Cool your CPU using and Engine? We need your input.

[koomarz]

Hey, so I'm completely new to this forum and website, so please excuse any posting etiquette I may overlook.

So for the background, I'm working on a school project for my final year of Engineering, and my team and I are really interested in developing an entirely new type of cooling system for computers, primarily CPU's, and yes, as in my title, we plan on doing this using a type of engine. A roadblock that we have run into however is that we need data....we need to talk to people that are really knowledgeable in this domain, the people that push their computers to the limit so that we can evaluate if this project is even worth pursuing.

And that brings me to my main point, would any of you kind folk be willing to take part in a short (5-10 min) interview to help my team and I with our project? Or even answering a few written questions if an interview doesn't work would be an immense help.

If you are willing to help let me know!! It would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT** For all those that don't want to do an interview but are still willing to help a little my group and I have put together a google survey linked below that only takes a few minutes to go through. Again, all help is greatly appreciated!

Survey:
https://goo.gl/forms/RsyO7Md2oO12dIVB2

Koomarz

 

[S_I_N]

WHAT KIND OF ENGINE?? oops caps most engines I can think of would only introduce more heat into the situation.

 

[koomarz]

The type of engine we plan on centering our idea around is called a Stirling Engine

 

[trents]

As I understand it, theoretically the heat produced by the CPU would drive the pump, thus converting heat energy into mechanical energy without the need to introduce electrical energy into the system to drive the pump. Thus, the heat introduced into the system by the electrical energy needed to drive the pump in conventional liquid cooling systems is removed from the thermal equation. In addition, the conversion of the CPU heat energy into mechanical energy also removes BTUs from the thermal equation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine

 

[koomarz]

That is one way that a Stirling engine could be applied to cooling, however the amount of heat needed to power one of these engines to power a pump would be way to high to actually be applicable. What my project proposes is actually doing the reverse of what you looked up, apply power to create a temperature differential. Pretty much a Stirling Cryocooler, which is often used in space applications: https://www.technologysi.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Closed-Cycle-Coolers.aspx
Again, though if anyone here would be willing to take part in a short interview abouttalking your PC building experience, and your selection of cooling systems it would be a great help. We just want to find out why people select their cooling systems and what may drive them to chose any alternative.

 

[trents]

I would be willing. Is there a link to the survey?

 

[koomarz]

Here ya go! Thanks a lot for taking the time to do it!

https://goo.gl/forms/42BgcOFgE71bL7G33

 

[Alaric]

Filled one out. Good luck!

 

[trents]

Me too.

 

[Mr.Scott]

Me three.

 

[Lochekey]

Submitted as well

 

[(G{in}[AK)TION]]

submitted.

Look forward to what you got in the future.

 

[koomarz]

Hey! Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for taking the few minutes of your time to fill out the survey!! It really means a lot!

 

[maxfly]

did one. almost swallowed my tongue when for the first time i added up what my rig cost.

 

[caddi daddi]

I filled out one also, I only priced one rig and I have 12 running.

 

[koomarz]

Thanks alot! and dont worry about only pricing a single rig, we're just looking for an apporx. average that people spend in their setups

 

[Alaric]

Thanks alot! and dont worry about only pricing a single rig, we're just looking for an apporx. average that people spend in their setups

Umm, this bunch may skew hell out of those numbers on "average". LOL

almost swallowed my tongue when for the first time i added up what my rig cost.

Scary, isn't it?

 

[ihrsetrdr]

Done.

 

[caddi daddi]

Thanks alot! and dont worry about only pricing a single rig, we're just looking for an apporx. average that people spend in their setups

ha, ha,ha.
in Alfie Evans, my two rendering rigs, up stairs, right at $1700 in each box, in the ram alone, they are exact clones of each other.

 

[Bill Dimwit]

Scary, isn't it?

You guys have it easy, you have cheap ATX systems.
Look at the cost of the PICMG SHB card
https://buy.advantech.com/Single-Board-Computers-PICMG/Full-size-SBCS/model-PCE-9228G2I-00A1E.htm

And what about a bottom of the barrel h110 board
https://buy.advantech.com/Single-Board-Computers-PICMG/Full-size-SBCS/model-PCE-5029VG-00A1E.htm

Don't forget the backplane board, that's anther 2-300$

But hay, they can last 10-20 years without a problem under full load and you can cram 4 or even 8 SHB cards into same backplane board.