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Right then kids!
You've been sub zero cooling your cpu and now want to take the next step. Good for you! :) Please note, this can make sub zero cooling on a CPU look and feel easy. First thing, most everyone who does this kills a card at some point and time! But if the big clocks/speeds matter to you, this is the next step. As I didn't take many pictures of my 88U, I'll use the GX2 (Oh the fun, two PCB's :rolleyes: ) First off take the card apart. Not all cards are the same, google your card and see if you can find a "how to" For the GX2, you can use this one http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/G...9800_GX2/4.html This first step can take over an hour on it's own (mine sure did) http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1...0582hn2.th.jpg After you have it apart, give it a good clean. And Coat the areas around the core and mem with liquid electrical tape or nail polish, both sides, front and back. You will need to heatsink the digital vreg chips on each PCB as well as the monitor output chip. And make a gasket(s) to go around the core(s) http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2...0584os4.th.jpg Make sure you insulate your pot well. But think about what your insulation will push up against. To fat, it may just kill that item ie: vmem http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2...0577gu3.th.jpg http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8...0578vd5.th.jpg Now mount the pot to the card, and if your really lucky. You'll have some POS sli bridge getting in the way :rolleyes: http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8...0586hf2.th.jpg |
The back of the PCB(s) will get very cold, so you will need to insulate that as well. Or you'll have ice/condensation issues, and then the water will run down the card and into the PCI-e slot. And that's bad
I use two layers, the first layer is just plan closed cell insulation. http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/473/img0588ru7.th.jpg http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/1679/img0590jz7.th.jpg 2nd layer is the black sticky back insulation, make it over sized to stop air getting in and under the first layer. http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9...0589ju9.th.jpg http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9...0591tv7.th.jpg http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6...0598bq9.th.jpg One last step, The Motherboard You will need to insulate around the PCI-e slot with liquid electrical tape or nail polish, front and back. Rub some vaneline or dielectric gease onto both side of the "gold fingers" that go into the PCI-e slot, and a "small" amount onto the top of the slot itself. Also pack paper towels around the slot. http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6...0600rd9.th.jpg Well done, and now test your handy work. http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3...0594qg5.th.jpg http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8878/img0597ze4.th.jpg |
Now that we have looked at both CPU and GPU Cooling, It's time for the NB.
Over all, very easy. Just like the CPU, we need to make a gasket, but this time a little bigger. http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4...0799hz9.th.jpg Added two paper towel gaskets. http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/703/img0809gl2.th.jpg Another layer of insulation. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7...0810lr9.th.jpg Last layer of insulation and the hold down. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7...0811pd0.th.jpg Add the top part of the insulation. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8...0812yo4.th.jpg I used 10mm insulation under the back plate. http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4...0807po2.th.jpg Add some other heatsinks for the SB and FET's, and your ready to go. http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/8...0820mx7.th.jpg And then have some fun! http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4654/img0828xg2.th.jpg |
I've moved away from using nail polish for insulating around the board.
Using a conformal coating on both sides, is faster, better and costs alot less. (For New Zealand members) You can pick up a can at JayCars for about $12NZ, and should do 10+ boards. Which is alot better than the $25NZ each board that nail polish was costing me. Just take off all the heatsinks etc, tape it out and spray! It's that easy. I don't cover the vreg's around the socket, I spray over the top and clean it off after (I find this faster) the cleaner is sold right next to the conformal coating (For NZ members shopping at JayCars) http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5205/img1349hm1.th.jpg http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1587/img1350zo3.th.jpg http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/345/img1351kj2.th.jpg http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8...1382nn1.th.jpg |
Yet another way to insulate your board to stop condensation (air getting in)
Use "Art Eraser" to cover the board, there is no way air is getting in and under this stuff. In the picture below I'm getting ready to mount a NB pot. http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/6973/img1395.th.jpg |
damn b ro very nice.... great guide for anyone just getting into sub ambient cooling
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Thanks for sharing Deanzo :wt: I do have one question though. In your experience, is the vaseline in the pci-e slot a "have to" thing if you properly insulate the vga and use paper towels?
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Nice write up bud!
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I've killed a board by not doing it :argh: |
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