Quick yes or no: Tell me if this is a good TEC setup.

[donny_paycheck]

Alright, just got this in and running. Here's the sequence:

CPU --> 1/4" 40x40 copper cold plate --> 122w TEC --> HSF

Everything's joined with AS2. The HSF is a swiftech MCX462. The TEC is running at 12vdc from the 12v rail of my PSU (it's a biggie). Condensation proofing achieved with neoprene, Dow conformal coating and dielectric grease.

It's good so far...will get steady temps for ya soon. What do you guys think?

[Morphoius]

That is not a large enough pelter for the athlon 1800 XP. You will not see much differance if any and you might burn your CPU.

[The Overclocker]

that tec is fine for that cpu and if you go bigger then the hsf will not handle it

[lennytiger]

that tec will cool well....

[ButcherUK]

that TEC looks a bit small to cool it much if you are overclocking, might be better off with just the HSF.

[Warlord2]

that tec should work fine

remember the XP dont give off as much heat as the Tbirds do

[mEKbOY]

NO

[chuckchippie]

i'd say go to 156 to be safe

[donny_paycheck]

Originally posted by Warlord2
that tec should work fine

remember the XP dont give off as much heat as the Tbirds do

This is what I figured. I was thinking about going to 150-170 watts but wanted to make sure the HSF would also handle it. The palamino only dissipates maybe 40-50 watts of heat max, as opposed to 80-90 for the tbirds, so I figured I'd be safe. Looks good so far....idle temp from power off into CMOS setup after 10 mins is 22F which I'd say is pretty good being ten F below freezing. No condensation problems yet. Do you think a hot plate between the TEC and HSF would be a good idea too? I thought it might inhibit rapid transfer but I have an extra slug of copper that I can use so I'm wondering. I'm about to run Prime95 and do a loaded temp test here directly. Thanks for the suggestions...:)

[mEKbOY]

High end TEC's and Heatsink and fans do not go together. For any athlon you will need at least a 156 watter to get decent results and water cooling will be needed to hanle all that heat no matter how good a swity is.

[donny_paycheck]

FULL LOAD TEMP 51F AFTER 30 MINUTES AND NO CONDENSATION!!!

What can I say? No more tbird core raging like a furnace I guess....I'm gonna try upping the voltage to the TEC to around 15-16 with a variable PSU I have (from ham radio gear) to see what happens - and if the HSF can take the load, like mekboy warned.

[ButcherUK]

You'll only need a hotplate if the hsf base is smaller than the tec.

[donny_paycheck]

Excellent....the swifty is huge so that's not a worry to me then. Thanks!

[Warlord2]

gj:)