gold

Some things I guess
May be suitable for multiple forum sections
I don't normally look in general hardware
Whereas watercooling and overclocking I always look
Click to expand...
Thank you for your complements. Is ther a way to change the section to overclocking?
 
Jamin280672 said:
How would you maintain compatibility between Intel and AMD and future sockets ?
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You don’t need to keep compatibility, you can choose any kind of motherboard as long as it is equal to or smaller that ATX and choose the CPU socket that you wish for. The system is chilled for sub-zero cooling and basically nowadays any water block you choose is compatible with both Intel and AMD sockets.
 
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Vapochill!! That's a blast from the past.

Loud compressors, power usage and fine tuning the sweet spot, i'm not sure i'd bother with it these days with what little you'd get back out of it.
 
Just to clarify - are you planning to run a chiller unit in the cooler box that cools the liquid that flows through the main case? Chiller and Phase Change always meant different things to me back in the day. I've run both over the years (still regret letting my Vapochill Mach 1 go), great fun, but the diminishing returns seldom justified the cost :(. I still have an old chiller in the garage that I keep meaning to dig out and us for a ghetto build. There were a couple of issues with chillers that always plagued us that you may or may not have considered.

  • Condensation, as you say, is a pain. I like your solution - seems elegant, but will be intrigued to see whether is is effective at really low temperatures.
  • What temperatures are you aiming for? Chillers do work to get your temps below ambient, but I suspect you will really struggle to get them down to zero, and below. Especially as it looks like you are planning to cool everything in the case with it - bear in mind that sealing the case means all cooling will be done by the chiller - CPU/GPU aren't the only things producing heat!
  • What advantage are you aiming for? To justify the cost, you will presumably be looking to offer a performance boost? Have you looked at the cost/gain of what you are planning - diminishing returns are a killer with most of this stuff - just look at how little traction TEC (peltier) got.
  • If it is about aesthetics however - love it!! Clean and "cool" - given how much we spend on cosmetics in builds (just look in the build log section), don't let anyone tell you people won't spend for looks :cry:
If it is just a fun project then please put a build log in the build section - would love to follow the progress.
 
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