The Extreme Computer Mod 2 - Project Deep Freeze: There's water-cooled, then there's water-cooled. Checkout this latest project contributed by the same VL reader that did the ultra cool ECM amp mod.

Ed. Note: This is another in our series of reader submitted articles. We've always said you guys are the bright ones, and with that being said, we're sure you'll enjoy Pete Goepfert's contribution. He is also selling his creation if you're interested, so feel free to for details. All thumbnails can be clicked to be enlarged. More images are available via the photo album.  

Introduction

The reason I took on this project was because I am all about customizing computers.  The more I am able to get away from the norm the better.  I have had a water cooled system before.  But, I always wanted a submerged pc.  With the fun I had building the ECM-1, there is no stopping now...I am addicted!

Yes, I know it is plain.  However, it is form and function over ascetics for this extreme mod.  This will be my work station for a long while.

Here are the basics.  This is a submerged, super cooled pc.  This has several advantages.  1) It was less expensive than a standard liquid cooled pc.  2) You don't have all the hoses and worries about leaks in the system.  3) You don't have to worry about condensation.  4) The entire system will run cooler.  If it works on super computers, it will work for me.  This project is designed to be built by anyone with a good foundation in modd'in.  Sure, it's bulky...but it's so COOL!!!...literally.

The Test Phase

All good projects start with a plan and tests.  I used a Packard Bell PB8810 as the Ginny pig.  I turned it on and started to pour on the liquid...it still worked fine.  Then, I trashed it.  Thanks for the test subject, Jim.

I then put the bilge pump in a bowl of the liquid and attempted to freeze it.  The liquid temperature fell down to 14 degrees F  or -9 degrees C with the pump still working...but slowly.  At 4 degrees F or -15.5 degrees C the pump is unable to push the liquid any longer.  It is now gelled.  I am guessing it will work better when it is hooked to the heat sink because of the heat released from the CPU. 

The Building Phase

First, I installed the bilge pump mounting bracket onto the heat sink.  Why a bilge pump?  It only cost 10 bucks and cranks out 500gph!  Also, it runs on 12v DC...no extra AC cord.  It will suck cold liquid to the CPU and blow the hot liquid away to be circulated.    I also installed an extra thermometer under the pump bracket to monitor fluid temperature.

Second, I installed the LED's, power and reset switches, and the pump switch.

Third, I installed the CDRW and mounted the HDD cooler.  I decided to mount the HDD on top to help with the insulation problem and give the out side some much needed eye-candy.  Also, it will make upgrading and / or swapping drives much easier.

I then insulated the back of the CDRW to prevent condensation.  I also made sure it is water tight.

Fourth, I mounted the PSU.  I decided to mount the PSU on the back of the freezer by the condenser.  Submerging it would only add unnecessary heat.  This picture is before adding the wire loom protector.

I had to extend the power wires 6 feet to reach the MOBO, pump, CDRW, and HDD.  I cut a hole in the back of the freezer and ran the wires thru it.  I did the same thing for the monitor, speaker,  keyboard, mouse, and USB ports.  I put 2 small pieces of wire loom around the VGA cable to protect it from the cut metal.  Then, I sealed it with some silicon.

Fifth, I installed the AGP card, memory, CPU, and CPU heat sink with the pump assembly.  Before I installed the CPU, I put some silicon in the CPU socket.  Then, I placed it in the liquid containment unit (LCU) "modified 5 gal fish tank"  I also filled up 3 Mason jars with water and froze them.  I will put these in the LCU also.  Why?, well, they saved me some money on the liquid and I figure it will help the surrounding liquid stay cooler.

Last but not least, I filled up the LCU and began freezing the pc.  I turned the pc on when the liquid temp reached -4 F / -20 C. 

Conclusion

So, what's the pay off?  A super cooled, super fast pc.  Here are some statistics:

CPU temp is 4.4 F
MOBO temp is -4 F
CPU is running at 2 GHz @ 380 MHz FSB
RAM is running @ 380 MHz.

I tried 400MHz, but the RAM took a dump on itself.  I knew I should have bought the better stuff...
The CPU was at -22 F, however the pc would not turn on at that temp.  I will need to study on that one.

Is it the fastest thing out there?  No, that is not what this project was about.  It is about conquering the temperature barrier and most importantly, having fun and learning.  Besides, I wanted to show that submerging a pc and freezing it is relatively easy to do and does have to cost a small fortune.  Buying the parts that I did and over-clocking them saved me about $160.00 for comparable AMD parts and about $200.00 for comparable P4 parts.  Check out the for the ECM-2 DF.

The damage to the wallet wasn't bad either.  It cost me about $800.00 for parts.  That's including the freezer, which cost the most.

Don't forget to check out the for many more pictures and if your linked from a affiliate site check out the rest of my site, it has a lot more info on this project and others!

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